Middle District of Florida

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Steven Headden Young has pleaded guilty  to tax evasion. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and has agreed to pay full restitution, penalties, and taxes owed to the Internal Revenue Service.

According to court documents, Young evaded a substantial portion of his personal federal income taxes for the years 2007 through 2011 by falsifying expenses to negate his income. Young, who prepared and filed his own tax returns, created bogus business expenditures and deducted them from his Schedule C income. He also falsely filed as head-of-household (HOH) to take advantage of the tax benefits of HOH filing status when he was married. This status provides for lower taxes and higher credits than filing single, married filing jointly, or married filing separately.  Taking into account payments made by and tax refunds paid to Young, he owes more than $250,000, but less than $550,000, in taxes for the years 2007 through 2011.

Young also made false statements to the IRS about his marital status, claiming that he was single, when he was married and living with his wife. Further, Young interfered with the IRS audit and tax assessment of his personal federal income taxes in an attempt to intercept third party records the IRS had subpoenaed by the IRS from Bank of America (BOA) by fabricating a letter from the IRS to BOA in an attempt to redirect these bank records.

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA). It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelley C. Howard-Allen.

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Thomas Samborski, II (39, Orange County) has pleaded guilty to enticement of a minor to produce child pornography. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a life term of supervision. In addition, Samborski has agreed to pay restitution to the minor victim. The sentencing hearing has been scheduled for October 6, 2016, before United States District Judge Carlos E. Mendoza. 

According to court records, Samborski made sexually suggestive advertisements regarding photographs of three minor children, including “minor victim 1,” on a file sharing website. As a result, a preliminary investigation eventually resulted in a federal search warrant being executed at his residence. During the execution of the warrant, Samborski’s cell phone was searched and found to contain child pornography depicting “minor victim 1,” which had been produced at his apartment on March 1, 2015, and March 3, 2015. The Internet history on the cell phone included searches and websites pertaining to rape; making chloroform; how to have sex with a virgin; spy and hidden cameras; and other similarly offensive searches. Samborski held a position of custody, care, or supervisory control over “minor victim 1,” a 9-year-old child.

This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ilianys Rivera Miranda.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Gernain Jackson (33, Duval County) has pleaded guilty to enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 28, 2016, before United States District Judge Paul G. Byron. 

According to court records, from August 2015 to September 2015, Jackson engaged a 13-year-old boy from Orlando in chats over Facebook, KIK messenger, Skype, and the telephone, through which Jackson enticed the minor to produce child pornography. Through the online contact, Jackson enticed the minor to send him sexually explicit images. On or about September 6th and 13th, 2015, Jackson met the minor in person while attending church functions in Jacksonville. During that time, Jackson met the minor in the bathroom several times throughout the day and fondled him. 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ilianys Rivera Miranda.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announced today that William Marion Patterson, III (47, Jacksonville) has been charged with receiving child pornography over the Internet and possessing it on his computer media.  If convicted of any one of the three receipt counts, he faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years, up to 20 years, in federal prison, and a life term of supervised release. If convicted of either of the two possession charges, he faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment, and a potential life term of supervision. Patterson was arrested on July 15, 2016. His arraignment and detention hearing is scheduled for July 19, 2016, at 2:30 p.m.       

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has violated one or more federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.

It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

The Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) today announced it will conduct a comprehensive after-action assessment of the Orlando Police Department’s (OPD) response to the mass shooting that took place on June 12 at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida.

Statement from U.S. Attorney Bentley:

“Chief Mina has proven to be a tremendous leader of the Orlando Police Department. His decision to seek an independent review of the law enforcement response to the Pulse nightclub shootings is another example of his effective leadership. The results of this review should help not only the Orlando Police Department, but also other law enforcement agencies forced to deal with terrorist attacks.”

Click this link to view the COPS Office press release in its entirety.

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the filing of a criminal complaint charging Elizabeth Brooks Perkins (46, Brooksville) with bank robbery and a related firearms offense.  If convicted on all counts, she faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison.  Perkins was arrested on July 7, 2016.

According to the complaint, at 4:30 p.m. on February 10, 2016, Perkins visited the Sunshine Bank in Plant City and met with the Branch Manager to discuss a purported land purchase.  When the bank closed, she brandished a semi-automatic pistol and held two employees at gunpoint. After stealing $110,000, Perkins duct-taped the employees and fled.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.               

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Plant City Police Department, and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.  It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carlton C. Gammons.

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Michael L. Johnson (56, Odessa) today pleaded guilty to misappropriation of bank funds and embezzlement.  He faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison.

According to the plea agreement and court proceedings, Johnson was employed as a Senior Vice President/Special Assets Officer at American Momentum Bank.  In his capacity as a Special Assets Officer, Johnson was responsible for marketing and selling bank-owned properties to investors in order to remove these troubled assets from the bank’s balance sheet.  Johnson signed the closing documents, including the HUD-1 Settlement Statement, on behalf of American Momentum Bank.

Beginning around June 2012, and continuing through November 2014, Johnson devised a scheme to misapply and embezzle funds provided by American Momentum Bank.  After the sale of bank-owned properties had been approved by the bank, Johnson set up closings with real estate settlement agents.  He then contacted the agents and ordered additions and/or changes to the disbursement side of the HUD-1.  After closing, funds provided by American Momentum Bank were directed to bank accounts controlled by Johnson’s family members. 

This case was investigated by the Unites States Secret Service, the Tampa Police Department and the Federal Housing Finance Agency – Office of Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Chris Poor.

Congresswoman Corrine Brown and her chief of staff were indicted today for their roles in a conspiracy and fraud scheme involving a fraudulent education charity.

Brown, 69, of Jacksonville, Florida, and her chief of staff, Elias “Ronnie” Simmons, 50, of Laurel, Maryland, were charged today in a 24-count indictment with participating in a conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, multiple counts of mail and wire fraud, concealing material facts on required financial disclosure forms, theft of government property, obstruction of the due administration of the internal revenue laws and filing false tax returns.

Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney A. Lee Bentley III of the Middle District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Michelle S. Klimt of the FBI’s Jacksonville Division and Chief Richard Weber of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) made the announcement.

“Congresswoman Brown and her chief of staff are alleged to have used the Congresswoman’s official position to solicit over $800,000 in donations to a supposed charitable organization, only to use that organization as a personal slush fund,” said Assistant Attorney General Caldwell.  “Corruption erodes the public’s trust in our entire system of representative government.  One of the department’s most important responsibilities is to root out corruption at all levels of government and to bring wrongdoers to justice.”

“Our office is committed to ferreting out and prosecuting all forms of corruption and fraud, regardless of who the offender is,” said U.S. Attorney Bentley.  “In our nation, no one is above the law.”

“Corrupt public officials undermine the integrity of our government and violate the public’s trust,” said Special Agent in Charge Klimt.  “That is why public corruption is the FBI’s top criminal priority.  It is incredibly disappointing that an elected official, who took an oath year after year to serve others, would exploit the needs of children and abuse the charitable hearts of constituents to advance her own personal and political agendas and deliver them with virtually nothing.”

“The defendants are alleged to have committed a multitude of criminal violations, including fraudulently receiving and using hundreds of thousands of dollars in contributions meant for a nonprofit organization for their own personal and professional benefit,” said Special Agent in Charge Lappin.  “The American public expects and deserves equitable enforcement of our tax laws.”

The indictment alleges that between late 2012 and early 2016, Brown and Simmons participated in a conspiracy and fraud scheme involving One Door for Education – Amy Anderson Scholarship Fund (One Door) in which the defendants and others acting on their behalf solicited more than $800,000 in charitable donations based on false representations that the donations would be used for college scholarships and school computer drives, among other things.  According to the indictment, Brown and Simmons allegedly solicited donations from individuals and corporate entities that Brown knew by virtue of her position in the U.S. House of Representatives, many of whom the defendants led to believe that One Door was a properly-registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, when, in fact, it was not. 

Contrary to the defendants’ representations, the indictment alleges that Brown, Simmons and Carla Wiley, the president of One Door, among others, used the vast majority of One Door donations for their personal and professional benefit, including tens of thousands of dollars in cash deposits that Simmons made to Brown’s personal bank accounts.  In one instance, Simmons is alleged to have deposited $2,100 in One Door funds into Brown’s personal bank account the same day that Brown wrote a check for a similar amount to pay taxes she owed.  Likewise, the indictment alleges that Brown and Simmons used the outside consulting company of one of Brown’s employees to funnel One Door funds to Brown and others for their personal use.  According to the indictment, more than $200,000 in One Door funds were used to pay for events hosted by Brown or held in her honor, including a golf tournament in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida; lavish receptions during an annual conference in Washington, D.C.; the use of a luxury box during a concert in Washington, D.C.; and the use of a luxury box during an NFL game in the Washington, D.C., area.

Despite raising over $800,000 in donations, the indictment alleges that One Door was associated with only two scholarships totaling $1,200 that were awarded to students to cover expenses related to attending a college or university.

