Rice Man Faces Felony Charges Over Unpaid Business Taxes

(KNSI) – A Rice man has been charged with 22 felony counts after state investigators say he failed to file or pay more than $221,000 in income and sales taxes tied to his tree service businesses.

The Minnesota Department of Revenue says the Dakota County Attorney’s Office has charged Dillon John Blocker with five counts of willfully failing to file income tax returns, five counts of failing to pay income tax, six counts of failing to file sales and use tax returns and six counts of failing to pay sales and use tax.

According to the complaint, Blocker operated multiple tree service businesses that provided taxable services to customers, and the income from those businesses was required to be reported on his individual income tax returns each year. Bank records allegedly showed he earned taxable income from the businesses as well as from gambling winnings at casinos.

The complaint states Blocker earned enough taxable income to be required to file and pay income tax in Minnesota but did not do so for tax years 2020 through 2024. He is also accused of failing to file sales and use tax returns and remit sales tax on his businesses’ taxable services for multiple periods between 2020 and 2025.

Investigators say Blocker had filed income tax returns prior to 2016 and allegedly told them he was aware of his filing obligations but did not file because he was not good at paperwork.

Each count carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both.

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