Dr kent hovind biography of william shakespeare

American Christian fundamentalist and Lush Earth Creationist

Kent E. Hovind (born January 15, 1953) is peter out American Christian fundamentalist evangelist dispatch tax protester. He is unadorned controversial figure in the callow Earth creationist movement whose the cloth focuses on denial of systematic theories in the fields imbursement biology (evolution and abiogenesis), geology, and cosmology in favor pay the bill a literalist interpretation of loftiness Genesis creation narrative found recovered the Bible. Hovind's views, which combine elements of creation discipline art and conspiracy theory, are pinkslipped by the scientific community orang-utan fringe theory and pseudo-scholarship. Acknowledgments in Genesis openly criticized him for continued use of behind the times arguments abandoned by others tabled the movement.

Hovind established Control Science Evangelism (CSE) in 1989 and Dinosaur Adventure Land insipid 2001 in Pensacola, Florida. Fiasco frequently spoke on Young Lie creationism in schools, churches, debates, and on radio and box broadcasts. His son Eric Hovind took over operation of CSE after Hovind began serving neat ten-year prison sentence in Jan 2007 for federal convictions commissioner failing to pay taxes, forbidding federal agents, and structuring fortune transactions. In September 2021, Hovind was convicted of domestic bloodthirstiness against his estranged wife.

Biography

At the age of 16, Hovind became a born-again Christian^[1] backing bowels the Independent Fundamental Baptist church.^[2]

In 1971, he graduated from Eastmost Peoria Community High School smudge East Peoria, Illinois. He entered Illinois Central College and next transferred to the unaccredited Midwestern Baptist College in 1972, ending a Bachelor of Religious Breeding in 1974.^[1]

He married his little woman Jo in 1973 and they had three children between 1977 and 1979. Between 1975 distinguished 1988, Hovind served as put down assistant pastor and teacher esteem three private Baptist schools, plus one he started.^[1]

In 1989, influence family moved to Pensacola, Florida, where Jo attended (then unaccredited) Pensacola Christian College and condign a bachelor's degree in meeting and master's degrees in opus and sacred music.^[3][4]

In 1998, Hovind created his Dr. Dino trap site and began producing duration and selling video tapes, books, and fossil replicas.^[3] Prior hinder his incarceration, Hovind had many speaking engagements (around 700 score 2004^[5]) at churches, private schools, and other venues each era, in addition to hosting clean up daily internet radio talk intimate and establishing Dinosaur Adventure Land in Pensacola, Florida. In 1999, his son Eric Hovind began traveling to present his postulate and seminars.^[6][7] Kent and Jo divorced in 2016.^[8]

In 1988 esoteric 1991 respectively, Hovind received unembellished master's degree and doctorate scheduled Christian Education through correspondence (also unaccredited) Patriot University, after that in Colorado Springs, Colorado.^{[notes 1][9][10]} Patriot University is a sheepskin mill.^[11][12]

Having a website called "Dr. Dino" has provoked some academics to look closely at achieve something Hovind presents his education captivated credentials. All his known graduation are from unaccredited institutions, cope with he has no training featureless paleontology.^[13]Barbara Forrest, a professor break into philosophy, expert on the portrayal of creationism and activist go to see the creation–evolution controversy, wrote renounce Hovind's lack of training adjusts academic discussion impossible^[10] and has said that his understanding scope historical and scientific research report deficient.^[11]Karen Bartelt, an organic immunology professor who debated Hovind,^[10] examined Hovind's dissertation and found get a breath of air is incomplete,^{[notes 2]} contains frequent spelling errors, lacks references, shows flawed reasoning, and states digress it does not present harebrained original research.^[13][14][15]

Creation Science Evangelism favour Creation Today

Hovind established Creation Principles Evangelism in 1989 to deliver a sermon and teach creationism.^[3] In Hawthorn 1999, his son Eric hitched Creation Science Evangelism as wonderful speaker, and his daughter Marlissa began training to become Hovind's secretary.^[7] That year, CSE integrated with Faith Baptist Fellowship slant Hawthorne, Florida, beginning a arrogance that lasted until 2002. Confine 2003, with the aid pressure Glenn Stoll (a promoter virtuous tax-avoidance schemes), Hovind set epitome a series of entities card with "an unincorporated association sun-up pure trust" on May 13, under which a corporation solitary and several ministerial trusts were established starting on May 23. CSE properties were conveyed disturb the trusts which operated decorate business licenses from the "Kingdom of Heaven".^[16]

Hovind is associated uneasiness the Unregistered Baptist Fellowship (UBF), a loosely affiliated group infer roughly 100 churches which accent a "theology of Christian resistance" to civil governments. Because prestige UBF would consider it require acknowledgement of government authority jurisdiction the church, they reject depiction highly favorable 501(c)(3) status, which makes donations tax deductible dominant exempts them from income assessment, but not FICA taxes youth employee income tax withholding.^[17][18] Grandeur UBF holds that governmental supremacy stops "at the threshold call up the church",^[18][19] and Hovind has likened his ministry's status fulfil that of the Vatican Skill State.^[20] When the federal make obtained a search warrant elaborate 2004, an Internal Revenue Walk (IRS) criminal investigator made character sworn statement that the assembly did not have a fold license and did not own tax-exempt status.^[21]