Simmons is also charged with theft of government property based on the misuse of his position as Brown’s chief of staff to obtain congressional employment for a close relative.  Between 2001 and early 2016, Simmons’ relative allegedly received approximately $735,000 in government salary payments despite performing no known work for the U.S. House of Representatives.  The indictment alleges that between 2009 and late 2015, Simmons diverted over $80,000 of his relative’s government salary for his personal benefit, including through transfers to his personal bank accounts, payments on his personal credit cards and loan payments on his boat.

Simmons and Brown are also charged with failing to disclose, among other things, the reportable income they received from One Door and the salary payments that Simmons diverted from his relative’s government employment on required financial disclosure forms submitted to the U.S. House of Representatives and made available to the general public.

Brown is also charged with engaging in tax obstruction between 2008 and 2014 and, in certain years, filing false returns based on her repeated failure to report income from substantial cash deposits to her personal bank accounts and her repeated deduction of inflated and fabricated charitable donations.  According to the indictment, in various years, Brown claimed deductions on her tax returns based on false donations she claimed she made to One Door, as well as to local churches and non-profit organizations in the Jacksonville area.

Wiley, the president of One Door, pleaded guilty for her involvement in the scheme on March 3, 2016.

The charges and allegations contained in an indictment are merely accusations.  The defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The FBI and IRS-CI are investigating the case.  Deputy Chief Eric G. Olshan of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys A. Tysen Duva and Michael J. Coolican of the Middle District of Florida are prosecuting the case.

Jacksonville, FL – Congresswoman Corrine Brown and her chief of staff were indicted today for their roles in a conspiracy and fraud scheme involving a fraudulent education charity.

Brown, 69, of Jacksonville, Florida, and her chief of staff, Elias “Ronnie” Simmons, 50, of Laurel, Maryland, were charged today in a 24-count indictment with participating in a conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, multiple counts of mail and wire fraud, concealing material facts on required financial disclosure forms, theft of government property, obstruction of the due administration of the internal revenue laws, and filing false tax returns.

U.S. Attorney A. Lee Bentley III, Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Special Agent in Charge Michelle Klimt of the FBI’s Jacksonville Division, and Special Agent in Charge Kim Lappin of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Tampa Field Office made the announcement.

“Our Office is committed to ferreting out and prosecuting all forms of corruption and fraud, regardless of who the offender is,” said U.S. Attorney Bentley. “In our nation, no one is above the law.”

"Congresswoman Brown and her chief of staff are alleged to have used the Congresswoman's official position to solicit over $800,000 in donations to a supposed charitable organization, only to use that organization as a personal slush fund," said Assistant Attorney General Caldwell.  "Corruption erodes the public's trust in our entire system of representative government.  One of the department's most important responsibilites is to root out corruption at all levels of government and to bring wrongdoers to justice."

“Corrupt public officials undermine the integrity of our government and violate the public’s trust,” said Michelle S. Klimt, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division.  “That is why public corruption is the FBI’s top criminal priority.  It is incredibly disappointing that an elected official, who took an oath year after year to serve others, would exploit the needs of children and abuse the charitable hearts of constituents to advance her own personal and political agendas and deliver them with virtually nothing.”

"The defendants are alleged to have committed a multitude of criminal violations, including fraudulently receiving and using hundreds of thousands of dollars in contributions meant for a nonprofit organization for their own personal and professional benefit,” said Richard Weber, Chief, IRS Criminal Investigation. “The American public expects and deserves equitable enforcement of our tax laws.”

The indictment alleges that between late 2012 and early 2016, Brown and Simmons participated in a conspiracy and fraud scheme involving One Door for Education – Amy Anderson Scholarship Fund (One Door) in which the defendants and others acting on their behalf solicited more than $800,000 in charitable donations based on false representations that the donations would be used for college scholarships and school computer drives, among other things.  According to the indictment, Brown and Simmons allegedly solicited donations from individuals and corporate entities that Brown knew by virtue of her position in the U.S. House of Representatives, many of whom the defendants led to believe that One Door was a properly-registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, when, in fact, it was not. 

Contrary to the defendants’ representations, the indictment alleges that Brown, Simmons and Carla Wiley, the president of One Door, among others, used the vast majority of One Door donations for their personal and professional benefit, including tens of thousands of dollars in cash deposits that Simmons made to Brown’s personal bank accounts.  In one instance, Simmons is alleged to have deposited $2,100 in One Door funds into Brown’s personal bank account the same day that Brown wrote a check for a similar amount to pay taxes she owed.  Likewise, the indictment alleges that Brown and Simmons used the outside consulting company of one of Brown’s employees to funnel One Door funds to Brown and others for their personal use.  According to the indictment, more than $200,000 in One Door funds were used to pay for events hosted by Brown or held in her honor, including a golf tournament in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida; lavish receptions during an annual conference in Washington, D.C.; the use of a luxury box during a concert in Washington, D.C.; and the use of a luxury box during an NFL game in the Washington, D.C., area.

Despite raising over $800,000 in donations, the indictment alleges that One Door was associated with only two scholarships totaling $1,200 that were awarded to students to cover expenses related to attending a college or university.

Simmons is also charged with theft of government property based on the misuse of his position as Brown’s chief of staff to obtain congressional employment for a close relative.  Between 2001 and early 2016, Simmons’ relative allegedly received approximately $735,000 in government salary payments despite performing no known work for the U.S. House of Representatives.  The indictment alleges that between 2009 and late 2015, Simmons diverted over $80,000 of his relative’s government salary for his personal benefit, including through transfers to his personal bank accounts, payments on his personal credit cards and loan payments on his boat.

Simmons and Brown are also charged with failing to disclose, among other things, the reportable income they received from One Door and the salary payments that Simmons diverted from his relative’s government employment on required financial disclosure forms submitted to the U.S. House of Representatives and made available to the general public.

Brown is also charged with engaging in tax obstruction between 2008 and 2014 and, in certain years, filing false returns based on her repeated failure to report income from substantial cash deposits to her personal bank accounts and her repeated deduction of inflated and fabricated charitable donations.  According to the indictment, in various years, Brown claimed deductions on her tax returns based on false donations she claimed she made to One Door, as well as to local churches and non-profit organizations in the Jacksonville area.

Wiley, the president of One Door, pleaded guilty for her involvement in the scheme on March 3, 2016.

The charges and allegations contained in an indictment are merely accusations.  The defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The FBI and IRS-CI are investigating the case.  Deputy Chief Eric G. Olshan of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys A. Tysen Duva and Michael J. Coolican of the Middle District of Florida are prosecuting the case.

UPDATE: Brown and Simmons will make their initial appearances in Jacksonville today before United States Magistrate Judge James R. Klindt at 1:00 p.m. (Courtroom 5-D).

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the unsealing of a twelve-count indictment charging Edward McKenzie (39, Tampa), George Perdigon, a/k/a “Lee” (48, Tampa), Gregory Phelps (61, Tampa), Michael Regan (40, Sun City Center), James Dunn, a/k/a “Wiggy” (34, New York City), and Jesse Greer, a/k/a “Alex” (40, Tampa) with distribution of heroin and/or conspiracy to traffic heroin. If convicted, each faces up to 40 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies the defendants that the United States intends to forfeit the property located at 3608 West Oklahoma Avenue in Tampa, which the defendants allegedly used to facilitate and further the conspiracy.

According to the indictment, from August 2015 through April 2016, McKenzie, Perdigon, Phelps, Regan, Dunn, and Greer participated in a conspiracy to distribute heroin in and around South Tampa.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless,  and until, proven guilty.

This case was jointly investigated by the Tampa Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dan Baeza.

Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr. has found Joshua Adam Tatro (24, Merritt Island) guilty of 9 counts of producing child pornography, 3 counts of receiving child pornography, and 1 count of possessing child pornography. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years, up to 30 years, in federal prison for each of the production offenses. In addition, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years, up to 20 years’ imprisonment, for each receipt offense, and up to 20 years in federal prison for the possession charge. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 3, 2016. 

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, on nine separate occasions between October 2014 and March 2015, Tatro produced images and videos depicting him sexually abusing a three year-old child. He also used a messaging app on his phone to send and receive images depicting child pornography, and he uploaded images of child pornography onto an online account that he maintained. Law enforcement began investigating Tatro after they learned of his online activity from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.  

On March 17, 2015, agents from the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Tatro’s residence, where he and the child victim were living. During the execution of the warrant, cellphones were recovered from Tatro’s pocket and his bedroom. A forensic examination of those phones led to the recovery of the explicit images and videos that Tatro had produced. During an interview with agents, Tatro admitted to producing the images and videos, and to sending them to others using the messenger app. 

In total, Tatro possessed 76 videos and 692 photographs of child pornography on his cellphones. A search of his online drive account revealed more than 1,000 stored images of child pornography. Several of the images in Tatro’s possession depicted children under the age of 12 being sexually abused and exploited.

This case was investigated by the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew C. Searle.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.        

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Chad Jason Lansford (31, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to advertising for child pornography. He faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 15 years, up to 30 years, in federal prison. Lansford has been in federal custody since his arrest on March 12, 2015.   

