LORIS -- The South Carolina Department of Revenue charged a Loris couple Wednesday with felony sales tax charges.
Mr. J. Russell Herring faces five counts of sales tax evasion for the years 2001 through 2005. Mrs. Myron D. Herring faces five counts of criminal conspiracy to evade sales tax for years 2005 through 2009.
The Department of Revenue investigation found the sales tax license for Russell's Stop & Shop on Main Street in Loris was in the name of Myron Herring. The investigation also found Russell Herring operated the business for his wife. Sales tax returns filed by the business for the years 2001 through 2009 consistently understated taxable sales. The taxable sales reported by the Herrings for 2001 through 2009 were $373,670.00. The investigation found the taxable sales were actually $1,038,930.77. The Revenue Department calculated the Herrings did not pay $33,231.74 in additional sales taxes.
If convicted, the Herrings each face up to 25 years in prison and/or $50,000 in fines.
The Herrings were released on a Personal Recognizance bond of $25,000 each.
