Kentucky Man Arrested for Altering Vehicle Titles

WARTBURG, Tenn. -  The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to the indictment and arrest of Justin Wayne Brown of Dry Ridge, Ky., this week. Bond was set at $3,000.

On September 18, 2023, a Morgan County Grand Jury indicted Brown on two felony counts of altering , falsifying, or forging a vehicle title. The indictments allege Brown concealed altering a title on two different occasions.

“The Department of Revenue promotes voluntary taxpayer compliance by educating taxpayers, aggressively pursuing criminal sanctions and demanding accountability when taxpayers engage in fraudulent activity," Revenue Commissioner David Gerregano said. "This indictment underscores the Department's ongoing efforts to enforce Tennessee's title and registration laws."

If convicted, Brown could be sentenced to a maximum of two years in the state penitentiary for each count and fined up to $3,000.

The department is pursuing this criminal case in cooperation with District Attorney Russell Johnson’s office. Citizens who suspect violations of Tennessee's revenue laws should call the toll-free tax fraud hot line at (800) FRAUDTX (372-8389). 

The Department of Revenue is responsible for the administration of state tax laws and motor vehicle title and registration laws and the collection of taxes and fees associated with those laws. The department collects about 87 percent of total state revenue.  During the 2022 fiscal year, it collected nearly $20.9 billion in state taxes and fees and more than $4.3 billion in taxes and fees for local governments.

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