According to court documents, in January 2015, law enforcement officers responded to a complaint involving the mother of a nine-year-old girl who had found several sexually explicit images on her daughter’s social media account, including two images of her daughter. A review of the child’s iPod revealed online conversations between the girl and an individual later identified as Lansford. Further investigation revealed that on January 2, 2015, Lansford had sent the child images of his genitalia. During an online conversation that day, Lansford was advised that the child was nine years old. Despite this knowledge, he repeatedly requested that she take pornographic pictures of herself and send them to him. Eventually, the child complied with Lansford’s demands and produced and sent pornographic pictures of herself to him.

On March 12, 2015, law enforcement officers executed a federal search warrant at Lansford’s apartment. He was at the residence and admitted that he was the person who had engaged in the online conversations with the child. 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.

It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Derrick Bernard Farmer (40, Tampa) has pleaded guilty to possessing with the intent to distribute crack cocaine and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. He faces a minimum mandatory term of 15 years, up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to the plea agreement, during January 2016, Farmer served as the crack cocaine source for two individuals who then sold the drugs to an undercover detective. On February 3, 2016, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Farmer’s apartment in Tampa and found crack cocaine, drug paraphernalia, and three firearms. Farmer had multiple prior felony drug convictions and therefore is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Taylor G. Stout.

This is another case prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Comprehensive Anti-Gang Initiative (CAGI). The program’s objective is to reduce criminal gangs, violent crime, illegal drugs, and guns through combined enforcement, prosecution, prevention, and re-entry efforts.

Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge James D. Whittemore has sentenced Donald Daniel Robinson (30, Tampa) to 50 years in federal prison for producing, possessing, and distributing child pornography. He pleaded guilty on February 16, 2016.

According to court documents, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) began an investigation after receiving numerous tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children concerning an Internet user at Robinson’s residence who had distributed files containing child pornography through various social networking websites. On July 8, 2015, agents from FDLE and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations executed a search warrant at Robinson’s home. Multiple images of child pornography, including images of local children, were found during the search.

According to victims and evidence obtained from Robinson’s phone, Robinson had posed as a female online to coerce children to produce and send the explicit images to him. The images included minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Additionally, two victims told agents that Robinson had persuaded them to perform sex acts on him.

"This lengthy prison sentence is reflective of the heinous nature of the crime committed and a result of the hard work of our HSI special agents and FDLE," said Susan L. McCormick, special agent in charge of HSI Tampa. "This criminal stole the innocence of young children and HSI will do everything in our power to protect our children and bring to justice those involved in these despicable crimes.”

“This case puts into perspective that crimes like this begin with live victims who are children,” said Tom Foy, FDLE Tampa’s Special Agent in Charge. “The suspect in this case manipulated children for his benefit. FDLE and HSI will continue this effort to protect our children from those who would use their innocence and youth for their advantage and criminal activity.”

This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Amanda C. Kaiser.

It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the return of a superseding indictment charging Shaquana Quenella Brookins (31, Jacksonville) with two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion; one count of conspiracy to distribute “crack” cocaine; on count of maintaining a drug-involved premise; and two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. If convicted on all counts, she faces up to life in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Brookins that the United States intends to forfeit any assets alleged to be traceable proceeds of the offense. 

According to the indictment, at various times in 2014 and 2015, Brookins used force, threats of force, fraud, and coercion to cause her victims to engage in commercial sex acts; conspired with others to manufacture and distribute cocaine base, commonly known as “crack” cocaine; maintained a place for the purpose of manufacturing, distributing, and using controlled substances, including cocaine, crack cocaine, and heroin; and unlawfully possessed three firearms after being previously convicted of felonies.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of one or more federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless,  and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, with assistance from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Cofer Taylor.

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that a federal jury has found Michael W. Kelly (29, Largo) guilty of possessing a firearm and ammunition as convicted felon.  He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.  His sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 5, 2016.

According to evidence presented at trial, on October 15, 2015, FBI agents executed a search warrant at Kelly’s home and recovered a semi-automatic pistol from his bedroom.  The firearm was loaded and contained nine rounds of 9mm ammunition. Agents also recovered three boxes of ammunition, containing a total of 150 rounds, from the top of his dresser. Kelly has multiple prior felony convictions, including possession of a sawed off shotgun and aggravated assault, and is therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kaitlin R. O’Donnell and Simon Gaugush.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces today that a federal jury has found Russel Lee Orr (41, Trinity) guilty of attempted online enticement of a child to engage in sexual activity, attempted production of child pornography, and eight counts of advertising for child pornography.  On the attempted enticement count, Orr faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years’, up to life, imprisonment.  He faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years, up to 30 years, in federal prison for the attempted production charge and for each of the advertising charges.  His sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 25, 2016.    

According to evidence presented at trial, from March 10, 2015, through May 20, 2015, Orr engaged in a series of text message and email conversations with an individual he believed to be a 14-year old girl.  The "child" was actually a detective with the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office.  During the course of the conversations, Orr discussed in detail his desire to meet the “child” for sex.  He also repeatedly solicited the “child” to produce and send pornographic pictures of her genitalia to him. 

On May 21, 2015, FBI agents and other law enforcement officers executed a federal search warrant at Orr’s apartment and arrested him.  During the search of the home, the agents located and seized a smart phone that Orr had used to communicate with the “child” and also to search the Internet for materials related to the sexual exploitation of children.   

This case was investigated by the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Jacksonville and Tampa. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.

It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday has sentenced Bryant Lee Gramer (43) to 10 years in federal prison for possessing child pornography. As part of his sentence, he was also ordered to pay $1,500 in restitution to a victim of his offense. Gramer pleaded guilty on April 20, 2016.

According to court documents, in 2011, Gramer uploaded to Facebook numerous photos depicting child pornography, and he also had hundreds more in his possession. Gramer, a registered sex offender, was previously convicted for committing a lewd and lascivious act in the presence of a child. In 2012, he was sentenced to a state prison term for having unregistered email accounts in violation of his sex offender reporting requirements.

"We hope today's sentencing brings a small measure of relief to the innocent victims of these crimes," said Susan L. McCormick, special agent in charge of HSI Tampa. "Protecting our nation's children remains one of HSI's top priorities."

This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Gregory T. Nolan.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and tpro identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Tampa, FL – An Ocala, Florida, cardiologist, Dr. Asad Qamar, and his practice, the Institute of Cardiovascular Excellence (ICE), will pay $2 million, plus release any claim to $5.3 million in suspended Medicare funds, to resolve a lawsuit alleging that they improperly billed Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE for medically unnecessary procedures, and paid kickbacks to patients by waiving Medicare copayments irrespective of financial hardship, the Justice Department announced today.  Dr. Qamar also agreed to a three-year period of exclusion from participating in any federal health care program followed by a three-year Integrity Agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG).  The settlement relates to two consolidated lawsuits in which the United States intervened on Dec. 22, 2014.

“Patient safety is of paramount importance,” said U.S. Attorney A. Lee Bentley III for the Middle District of Florida.  “When a doctor performs medically unnecessary and invasive procedures on Medicare patients, federal healthcare programs are defrauded and, more importantly, patients’ lives and wellbeing are recklessly put at risk.  This case shows our office’s steadfast commitment to holding medical providers personally responsible for their actions.” 

“Billing federal health programs for medically unnecessary procedures is unacceptable – not only does it waste taxpayer funds, but it also puts patients at risk,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Benjamin C. Mizer, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division.  “Today’s settlement evidences the Department of Justice’s firm commitment to protect public funds and to safeguard the well-being of federal health care program beneficiaries.”

The settlement resolves the government’s lawsuit claiming that Dr. Qamar and ICE billed Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE for excessive, medically unnecessary and inadequately documented peripheral artery interventional services and related procedures.  Many of the cardiovascular procedures for which Dr. Qamar and ICE billed Medicare and the other programs were not indicated by patients’ medical histories or records, or the severity of the patients’ symptoms. 

The government also alleged that to help facilitate this false billing scheme, Dr. Qamar and ICE routinely and indiscriminately waived the 20 percent Medicare copayment, irrespective of the patient’s financial need.  Medicare copayments assure that patients have an incentive to be smart healthcare consumers and avoid unnecessary procedures.  By waiving the required copayments indiscriminately, Dr. Qamar and ICE induced patients to agree to unnecessary and invasive procedures and other services.  Dr. Qamar’s and ICE’s illegal conduct made Dr. Qamar the highest paid Medicare cardiologist in the country in 2012 and 2013.

“When medical professionals act on greed to perform unnecessary, invasive procedures on Medicare and Medicaid patients, both patient health and taxpayer funds are compromised,” said Special Agent in Charge Shimon R. Richmond of HHS-OIG.  “Our agents and investigators will continue to work hard with our law enforcement partners to ensure that health care providers who engage in such illegal behavior are held accountable.”

