Middle District of Florida

Orlando, Florida – Chief U.S. District Judge Anne C. Conway today sentenced Curtis Lee Dallas (32, Orlando) to 20 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, and possessing that firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The court also ordered Dallas to forfeit the Taurus pistol and 9mm ammunition he possessed at the time of his arrest.  A federal jury found Dallas guilty on April 30, 2013. 

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, on the evening of February 16, 2012, officers with the Orlando Police Department pulled Dallas over for a suspected window tint violation. When one of the officers approached Dallas’ vehicle, the officer smelled marijuana and saw that Dallas, seated in the driver’s seat, had marijuana sprinkled across his lap. The officer also realized that Dallas was hiding something in his mouth. Dallas refused to get out of the car and struggled with the officer.  After removing Dallas from the car, the officer located a loaded 9mm pistol tucked into a holster, clipped to his pants.  During a subsequent search of Dallas and the vehicle, officers found several plastic bags filled with marijuana, a plastic bag filled with crack cocaine, almost $1,000 in cash, and a 50-count box of 9mm bullets.  After Dallas was arrested, he also spit out a plastic bag filled with powder cocaine that he had hidden in his mouth.

At the time of his arrest, Dallas had multiple prior felony convictions and therefore was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph M. Schuster.

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 Julie Leon, 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. It is also a part of ATF’s Frontline strategy to reduce violent crime and improve the quality of life in communities where law enforcement efforts are focused.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Charles Franklin Hudson, Jr. (38, Jacksonville) with four counts of using a minor to produce videos depicting child pornography.  He faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years, up to 30 years in federal prison, and a potential life term of supervision. Hudson was arrested on January 8, 2014, and has been in custody on related state charges since that time. His arraignment and detention hearing is scheduled for April 16, 2014 at 10:30 a.m., before United States Magistrate Judge Monte C. Richardson in Jacksonville.   

The indictment alleges that on or about May 17, 2011 through on or about June 28, 2012, Hudson, on at least four separate occasions, did knowingly employ, use, persuade, induce, entice, and coerce a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual materials of that conduct.

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 until, and unless, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.

It is another 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 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.usdoj.gov/psc.

*******MEDIA ADVISORY*******

WHO:            

 A. Lee Bentley, III, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Florida

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi

Law Enforcement Personnel

Victim Services Providers

WHAT:

Public Safety Forum
In recognition of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, along with members of the public safety and victims’ services community, will present an overview of human trafficking and domestic sex trafficking.

WHEN:         

Thuraday, April 10, 2014,

8:30 A.M. – 12:30 P.M. (EST)

WHERE:       

Keiser University
5002 W. Waters Avenue
(Auditorium)
Tampa, FL  33634

OPEN PRESS [DESIGNATED AREA]
(Reserved Parking for Media Vehicles in rear of main building)
                                          
NOTE:  All media must present government-issued photo I.D. (such as a driver’s license).  
Media may begin arriving at 7:30 A.M. EST.

(Download Flyer and Agenda )

Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday today sentenced Quinton Justin Davis (27, Sarasota) to 15 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Davis pleaded guilty on January 21, 2014.

According to court documents, on October 17, 2013, officers from the Sarasota Police Department arrested Davis on an outstanding warrant. Pursuant to the arrest, they located a loaded Glock 22 .40 caliber handgun in his waistband. Davis had previously been convicted of multiple felonies prior to his October 2013 arrest, including drug trafficking and firearm offenses, and was therefore 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 Sarasota Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer L. Peresie.

It 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 Julie Leon, 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. It is also a part of ATF’s Frontline strategy to reduce violent crime and improving the quality of life in communities where law enforcement efforts are focused.

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Brian Newton (56, Port Orange) and Victoria     Snow (54, Clearwater) with conspiracy, mail fraud and wire fraud. Newton and Snow were arrested today and will make their initial appearances in federal court, in Orlando, this afternoon.  If convicted, each faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.

According to court documents, Newton and Snow worked on behalf of Dataforce International, Inc. Dataforce had a contract to “factor” its invoices at Amerifactors Financial Group.  “Factoring” is a financial transaction by which a business sells its accounts receivables, such as invoices, to a third party (called a factor) at a discount.  The accounts receivable is created when a business performs services or sells goods to a client. The factor provides financing to the seller of the invoice in the form of an advance.  Once an invoice has been factored by a business, the business will typically arrange to have the client pay the third party factor directly.

From 2003 until August 2009, Newton and Snow allegedly submitted a series of invoices for factoring, to Amerifactors, that were inflated and that did not reflect work that had been performed by Dataforce.  In addition, Newton and Snow engaged in “double factoring,” which involved submitting the same Dataforce invoice for factoring to both Amerifactors and Prestige Funding. To deceive Amerifactors and Prestige Funding into funding those invoices, Newton and Snow allegedly submitted altered work orders to Amerifactors and falsely represented that Dataforce had an arrangement to factor its invoices with Prestige Funding. By executing this scheme, Newton and Snow were able to defraud Amerifactors, Prestige Funding, and the investors of Prestige Funding out of more than $6 million.

