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Frank Richard Ahlgren III from Austin has received a two-year prison sentence for misreporting profits from Bitcoin 
$102,543 sales. According to a statement from the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), Ahlgren began investing in Bitcoin in 2011.
Bitcoin Investments and Sales
In 2015, Ahlgren purchased 1,366 Bitcoins through his Coinbase account at a price of approximately $495 per Bitcoin. By October 2017, the value of Bitcoin had surged, and Ahlgren sold 640 BTC for $5,807 each, totaling approximately $3.7 million in profit.
Ahlgren exaggerated the acquisition cost of Bitcoin on his 2017 tax return, reporting lower earnings than he actually had. He failed to declare Bitcoin sales exceeding $650,000 in 2018 and 2019. To conceal his gains, he transferred funds to multiple wallets, converted Bitcoin to cash, and used mixers to anonymize transactions.
Prison Sentence and Penalties
The DOJ noted that Ahlgren’s actions resulted in a tax loss exceeding $1 million. U.S. District Court Judge Robert Pitman imposed a two-year prison sentence on Ahlgren, followed by one year of supervised release and an order to pay back $1,095,031.
“Frank Ahlgren III made millions without paying his taxes. This behavior resulted in a two-year prison sentence.” – Acting Director of the DOJ’s Tax Division Stuart M. Goldberg.
IRS-Criminal Investigation’s Houston Division Chief Investigator Lucy Tan stated, “Ahlgren believed that cryptocurrency transactions could not be traced, but he is receiving penalties. No one is above the law.”
This case draws attention as the first criminal case related to tax evasion involving cryptocurrencies. The IRS emphasizes that cryptocurrency transactions are traceable and can lead to legal repercussions.
It is crucial for cryptocurrency investors to accurately report their earnings and fulfill their legal obligations. Experts suggest that, with increasing regulations, investors should seek professional support.