The allegations resolved by today’s settlement were originally raised in two lawsuits filed pursuant to the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the False Claims Act, which permit private parties to sue on behalf of the government when they discover evidence that defendants have submitted false claims for government funds and to receive a share of any recovery.  The False Claims Act also permits the government to intervene in such lawsuits, as it has done in these cases.  The cases are captioned United States ex rel. Doe v. Institute of Cardiovasular Excellence, PLLC, ICE Holdings, PLLC, Dr. Asad Qamar, & Dr. Humera Qamar, Case No. 5:11-CV-406-OC-KRS (M.D. Fla.); United States ex rel. Taylor & the State of Florida v. Institute of Cardiovascular Excellence & Dr. Asad Qamar, Case No. 8:14-CV-1454-T-35-EAS (M.D. Fla.).  The relators Dr. Robert A. Green and Ms. Holly A. Taylor will receive $1,327,721 as their share of the settlement.

This settlement illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud and marks another achievement for the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT) initiative, which was announced in May 2009 by the Attorney General and the Secretary of Health and Human Services.  The partnership between the two departments has focused efforts to reduce and prevent Medicare and Medicaid financial fraud through enhanced cooperation.  One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act.  Since January 2009, the Justice Department has recovered a total of more than $29.9 billion through False Claims Act cases, with more than $18.3 billion of that amount recovered in cases involving fraud against federal health care programs.  

This case was handled by the Commercial Litigation Branch of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, HHS-OIG, and the Defense Health Agency on behalf of the TRICARE program.  The claims asserted by the government are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability. 

Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Carlos E. Mendoza has sentenced John Dwayne Riley (39, Palm Bay) to 12 years and 6 months in federal prison for possessing more than 500 grams of cocaine with the intent to distribute it, and for possessing a firearm in furtherance of that drug-trafficking crime.  A federal jury found him guilty on April 5, 2016.  Additionally, Riley has an extensive criminal history that includes convictions for attempted robbery and for drug-trafficking crimes.

According to evidence presented at trial, on June 17, 2015, probation officers with the Florida Department of Corrections went to Riley’s house in response to an anonymous tip that he was dealing drugs.  The officers observed powder cocaine inside a car in Riley’s garage, and they also found approximately one kilogram of individually packaged powder cocaine in one of Riley’s kitchen cabinets.  During the execution of a search warrant later that evening, officers from the Palm Bay Police Department discovered an additional 5 grams of individually packaged heroin in another kitchen cabinet and 59 grams of individually packaged crack cocaine in the car.  Riley also had several items of drug paraphernalia, and the pans in his kitchen sink contained fresh crack cocaine residue.  Officers found $1,000 in cash in Riley’s pocket, and they recovered a loaded handgun from where Riley had been seated on his living room sofa.

This case was investigated by the Palm Bay Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Florida Department of Corrections. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Embry J. Kidd.

Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell has sentenced Travis John Jenner (38, Naples) to five years and six months in federal prison for distributing child pornography. He pleaded guilty on January 5, 2016.

According to court documents, on May 19, 2015, Jenner distributed child pornography over the Internet to an undercover detective in Canada. A child sex crimes detective from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) encountered Jenner on a website where he was advertising an opportunity to “view some young females.” When the OPP officer responded to the ad, Jenner redirected the officer to a chat site where he was the “owner” of the room and multiple other users were present. Jenner informed the users, including the undercover officer, that he would share photos of two young girls. He stated that one of the girls is “…15 in pics and 18 now,”  and the other is “…16/17 in pics, 19 now.”  Jenner identified both girls by name and shared multiple images of them engaging in sexually explicit conduct. He also told the officer that he knew one of the girls and had chatted online with her for two years. He identified that girl by name and email address.

On July 23, 2015, agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations executed a search warrant at Jenner’s residence and seized his laptop computer. A preliminary forensic review of this computer revealed several images of the identified minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct, including the images that had been distributed to the undercover OPP officer.

During an interview, Jenner admitted to knowing one of the minor victims and having an online relationship with her. He stated that during the relationship he had received numerous images of the girl engaging in sexually explicit conduct and/or posing in a lewd and lascivious manner.  In addition, he admitted to creating an online account that he had used to distribute the sexually explicit images of the minor.  Jenner admitted that he had become obsessed with the minor, and that he continued to view and distribute her images after the relationship had ended. 

This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations in cooperation with the Ontario Provincial Police Child Sex Crimes Unit. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Yolande G. Viacava.

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the arrests of and unsealing of a criminal complaint charging Leonard Charles Agee Jr. (40, Titusville) and Benjamin S. Jenkins (36, Mims) with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.  If convicted, each faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. 

At the time of the investigation, Agee and Jenkins were football coaches and employees of Brevard Public Schools.

According to the complaint, between September 2015 and his arrest today, Agee sold heroin to a confidential informant, and he has been trafficking in cocaine and marijuana. On multiple occasions starting in 2015, Jenkins sold prescription pills and cocaine to a confidential informant.

Several search warrants have been executed in Titusville and Mims in connection with this investigation. Three additional individuals were also arrested today on state charges.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.          

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, the Titusville Police Department, the Melbourne Police Department, and the Florida Department of Corrections Probation and Parole Services. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney E. Jackson Boggs Jr.

WHO:      

United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III

Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey T. Walsh, Drug Enforcement Administration

Chief John Lau, Titusville Police Department

Investigative Agencies

DEA (Gainesville Resident Office)

Brevard County Sheriff’s Office

Melbourne Police Department

Florida Probation and Parole

WHAT:    

Press Conference to announce the arrests of individuals involved in a drug conspiracy in Brevard County. 

WHEN:     

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016 at 1:30 P.M. EST     

WHERE: 

U.S. Attorney’s Office

400 W. Washington Street

Genzman Room (Suite 2100)

Orlando, Florida 32801

OPEN PRESS

NOTE: 

All media must present government-issued photo I.D. (such as a driver’s license).  

Media may begin arriving at 12:45 P.M.

Orlando, Florida – United States District Judge Carlos Mendoza today sentenced George Adrien Brooks (73, Winter Springs) to 18 years in federal prison for attempting to induce a child to engage in illicit sexual conduct. A federal jury found him guilty on March 4, 2016. 

According to evidence presented at trial, between September 5 and September 10, 2015, Brooks engaged in online communications with the purported father of a 10-year-old boy about engaging in sexual conduct with the child.  The “father” was an undercover FBI agent.  On September 10, 2015, Brooks traveled to Seminole County to meet the child for sex and was arrested. During the trial, the government presented evidence that Brooks had sexually abused another child 44 years ago.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ilianys Rivera Miranda.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan today sentenced Shawne Butler (51, Daytona Beach) to 42 months in federal prison for filing fraudulent tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service and for aggravated identity theft.  He pleaded guilty on March 4, 2016.

According to court documents and facts presented at his sentencing hearing, Butler devised a scheme whereby he stole identities from state prison inmates and used them to file fraudulent tax refunds. Over the course of approximately two years, Butler filed 188 fraudulent tax returns and received $207,908 in refunds, which he deposited into his bank account.

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jay Taylor.

Jacksonville, Florida – Senior United States District Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger has sentenced Ricardo Lamont Irvine (43, Evansville, IN) to 41 months in federal prison for failing to register as sex offender after traveling from Indiana to Florida. He pleaded guilty on December 10, 2015.      

According to court documents, on November 4, 1996, Irvine was convicted of child molestation in Evansville, Indiana.  Subsequent to his conviction, Irvine traveled from Indiana to Florida but failed to register as a sex offender as required by the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

On September 22, 2015, officers with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) responded to a Walmart store in Jacksonville in reference to a disturbance.  Officers made contact with Irvine, who advised the officers that he had been in Jacksonville for about two weeks and was living in a wooded area.  Records checks revealed that Irvine was a registered sex offender from Indiana and that he had failed to register in Florida.

The Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act is part of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006.  The Adam Walsh Act also provides for the use of federal law This case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.  It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.

It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that a federal jury has found Nelson Cristiano Machado, Jr. (50, Bradenton) guilty of three counts of wire fraud. He faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison on each count. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 26, 2016.

According to evidence presented at trial, Machado knowingly participated in a scheme to defraud mortgage lenders.  He entered into a sale contract for the purchase of two residences in Cape Coral, one for $509,900, and another for $249,900.  In his loan applications, Machado falsely represented his employment, the balance of his bank account, and that each of the homes would be his primary residence. He also failed to disclose to his second mortgage lender that he had already obtained a first mortgage in the amount of $343,000 and second mortgage in the amount of $147,000. Machado also failed to disclose the purchase of another residence located in Fort Myers for which he had obtained a mortgage in the amount of $189,050.  Relying upon Machado’s false representations, the mortgage lenders approved his loan applications and wired the funds to the designated title agencies for closing. 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Yolande G. Viacava.

Orlando, Florida – United States District Judge Paul G. Byron has sentenced Valentine Okonkwo (54, Orlando) to 24 years and 4 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute and dispense oxycodone outside the usual course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose and for dispensing and distributing oxycodone outside the usual course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose.  A federal jury found him guilty in March 2016.