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

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg.

Orlando, FL – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Luis Alberto Marulanda-Cardona (54, Colombia) today pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering. Marulanda faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. 

According to the plea agreement, beginning in February 2009, Marulanda had a contract with a Colombian drug trafficking organization, where Marulanda’s associates picked up bulk cash in the amount of 100,000€ (Euros) a week, in the Netherlands. Two months later, a DEA confidential source met with Marulanda in Madrid, Spain.  Marulanda advised the confidential source that two small shipments of cocaine had been seized in Portugal, by Portuguese authorities, and that one of his main associates had been arrested. Marulanda stated that as a result of the seizure and arrests, his operations had been suspended in Spain and Portugal.  DEA’s Madrid Country Office confirmed that Portuguese authorities had seized several shipments of cocaine, in the amounts and on the dates consistent with those mentioned by Marulanda.  Marulanda then moved his operations to Italy. He told the confidential source that his organization sent cocaine to Rome every week aboard commercial planes and that he would return to Rome where he would pick up a large amount of currency. Marulanda requested that the confidential source meet him in Rome, at which time Marulanda would give the source 650,000€ to be laundered. As part of the conspiracy, Marulanda requested assistance to move the narcotics proceeds, in bulk, through New York City, Atlanta, and Orlando into Hong Kong banks and Panama City, Panama.  The total amount of funds that Marulanda attempted to launder is $2,973,285. 

This case was investigated by the DEA’s Orlando District Office, with assistance from DEA’s Rome Country Office, Madrid Country Office, Lisbon Country Office, Bogota Country Office, Hong Kong Country Office and Panama Country Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher LaForgia.

Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Anne C. Conway yesterday sentenced Nicholas Aaron Brown (19, Queens, NY), Donald Napoleon (21, Winter Haven), and Renington Javier Noa (26, Orlando) for their roles in an access device fraud conspiracy. Brown and Napoleon were both sentenced to 2 years in federal prison. Noa was sentenced to 4 years in federal prison. The court also ordered each to serve a 2-year term of supervised release, following incarceration, and to pay restitution to the victims of this conspiracy. All three individuals pleaded guilty in December 2013.

According to court documents and evidence presented at the sentencing hearing, Brown, Napoleon, and Noa participated in a conspiracy that involved the production of counterfeit credit or debit cards using account numbers belonging to other individuals, which were obtained online. A separately indicted co-conspirator, Andre Aldain Flemming, was the leader of the conspiracy.  Flemming obtained the compromised account numbers online from individuals overseas. Members of the conspiracy, including Brown, wired money to individuals overseas to pay for these account numbers. Once Flemming acquired the account numbers, he produced the counterfeit credit or debit cards and provided them to Brown, Napoleon, Noa, and other co-conspirators. The individuals then used the cards to make fraudulent purchases at retail stores.  The co-conspirators provided the fraudulently purchased merchandise to Flemming.  Flemming paid them a fee and then sold the merchandise on the street for a profit. 

Flemming was indicted with additional co-conspirators in a separate case.  He pleaded guilty to access device fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft on January 9, 2014.  His sentencing hearing is scheduled on April 10, 2014.

This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, with assistance from the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew C. Searle.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Christopher Scott O’Brien, II (age 23, St. Johns) yesterday pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography over the Internet. O’Brien 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 the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in Jacksonville began an undercover investigation to identify individuals in that area who had access to and/or were trading images and videos depicting child pornography over the Internet.  The agent determined that a host computer in the area was hosting images of child pornography using a particular peer-to-peer file sharing program. The agent made successful connections to the host computer and successfully downloaded several video files depicting child pornography directly from the host computer.  Further investigation revealed that the subscriber information traced back to O’Brien’s residence in St. Johns, Florida.    

On February 26, 2013, FBI agents and other officers executed a search warrant at O’Brien’s residence and seized, among other things, several computers and other items of electronic media. O’Brien was at the residence and told the agents that he uses the same file sharing program as the one detected by the undercover agent.  He stated that he only downloads videos and believed that he had four or five videos of child pornography on his computer, which he repeatedly watched and saved.  He added that the children depicted in his collection of child pornography ranged from 8 to 15 years of age.

A subsequent analysis of O’Brien’s computer revealed that it contained approximately 838 videos, at least 50 of which depicted minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.   

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

It is another 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 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.

Orlando, Florida– United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Scott Anthony Estes (19, New Berlin, Illinois) was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison for distributing child pornography. He was also ordered to serve a life term of supervision, following his incarceration. Estes pleaded guilty in November 2013.