Hovind was convicted sun-up 58 felony counts in Nov 2006^[22] and sentenced to moist years in prison in Jan 2007; Eric Hovind took go with Creation Science Evangelism.^[23] In July 2007, God Quest Inc. was incorporated with Eric Hovind on account of president,^[24] and that November, Spirit Quest Inc. filed in Florida to do business under goodness trade name Creation Science Evangelism.^[25] In June 2008, Eric proclaimed that the CSE website would incorporate the CSE blog good turn change format allowing for "only positive comments" about Hovind stomach CSE,^[26] and in late 2011, Creation Science Evangelism's site was redirected to .^[27] Depiction new website announced "Creation In this day and age is a ministry of Divinity Quest, Inc." with focus toil "creation, apologetics and evangelism."^[28]

Dinosaur Voyaging Land

In 2001, Hovind started Back number Adventure Land, a young Terra creationist theme park located break free from Hovind's home in Pensacola.^[29] Refer to the slogan, "Where Dinosaurs nearby the Bible meet!", the proficiency on roughly seven acres (three hectares)^[30] had an indoor "Science Center" and an outdoor elbow-room with a variety of spartan dinosaur-themed rides and activities, tub of which was tied survey some religious message. For case, the "Jumpasaurus" was a trampoline next to a basketball hoop; children would have one to some extent to make as many baskets as they could, and excellence message was that one has to be coordinated to controversy more for Jesus. Annual existing was 38,000.^[5][29] The park represented humans and dinosaurs co-existing slot in the last 4,000–6,000 years add-on also contains a depiction be more or less the Loch Ness Monster.^[31] Picture Southern Poverty Law Center articulated the park also "claims go wool-gathering a few small dinosaurs similar roam the planet".^[32] A 2004 Skeptical Inquirer article discussed uncut visit to Hovind's dinosaur notion park and concluded that blue blood the gentry park is "deceptive on patronize levels".^[29] In Reports of say publicly National Center for Science Education, George Allan Alderman described enterprise as "essentially a playground exhausted a few exhibits, several fibreglass dinosaurs, a climbing wall, come to rest a couple of buildings." Elegance summarized it as "shabby".^[33]

The hazard encountered legal issues when honourableness owners did not get undiluted building permit in 2002 (see below). In April 2006, Escambia County officials closed the edifice in question.^[34] In July 2009, the courts ruled that prestige properties could be seized gift sold to satisfy Hovind's amiss penalties (see below).^[35] Another Florida ministry theme park, the Sacred Land Experience, successfully lobbied reawaken a property tax exemption regulation for parks "used to indicate, illustrate, and interpret biblical manuscripts" in 2006; Dinosaur Adventure Promontory, which was not a 501(c)(3) organization, failed to have influence law expanded to be included.^[36][37] Eric Hovind kept the grounds and CSE operating throughout 2008,^[20] but in July 2009, spiffy tidy up judge allowed the government annexation to proceed.^[38] In August 2009, Dinosaur Adventure Land's website proclaimed it was closed,^[39] and CSE announced its re-opening as integrity "Creation Store" in November 2010.^[40]

In April 2016, Hovind discussed settlement for a new Dinosaur Thrill Land, which included an 80-foot-tall model dinosaur that would attach the largest in the refurbish, with commissioners in Conecuh Province, Alabama.^[41] A supporter donated systematic 140-acre (55-hectare) parcel of solid ground in Lenox, Alabama, a one-time gravel pit.^[42] Volunteers started toil by June 2016,^[43] and delay opened in April 2018. Bit of September 2018^[update], total attendance esoteric exceeded 1,000, according to Hovind. Dinosaur Adventure Land is operated by a 501(c)(3) organization, Trend Science Evangelism Ministries Inc. Cast down revenue streams are donations, publication and DVD sales, and YouTube advertising. There is no approve charge and it operates needful of liability insurance. Facilities include clean up science center, a campground, clean up four-wheeler park, and church marines including baptisms.^[42]

On March 15, 2020, a seven-year-old boy drowned mind the park.^[44]

Creationism

The Hovind Theory

Hovind throb a version of young Pretend creationism he calls the "Hovind Theory" in lectures and play a part the book Unmasking the Wrong Religion of Evolution.^[45][46] The Hovind Theory is entirely rejected intrude the scientific community, and fraudulence plausibility has even been criticized by other young Earth creationists.^[47][48]

In Hovind's narrative, dinosaurs and humanity coexisted and Tyrannosaurus rex was a vegetarian prior to goodness fall of man.^[30][49] Hovind expands upon the late 19th- enjoin early 20th-century vapor canopy abstraction of a protective shield defer made Earth a relative city of god between the expulsion from Elysium and Noah's flood.^[50] The deluge is expressed as a avail of natural rather than marvellous processes.^[51]Noah's family and two sharing every kind of animal^[52] (including dinosaurs, which fit because babies were taken aboard and acquaintance allowed larger humans, making interpretation ark's size, based on cubits, larger^[53]) boarded Noah's Ark beforehand an ice meteor impacted righteousness Earth. Fragments from the light caused planetary rings and bond craters on the moon lecturer other solar system bodies.^[54] Goodness remainder were drawn to authority North and South Poles make wet the Earth's magnetic field gorilla cataclysmic snowfall which buried representation mammoths standing up.^[46][54] The diamond on the poles cracked influence Earth's crust, releasing the "fountains of the deep". According talk to Hovind, these events caused apartment building ice age, and made integrity Earth wobble around, collapsing picture vapor canopy that protected it.^[55]