According to evidence presented at trial, Okonkwo, a licensed pharmacist, dispensed more than 500,000 oxycodone pills during the timeframe of the conspiracy and collected over $1.3 million from illegal oxycodone sales. Okonkwo accepted fraudulent prescriptions from patients who had traveled long distances, and in groups, to get their oxycodone from his pharmacy, known as Avalon Park Pharmacy.  The patients paid a premium, in cash, for the pain pills because they had fraudulent prescriptions and prescriptions from pill mill doctors.  Avalon Park Pharmacy led the surrounding area in oxycodone distribution, including all of the major retail pharmacies. Many of the oxycodone pills were purchased by drug addicts and drug dealers who then sold the pills for up to $15 apiece on the streets.  Okonkwo also had sex with several customers who had used fraudulent prescriptions at his pharmacy.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys James D. Mandolfo and Nathan W. Hill. 

Tampa, Florida – United States District Judge Elizabeth A. Kovachevich today sentenced Edgar Yanez-Gutierrez (32, Nayarit, Mexico) to 15 years and 8 months in federal prison for conspiring to commit money laundering and conspiring to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana. He pleaded guilty on February 24, 2016.

According to the court documents, Yanez-Gutierrez was part of a large-scale drug trafficking organization (DTO) that shipped cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana from California to drug distribution and money laundering cells throughout the United States, including Florida, Ohio, North Carolina, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Alabama, and Arkansas. Yanez-Gutierrez fled from California to Mexico in 2011, but was later arrested and extradited to the United States in December 2015. To date, 27 others have been prosecuted in the Middle District of Florida for their roles in this DTO.

“This sentencing is another step toward the total dismantling of a dangerous transnational drug trafficking operation, further emphasizing that criminals cannot hide behind international borders and escape justice.” said Susan L. McCormick, special agent in charge of HSI Tampa. “HSI will continue to work with our international law enforcement partners to make our country and communities safer.”

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher F. Murray. It was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from other federal, state, and local agencies as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s drug supply. The Office of International Affairs, Department of Justice, assisted with Yanez-Gutierrez’s extradition to the United States. 

Jacksonville, Florida – United States District Judge L. Scott Coogler today sentenced Aaron M. Richardson (27, Jacksonville) to 343 years in federal prison for his attempt to assassinate United States District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan and 23 related offenses.

On March 17, 2016, a federal jury found Richardson guilty of attempting to murder a United States district judge, numerous firearm offenses, failure to appear at court hearings, making false statements to the FBI and the United States Probation Office, and impersonating an officer of the United States military.

According to evidence presented at trial, Judge Corrigan previously convicted and sentenced Richardson for attempting to make an incendiary device in a 2008 case. Following incarceration for that crime, Richardson began serving a term of supervised release. Subsequently, he was arrested for multiple new offenses and faced state prosecutions in Clay, Duval, and Volusia counties, as well as supervised release proceedings in federal court.

Richardson devised a plan, which he named “Mission Freedom,” that involved preparing a false order purportedly signed by Judge Corrigan, dismissing all of his pending charges, as well as other benefits. Richardson planned the murder so that Judge Corrigan could not refute the sham order. As part of the plan, he conducted Internet searches to locate Judge Corrigan and the potential murder weapon.

On June 21, 2013, Richardson stole a Savage Arms .30-06 rifle from a local Sports Authority store. The theft and Richardson’s prior casing of the store were captured on store video surveillance. On the night of June 22, 2013, Richardson went to Judge Corrigan’s residence and, at 12:30 a.m., he fired a single shot at the judge using the stolen rifle. The shot missed the judge by less than two inches and instead hit a window frame. Forensic evidence confirmed Richardson’s presence at the scene of the crime.

Richardson was apprehended on June 25, 2013, by a U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force. That night, he made multiple false statements about the crime to the FBI.

“The attack on Judge Corrigan was an assault on the entire federal judicial system and the rule of law,” said U.S. Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III. “The sentence imposed today reflects the seriousness of the crime and the importance of protecting our federal judiciary. Judges should not have to fear that their impartial rulings will subject them to threats of reprisal or attacks from criminal defendants or other disgruntled litigants.”

This case was investigated by the FBI, the United States Marshals Service, ATF, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the Baker County Sheriff’s Office, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, the Daytona Beach Police Department, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Bethune-Cookman University Department of Public Safety, the United States Probation Office for the Middle District of Florida, and the State Attorneys’ Offices for the Fourth and Seventh Circuits. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Mac D. Heavener, III and Mark B. Devereaux.

Link to press conference photo gallery.

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that a federal jury has found Dan Reed (50, Daytona Beach) guilty of possessing a firearm after having been convicted of a felony.  Due to his prior criminal record, Reed qualifies for enhanced penalties under the Armed Career Criminal Act. He faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years, up to life, in federal prison.  His sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 19, 2016.  Reed was indicted on July 15, 2015.

According to testimony presented at trial, Reed engaged in a dispute with his neighbor regarding money Reed believed the neighbor owed him.  In January 2015, Reed went into his house, retrieved a firearm, and brandished that weapon while threatening to kill his neighbor and those gathered with him.  When the police responded, they recovered a Smith and Wesson .38 caliber revolver from Reed. At the time of the offense, Reed had multiple prior felony drug-trafficking convictions and was therefore prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Daytona Beach Police Department.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Embry J. Kidd.

This is another case prosecuted as a part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program - a nationwide, gun-violence reduction strategy.  United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III, along with Regina Lombardo, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, is coordinating the Project Safe Neighborhoods effort here in the Middle District of Florida in cooperation with federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.

Tampa, FL – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Dr. Anthony Baldizzi (52, Tierra Verde) with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, twenty-one counts of health care fraud, one count of money laundering, one count of making a false statement, and one count of receiving illegal kickbacks.  The health care fraud and money laundering counts each carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.  The remaining counts each carry a maximum penalty of five years.  The indictment also notifies Baldizzi that the United States is seeking a money judgment in the amount of at least $5.3 million as proceeds of the conspiracy and health care fraud offenses and forfeiture of a 2015 BMW M3, which is alleged as property traceable to proceeds of the charged conduct.

According to the indictment, Baldizzi is a licensed medical doctor who practices at an urgent care clinic in Pinellas County.  In or around 2014, he entered into an agreement with the owners and operators of Lifecare Compounding Pharmacy to receive kickbacks for each prescription he wrote and directed to Lifecare for filling.  Later, the principals of Lifecare introduced Baldizzi to the principals of Centurion Compounding, a marketing firm, and these parties entered into another kickback relationship whereby Baldizzi agreed to become a Centurion “in-network” doctor and write prescriptions for compounded creams marketed by Centurion and filled at Lifecare.  In exchange, the principals of Lifecare and Centurion jointly paid Baldizzi a kickback of each paid claim, equal to approximately 10% of the after-cost amount of the payment. Many of these prescriptions were written for beneficiaries of TRICARE, a federal health care benefit program. Lifecare submitted to TRICARE claims for prescriptions written by Baldizzi, pursuant to their illegal kickback agreement, totaling approximately $5.3 million.  Lifecare also submitted to Medicare claims for prescriptions written by Baldizzi, pursuant to their illegal kickback agreement, totaling approximately $71,312.41.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless,  and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Mandy Riedel and Megan Kistler.

WHO:                                  United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III

Special Agent in Charge Michelle S. Klimt

Federal Bureau of Investigation, Jacksonville Division

United States Marshal William B. Berger, Sr.

Undersheriff Pat Ivey, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office

Investigative Agencies

Baker County Sheriff’s Office

Bethune-Cookman University Department of Public Safety

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Clay County Sheriff’s Office

Daytona Beach Police Department

Florida Department of Law Enforcement

St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office

State Attorney’s Office, 4th Judicial Circuit

State Attorney’s Office, 7th Judicial Circuit

U.S. Probation

WHAT:    Press Conference

Press conference following the sentencing of Aaron M. Richardson. In March 2016, a federal jury found Richardson guilty of attempting to assassinate United States District Judge Timothy Corrigan as well as multiple federal firearm offenses.  The sentencing hearing is set for Friday, June 24, 2016, before United States District Judge L. Scott Coogler at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 12A.  The press conference is scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m. in the jury assembly room on the 1st floor of the courthouse.

WHEN:     

FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016

11:00 A.M. EST   (Following 9:00 A.M. sentencing hearing) 

WHERE: 

Bryan Simpson U.S. Courthouse

300 North Hogan Street

Jury Assembly Room (1st Floor)

Jacksonville, Florida 32202

OPEN PRESS

NOTE:  All media must present government-issued photo I.D. (such as a driver’s license).  Media may begin arriving for the 11:00 press conference at 10:15 A.M.  There will be evidence on display for photo ops.

Please RSVP to Amy.Filjones@usdoj.gov by 5:00 p.m. today.

Individuals attending the 9:00 A.M. sentencing hearing will not be permitted to bring any electronic media into the courtroom.  All electronic equipment must be kept in the jury assembly room. Please arrive by 8:15 A.M. to allow time to clear security and store equipment prior to the hearing.

Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell has sentenced Yohany Hernandez-Hernandez (38, West Palm Beach) to three years in federal prison for illegally transporting undocumented aliens. A federal jury found him guilty in March 2016.