According to the plea agreement, Estes began contact with a 10-year-old boy on Xbox Live.  Estes attempted to convince the child to engage in a sexual relationship. The child told his father about the conversation, and the father contacted law enforcement. Acting in an undercover capacity, agents initiated an investigation and continued communication with Estes.  Believing that he was still talking to the child, Estes sent videos depicting child pornography and images of his genitalia.

Estes was arrested by law enforcement on March 22, 2013.  During an interview, he stated that he had met the child while playing a video game played on Xbox. Estes also admitted to sending a picture of his genitalia to the child, as well as child pornography videos.  He stated that he had asked the child to send naked pictures of himself.  Estes also said that he had been in communication with a 13-year-old boy in Texas, and that he had met that child while playing Xbox as well. 

Following Estes’ arrest, a search warrant was conducted on his e-mail address. An examination of his e-mail account showed that he distributed child pornography to numerous persons between July 2012 and March of 2013. Among the images and videos of child pornography distributed, several included pornographic videos that Estes had produced himself, while sexually abusing at least two children. A forensic review of Estes’ cellular telephone showed that he possessed more than 1,200 images of child pornography, including images depicting infants being sexually abused. A majority of the images of child pornography depict children between the ages of three and eight.

This case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher LaForgia.

It is another 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 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.usdoj.gov/psc.

Orlando, FL – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the return by a grand jury of an indictment charging Liliam Patricia Urbina (46, Sanford) with theft and embezzlement concerning programs receiving federal funds. If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Urbina that the United States intends to forfeit $80,168.16, which is alleged to be the funds she obtained through the offense.

According to the indictment, Urbina was employed as the manager of an apartment complex (“Tuscany at Aloma”) owned and operated by the Winter Park Housing Authority, which receives federal funding and provides affordable housing. As the manager, she collected rent from tenants of the apartment complex. The indictment alleges that beginning on or about October 2011 through on or about March 2013, Urbina used the rent payments provided to her by tenants, for her own purposes. Among other things, she deposited the money orders that she received from tenants into bank accounts which she controlled, cashed the money orders, and used them to pay her own rent and purchase a vehicle.

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

This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel C. Irick.

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven yesterday sentenced Lawrence S. Hartman, a/k/a Larry Hartman, a/k/a Larry Hart, a/k/a Lawrence Scott Hartman-Grosser (48, Costa Rica; a U.S. lawyer formerly of New York and Florida), to 10 years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud. The court also ordered Hartman to forfeit his interest in his residence in Santa Ana, Costa Rica, a parcel of land located in Pasco County, several offshore entities, several foreign and domestic bank accounts, two vehicles (2009 Jaguar XKR; 2010 Genesis LX150ST3), three luxury watches, and more than $129,500 from the sale of a condominium – all of which are traceable to proceeds of the offense.  As part of his sentence, the court also entered a money judgment in the amount of $42.5 million, which represents proceeds of the mail and wire fraud conspiracy.

Hartman was charged in March 2009. In May 2013, he was arrested by Nicaraguan authorities. Hartman was deported from Nicaragua and turned over to U.S. authorities on May 15, 2013.  His apprehension and expulsion was achieved through the joint cooperation of various agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Diplomatic Security, U.S. Embassy Managua, INTERPOL Washington, and the Nicaraguan National Police. He pleaded guilty on November 20, 2013.

According to evidence and testimony presented at the trials of Hartman’s co-conspirators, from at least as early as July 2004 through at least March 13, 2008, Hartman, along with Paul Robert Gunter (Odessa, Florida), Simon Andrew Odoni (originally of the UK), Richard Sinclair Pope (originally of the UK) and others, engaged in a sophisticated investment fraud and money laundering scheme.  The scheme involved worthless stock in hijacked dormant publicly-traded companies in the United States that was sold to victim-investors, primarily in the United Kingdom. The scheme used boiler room telemarketers, mostly in Spain, who employed high pressure and misleading sales techniques. The victim-investors wired more than $127 million to Gunter's bank accounts in the Middle District of Florida. Hartman and his co-conspirators used the victim-investors' funds to perpetuate the fraud scheme and for their own personal enrichment. Victim-investors' funds were used to buy, among other things, luxury items including an airplane, two vessels, vehicles, including the Jaguar and a Ferrari, and real property in the Caribbean islands, England, and Florida.

Gunter and Odoni proceeded to trial in April 2013.  Both were convicted of multiple criminal offenses, following a 19-day jury trial.  On July 30, 2013, Gunter was sentenced to 25 years, and Odoni was sentenced to 13 years and 3 months in federal prison.  Pope, who pleaded guilty, cooperated and testified for the government, and was sentenced to 4 years and 9 months in prison.  The court also ordered all three individuals to forfeit their interests in real property and bank accounts in the U.S. and abroad, as well as other assets purchased with fraud proceeds.  