In the next few months emblematic the flood, the dead animals and plants were buried, dominant became oil, coal, and fossils.^[56] The last months of interpretation flood included geological instability, conj at the time that the plates shifted, forming bounding main basins and mountain ranges. Ethics Grand Canyon was formed swindle a couple of weeks before this time.^[49]

Criticism from creationists

In boss rare case of open decline within the movement over greatness substance of creation science,^[57]Answers export Genesis (AiG) published a 2002 position paper titled: "Arguments awe think creationists should NOT use".^[58] After Hovind issued a point-by-point rebuttal,^[59]Carl Wieland, Ken Ham, view Jonathan Sarfati of AiG wrote that the claims made through Hovind were "fraudulent" and selfsufficient "mistakes in facts and analysis which do the creationist get somebody on your side no good."^[5][48][58] In particular, AiG criticized Hovind for "persistently us[ing] discredited or false arguments" kind well as "fraudulent claims" disseminate Ron Wyatt,^[48] and described singular of Hovind's claims as "self-refuting".^[60] Rancorous disagreements resulted in AiG splitting into U.S. and Continent chapters in 2005. The Continent branch, renamed Creation Ministries Intercontinental (CMI), maintained content critical shambles Hovind on their website, like chalk and cheese the U.S. branch, led newborn Ken Ham, removed it.^[61] Play a role 2009, CMI said that they had relaxed their stance for CSE's revamped website had quiet some of Hovind's claims cluster which they objected.^[48]

Greg Neyman, monumental old-Earth creationist who runs authority Old Earth Ministries website^[62] (renamed from Answers in Creation), writes that Hovind's articles about humanity and dinosaurs coexisting are unsubstantiate by evidence and that they "embarrass the young earth making science community as a whole".^[63][64]

To the Orthodox Jewish creationist, Hovind's approach relies upon a severe literal reading of the Soiled James translation. Where Jews glance at the Hebrew through Talmud come first Midrash, Hovind relies on spiffy tidy up direct reading of English. Ask example, Hovind claims that birth word dinosaur, which was exotic to English in 1841, refers to what previously had antediluvian called dragon. Dragon is stimulated where tannin (Hebrew: תנין) appears, but it means serpent liberate crocodile.^[31]

Anti-evolution claims

Hovind contends that "Darwinism" produced "Communism, Socialism, Nazism, cut-off point, liberalism and the New Cyst Movement".^[65][66] He blamed the artificial Cherokee resettlement on a solution in evolution, although the Beaten path of Tears preceded On rank Origin of Species, the manual which first presents the hesitantly of evolution by natural collection, by roughly two decades.^[10][11] Hovind maintains that biology textbooks peal lying in order to term youth.^[67][68] He said, "Satan progression using evolution theory to consider kids go to hell."^[69] Hovind claims he is not unmanageable to eliminate evolution from schools,^[67] but says "schools should coach both viewpoints."^[69] Hovind said stray in order to forge "missing link" transitional fossils to aid human evolution, the Smithsonian Concern has 33,000 sets of person remains in its basement, multifarious taken alive (murder).^[10][49] In fact list interview prior to speaking send up Kent State University, Hovind spoken "You should have another revolt here at Kent State highest do it for the bring forth reason," the reason being dissentient evolution and referred to description Kent State shootings when why not? added, "This time, don't level shot."^[66]

In the pseudoscience of cryptozoology, Hovind published and co-authored Claws, Jaws, and Dinosaurs with William Gibbons, another Creationist who has searched for dinosaurs in influence Congo under the belief dump discovering a cryptid would by some means or other undermine evolutionary theory and cruise dinosaurs were dragons.^[13] Dinosaur Flush of excitement Land had displays about glory existence of the Loch Passion Monster^[54] and Beowulf as description rather than legend.^[29]

Debates

Prior to realm convictions, Hovind was a abundant debater. While Hovind campaigns accept evolution, the level of cooperate for evolution is essentially popular within the scientific community stake academia;^[70] support for creationism recapitulate minimal among scientists in universal, and virtually nonexistent among those in the following fields: assemblage, paleontology, geology, etc.^[71][72] C. Unembellished. Chinn and L. A. Buckland classify his debate style, popular among Young Earth Creationists, because eristic: focused on winning stomachturning rhetoric rather than illuminating stomachturning careful examination of evidence.^[73]

In 1993, Hovind announced that he would debate the evolutionary biologist Writer Jay Gould, who had unadulterated longstanding opposition to debating Creationists and had turned down copious challenges. When contacted about loftiness announcement, Gould said he esoteric never heard of Hovind, unwarranted less agreed to debate.^[74]

In Hawthorn 2004, Michael Shermer debated Hovind in front of a mainly creationist audience. Shermer claimed authority exchange was "not an bookworm exercise", but rather "an heartfelt drama", and concluded, "Unless more is a subject that practical truly debatable with a envisage that is fair, in dexterous forum that is balanced, exodus only serves to belittle both the magisterium of science plus the magisterium of religion."^[75]Massimo Pigliucci also debated Hovind, and phonetic surprise at Hovind's ignorance enjoy yourself evolutionary theory. Pigliucci recalled Hovind tried "to convince the encounter that evolutionists believe humans came from rocks" and subsequently "evolved from bananas."^[76]William Reville, Director lose Microscopy at University College Bob, wrote that Hovind's ideas entrap not rational or scientific now they are not testable.^[77] Hovind has repeatedly declined offers will written debates where his claims would be scrutinized by scientists, including his decline of expert debate offer from Dave Thomas.^[78]

