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AUGUSTA

February 14

Two indicted in evasion of cigarette tax

By Betty Adams badams@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

AUGUSTA -- Two Somerset County men have been indicted on allegations that they sold cigarettes to customers that did not include tax stamps.

Daniel Long, 77, of Pittsfield, faces two counts each of intentional evasion of cigarette tax; two counts of evasion of sales tax; failure to collect, account for, or pay over sales tax; and possession of un-stamped cigarettes; as well as five counts of unlawful trafficking in marijuana.

The offenses occurred between May 28, 2009, and June 17, 2010, all in Somerset County, according to the indictment.

Four of the charges indicate that more than $2,000 in un-charged taxes was involved in each case.

The other man, Walter Argraves III, 28, of Skowhegan, faces one count each of intentional evasion of cigarette tax in an amount in excess of $2,000 and possession of un-stamped cigarettes with the intent to sell. Those alleged offenses happened June 17, 2010, the indictment says.

The two men were indicted Friday by a regional grand jury sitting in Kennebec County. An indictment is not a determination of guilt but it indicates there's enough evidence to proceed with formal charges and a trial in superior court.

The prosecutor, Assistant Attorney General Gregg Bernstein, said he expects both men to be arraigned in Somerset County Superior Court within a couple of weeks.

Long was at his business, The Trading Post in Canaan, on Monday. He said he was aware of the investigation, but had no attorney representing him.

Long said he had offered the cigarettes without the tax stamps at $2 a pack -- instead of $6 -- to people who could not quit smoking.

"By buying cigarettes tax free, they're not taking away from their family," Long said Monday. "I wasn't making money on it. If I was, I wouldn't be so far in debt."

It's unclear from the indictments how the two cases are connected. Long said he has had no contact with Argraves since June 2010.

A phone listing for Argraves was not in service.

Betty Adams -- 621-5631

badams@centralmaine.com

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