In another related trial that took place in May 2012, Houston lawyers Roger Lee Shoss and Nicolette Loisel were convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with their participation in the corporate identity theft aspect of the scheme. As part of the investigation, federal agents seized nearly $5 million in U.S. currency. The court previously granted the government's request to use these assets, as well as those forfeited by Hartman, to help compensate victims for their losses. 

“This case truly demonstrates the collaborative effort of federal and international law enforcement partners throughout the world” said Shane Folden, Acting Special Agent in Charge of HSI Tampa. “HSI is committed to bring individuals like Hartman, who prey on some of our most vulnerable citizens, to justice.”

“Mr. Hartman is the last piece of this long term investigation,” said John W. Joyce, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Secret Service, Tampa Field Office. “Several agencies worked tirelessly for many years to bring Hartman and others to justice and to provide restitution to the victim investors in this case. These criminals will all serve just sentences for the fraudulent schemes they devised and live differently than the opulent lifestyles they grew accustomed to.”

The case was investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Tampa, Florida, as well as the U.S. Secret Service, Tampa, Florida and Newark, New Jersey Field Offices. The government received assistance from several other authorities, including the City of London Police, the UK's Serious Fraud Office and Norfolk Constabulary, the Spanish National Police, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Ontario Securities Commission, and the British Columbia Securities Commission. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Rachelle DesVaux Bedke and Kelley Howard-Allen.

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that yesterday a federal jury found Santana James (23, Montego Bay, Jamaica) guilty of conspiracy to possess 500 grams or more of cocaine with the intent to distribute, and possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute. James faces a minimum sentence of five years, up to a maximum penalty of 40 years in federal prison. Her sentencing is scheduled for June 18, 2014.  James was indicted on August 27, 2013.

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, on August 13, 2013, James traveled from Montego Bay, Jamaica to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida with cocaine. An investigation revealed that she swallowed approximately a half kilogram of cocaine in more than eighty saran wrapped pellets, wore altered undergarments with more than a kilogram of cocaine concealed within them, and inserted a cylinder shaped package filled with cocaine into her body. James brought the cocaine into the United States at the behest of Horace Anthony Troupe, another Jamaican national. Once James arrived with the cocaine, Troupe added it to cocaine brought in by his other drug couriers.

On August 18, 2013, Troupe and co-defendant Antonio Richards were arrested in St. Petersburg, Florida, with 7.5 kilograms of cocaine contained in six individually wrapped packages. Both Troupe and Richards previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. They are scheduled to be sentenced later this month.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the St. Petersburg Police Department, and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office HIDTA Task Force. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Shauna S. Hale and Carlton Gammons.

It was prosecuted as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). 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.

Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard yesterday sentenced Eddie Battles (26, Valdosta, Georgia) to 16 years and 2 months in federal prison for eleven counts of armed robbery and two counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Battles pleaded guilty on June 20, 2013.

According to court documents, Battles started robbing Dollar General stores in and around South Georgia and North Florida in November 2011. In most of the robberies, he used a loaded Hi-Point 9mm pistol. Battles acted alone until March 2012, when his brother, Eric Williams, joined in the robberies. Together, Battles and Williams robbed four Dollar General stores and one Family Dollar store in North Florida, during March and April 2012. They were caught and arrested after a robbery in Welborn, Florida on April 18, 2012. 

Battles had worked as a substitute teacher in Valdosta during the time he committed the robberies. He also previously worked as an assistant manager at the Dollar General store in Lake Park, Georgia.  The Lake Park store was the first one he robbed. 

Eric Williams pleaded guilty for his role in the offenses on August 21, 2013, and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 14, 2014.

This case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, the Suwanee County Sheriff’s Office, the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Talbot.

It 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 Julie Leon, 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.

This case is also a part of ATF’s Frontline strategy to consolidate limited law enforcement resources by deconflicting cases and coordinating efforts in critical communities.

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that a federal jury today found Air Force Senior Airman Jason Alan Hargrove (27, Brandon) guilty of attempted enticement of a child for sex. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years, up to a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 23, 2014.  Hargrove was indicted on January 8, 2014. 

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Hargrove posted an advertisement on a public website soliciting members of the public for sex.  He attached a picture of his genitalia to the posting.  An undercover officer, posing as a 14-year-old female in the 9th grade, responded to Hargrove’s posting, expressing interest. Upon learning the purported “child’s” age, Hargrove attempted to induce the “child” to engage in sexual acts with him, and discussed various sex acts with the “child.”  Additionally, Hargrove repeatedly requested to visit the “child’s” home when he believed her mother wasn’t present.  On October 27, 2013, Hargrove drove to what he believed to be the “child’s” home to engage in sexual acts with the “child” and was arrested. 

This case was investigated by the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Amanda C. Kaiser.

It is another 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 the 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.

Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven yesterday sentenced Demetrius Renaldo Bowers (29, Tampa) to 193 years in federal prison for a string of eight armed robberies that he committed between September and November 2012 throughout the Tampa Bay area. 