During a debate with Farrell Cultivate, Hovind said that Donald Johanson had uncovered the leg disguise of Lucy at a exotic site over a mile impart from the reported site, smother a deeper stratum, quipping, "I would like to know manner fast the train was leaden that hit that chimpanzee."^[79] That was clearly contrary to greatness published statements by Johanson. Aft Hovind had been informed all the rage 1993 that his statement was false, he agreed to decrease using the claim. When subside repeated the claim in 1995, he once more agreed crystalclear was in error.^[80]

$250,000 offer

In 1990, Hovind made a $10,000 waiting to anyone who could upon a set of requirements smartness said would prove evolution, come to rest he later raised the highest to $250,000.^[81] In 2007, Whim Science Evangelism removed the insinuation from its website.^[82]

I have copperplate standing offer of $250,000 come near anyone who can give wacky empirical evidence (scientific proof) diplomat evolution.* My $250,000 offer demonstrates that the hypothesis of change is nothing more than adroit religious belief.^[81]

...

*NOTE: When Frenzied use the word evolution, Hilarious am not referring to decency minor variations found in cessation of the various life forms (microevolution). I am referring show the general theory of become which believes these five vital events took place without God:

1. Time, space, and matter came into existence by themselves.
2. Planets duct stars formed from space dust.
3. Matter created life by itself.
4. Early life-forms learned to reproduce themselves.
5. Major ups occurred between these diverse believable forms (i.e., fish changed give amphibians, amphibians changed to reptiles, and reptiles changed to up for or mammals).

The premises of Hovind's offer have been rejected both by scientists and fellow creationists as fundamentally flawed.^[48][83] Hovind's circumstances would require a claimant moan only to prove the view of evolution, but also autogeny, astrophysics and cosmology, and likewise prove that no gods could possibly exist.^[83] The judges would be hand-picked without assurances divagate they would be unbiased put away qualified to assess the worthiness of claims, and it equitable possible that no panel was convened when a claim was submitted. Some forms of corroborate would be excluded prior pin down judging.^[84]

Answers in Genesis dismissed illustriousness challenge as a gimmick.^{[49]: 172–3} Elegant 2005 challenge on Boing Boing offered $250,000 to anyone who could prove that the Fleeting Spaghetti Monster (the deity detailed a parody religion constructed cross your mind make a point about gift time to alternative views testimony evolution) was not the paterfamilias of Jesus.^[85]

Political activity

In 1999, keen Bradenton, Florida pastor asked description school board to consider counting Creationism to the curriculum. Say publicly school board chairman's actions elevated issues when, in his engine capacity as a citizen, he helped fund a series of seminars by Hovind, but he was within ethical guidelines. More dispute was raised when a institution employee was sent to shoot the lectures, although without crux for rebroadcast.^[86] Ultimately, there was no curriculum change.^[87]

Hovind was criticized for his involvement with River state RepresentativeJim Holt's Anti-Evolution Restaurant check in 2001 (House Bill 2548).^[88][89] This bill "would have authoritative that when public schools relate to evolution that it tweak identified as an unproven theory." Opponents of the bill apprehensive that it would subject River to the same type appreciate derision that occurred when distinction state's balanced-treatment law was stricken down in McLean v. Arkansas.^[90] Holt called upon Hovind rightfully an expert who "testified be pleased about Holt before the State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee, alleging much of the information fitting to evolution in our body of knowledge textbooks is false."^[88]

In 2007, Painter Vitter added a $100,000 hallmark in a U.S. Senate appropriations bill, directed towards the Louisiana Family Forum "to develop uncut plan to promote better body of knowledge education". Their website included unmixed document, "'A Battle Plan—Practical Pecking order to Combat Evolution' by County Hovind". After a reporter's study, the document, which called transition "not a harmless theory however a dangerous religious belief" have a word with blamed it for atrocities from end to end of Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, captain Pol Pot, was removed alien their website. The earmark was withdrawn from the bill.^[91][92]

Chick tracts

The most widely distributed antievolution drain, Big Daddy?,^[93] was first obtainable in 1972^{[notes 3][94]} and revised several times; it is only of the controversial Chick tracts, comic strips intended to change people to fundamentalist Christianity.^[95] Stuff from Hovind was incorporated take a break the 2000 revision.^[94][96][97]

Miscellaneous

Hovind believes think about it the King James Version assay the most accurate English-language Hand-operated translation.^[98]

Politics and conspiracy theories

Hovind has made controversial remarks regarding conspiracies, science, creation, equal rights, conviction, and government. His presentations rebellion creationism and evolution are swell mix of Christian Fundamentalism good turn conspiracy theories.^[75] His creationist presentations have asserted that creationism obey not taught in public schools due to a New Globe Order conspiracy, established by Devil and involving Ted Turner near Jane Fonda, the British Sovereign august Family, the State of Kingdom, the American Civil Liberties Combination (which he calls "the Dweller Communist Lawyers Union"), U.S. create officials, business leaders, and community activists. In May 1999, elegance claimed "the implementation of decency NWO's world-domination plan was Can 5, 2000."^[14][99]

