William Phillip Jackson and Stephen Lee Jackson are two Missouri brothers who have long challenged the IRS’s authority, racking up millions in unpaid taxes, resisting eviction from seized properties, and taking steps to obstruct federal enforcement. Now, both face serious federal criminal charges for their efforts to prevent the U.S. government from reclaiming and selling their assets.
The Jackson brothers’ troubles date back to 1998–2002, when William Jackson—the elder of the two—failed to file federal income tax returns and did not pay the taxes owed. By 2006, the IRS had assessed him approximately $1.39 million in unpaid taxes, penalties, and interest. Despite repeated notices and demands, he refused to comply. As a result, the IRS placed federal tax liens on four of his properties, including a residential property in Stark City, Missouri, and a business property in Granby, Missouri.
After years of non-compliance, the U.S. government took legal action. In 2018, a federal court ordered the foreclosure and judicial sale of these properties. A jury trial later found William Jackson liable for a total of $2.39 million in unpaid taxes, including amounts not covered in the initial foreclosure judgment. The court ordered him to vacate so the IRS could sell the properties and recover some of the lost revenue. Instead, William Jackson and several family members refused to leave, occupying the properties illegally for more than four years.
By January 24, 2024, federal authorities moved forward with eviction, removing William Jackson and others so the IRS could proceed with the sale. However, the brothers did not back down. William Jackson filed a last-minute bankruptcy petition on January 23, 2024, just one day before the eviction and two days before the scheduled auction. The bankruptcy court later ruled that the filing was made “in bad faith”, meant only to delay and obstruct the sale.
After the IRS physically removed him from the property, William Jackson forcibly returned and cut the IRS-installed locks and chains on the Stark City property, replacing them with his own. In March 2024, he returned again—twice—cutting through barbed wire fencing to illegally access and occupy the land. According to the unsealed indictment, As part of his testimony, William Jackson exhibited to the court the broken IRS lock and chain still in his possession.
Stephen Jackson, who has a criminal history of firearm possession and trespassing, took an even more aggressive approach. On May 10, 2024, he allegedly sent a threatening text message to an IRS specialist working on the case, in what prosecutors describe as an attempt to intimidate and obstruct the government’s enforcement efforts. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged him with making a threatening communication against a federal officer. He wrote:
A federal grand jury indicted both brothers on February 26, 2025, returning a sealed six-count indictment in the Western District of Missouri. The charges were unsealed on February 28, 2025, following the arrests and court appearances of both men. William Jackson remains in custody pending a detention hearing.
The federal indictment charges both brothers with 1) Conspiracy to defraud the United States, and 2) Impeding the due administration of internal revenue laws.
William Jackson faces additional charges of: 1) Two counts of attempting the forcible rescue of property seized under federal tax law; 2) One count of bankruptcy fraud.
Stephen Jackson is also charged with one count of making a threatening communication to intimidate a federal officer.
The indictment makes clear that the Jackson brothers’ resistance was not just financial but ideological.
Their tactics included:
- Rejecting federal tax authority and refusing to comply with lawful IRS actions
- Attempting to use bankruptcy filings as a shield against enforcement
- Physically obstructing the government’s property seizure and sale
- Engaging in intimidation tactics against federal employees
Federal prosecutors have taken a firm stance, arguing that the Jacksons’ actions constitute fraud, obstruction, and outright defiance of the law. The case is being prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall D. Eggert and has been investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigations, with assistance from the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, IRS Property Appraisal and Liquidation Specialists, and the Newton County Sheriff’s Department.
The U.S. government has moved for the pretrial detention of Stephen Jackson, citing concerns about flight risk and obstruction of justice. The court also noted his history of attempting sovereign citizen tactics with the court. The government argues that there are no conditions of release that would ensure his appearance in court or the safety of the community.