On June 26, 2013, a federal jury found Bowers guilty of sixteen robbery and firearms offenses.

According to evidence presented at trial, between September 23, 2012 and November 4, 2012, while armed with a black semi-automatic handgun, Bowers robbed eight fast-food franchise restaurants in Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Hernando counties near the time the restaurants were closing. In each robbery, Bowers used a concrete block to smash the window of the victim business, wore a black ski mask covering his face, and held the victim-employees at gunpoint while demanding money. After the robbery of a Papa John's restaurant off of Gunn Highway in Tampa, law enforcement recovered the ski mask worn by the robber. DNA recovered from the ski mask positively matched Bowers. Law enforcement then obtained other evidence which identified him as the perpetrator of the other armed robberies.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, the Tampa Police Department, the Largo Police Department, and the Hernando County Sheriff's Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Josephine W. Thomas and Carlton C. Gammons.

Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday today sentenced Kesham Evans Jr. to two years in federal prison on one count of aggravated identity theft charged in connection with Evans cashing two fraudulent Treasury checks.  Evans pleaded guilty on January 4, 2014.

According to court documents, on two occasions in July 2013, Evans sold a United States Treasury check, at a discounted price, to undercover law enforcement agents. These Treasury checks were issued as a result of tax returns filed in the names of individuals who were victims of identity theft. They had a total face value of more than $25,000. At least one of the victims confirmed that he did not file a tax return and that the Treasury check issued in his name was fraudulent. The victim did not know Evans nor did he authorize Evans to endorse a check issued in his name.           

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and Tampa Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelley Howard-Allen.

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge James D. Whittemore yesterday sentenced Alexander Lenox to 7 years and 6 months in federal prison for theft of government property and aggravated identity theft.  Lenox pleaded guilty on December 31, 2013.

According to court documents, Lenox engaged in stolen identity refund fraud from April 2009 to May 2011, with two co-conspirators. In particular, in May 2011, Lenox was responsible for renting two hotel rooms where lists of identifying information and prepaid debit cards containing fraudulently-obtained tax refunds were found. Also found in both rooms were medical records that had been stolen from the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, containing the identifying information of U.S. veterans. Lenox was later captured by surveillance video at various locations withdrawing money from the debit cards with the fraudulently-obtained tax refunds on them. At sentencing, he was found responsible for fraudulent tax returns requesting more than $400,000 of government funds and victimizing more than fifty people.

After the sentencing hearing, Special Agent in Charge Monty Stokes, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, said "This case is the collective work of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to aggressively pursue those that commit identity theft. The fact that Lenox chose to victimize veterans is reprehensible."

"Alexander Lenox's sentencing of 7 ½ years is the result of the collaborative investigative effort of the Tampa Bay Alliance.  Let this sentence be a warning to those individuals who continue to exploit members of our community and veterans," stated James Robnett, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation.  "IRS-Criminal Investigation and its partners will continue to investigate individuals, such as Lenox, who commit stolen identify refund fraud (SIRF)."

Lenox’s co-conspirators, James Early Smiley and Hantz Saint Marc, previously pleaded guilty for their roles in this case.  On August 12, 2013, Smiley was sentenced to 61 months in federal prison. A sentencing hearing for Saint Marc is set for May 20, 2014.

This case was investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of the Inspector General, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, and the Tampa Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sara C. Sweeney.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States District Judge Marcia Morales Howard today sentenced John George Sessine (59, Lake City) to 6 years and 3 months in federal prison for receiving images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of minor children over the Internet.  He was also sentenced to a 10-year term of supervision and ordered to register as a sex offender, following his incarceration.  Sessine has been in custody since his arrest in Lake City on June 5, 2013. 

According to court documents, on June 5, 2013, FBI agents and other law enforcement officers executed a federal search warrant at a residence occupied by Sessine, in Lake City, Florida.  The FBI had previously learned that at least one computer using an Internet Protocol (IP) address that resolved to this residence was sharing videos of child pornography over the Internet. Sessine was at the residence and was interviewed by the agents.  During an interview, Sessine stated that he used a particular file sharing program to download images and videos, and that the youngest child depicted on his computer was 10 or 12 years old.  A forensic analysis of Sessine’s computer media revealed that he had collected 107 images and 104 videos of minor children being sexually abused. 

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

It is another 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 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.usdoj.gov/psc.

Fort Myers, Florida – United States District Judge John E. Steele today sentenced Delmer Holmes Parrish (44) and Patricia Parrish (74), both of Naples, for their roles in a conspiracy to commit health care fraud that operated from Sunshine Pharmacy in Naples, Florida.  Delmer Holmes Parrish, a licensed Pharmacist, was sentenced to two years in federal prison.  Patricia Parrish was sentenced three years of probation, to include 120 days of home confinement, and ordered to pay a $5,000 fine.  Both were also ordered to pay restitution to the United States in the amount of $351,358.14, the proceeds of the crime. Pursuant to their agreement, this amount was paid in full, immediately following the sentencing.  As part of the plea agreement, Delmer Holmes Parrish also permanently relinquished his Pharmacist License to the State of Florida.  