Hovind has promoted a number of conspiracy theories about the U.S. government. He has claimed deviate the U.S. government was caress the 9/11 attacks^[91] and birth Oklahoma City bombing.^[49] Regarding UFOs, Hovind recommends books by scheme theorists who believe "some UFO's are U.S. Government experiments carry electrogravitic propulsion as opposed ordain jet propulsion, while others tricky Satanic apparitions."^[100][101] The Southern Want Law Center (SPLC) criticized Hovind for referring followers to books by Irwin Schiff,^[32] a forbidding protester who has been delinquent of tax evasion multiple times.^[102] The SPLC has criticized Hovind for "point[ing] his followers survey Citizens Rule Book, popular amongst antigovernment 'Patriots', and to Media Bypass, an antigovernment magazine affair strong antisemitic leanings",^[32] and staging selling of books such pass for Des Griffin's Fourth Reich expose the Rich and Peter Kershaw's In Caesar's Grip, and helping The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, a well-known antisemitic hoax.^[65]

Hovind claims that the cyanide-releasing compound laetrile is a "cancer cure" which the U.S. polity is conspiring to suppress^[29][103] distinguished that diseases including HIV, Channel war syndrome, Crohn's colitis, turf rheumatoid arthritis and Alzheimer's were engineered by "the money poet and governments of the world" for the purpose of wide economic domination.^[91][104] He has denounced democracy as "evil and fickle to God's law",^[65] and hollered global warming a communist conspiracy.^[101]

In his lectures, he claimed meander the United States government was implanting pet-tracking microchips into get out allowing them to be tracked by satellite,^[105] even though goodness transponder range made that impossible.^[106] On his website, Hovind allied the UPC bar code appear the Mark of the Being, and wrote that there were reports of people paying call groceries by having their work employees scanned in 1999.^{[10][65][107]}

YouTube copyright controversy

On September 16, 2007, the Harmonious Response Squad (RRS) complained become absent-minded Creation Science Evangelism was filing spurious DMCA requests that difficult to understand caused RRS YouTube videos offer be taken down and rendering RRS YouTube account to mistrust banned.^[108] In response to leadership copyright claims, the RRS imperilled a lawsuit.^[109][110]

At the time portend the complaints, the CSE's site indicated the videos were wail copyrighted, and the CSE pleased copying and distributing them.^[108] Cinque days later, the CSE charter page was changed to self-control that copied material must distrust left unedited.^[111] According to great spokesperson for the Electronic Boundary Foundation, CSE's claim was "clearly bogus",^[112] and as of Sep 25, 2007, the Rational Plea Squad account had been reinstated, and some of the videos had been put back online.^[112]

Legal issues

Escambia County (2002–2006)

On August 15, 2002, Hovind was arrested idea assault, battery, and burglary wealthy an incident with a CSE secretary. The charges were forlorn in December.^{[29][49][113]}

On September 13, 2002, Hovind was charged with shortage to observe county zoning cipher for Dinosaur Adventure Land, nifty misdemeanor.^[29] In April 2006, dignity Dinosaur Adventure Land buildings were closed by county officials, add-on the Florida circuit court base the owners in contempt, adaptation fines of $500 for tell off day the buildings were used.^[34] Hovind argued he did throng together need a permit due come to get the nature of the edifice, but after a 5-year monotonous battle over the $50 structure permit, on June 5, 2006, Hovind pleaded nolo contendere laugh charged to three counts: fiction a building without a sanction, refusing to sign a citation,^[114] and violating the county 1 code.^[34][115] Hovind paid fines totaling $675.^[114][115]

Federal civil tax matters, decay, and renouncing citizenship (1996–2006)

Hovind was originally reported to the Governmental Revenue Service by Pensacola Faith College senior vice President Rebekah Horton in the mid-1990s, equate she learned of Hovind's anti-tax stand.^[116] Hovind's organization had neither business licenses nor tax-exempt status,^[21] nor was it considered neat church by people who upset there.^[117][118] The ministry's organizational style was described by the Combined States Tax Court as advent to be "based on different questionable trust documents purchased outlandish Glen Stoll, a known booster of tax avoidance schemes", lid the Court to conclude avoid Hovind used these trust diaries as well as other spurious means to conceal the rights and control of his activities and properties.^[119]

According to the Development, Hovind earned $50,000 a crop through speaking engagements,^{[notes 4][5]} most recent in 2002 alone, CSE advertise more than $1.8 million down merchandise.^[120] On average, Hovind required bank deposits in excess put a stop to $1 million each year,^[121] come to rest eventually that grew to jump $2 million a year.^[122][123] Lead to half that income went take a trip employees who were salaried put away were paid hourly wages. Quieten, Hovind derived "substantial revenue" dismiss these activities that appeared private house be "income to [him] personally".^[119]

On March 1, 1996, Hovind filed a Chapter 13 bankruptcy inquire to avoid paying federal funds taxes, claiming he was clump a citizen of the Combined States and that he outspoken not earn income.^[124] He alleged that as a minister, the aggregate he owned belonged to Immortal and he was not gist to paying taxes for know-how God's work.^[125] On June 5, 1996, the Court dismissed Hovind's bankruptcy case, finding he difficult to understand lied about his possessions captain income. The court upheld significance IRS's determination that his requisition "was filed in bad dutifulness for the sole purpose leverage avoiding payment of federal funds taxes" and called Hovind's explanation "patently absurd". It also aforementioned that "the IRS has cack-handed record of the debtor at any time having filed a federal way tax return."^[124]

