on october 21, 2014, hovind indicted federal grand jury in pensacola, florida, on 2 counts of mail fraud, 1 count of conspiracy paul john hansen commit mail fraud, , 1 count of criminal contempt interfering sale of pensacola properties hovind forced forfeit result of 2006 case. hovind , hansen pleaded not guilty , tried together.
on march 2, 2015, trial began in u.s. district court northern florida. on first day of testimony, prosecution discussed hovind , hansen s dozens of filings , including several lis pendens, used resist court-ordered forfeiture due in part legal advice hovind took cellmate in new hampshire prison camp . prosecution case included numerous emails, recorded phone calls, , court filings related forfeited properties. prosecution presented audio of hovind characterizing lis pendens asking daughter, have ever taken step dog crap , gets stuck on feet , s hard off? hansen , hovind took stand in own defense. according journalist kevin robinson, during hovind s testimony, refused give short answers , said believed actions lawful. on march 12, 2015, hovind found guilty on 1 count of criminal contempt, hansen on 2 counts of criminal contempt, , jury hung on remaining charges.
a trial on counts on jury not reach verdict had been ordered begin on may 18, 2015. however, on saturday, may 16, 2015, prosecution filed government s motion dismiss counts one, 2 , 4 of superseding indictment without prejudice, citing issues regarding technical sufficiency of superseding indictment, including adequacy of notice. later on saturday, may 16, court cancelled jury selection , trial had been scheduled begin on monday, may 18, in order, in court s words, permit defendants respond government s motion.
on monday, may 18, 2015, u.s. district court made 2 decisions. first, court granted prosecutor s request without prejudice dismissal of 3 remaining charges against hovind, allowing prosecutor go federal grand jury , seek new indictment if desired. second, court rendered judgment of acquittal on criminal contempt charge on hovind had been found guilty jury. on point, court concluded in specific order hovind had been found guilty of violating, there no actual language prohibited hovind doing anything.
on august 21, 2015, paul john hansen sentenced 18 months in prison , 3 years probation 2 counts of contempt.
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