According to evidence presented at trial, on May 7, 2015, Hernandez-Hernandez was stopped by deputies from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office for committing a traffic infraction on I-75. During the traffic stop, the deputies became aware that he was transporting six undocumented aliens. Law enforcement later learned that Hernandez-Hernandez and the undocumented aliens had travelled from a safe house in Houston, Texas to Lee County. They had driven for approximately 22 hours, with limited stops, in an attempt to avoid being detected by immigration officials. The investigation further revealed that two other undocumented aliens had previously been dropped off in other parts of Florida. The aliens had been transported to further their stay in the United States and for Hernandez-Hernandez’s financial gain.

This case was investigated by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).  It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael C. Baggé-Hernández.

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Cedric Clark (35, Tampa) has pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud, one count of conspiracy, and one count of aggravated identity theft. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on the mail fraud count, up to 5 years’ imprisonment on the conspiracy count, and a mandatory consecutive term of 2 years for the aggravated identity theft charge.

According to the plea agreement, between October 2010 and June 2013, Clark engaged in a fraud scheme with individuals who had obtained the Personal Identification Information (PII) of more than 1,158 individuals and then had filed false and fraudulent income tax returns in their names, seeking large tax refunds. Clark controlled a post office box where many of the refund checks were mailed. He also controlled numerous bank accounts at various financial institutions where the IRS had wired the tax refunds requested in those fraudulent tax returns. The IRS paid a total of $637,621.62 to accounts that Clark controlled. The scheme involved the filing of many more returns that the IRS did not accept.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jay L. Hoffer.

Tampa, FL – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III, Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch, and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell announced today an unprecedented nationwide sweep led by the Medicare Fraud Strike Force in 36 federal districts, resulting in criminal and civil charges against 301 individuals, including 61 doctors, nurses and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud schemes involving approximately $900 million in false billings.  Twenty-three state Medicaid Fraud Control Units also participated in today’s arrests.  In addition, the HHS Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is suspending payment to a number of providers using its suspension authority provided in the Affordable Care Act.  This coordinated takedown is the largest in history, both in terms of the number of defendants charged and loss amount.    

“As this takedown should make clear, health care fraud is not an abstract violation or benign offense – It is a serious crime,” said Attorney General Loretta Lynch.  “The wrongdoers that we pursue in these operations seek to use public funds for private enrichment.  They target real people – many of them in need of significant medical care.  They promise effective cures and therapies, but they provide none.  Above all, they abuse basic bonds of trust – between doctor and patient; between pharmacist and doctor; between taxpayer and government – and pervert them to their own ends.  The Department of Justice is determined to continue working to ensure that the American people know that their health care system works for them – and them alone.”

“Protecting our nation’s health care programs is a top priority of our Office,” said U.S. Attorney Bentley.  “We are committed to prosecuting all those who submit false claims to these important programs, whether they be health care providers or dishonest individuals seeking benefits to which they are not entitled.  Every tax dollar appropriated by Congress for health care should be spent on deserving patients in need.”

In the Middle District of Florida, 15 individuals were charged with participating in a variety of schemes, including compound pharmacy fraud and intravenous prescription drug fraud involving millions in fraudulent billing. Among those charged are business owners, a registered nurse, a pharmacist, and a physician’s assistant.

“Health care providers and patients are key to protecting the Medicare and Medicaid programs, but when they instead choose to commit fraud or to lie in order to obtain government benefits they are not entitled to, they steal precious tax dollars and corrupt the integrity of our health care system,” said Special Agent in Charge Shimon R. Richmond of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS OIG). "This takedown reflects the dedication of OIG and our law enforcement partners to bring such fraudsters to justice."

 “The Social Security Office of the Inspector General is committed to pursuing those who violate the public’s trust by stealing SSA benefits.  We are pleased with the aggressive action by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners’ joint efforts in identifying and prosecuting those who commit fraud, as one of our many efforts to protect the integrity of Social Security and Medicare programs for those who rely on them now and into the future,” stated Special Agent-in-Charge Margaret Moore-Jackson, SSA/Office of the Inspector General.  

"These arrests highlight the commitment of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) and its law enforcement partners to protect the integrity of the Department of Defense (DoD) health care program-Tricare," said Special Agent in Charge John F. Khin, Southeast Field Office.  "DCIS aggressively investigates health care providers that defraud the DoD, to preserve American taxpayer dollars intended to care for our Warfighters, their family members, and military retirees."

“Despite recent challenging events occurring in our territory, FBI Tampa remained devoted to dedicating resources to the National Health Care Fraud initiative,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Paul Wysopal. “Agents will continue to identify and investigate individuals who seek to personally benefit from the medical needs of a very vulnerable population.”

The Medicare Fraud Strike Force operations are part of the Health Care Fraud Prevention & Enforcement Action Team (HEAT), a joint initiative announced in May 2009 between the Department of Justice and HHS to focus their efforts to prevent and deter fraud and enforce current anti-fraud laws around the country.  The Medicare Fraud Strike Force operates in nine locations and since its inception in March 2007 has charged over 2,900 defendants who collectively have falsely billed the Medicare program for over $8.9 billion. 

Including today’s enforcement actions, nearly 1,200 individuals have been charged in national takedown operations, which have involved more than $3.4 billion in fraudulent billings.  Today’s announcement marks the second time that districts outside of Strike Force locations participated in a national takedown, and they accounted for 82 defendants charged in this takedown.

The cases announced today are being prosecuted and investigated by U.S. Attorney’s Offices nationwide, along with Medicare Fraud Strike Force teams from the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, and agents from the FBI, HHS-OIG, Drug Enforcement Administration, DCIS, SSA-OIG, and state Medicaid Fraud Control Units.

A complaint or indictment is merely a charge, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Middle District of Florida Cases

Yosbel Marimon (39, Winter Park), owner of several Orlando-area infusion clinics, was indicted on one charge of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud, six counts of health care fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.  The charges stem from her role in a scheme to defraud Medicare by billing for more than $11.1 million in expensive intravenous prescription drugs that the clinics never purchased, never administered, and were not medically necessary. As a result of the scheme, Medicare paid over $8.6 million in fraudulent claims. 

Greggory Jackson (40, Eagle Lake), Dustin “Drey” Chennells (40. Mount Dora), Michael Ayotunde (53, Ocala), Tashima Kenny (32, Davenport), Iris Ayala (54, Clermont), and Nalita Rajkumar (28, Lake Park) were indicted on a charge of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud.  Jackson also was indicted on two charges of receiving illegal kickbacks, two charges of paying illegal kickbacks, and two counts of money laundering.  Kenny was also indicted on one count of money laundering.  Jackson, Chennells, Kenny, and others managed and operated a telemarketing call center known as DMA Logistics d/b/a Nation Wide Meds located inside Life Worth Living Pharmacy.  Ayotunde, a licensed pharmacist, is the owner and operator of Life Worth Living Pharmacy.  Ayala is a licensed physician, and Rajkumar is a licensed physician assistant.  The charges stem from these individuals’ roles in a compounding pharmacy fraud scheme that victimized the TRICARE program. Based on false and fraudulent claims, TRICARE made more than $5.7 million in reimbursement payments to Life Worth Living Pharmacy. 

Belinda Jalloh (60, New Port Richey), a registered nurse, has been charged with one count of theft of government services stemming from her violation of an order from the Department of Health and Human Services excluding her from participating in the Medicare program. The order prohibited her from treating Medicare beneficiaries. Despite the exclusion, she applied for, and obtained, employment at a facility that billed Medicare for her treatment of Medicare beneficiaries. 

Robert Lee Lanier (57, Jacksonville) has been charged with one count of theft of government property and one count of making a false statement. Lanier provided false information regarding his employment to the Social Security Administration.  Between 2007 and January 2016, Lanier collected more than $236,682 in Social Security and Medicare benefits to which he was not entitled.

Maria Lugo (65, Marion County) was indicted for theft of government funds stemming from her concealment of her living arrangements while simultaneously collecting disability benefit payments from the Social Security Administration.  Lugo falsely claimed a separation from her husband, whose income rendered her ineligible to receive disability benefits and Medicaid. From June 2000 through May 2016, Lugo obtained $118,346.12 in SSA benefit payments and $99,483.62 in Medicaid utilization that she was not entitled to receive. 

Janice and Thurman Hammock (66 and 62, Citrus County) were indicted for theft of government funds stemming from their concealment of their living arrangements while Janice Hammock collected disability benefit payments from the Social Security Administration.  Both spouses falsely claimed to be separated from one another, causing the wife to receive substantially more federal benefits than otherwise permitted. She illegally obtained $75,048.89 in SSA benefit payments and $101,465.07 in Medicaid utilization from January 2004 through May 2016. 

Louis William Rimondi, IV (47, Marco Island) was indicted on two charges of theft of government money stemming from his alleged concealment from the Social Security Administration and Medicare of his return to gainful employment while continuing to collect disability benefits and Medicare benefits.  From January 2010 through February 2016, Rimondi fraudulently collected $101,466 in SSA disability benefits to which he was not entitled.  From January 2011 through February 2016, he also fraudulently received $20,467 in Medicare benefits to which he was not entitled. 