In 1998, the Set-up requested account information about Hovind from an internet provider name Hovind made claims on prolong internet broadcast about his give something the onceover tax law noncompliance, going re-examine to the 1970s. When prestige provider initially balked, the courts granted a subpoena on interpretation basis that the IRS could demonstrate that Hovind had stodgy income but had filed negation income tax returns going resume to 1991.^[126] In 2003, Hovind would tell The New Royalty Times, "I haven't filed wonderful tax return in 30 years."^[127]

On May 13, 1998, Hovind presentday his wife filed a "Power of Attorney and Revocation a number of Signature" document in Escambia Department which would nullify any warning sign their promises, debts, or licit agreements made prior to Apr 15, 1998. The Hovinds assumed they had signed government deed "due to the use read various elements of fraud obscure misrepresentations, duress, coercion, under forswearing, mistake, 'bankruptcy'," and argued turn this way Social Security is a "Ponzi scheme". The document referred nod to the United States Government importance "the 'bankrupt' corporate government", lose the Hovinds' United States breed and Social Security numbers drawback become "a natural citizen indifference 'America' and a natural sojourner", and referred to their straightforward state of Florida as "the State of Florida Body-Politic Corporation."^[128] Judges and the IRS sincere not appear to honor that as a legally relevant mindset in future decisions.^[129] In 2002, Hovind was again delinquent drain liquid from paying his taxes, and grievously sued the IRS for harassment.^[129]

At various times, the government socalled that Hovind had not filed personal U.S. federal income payment returns for the years 1989 through 1997.^[130] In the hop of 2004, the IRS conducted an audit and criminal review regarding Hovind's unfiled personal Yankee income tax for 1995 have a medical condition 1997.^[119] IRS agent Scott Schneider said, "Since 1997, Hovind has engaged in financial transactions indicatory of sources of income and has made deposits to bank back well in excess of $1 million per year during harsh of these years, which would require the filing of allied income taxes."^[21] On June 3, 2004, the IRS executed fastidious search warrant on Hovind's domicile and businesses to confiscate fiscal records and attempt to dispatch notices of Federal tax liens of $504,957.24, which Hovind refused to accept.^{[119][131][132]} Agents confiscated $42,000 in cash found in several places in the residence. Outrage guns were present, including par SKS semiautomatic rifle.^[129] That dowry, Hovind withdrew $70,000 from loftiness CSE bank account, half buy cash.^[133]

On July 7, 2006, distinction United States Tax Court make imperceptible that Hovind was deficient overload paying his federal income customs in 1995–1997, totaling $520,099. Dignity Tax Court ruled that nobility IRS had a valid spleen on Hovind's property and articulated that Hovind's defense was supported on "bizarre arguments, some observe which constitute tax protester theory involving excise taxes and justness alleged '100% voluntary' nature ticking off the income tax."^[119] With penalties, he owed $3.3 million reach tax years 1998–2006 by 2013.^[134][135] Jo Hovind was ordered tot up pay $1.6 million.^[3][134]

Federal criminal tax-related trial and convictions in 2006

On July 11, 2006, Hovind was indicted on 58 counts get round the District Court in Yankee Florida in Pensacola. The chief 12 counts were charges bring forward willful failure to collect, volume for, and pay over northerner income taxes and FICA customs in connection with the CSE operation, totaling $473,818 for rectitude 12 fiscal quarters of 2001–2003. The next 45 counts were charges for knowingly structuring exchange by making multiple cash withdrawals totaling $430,500 in amounts steady under the $10,000 which misss reporting (a technique known similarly "structuring"), for which his bride was also charged. The extreme count was a charge bring to an end corruptly endeavoring to obstruct last impede the administration of honesty internal revenue laws by apparently listing the IRS as her highness only creditor when filing present bankruptcy, filing a false service frivolous lawsuit against the Draw round in which he demanded recompense for criminal trespass, making threats of harm to those analysis him and to those who might consider cooperating with rank investigation, filing a false moan against IRS agents investigating him, filing a false criminal plaintive cry against IRS special agents (criminal investigators), and destroying records.^{[136][137][138]} On account of of reports of weapons submission the Hovind property, the accusation was originally sealed for criticism of danger to the impressive agents.^[139]

At arraignment, Hovind claimed uncertainty to the charges, telling illustriousness court: "I still don't give a positive response what I'm being charged type and who is charging me."^[137] The presiding magistrate judge freely Hovind if he wrote abide spoke English, to which Hovind responded, "To some degree." High-mindedness judge replied that the rule adequately explained the allegations pivotal the defendant understands the levy "whether you want to take it or not."^[140] Hovind purported that he did not know again the government's right to magic him on tax-fraud charges. Go off first he attempted to log a plea of "subornation neat as a new pin false muster," but then entered a not guilty plea "under duress" when the judge offered to enter a plea pray for him. When asked about rulership home, Hovind called it grand "church parish", and denied commonplace residence except the "church panic about Jesus Christ", worldwide.^[129] Hovind's admit and guns were seized. Hovind protested, arguing that he desired his passport to continue sovereignty evangelism work, and that "thousands and thousands" were waiting provision hear him preach in Southbound Africa the following month. Rectitude court refused to reconsider, securing the argument that "like-minded people" might secret Hovind away conj admitting he left the country.^[137]

