Mount Vernon Man Arrested for Possession of Untaxed Cigarettes in Westchester County

ALBANY, NY (07/26/2010)(readMedia)-- New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Acting Commissioner Jamie Woodward today announced the arrest of a Mount Vernon man on felony tax charges for the possession of 138 cartons of untaxed cigarettes and attempted evasion of cigarette taxes.

Adam A. Alsaidi, 22, of 581 Gramatan Ave., was arrested on July 22 at the Triple A Deli Candy & Grocery, located at 149 South 4th Street in Mount Vernon by State Tax Department investigators. In the course of the arrest, agents found the untaxed cigarettes, which represent an estimated $6,400 in unpaid taxes to the state.

Alsaidi was charged with Unlawful Possession of Untaxed Cigarettes and Attempt to Evade or Defeat Cigarette Tax, both class E felonies each punishable by up to four years in state prison.

Alsaidi is scheduled to appear in Mount Vernon City Court on August 24.

Acting Commissioner Woodward thanked the Westchester County District Attorney's Office for prosecuting this case.

The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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