Tallahassee Sun

Sedita Charles Cayson, a 59-year-old real estate agent from Panacea, Florida, has been found guilty of willfully failing to file his income tax returns over a five-year period. The verdict was delivered by a federal judge after a day-and-a-half bench trial. Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the outcome.

Evidence presented during the trial showed that Cayson, known as the "Land Man," had consistently failed to file his taxes despite earning substantial commissions from real estate sales. His annual earnings averaged over $150,000 during the years in question from 2017 to 2021. Additionally, it was revealed that Cayson had previous tax delinquencies with liens assessed against him for the years 2004-2007 and 2011-2013.

Further testimony indicated that starting in 2017, Cayson instructed his broker to divide his commission checks into amounts less than $10,000 each. Most of these checks were cashed immediately at banks.

Cayson's sentencing is set for February 24, 2025, at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee before United States District Judge Robert L. Hinkle. He faces up to one year in federal prison and a fine of $25,000 per count along with up to one year of supervised release.

The investigation leading to this conviction was conducted by the United States Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Harley Ferguson and Justin M. Keen handled the prosecution.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is among 94 offices serving as principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. Public court documents can be accessed online through the U.S. District Court for Northern District of Florida's website.