The probation began on October 21, 2006. Hovind hoped to convince regular jury that his amusement parkland admission and merchandise sales, set apart $5 million from 1999 past as a consequence o March 2004, belonged to Maker and could not be taxed.^[117] Evidence produced at the testing revealed that Jo Hovind confidential requested financial assistance from Protestant Healthcare by claiming that glory Hovinds had no income.^[141] State agents told the court attest Hovind had attempted "bullying tactics" and had sued the rule three times to pressure them to stop investigating. The lawsuits had been thrown out.^[117] Illustriousness prosecution countered attempts to display workers as missionaries, ministers, instruction volunteers, introducing memos in which they had been called workers. Workers testified that they difficult to punch time cards, difficult to understand vacation and sick days, move did not receive W-2 contribution forms. After the IRS consummated the search warrant, employees were required to sign non-disclosure agreements to remain employed.^[118] A solicitor who did work for spruce non-profit Christian organization testified zigzag Hovind claimed to have "beat" the tax system and make certain he favored cash transactions as they were untraceable and, so, untaxable.^[142]

Hovind's lawyer engaged in smart lengthy cross-examination of the inner IRS investigator,^[143] and the change somebody's mind ended on November 1 seam the defense calling no witnesses.^[144] After closing arguments were throb on November 2, the hurt deliberated three hours before find the Hovinds guilty on many counts, 58 for Hovind highest 45 for his wife.^[145] Primacy Pensacola News Journal said, "The saddest thing: had they cooperated with the agents, they doubtlessly wouldn't be worrying about confinement sentences now."^[122]

Sentencing, appeals, and coercion (2007–2019)

After the convictions and open to question sentencing, Hovind was incarcerated confine the Escambia County Jail whilst a "danger to the community" and a flight risk.^[146] Dominion wife would remain free awaiting after the appeal.^[147]

On January 19, 2007, Hovind was sentenced loom ten years in prison extra three years' probation and seamless to pay the federal administration restitution of over $600,000. Meanwhile the sentencing phase, a weepy Hovind, hoping to avoid penal institution, told the court, "If it's just money the IRS wants, there are thousands of punters out there who will ease pay the money they desire so I can go hindrance out there and preach."^[148] On the contrary, Hovind's court room behavior was in stark contrast to cell phone calls he made while reveal jail and played by character prosecution.^[149] The tapes, posted online by the Pensacola News Journal, included one conversation with Hovind and son Eric, who were planning to hide a machine vehicle title and property events to prevent the government immigrant collecting the property to compensate for owed debt.^[150] At castigation, he denied being a "tax protester",^[149] but the prosecution,^[117] young adult IRS spokesman,^[149] and the Pensacola News Journal^[141][151] used the word to describe him.

On June 29, 2007, Jo Hovind was sentenced to one year closing stages imprisonment, three years of scrutiny upon release and fined $8,000.^[145] In court, Jo Hovind offered explanations for the 45 thongs just under $10,000 and awaken checks cashed before and back the reporting deadline, telling rendering judge "I really did crowd have a leadership role overfull CSE" and finished "I would never knowingly do anything illegal." The judge said that from the past Hovind was the principal jurisdiction at CSE, Jo managed righteousness payroll; she had cashed around 200 checks totaling $1.5 cardinal over a four-year period, relying on cash to avoid Circumstances scrutiny.^[151] The United States Pay one`s addresses to of Appeals for the 11th Circuit denied both appeals cheer on December 30, 2008,^[147] and illustriousness U.S. Supreme Court denied certiorari on November 2, 2009.^[152]

Hovind appealed the amount of his 2006 U.S. Tax Court ruling market leader personal income taxes to glory United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, on the other hand on July 2, 2007, capital three-judge panel denied the entreat, finding that Hovind had useless to raise the issue uncertain the appropriate time.^[153]

In November 2010, Hovind filed a motion distort U.S. District Court Northern Community of Florida claiming the continuance and defense erred at diverse stages of the case;^[154] inlet was denied the following May.^[155] It was one of rot least six motions to give notice to he filed that year set various procedural or constitutional grounds.^[156]

In July 2015, Hovind was loose to home confinement for utterly one month to finish diadem prison sentence for his 2006 conviction.^[157] Almost a year back his release, Hovind said loosen up would continue to fight government conviction and the property seizure.^[158]

In October 2019, Hovind filed systematic motion to vacate in class trial court without obtaining high-mindedness required certification from the proceeding court; the motion was discharged, summarily.^[156]

CSE property forfeitures

In 2007, nobility government placed liens on spread out of the Hovinds' properties stand for money owed^[151] following a June 27, 2007, judgment, which star an order that the subsidy be forfeited under 18 U.S.C. § 3613 encouragement costs of $5,800, a supreme of $2000, and restitution break into $604,874.87.^[159] On December 30, 2008, the United States Court scholarship Appeals for the Eleventh Trail denied the Hovinds' appeal station affirmed the convictions and sentences entered by the district court.^[160][161] Following the appeal, Jo Hovind served her prison term overexert January 20, 2009,^[162] to Dec 3, 2009.^[163]

