The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance and the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office today announced Juncheng Chen of 136-18 64th Road, Flushing, Queens, pleaded guilty to attempting to smuggle untaxed liquor into New York State for resale. As part of his plea, Chen agreed to forfeit his vehicle, a Chevrolet Suburban SUV, and the alcohol seized when he was arrested.

“Those who smuggle untaxed liquor are profiting at the expense of their neighbors and depriving local communities of critical funding for public programs and services,” said New York State Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Michael Schmidt. “We’ll continue to work with all levels of law enforcement to ensure those responsible are held accountable.”

Chen will pay nearly $1,300 in tax as restitution as well. He faces additional monetary fines for penalty and interest when he’s sentenced on September 3 in Rye City Court. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Nicole Gamble of the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office Economic Crimes Bureau.

“We are committed to stopping any criminal who attempts to defraud the system and therefore steal from the people of New York State,” said Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino, Jr. “We will continue to work closely with Commissioner Schmidt and his investigators at the NY State Department of Taxation and Finance to prosecute crimes that affect all of us.”

Chen was arrested by investigators with the Tax Department’s Criminal Investigations Division in December 2017 after his vehicle was stopped by New York State Police in Rye, NY. The vehicle was packed with more than 700 liters of liquor, which he purchased at multiple liquor outlets in New Hampshire.

A liter is a little more than 34 fluid ounces.

Report Fraud

You can report tax evasion and fraud online at the Tax Department's website or by phone at 518-457-0578. The information is kept confidential. The Tax Department promptly reviews each complaint and takes corrective action when appropriate.