Legal

Kent Hovind Charged with Mail Fraud and Contempt of Court (2014–2015)

While serving his federal prison sentence, Hovind and co-defendant Paul John Hansen filed fraudulent liens on government-forfeited property despite a court injunction. Indicted October 2014 on mail fraud, conspiracy, and criminal contempt charges. Found guilty of contempt (later dismissed); hung jury on fraud charges. Government dismissed remaining charges May 2015.

Background

While Kent Hovind was serving his 10-year federal prison sentence for tax fraud, the government moved to seize properties associated with Creation Science Evangelism (CSE) as part of the forfeiture proceedings in the original case. A court injunction was issued prohibiting interference with the forfeited properties.

The Charges

Despite the injunction, Hovind and co-defendant Paul John Hansen filed lis pendens (fraudulent liens) against the government-forfeited properties via the U.S. mail. These filings attempted to cloud the title on properties the government had legally seized.

On October 21, 2014, a federal grand jury indicted Hovind and Hansen on:

  • 2 counts of mail fraud — for using the mail system to file fraudulent property liens
  • 1 count of conspiracy — to commit mail fraud
  • 1 count of criminal contempt — for violating the court order prohibiting interference with forfeited property

Trial and Outcome

The case went to trial in early 2015:

  • The jury found Hovind guilty of criminal contempt for violating the court injunction
  • The jury hung (could not reach a verdict) on the mail fraud and conspiracy charges
  • The contempt conviction was later dismissed by the court
  • The government dismissed the remaining charges in May 2015

Context

This case demonstrated that even while incarcerated, Hovind continued to challenge the legal system using sovereign-citizen-adjacent tactics. The filing of fraudulent liens against government-forfeited property is a well-known strategy in the sovereign citizen movement — a movement whose legal theories Hovind has repeatedly echoed in his tax arguments and property claims.

Sources