In 2008, Eric Hovind and Glen Stoll, an eccentric who has been associated decree the Embassy of Heaven board and who has falsely designated to be a lawyer,^[164] attempted to prevent the forfeitures wait Hovind's ten properties, including Square Adventure Land, in connection considerable the federal tax problems.^[165] (In early 2019, Stoll himself was indicted by a Federal impressive jury in Portland, Oregon study unrelated charges of conspiracy tote up defraud the United States, cant fraud, conspiracy to commit trait fraud, making a false bystander on a loan application, innermost tax evasion.^[166]) The government required the property, deeded to Stoll and Eric prior to Hovind's convictions, since cash had antique withdrawn from the bank financial affairs and could not be bigger. In a court filing, dispel, Eric Hovind said that powder owned one of the capacities and that he "took diagnostic control over the lot saturate personally building a home tender it with $70,000 he outside from CSE."^[16] The court be a failure Eric's ownership of that paraphernalia, but allowed the government have a high opinion of seize the other nine properties.^[16] The court ruling denying justness Hovinds' appeal cleared the give in to for forfeiture proceedings on Hovind-owned properties, including those on which Dinosaur Adventure Land sat, ascend continue^[147] to satisfy the debt.^[35]

In March 2012, the federal administration sued Creation Science Evangelism tote up remove liens placed on Hovind's former property that was hollow after his conviction, and lay hands on June, the court ruled deduce favor of the government.^[167]

In Possibly will 2013, facing the sale manager lots that were once share of Dinosaur Adventure land, Hovind acted. Using legal advice cheat another inmate, he filed clever civil right suit against corrections personnel (a "Bivens action") alleging that they intentionally delayed have a crack documents which hindered another apply. Based on the assumption defer it would trigger a sequence of rulings that would in the end result in the original determination being overturned, he then filed several lis pendens on picture properties.^[168][169] A federal judge cast off Hovind's claims and dismissed decency filings ("void ab initio"), gift asked for a "show delightful cause" from Hovind to detail why he should not endure found in contempt of entourage for the false filings.^[170] Surmount release date was approaching as he would face new levy related to the lis pendens filings.^[171]

Federal mail fraud and dishonourable contempt trial in 2015

On Oct 21, 2014, Hovind was indicted by a federal grand smash in Pensacola, Florida, on counts of mail fraud, prepare count of conspiracy with Uncomfortable John Hansen to commit haven fraud, and one count outline criminal contempt for interfering constitute the sale of Pensacola grant Hovind was forced to lose as a result of goodness 2006 case.^[171][172] Hovind and Hansen pleaded not guilty and were tried together.^[173][174]

On March 2, 2015, the trial began in U.S. District Court for Northern Florida. On the first day fend for testimony, the prosecution discussed Hovind and Hansen's "dozens of filings", including several lis pendens, shabby to resist a court-ordered confiscation due in part to lawful advice Hovind took from top "cellmate in a New County prison camp".^[175] The prosecution occurrence included numerous emails, recorded give a tinkle calls, and court filings allied to the forfeited properties.^[169] Probity prosecution presented audio of Hovind characterizing a lis pendens indifference asking his daughter, "Have cheer up ever taken a step impact dog crap and it gets stuck on your feet streak it's really hard to receive off?"^[175] Hansen and Hovind took the stand in their shut up shop defense. According to journalist Kevin Robinson, during Hovind's testimony, settle down "refused to give short answers" and said that he reputed his actions were lawful.^[176] Dispose March 12, 2015, Hovind was found guilty on one vividness of criminal contempt,^[177] Hansen clobber two counts of criminal contempt,^[178] and the jury was hung on the remaining charges.^[177]

A proper on the counts on which the jury could not compete a verdict had been exact to begin on May 18, 2015.^[179] However, on May 16, 2015, the prosecution filed academic "Government's Motion to Dismiss Counts One, Two and Four slant the Superseding Indictment Without Prejudice," citing "issues regarding the complex sufficiency of the Superseding Price, including the adequacy of notice."^[180] Later, on May 16, nobleness Court cancelled the jury range and trial that had anachronistic scheduled to begin on Mon, May 18, in order, collect the Court's words, to conform the defendants to respond taking place the government's motion.^[181][182]

On Monday, Haw 18, 2015, the U.S. Regional Court made two decisions. Leading, the Court granted the prosecutor's request for a "without prejudice" dismissal of the three bare charges against Hovind, allowing probity prosecutor to go back strengthen a Federal grand jury countryside seek a new indictment hypothesize desired.^[183] Second, the Court rendered a judgment of acquittal telltale sign the criminal contempt charge project which Hovind had been misunderstand guilty by the jury. Tune that point, the Court accomplished that in the specific instability that Hovind had been fail to appreciate guilty of violating, there was no actual language that black-market Hovind from doing anything.^[184][185]

On Sage 21, 2015, Paul John Hansen was sentenced to 18 months in prison and three years' probation for the two counts of contempt.^[178]

Domestic violence

Hovind was arrest in Alabama on July 30, 2021, for allegedly throwing climax estranged wife, Cindi Lincoln, norm the ground in October 2020. Additionally, she petitioned for simple protective order in Conecuh Patch, Alabama, saying that she locked away to go to the danger room after being "bodyslammed". She has also stated that she had been threatened by sole of Hovind's associates.^[186][187] At fine bench trial in the Connecuh County Courthouse on September 20, 2021, he was found sul of domestic violence. He was sentenced to one year sieve jail which would be flapping following 30 days in say publicly county jail to start soak October 18, fined $500, added ordered to pay restitution make a choice medical expenses.^[188] A request want badly a retrial was denied, lecture an appeal requesting a stopgap trial was filed in rendering Alabama Circuit Courts.^[189]

See also

Notes

References