According to court documents, from in or around February 2009, through in or about July 2012, Delmer Holmes Parrish and Patricia Parrish participated in a conspiracy to defraud federal health care benefit programs out of approximately $351,358.14. Both, along with others, used Sunshine Pharmacy and Sunshine Solutions, both in Naples, to further their unlawful scheme to defraud the government. The co-conspirators submitted and caused claims to be submitted for reimbursement from the Medicaid, Medicare, and TRICARE programs for prescriptions not filled or provided to beneficiaries and recipients, including prescriptions for patients that had not been written or authorized by any duly licensed physician. In addition, the co-conspirators submitted and caused claims to be submitted for reimbursement for prescriptions for beneficiaries and recipients who were deceased. In carrying out the offenses, the conspirators also used the means of identification of individuals who were enrolled in the Medicaid, Medicare, or TRICARE programs without their knowledge or consent. The conspirators also took steps to hide and conceal the scheme to defraud. As a result of the scheme, the government was defrauded of approximately $351,358.14.

According to Brian Martens, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, in Tampa, “today’s sentencing, which is punctuated by the defendants’ having made 100% restitution to Medicare, clearly demonstrates the success of the Strike Force model.”

This case was brought as part of the Medicare Strike Force and was investigated by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; Department of Defense, Defense Criminal Investigative Service; and the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the Naples Police Department; Collier County Sheriff's Office; and the United States Secret Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David G. Lazarus.

Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, now operating in nine cities across the country, has charged more than 1,700 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for more than $5.5 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.

Orlando, FL – U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr. today sentenced Braden Koegel (35, Apopka) to three years and six months in federal prison for bank fraud. Koegel pleaded guilty on November 21, 2013.

According to court documents, Koegel, a former home lending executive at a local bank, fraudulently obtained more than $2 million worth of fraudulent home mortgages on two properties in North Carolina. He did so by utilizing "straw purchasers" (individuals who would act as buyers) to purchase the properties, and by lying about the income and assets of these straw purchasers on loan applications. Both of these properties ultimately went into foreclosure, resulting in a loss of more than $1 million to the lenders.    

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, and the Florida Division of Financial Services. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Vincent S. Chiu.

Tampa, FL - United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley III announces that the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit today affirmed the convictions and sentence of former Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin White for his role in a bribery scheme. White had been convicted after a jury trial of bribery, mail fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit both fraud and bribery. In March 2012, he was sentenced to a total of three years’ imprisonment.

In 2009 and 2010, while White was a Hillsborough County Commissioner, he also served as Chairman of the County’s Public Transportation Commission, which was responsible for certifying towing companies to work for county law-enforcement agencies. The evidence at trial showed that White had received cash bribes from persons who wanted the commission to certify their towing companies and help them get hired by local law-enforcement agencies. White’s father, Gerald White, also participated in the scheme; he urged the towing companies to pay bribes, insisting that White could help them out if they helped out the Whites. Unbeknownst to the Whites, the men they met with were an FBI informant and an undercover FBI special agent. In a series of meetings, many of which were recorded, both White and Gerald White received thousands of dollars in cash bribes from the informant and from the agent. In addition to the cash bribes, Gerald White demanded and received from the informant a Lincoln Navigator SUV.

At Kevin White’s trial, the jury found White guilty of seven counts. White’s father (Gerald) did not go to trial, as he had died in the meantime. White appealed his convictions and his sentence to the Court of Appeals in Atlanta. He argued that the evidence at trial had been insufficient to support his convictions because the Public Transportation Commission receives no federal funds, and the federal bribery statute applies only to agents of agencies that receive at least $10,000 in federal funds annually. The Court of Appeals rejected White’s argument, pointing out that White also was acting as an agent of the Hillsborough County Commission when he solicited and took the bribes, and Hillsborough County receives millions of dollars in federal funds each year. As the Court explained, “Ample evidence supports White’s convictions for bribery and conspiracy to bribe.”

White also challenged his three-year sentence, arguing that the sentencing court should not have taken into account the SUV that his father had received and should not have increased his sentence based on his status as an elected public official. The Court of Appeals rejected those arguments as well and upheld White’s three-year sentence.

This appeal was handled by Assistant United States Attorney David Rhodes, Chief of the Office’s Appellate Division.              

(Download Factual Basis )

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Jermal Marquis Chambers (25, Apopka) today pleaded guilty to possession of firearms and ammunition in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possession of firearms by a convicted felon. Chambers faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to the plea agreement, on May 7, 2013, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) responded to the scene of a shooting in Apopka in which multiple attackers used multiple firearms to shoot at several victims. Evidence retrieved at the scene included .40 caliber, 9 mm, and .45 caliber shell casings. One victim was severely injured with a gunshot wound to his pelvis.

