DENVER -- A former reality star on the show American Guns, which aired on the Discovery Channel, has been indicted and arrested for firearm and tax crimes.
Richard Wyatt, 52, of Evergreen, surrendered to authorities Thursday on charges of conspiracy, dealing in firearms without a license and tax-related charges.
Wyatt was the subject of a 13-count federal grand jury indictment in Denver.
According to the indictment, Wyatt allegedly illegally sold guns and failed to report over $1.1 million to the Internal Revenue Service. He operated Gunsmoke, a store in Wheat Ridge that sold firearms, accessories and provided gunsmithing services. The store was the subject of American Guns, which ran on the Discovery Channel from 2011 to 2012. There were a total of 26 episodes.
Wyatt controlled the store's bank account and was the principal decision-maker for the business.
On Feb. 17, 2012, Wyatt and several others, who have not been named, conspired to deal in firearms without a license.
In April 2012, he surrendered his Federal Firearms License due to his violations of federal laws and regulations.
When Gunsmoke surrendered the license, Wyatt changed the address of a store called Triggers Firearms, LLC and a firearms license to the Gunsmoke address, even though they did not play a role in managing Triggers and they did not receive any profits.
Wyatt submitted false paperwork to the ATF to hide that Triggers was acting as a straw licensee for Gunsmoke.
After losing his license, Wyatt never applied for a new one to sell guns at the store. He had a meeting with his staff to tell them how the business would continue.
From April 2013 to March 2015, employees were told to enter gun sales into the computer as "miscellaneous" sales. When a customer bought a gun, they were directed to another firearm store that had a valid license, where the customer filled out a background check and took possession of the guns they had purchased at Gunsmoke.
Gunsmoke was also paid directly if customers needed gunsmithing work done.
Wyatt was able to continue ordering guns, even though he had no license.
In addition to the firearm violations, Wyatt failed to pay personal income tax in 2009, when he made about $290,000, in 2010, when he made about $123,000 and in 2012, when he made about $689,000. Also, in 2010, 2011 and in 2012, he failed to pay corporate taxes.
In 2012, he willfully filed a tax return he knew to be false, stating he lost the money, when in fact, he made at least $184,000.
Wyatt faces a count of asset forfeiture, including the forfeiture of firearms and ammunition involved in the commission of the alleged crime.
He faces two counts of conspiracy, with each count carrying a penalty of at least five years in federal prison and up to a $250,000 fine. He faced three counts of dealing in firearms without a license, carrying a penalty of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Wyatt also faces one count of filing a false tax return, which has a penalty of up to three years and a $100,000 fine. He faces seven counts of failing to file a tax return, which has a penalty of up to one year in prison and a $25,000 fine.
Wyatt made an initial court appearance at 2 p.m. Wednesday where he was advised of his rights and the charges pending against him. He's being held without bond pending a hearing on Feb. 16.
