COLUMBIA, S.C. — A Chester man could face up to a decade in prison and a six-figure fine after he pleaded guilty to a handful of charges in federal court this week.
Federal prosecutors in Columbia announced that 47-year-old Lawrencium Germaine Martin admitted in court to tax evasion, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and lying to federal investigators. Prosecutors said from 2019 through at least 2021, Martin ran an online business called Lancaster Tactical Supply (LTS), which appeared to be a legitimate business to customers. It supposedly sold firearm accessories and parts, including gun build kits, slides, imitation suppressors, optics, and body armor.
However, nearly 400 customers from 43 states complained to the Better Business Bureau and the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs, claiming Martin took their money and didn't ship the products to them.
Investigators with the FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the IRS Criminal Investigation division found LTS, which was run out of Martin's house and a business location, was making significant revenue; through one payment processor, Martin made more than $2 million in proceeds deposited into his personal bank accounts. However, Martin didn't pay any state or federal taxes for any year from 2015 through 2022.
Martin admitted to the tax evasion, although he didn't admit to a specific figure. The IRS determined he didn't pay more than $800,000 in 2020 alone. Martin also admitted to getting someone else's personal identifying information through a legitimate employment relationship and operated LTS in that person's name without authorization, meaning that the revenue for the business was attributed to the other person.
Federal agents searched Martin's home and business in Chester, discovering he had a 9mm handgun despite multiple previous felony convictions, ranging from theft by deception to larceny of a motor vehicle. Shipping labels tied to LTS were also found during the search.
Finally, Martin admitted that he had lied when initially interviewed by investigators. He at first had told them he had never heard of LTS, never got money from it or its customers, and didn't know how his name was associated with the business.
Martin faces up to 10 years in federal prison. He will also be subject to mandatory restitution, a fine of up to $250,000 and up to three years of court-ordered supervision after release. He was placed on bond and will be sentenced at a later date.