During the afternoon of May 7, 2013, unknown assailants shot at Chambers and his uncle outside an apartment complex. No one was injured during the incident.

Late in the evening on May 9, 2013, OCSO responded to another scene of a shooting in Apopka. Multiple attackers had fired bullets into a house where Chambers lived. A subsequent examination of the residence revealed approximately 68 bullet holes in the structure, along with fired cartridges from at least three firearms of different calibers near the structure.

During the execution of a search warrant at the residence, agents found several canvas bags holding a stash of cocaine and related drug paraphernalia, seven firearms, including a .223 caliber assault rifle, a nine millimeter pistol, two .38 caliber pistols, a 12-gauge shotgun, a .22 caliber rifle, and a .40 caliber pistol, along with hundreds of rounds of ammunition for these firearms. A forensic examination of shell casings recovered from the first shooting incident on May 7, 2013, revealed that they were fired from the assault rifle found in Chambers’ home. DNA evidence also established that Chambers had held the .22 caliber rifle.

Chambers was previously convicted of felony burglary in 2006 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 Orange County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bruce S Ambrose.
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 Julie Leon, 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.

It is also a part of ATF’s Frontline strategy to reduce violent crime and improve the quality of life in communities where law enforcement efforts are focused.

Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge John Antoon, II sentenced Brian K. Hatten (34, Orlando) today to 16 years and 4 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. A federal jury found Hatten guilty on January 7, 2014.

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, officers from the Orlando Police Department arrested Hatten after he ran from them upon seeing a patrol car at an intersection west of downtown Orlando. During his flight from officers, Hatten became entangled on a fence. During a subsequent search, officers found packages of marijuana in Hatten’s pockets.  A semi-automatic pistol loaded with four rounds of ammunition, a cell phone, and a receipt belonging to Hatten were located on the pavement near where he became entangled on the fence. Further investigation revealed that Hatten had at least seven previous felony convictions, including various drug offenses, robbery, battery on a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault with a firearm and fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer. As such, he was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms and the Orlando Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney E. Jackson Boggs Jr.

It 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 Julie Leon, 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.

The case is also part of ATF’s Frontline Strategy to reduce violent crime and improve the quality of life in communities where law enforcement efforts are focused.

Tampa, FL – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Miami residents Gladys Fuertes (40) and her husband Mario Fuertes (38) with conspiracy, healthcare fraud, aggravated identity theft, and obstructing a healthcare investigation.  The Fuerteses were arrested on Wednesday morning in Miami.  If convicted, each faces a maximum penalty of ten years in federal prison on each of the conspiracy and healthcare fraud counts and five years on each of the obstruction counts, as well as mandatory sentences of two years in prison for each of the aggravated identity theft counts. The indictment also notifies the couple that the United States is seeking a money judgment in the amount of $266,423.20, which is traceable to the proceeds of the alleged criminal conduct.

According to the indictment, Gladys and Mario Fuertes established and operated a sham clinic in Coral Gables, Florida, for the purpose of committing healthcare fraud.  The clinic was called Gables Medical and Therapy Center. The Fuerteses allegedly employed unlicensed medical professionals and misused the Medicare billing numbers of other medical professionals, without their knowledge, in order to claim that they rendered medical treatment to Gables patients.  Gladys and Mario Fuertes also paid a co-conspirator to recruit Medicare beneficiaries for Gables, and to drive patients to the clinic for basic and sham medical services.

Once recruited, Gladys and Mario Fuertes urged the Gables patients to enroll in Universal’s Medicare Part C and Part D plans. They believed Universal paid a relatively high percentage of its claims.  Gladys and Mario Fuertes fraudulently billed Universal and caused Universal’s Medicare Part C plan to be billed for Gables patients’ supposed treatments.  The treatments included expensive HIV-related treatments that patients never actually received.  Gladys and Mario Fuertes also billed Universal and caused Universal to be billed for services that required a physician’s presence when no licensed physician was present or rendered the service.

The defendants and their co-conspirators paid the Medicare beneficiaries, who were recruited to come to Gables for their Medicare identification numbers, to allow Gables to bill Universal for services that were never rendered.  In addition, Gladys and Mario Fuertes facilitated the provision of fraudulent prescriptions for controlled substances, including Oxycodone, to Gables patients.  In some cases, the signatures on the prescriptions were forged. The patients who received these Oxycodone prescriptions were assisted in filling them by a co-conspirator.  The co-conspirator also purchased the pills from some of the patients and sold them on the street.

Once they learned of the federal healthcare fraud investigation into their actions, Gladys and Mario Fuertes instructed Gables patients to lie to law enforcement agents and otherwise obstruct a federal investigation into health care fraud at Gables.  The Fuerteses also provided altered Medicare billing documentation to federal agents investigating their activities.

