JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A prominent Jacksonville pastor who admitted he tried to avoid paying more than half a million dollars in federal taxes was sentenced to 9 months in federal prison on Thursday.
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Brian Carn Jr., 37, founder and pastor of Kingdom City Church and leader of Brian Carn Ministries and Healing House Ministries, pleaded guilty to a federal tax charge announced by the U.S. Department of Justice. Prosecutors say Carn attempted to conceal more than $1.3 million in income after learning he owed the IRS more than $600,000.
In a live video posted to social media earlier this year, Carn told thousands of followers he was taking responsibility for the crime.
“I did plead guilty because I’m taking responsibility,” Carn said. “At the end of the day, it’s my taxes, my name. It’s what the Lord entrusted me with, and I’m responsible to handle everything that he’s blessed me with integrity — and I didn’t.”
Watch the full video below.
Court records show Carn initially reported earning about $1.4 million on his 2015 federal tax return. After learning the tax bill would exceed $600,000, investigators say Carn attempted to amend the return by falsely removing approximately $1.3 million in previously reported income.
According to the plea agreement, the IRS later placed liens on Carn’s properties in an effort to collect the unpaid taxes. Prosecutors say Carn then hired a new accountant and falsely reported his annual income as $120,000.
Investigators also allege Carn made several additional false representations, including:
- Omitting a real property he received from his grandmother through a quitclaim deed in 2016
- Failing to disclose a Cash App account used to transfer hundreds of thousands of dollars to his personal bank account
- Omitting an investment account in his name
- Failing to report ownership of two vehicles
- Listing his monthly income as $0 from 2017 through 2020
In the video, Carn said he was not blaming anyone else and described the case as a period of personal reflection.
“This is what God is doing in my life,” Carn said. “Identifying things in my life to make sure I have ministerial integrity, financial integrity, relationship integrity, friendship integrity and physical integrity.”
Carn faced a maximum sentence of three years in federal prison, and prosecutors requested that the judge sentence him to 18 months, saying he did not take the charges seriously.
“Carn has diminished his crime and expressed confidence that he won’t go to prison,” prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memo. “Coupled with the false return he filed after pleading guilty, this shows that Carn does not truly understand the gravity of his conduct. Incarceration will underscore to Carn that his crimes are serious and merit a serious consequence.”
He has 45 days before he has to report to serve his time at a minimum security facility. He is also required to pay $1,000 a month in restitution and will have 1 year of supervised release.
News4JAX reached out to Carn and his attorney for comment after he was sentenced. His attorney released a statement saying Carn “understands the seriousness of his conduct, the importance of complying with the law, and the responsibility that comes with public ministry and leadership.”
“Pastor Carn is grateful to the Court for its careful consideration of this case, and he respectfully thanks the Judge, the prosecutors, and all parties involved for the professionalism shown throughout this process,” attorney Walter Reynoso wrote in a statement to News4JAX. “He also appreciates the continued prayers, support, and encouragement from his family, church community, and those who have stood by him during this difficult time.
This experience has been humbling. Pastor Carn is committed to making things right, fulfilling his obligations, and moving forward in a manner that reflects accountability, growth, and renewed dedication to his faith, his family, and the people he serves."