Douglas Thompson (51, Jacksonville) was indicted on one count of theft of government property, one count of making a false statement, and three counts of wire fraud stemming from his role in a scheme to fraudulently receive approximately $108,834 in benefits under the Federal Medicaid Health Care Benefit Program and the Supplemental Security Income Program.  For more than five years, Thompson collected benefits by falsely claiming he was unemployed and had no income when, in fact, he operated a business, Douglas Thompson Industries Inc. (or DTI Inc.), which brokered the sale of trucking equipment.  When questioned about DTI Inc., Thompson provided a written statement to the Social Security Administration that falsely stated that he had never heard of DTI Inc. and was not working. 

Craig DeMange, Sr. (62, Oviedo) was indicted on one count of making a false statement to the Social Security Administration concerning his employment, which hindered the agency’s efforts to determine his continued eligibility for disability benefits. As a result of DeMange’s false statement, he defrauded the SSA and the United States Department of Health and Human Services of approximately $25,000 in disability and Medicare benefits. 

These cases will be prosecuted by Middle District of Florida Assistant United States Attorneys Yolande G. Viacava, Emily C.L. Chang, William S. Hamilton, Michael J. Coolican, Mac Heavener, and Department of Justice Trial Attorneys Timothy Loper and  Christopher Hunter of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.

 

Maximum Penalties per charge:

Theft of Government Money: 10 years in federal prison.

Conspiracy to Commit Healthcare Fraud and Fraud: 20 years in federal prison.

Healthcare Fraud: 10 years in federal prison.

Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering: 20 years in federal prison.

Money Laundering: 10 years in federal prison.

False Statement: 5 years in federal prison.

Wire Fraud: 20 years in federal prison.

Jacksonville, Florida – Senior United States District Judge Henry Lee Adams, Jr. has sentenced William Reid Penuel (38, Ponte Vedra Beach) to six months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for embezzlement from a bankruptcy estate. While on supervised release, Penuel must serve six months of home detention, and participate in ongoing drug testing and treatment. He was also ordered to pay $151,239 in restitution.

On March 15, 2016, Penuel pleaded guilty to embezzlement. According to the Florida Bar, in April 2016, he was disbarred from practicing law.   

According to court records, between March 2015 and July 2015, Penuel was serving as the Chapter 7 Trustee in a pending business bankruptcy case in Tallahassee when he embezzled estate funds held in a bank account in Duval County. At the time, he was a licensed attorney whose office was located in Atlantic Beach. After becoming the Chapter 7 Trustee for the debtor, Penuel assumed responsibility for approximately $909,000 in estate funds, which he deposited into his bank account. Penuel began diverting estate funds, which had been authorized by the bankruptcy court to pay certain expenses, to his own use. As the authorized signor on the estate bank account, Penuel made withdrawals and then re-deposited the monies into other accounts that he controlled. Once the funds were placed into his operating account, Penuel withdrew the funds. The scheme involved approximately 20 withdrawals from the estate bank account, totaling approximately $151,239.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation - Jacksonville Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dale Campion.

Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan has sentenced Steven Villareal (30, Jacksonville) to five years and three months in federal prison for the arson of BLC Automotive on Blanding Boulevard. He was also ordered to pay BLC Automotive restitution in the amount of $30,000. Villareal pleaded guilty on February 29, 2016.

According to court documents, on February 17, 2014, Villareal entered BLC Automotive at approximately 3:00 a.m.  Once inside, he used an acetylene torch to cut into a safe from which he stole a large sum of cash.  He then used an accelerant to start a fire inside the business.  An officer from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office saw the fire and alerted the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, who responded quickly and extinguished the fire. The interior of BLC Automotive was badly damaged, but the structure survived the fire.

This case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the State Fire Marshal, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Talbot.

The Justice Department announced today that Abdullah Hamidullah, 42, of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court of the Middle District of Florida to one count of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; two counts of enticing a person to travel in interstate commerce for prostitution and one count of interstate transportation for prostitution.  On Feb. 10, 2016, a grand jury in the Middle District of Florida returned an indictment charging Hamidullah with five counts of sex trafficking and related violations. 

According to admissions in his plea agreement, Hamidullah compelled an 18-year-old woman to prostitute for his profit.  After enticing the victim to travel to Florida under false pretenses, he forced her to have sex with multiple customers a day over a period of several months and provide him the proceeds.  Hamidullah isolated her in his apartment, took away her money and phone and installed an alarm without providing her the code.  He also assaulted her, showed her his handgun and branded her with a tattoo.  

“Hamidullah preyed on a vulnerable young woman and cruelly exploited her for his profit,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.  “We will continue to aggressively enforce our human trafficking laws to restore the rights, freedom and dignity of victims of modern-day slavery.”

“Rescuing human trafficking victims and bringing the criminals who enslave them to justice is a top priority for special agents with Homeland Security Investigations,” said Special Agent in Charge Susan L. McCormick of HSI Tampa.  “HSI will continue to work with our local, state, federal and international law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute human traffickers.”

“As a multi-agency task force, the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation participates with its local, state and federal partners to bring human traffickers to justice and seek restoration for victims of this terrible crime,” said Director Ron Stucker of the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation.  “The investigation and prosecution of Abdullah Hamidullah is another example of close cooperation between local and federal authorities to protect the community.”

Hamidullah faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.  Sentencing has been scheduled for Sept. 15, 2016.  As part of his plea agreement, Hamidullah agreed to pay restitution to six women identified as victims of his sex trafficking scheme.

This case was investigated jointly by the Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations’ Orlando Field Office and Orlando’s Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ilianys Rivera of the Middle District of Florida and Trial Attorney William Nolan of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit.

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Richard A. Lazzara today sentenced Anderson Bryan Lever (39, Colombia, South America) to 17 years and 6 months in federal prison for conspiring with others to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, onboard vessels subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.

According to court documents and information presented at sentencing, between 2009 and 2013, Lever worked with his co-defendant and others to smuggle cocaine.  Lever repeatedly dispatched vessels carrying between 550 and 1,000 kilograms of cocaine from San Andres Island, Colombia.  On each occasion, He recruited and paid at least four mariners per vessel. 

Lever’s co-conspirators received cocaine shipments in Honduras, then provided bales of United States currency (containing as much as $500,000 each) to the mariners who had just smuggled the cocaine. The mariners then smuggled the money back to Lever in Colombia. In total, the mariners successfully smuggled more than 10,000 kilograms of cocaine.  

Lever was previously convicted for importing cocaine in Guerrero, Mexico.  In September 2001, he was sentenced to more than 13 years’ imprisonment in Mexico, but escaped and fled to Colombia in November 2002. He was arrested in Colombia and subsequently extradited to the United States in November 2015.

This case was investigated by the Panama Express Strike Force, a standing Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation, comprised of agents and analysts from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Coast Guard Investigative Service, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and U.S. Southern Command's Joint Interagency Task Force South. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s drug supply.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher F. Murray.  The Department of Justice, Office of International Affairs, assisted with Lever’s extradition.

Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the return of an indictment charging Jorge Guerrero-Torres (28, Orlando) with possession of child pornography and production of child pornography.  If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on the possession charge, and minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years, up to 30 years, in federal prison on the production charge. Guerrero-Torres was arrested and made his initial appearance in federal court on June 6, 2016, in Fort Myers. He remains detained pending further proceedings

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless,  and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  It will be prosecuted by Chief Assistant United States Attorney Jesus M. Casas and Assistant United States Attorney Charles Schmitz.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Tampa, Florida - United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Mayory Calvo (34, Doral) with one count of mortgage fraud conspiracy, two counts of bank fraud, and one count of loan and credit application fraud. If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison on each charge.  The indictment also notifies Calvo that the United States is seeking a money judgment for the proceeds of the charged offenses.

According to the indictment and court proceedings, Calvo, who worked at Elite Mortgage Funding, participated in a mortgage fraud conspiracy where some conspirators entered into agreements to purchase properties for amounts in excess of the original asking price.  The conspirators then inserted false and fraudulent information on mortgage loan applications, or Fannie Mae Form 1003s, that were submitted in support of the loan requests. 

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of one or more federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General.  It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Chris Poor and Assistant United States Attorney Jay Trezevant.

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that a federal jury has found Eugene Warren Brewington (34, Orlando) and Chima Edozie Aligwekwe (33, Orlando) guilty of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud. Brewington was also convicted of 4 counts of wire fraud and 11 counts of mail fraud. Aligwekwe was convicted of one count of mail fraud. Each faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for each count and will be required to pay restitution to their victims.  The sentencing hearing has been scheduled for August 25, 2016. Brewington and Aligwekwe were indicted on December 2, 2015.

