SCDOR agents arrested a Berkeley County man on Monday and charged him with four counts of furnishing a false tax document and one count each of operating without a Retail License, making a threat, and simple assault.

John Travis Peterson, 38, of Summerville, was the operator of Cane Bay Tire and Auto LLC, whose Retail License was revoked by the SCDOR in June 2025. However, according to arrest warrants, Peterson continued to operate the business and make retail sales after the business’s Retail License was revoked.

According to warrants, when SCDOR employees returned to the location to provide revocation orders and violation documents to Peterson, Peterson gave a false name and signed the documents using this name on multiple occasions. He also made threats and assaulted an SCDOR employee in an attempt to force them to leave the business’s location, the warrants allege.

If convicted, Peterson faces a maximum penalty of one year in prison and/or a fine of $5,000 for each count of furnishing a false tax document, 30 days in jail and/or a $500 fine for each of the assault and threat counts, and 30 days in jail and/or a fine of $200 for the charge of operating without a Retail License.

If you suspect or know of anyone or a business that has committed a state tax crime, such as tax evasion or tax fraud, contact SCDOR Criminal Investigation and submit a Tax Violation Complaint Form (CID-27) to FraudAdvisor@dor.sc.gov or mail it to:

South Carolina Department of Revenue
Attn: Fraud Advisor
2070 Northbrook Blvd, Suite B7
North Charleston, SC 29406
 

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