Former Sacramento man sentenced to over 4 years in prison for filing false tax returns

Date: March 16, 2026

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Christopher Eugene Guilford, formerly of Sacramento, was sentenced today to four years and three months in prison for making a false claim against the United States and filing false tax returns, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

"Filing false tax returns is not a shortcut to easy money; it's a federal crime," U.S. Attorney Grant said. "By submitting nine fraudulent returns and stealing more than $1.17 million in refunds, the defendant tried to cheat the American taxpayer. Today's sentence shows that those who abuse our tax system for personal gain will be held accountable."

On Oct. 30, 2025, a jury found Guilford guilty of one count of making a false claim against the United States and eight counts of filing a false tax return. Guilford had filed nine false tax returns with the IRS in which he reported false income and false tax withholdings. For one of the tax return filings, Guilford received a refund of $1,172,446. The charges against Guilford stem from his use of a convoluted "redemption" scheme, used by tax protestors and sovereign citizens that has been repeatedly rejected by the courts.

"Mr. Guilford's sentencing underscores the serious consequences for those who attempt to exploit the tax system through fraudulent schemes, including socalled 'redemption' tactics," said Linda Nguyen, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation (IRSCI) Oakland Field Office. "By fabricating income, falsifying withholdings, and seeking more than a million dollars in illegitimate refunds, Guilford not only violated federal law but also undermined the integrity of programs designed to serve honest taxpayers. IRSCI will continue to pursue individuals who seek to enrich themselves through deceit and hold them fully accountable."

IRS-CI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brittany M. Gunter and Arelis M. Clemente prosecuted the case.

IRS-CI is the law enforcement arm of the IRS, responsible for conducting financial crime investigations, including tax fraud, narcotics trafficking, money laundering, public corruption, healthcare fraud, identity theft and more. It is the only federal law enforcement agency with investigative jurisdiction over violations of the Internal Revenue Code. IRS-CI has 18 field offices located across the U.S. and maintains an international presence through attaché posts abroad.