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Brewington founded and operated two companies in Orlando, “Timeshare Title Services LLC” and “United Clearing Solutions LLC.”  Representatives of the two companies, known as “callers,” made unsolicited phone calls to timeshare owners throughout the country and falsely claimed that a buyer existed for their timeshares.  The timeshare owners were told that buyers had deposited money into an escrow account for the purchase of their timeshares, and they received documents from the companies that appeared to be legitimate timeshare sales contracts.  Ultimately, the timeshare owners were told to send advance fees to the companies to finalize the sales.  Numerous timeshare owners made the advance fee payments to the companies but received no services and their timeshares were never sold.  Brewington managed the bank accounts where the advance fees were deposited and had rented the office spaces from where the “callers” executed the scheme.  Aligwekwe provided customer lead information for the timeshare owners and managed a team of “callers” for one of the companies.   In a three month period, more than $500,000 in timeshare owner payments were deposited into bank accounts for the two companies.  Brewington, Aligwekwe, and others associated with the companies used these funds to enrich themselves.   

This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the United States Secret Service.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Andrew C. Searle and Kara M. Wick.

I would like to thank the men and women from our state and local agencies who continue to work tirelessly following this tragic attack.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, along with the Department of Justice, including the FBI, the ATF, and the National Security Division fully supports the ongoing investigation.  Our thoughts and prayers remain with the victims’ families during this very difficult time.

No additional information is available at this time.

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington today sentenced Frazier Williams, Jr. to three years in federal prison for willfully aiding and assisting in the preparation of a tax return that he knew to be false and fraudulent.  The Court also ordered him to pay restitution to the Internal Revenue Service in the amount of $2,974,000.  A federal jury found Williams guilty on January 16, 2016.

According to the evidence presented at trial, Williams, an officer of Aztech Energy Corporation, assisted in the preparation of a federal corporate income tax return for Aztech that fraudulently inflated the amount of fuel tax credits the corporation was entitled to by more than $2 million.  

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation.  It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bob Mosakowski.

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Michael Wesley (40, North Port) has pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of unauthorized access devices. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison on each count.

According to the plea agreement, between November 2011 and May 2014, Wesley was engaged in a fraud scheme in which he would obtain checks that had been written by victim bank account holders and stolen from United States Postal Service mailboxes. Wesley would then use the personal information printed on these stolen checks to cash, at the victim’s own bank, worthless checks made payable to the victim but had been written on closed accounts from other banking institutions. In this manner, Wesley frequently obtained cash from federally insured financial institutions. On multiple occasions, and at different locations over several years, ranging from Lee, Manatee, and Hillsborough Counties, Florida law enforcement officers found Wesley to be in possession of numerous such checks and theft paraphernalia. Each check was an unauthorized access device containing the account holder’s personal information, bank account, and routing numbers. None of the victim account holders had authorized Wesley to possess or use those checks.

This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, with assistance from the Sheriff’s Offices in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee, Seminole, and County, and the Florida Highway Patrol. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jay L. Hoffer.

A Cuban national was sentenced to 37 months in prison today for his role in a multimillion-dollar health care fraud scheme in the greater Tampa, Florida, area.   

Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney A. Lee Bentley III of the Middle District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Paul Wysopal of the FBI’s Tampa Field Office and Special Agent in Charge Shimon R. Richmond of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s (HHS-OIG) Miami Regional Office made the announcement.

Ubert Guillermo Rodriguez, aka Ubert Guillermo Rodriguez Sigler, 47, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud in March 2016.  Rodriguez had been a fugitive following his indictment in 2013 until his arrest in October 2015.  U.S. District Judge James D. Whittemore of the Middle District of Florida imposed today’s sentence and also ordered Rodriguez to pay $918,402 in restitution and to forfeit the same amount. 

Rodriguez was the president and owner of G.R. Services Equipment & Supplies Inc., a Largo, Florida, company that purported to provide durable medical equipment to Medicare beneficiaries.  Rodriguez admitted that from May 2013 through July 2013, his company submitted approximately $2,579,695 in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare seeking reimbursement for durable medical equipment not legitimately prescribed by doctors and not provided to beneficiaries.  For example, Rodriguez’s company sought reimbursement for thousands of dollars of negative pressure wound therapy electrical pumps and sterile collagen dressings purportedly provided to Medicare beneficiaries in May and June 2013 that were not, in fact, legitimately prescribed by doctors or provided to beneficiaries.  Federal law enforcement agents previously executed a seizure warrant on Rodriguez’s company’s bank account, resulting in the seizure of approximately $243,339 in proceeds of the health care fraud scheme. 

HHS-OIG and the FBI investigated the case, which was brought as part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, under the supervision of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Middle District of Florida.  Fraud Section Senior Trial Attorney Christopher J. Hunter prosecuted the case.

Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, now operating in nine cities across the country, has charged nearly 2,000 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for more than $6 billion.  In addition, the HHS Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.

To learn more about the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Team (HEAT), go to www.stopmedicarefraud.gov.

Orlando, FL – Amin Yu, 54, of Orlando, Florida, pleaded guilty today to acting in the United States as an illegal agent of a foreign government without prior notification to the Attorney General and conspiring to commit international money laundering.

The plea agreement was announced by U.S. Attorney A. Lee Bentley III of the Middle District of Florida and Assistant Attorney General for National Security John P. Carlin.

“Amin Yu made hundreds of thousands of dollars by acting covertly in Orlando on behalf of the Chinese government and by skirting U.S. export laws and regulations,” said U.S. Attorney Bentley.  “The enforcement of U.S. laws and regulations related to the national security of the United States remains a top priority for our office.”

“Amin Yu admitted to secretly serving as an agent of the Chinese government,” said Assistant Attorney General Carlin.  “Yu obtained and illegally exported items and technology related to marine submersible vehicles at the direction and control of a state-owned entity in China.  Protecting our national assets by disrupting efforts by foreign governments to steal sensitive equipment and technology will continue to be a high priority of the National Security Division.”

According to the plea agreement, from at least 2002 until February 2014, at the direction of co-conspirators working for Harbin Engineering University (HEU), a state-owned entity in the People’s Republic of China, Yu obtained systems and components for marine submersible vehicles from companies in the United States.  She then illegally exported those items to the PRC for use by her co-conspirators in the development of marine submersible vehicles – unmanned underwater vehicles, remotely operated vehicles and autonomous underwater vehicles – for HEU and other state-controlled entities.  Yu illegally exported items by failing to file electronic export information (EEI), as required by U.S. law, and by filing false EEI.  In particular, Yu completed and caused the completion of export-related documents in which she significantly undervalued the items that she had exported and provided false end user information for those items.

Yu faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for acting as an illegal agent of a foreign government and up to 20 years in prison for conspiring to commit money laundering.  A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled. 

This case was investigated by the FBI, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel C. Irick of the Middle District of Florida and Trial Attorneys David C. Recker and Thea D. R. Kendler of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

Jacksonville, FL – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Clement Ashford Reeves, Jr. (73, Yulee) has pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography over the Internet. He faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years, up to 20 years, in federal prison and a potential life term of supervision. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to court documents, an agent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations began an undercover operation to identify persons using the Internet to receive and share child pornography. The agent learned that a host computer in Florida had been sharing child pornography since December 15, 2011. That computer was traced to Reeves’s residence.     

On June 3, 2015, agents met with Reeves at his home. During an interview, Reeves stated that he had downloaded depictions of prepubescent children, but that his preference was for young girls. He also said that he had been using the file sharing program for 10-15 years. Agents seized several computer devices that contained 22 videos depicting young children being sexually abused.         

This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.

It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Amin Yu, 54, of Orlando, Florida, pleaded guilty today to acting in the United States as an illegal agent of a foreign government without prior notification to the Attorney General and conspiring to commit international money laundering.

The plea agreement was announced by Assistant Attorney General for National Security John P. Carlin and U.S. Attorney A. Lee Bentley III of the Middle District of Florida.

“Amin Yu admitted to secretly serving as an agent of the Chinese government,” said Assistant Attorney General Carlin.  “Yu obtained and illegally exported items and technology related to marine submersible vehicles at the direction and control of a state-owned entity in China.  Protecting our national assets by disrupting efforts by foreign governments to steal sensitive equipment and technology will continue to be a high priority of the National Security Division.”

“Amin Yu made hundreds of thousands of dollars by acting covertly in Orlando on behalf of the Chinese government and by skirting U.S. export laws and regulations,” said U.S. Attorney Bentley.  “The enforcement of U.S. laws and regulations related to the national security of the United States remains a top priority for our office.”

According to the plea agreement, from at least 2002 until February 2014, at the direction of co-conspirators working for Harbin Engineering University (HEU), a state-owned entity in the People’s Republic of China, Yu obtained systems and components for marine submersible vehicles from companies in the United States.  She then illegally exported those items to the PRC for use by her co-conspirators in the development of marine submersible vehicles – unmanned underwater vehicles, remotely operated vehicles and autonomous underwater vehicles – for HEU and other state-controlled entities.  Yu illegally exported items by failing to file electronic export information (EEI), as required by U.S. law, and by filing false EEI.  In particular, Yu completed and caused the completion of export-related documents in which she significantly undervalued the items that she had exported and provided false end user information for those items.

Yu faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for acting as an illegal agent of a foreign government and up to 20 years in prison for conspiring to commit money laundering.  A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Aug. 29, 2016.  

This case was investigated by the FBI, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel C. Irick of the Middle District of Florida and Trial Attorneys David C. Recker and Thea D. R. Kendler of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

Yu Plea Agreement