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

This case is being investigated by the FBI and HHS-OIG and was brought as part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Mandy Riedel and Kelley Howard-Allen.

Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, now operating in nine cities across the country, has charged more than 1,700 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for more than $5.5 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.

(Download Factual Basis )

Orlando, Florida - U.S. District Judge John Antoon, II sentenced Lavitress Williams (33, Orlando) to 5 years, and three months in federal prison for her role in a counterfeit traveler’s check scheme. She was also sentenced to 5 years of supervised release and ordered to pay $44,728.33 in restitution to Target. Williams pleaded guilty on January 4, 2012.

According to court documents and evidence presented at the trial of a co-defendant, Williams was involved in a conspiracy and scheme by which counterfeit traveler’s checks were passed at Target stores located throughout the Southeastern United States. Other conspirators manufactured the counterfeit traveler’s checks, which Williams and other conspirators used to purchase merchandise at various Target stores. Williams and her conspirators would take the fraudulently obtained merchandise to different Target stores, where the merchandise would be returned for cash refunds. They would then divide the cash amongst themselves. From September 2011 to December 2011, Williams and her conspirators passed over 100 counterfeit checks, at over forty Target stores, located in six states. The scheme resulted in a loss to Target of $44,728.33.

Williams is one of six individuals who has been prosecuted for their role in this conspiracy and scheme. The following are the sentences of the other five individuals:

Name Charges Sentence Lottie Davis Conspiracy, two counts of bank fraud, and four counts of making, passing, or possessing counterfeit securities

20 months in federal prison and 3 years of supervised release

Bank fraud 18 months in federal prison and 3 years of supervised release Darrel Dopson Conspiracy and bank fraud Time served and 3 years of supervised release Brandy Hooks Conspiracy 3 years probation Larry Wilson Conspiracy 3 years probation

This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg.

Tampa, FL – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Johnathan Bergren (40, Tampa) today pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Bergren faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to the plea agreement, from at least September 2012 through August 23, 2013, Bergren, Christian Morales, and others engaged in a conspiracy to commit bank fraud by engaging in a check kiting scheme. Bergren, Morales, and others recruited by Bergren, engaged in the scheme to defraud by opening up numerous business checking accounts at federally insured financial institutions. Once the co-conspirators established the business checking accounts, they deposited checks drawn on accounts opened at other institutions into the newly established accounts. The conspirators then withdrew funds prior to the checks clearing the banks.  The deposited checks were ultimately returned as Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF), Closed Account, or Refer to Maker. Despite this, Bergren and Morales had already transferred or withdrawn the funds immediately made available to accounts under their control. During the course of the scheme, Bergren and Morales opened more than 30 business checking accounts.  The deposits and withdrawals were done at various federally insured financial institutions in the Middle District of Florida.

To date, Bergren, Morales, and others acting at their direction, deposited checks into accounts at financial institutions totaling approximately $493,017.65, of which $288,682.45 was withdrawn.

Morales previously pleaded guilty for his role in the scheme. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 15, 2014. 

Following his arrest for the instant scheme on or about August 23, 2013, through and including the date of his re-arrest on a second complaint for the same type of activity on or about December 19, 2013, Bergren continued engaging in this check kiting scheme.  During this second phase of the scheme, in which Morales was not involved, Bergren recruited others to open shell companies and corresponding business accounts at Bank of America into which Bergren deposited $32,167.19 worth of NSF or closed account checks. Bergren directed that third parties withdraw funds from these accounts before the NSF or closed account checks deposited into them cleared, and provide him with the cash. This resulted in an additional actual loss to Bank of America of $20,899.30. Thus, to date, Bergren is responsible for an intended loss of approximately $525,184.84 and an actual loss of approximately $309,581.75.

This case was investigated by the Tampa Police Department and the United States Secret Service.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mandy Riedel.

(Download Factual Basis )

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Susan C. Bucklew sentenced Latasha Callens (35) yesterday to 12 years and 5 months in federal prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for bank fraud, access device fraud, mail fraud, and aggravated identity theft.  As part of her sentence, the court also entered a money judgment in the amount of $223,798, the proceeds of the charged criminal conduct.  Callens pleaded guilty on December 3, 2013.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Callens committed crimes from at least as early as July 2011 through her arrest in May 2013.  Callens defrauded banks and individuals on at least 58 occasions during a two-year period. 

In one of her schemes, Callens approached individuals, usually at ATMs, and told them about her need to cash a check and her inability to deposit the check into her bank account.  She then convinced the individuals to deposit the checks into their own accounts and withdraw the funds for her. She sometimes gave them $100 for their trouble.  In each case, the checks were worthless.  They were generally drawn on closed accounts, because the checks and checkbooks had been stolen. 

On two occasions in December 2012, Callens committed access device fraud.  She used a stolen identity to obtain dental care at a Clearwater dental office.  She purchased $12,000 worth of dental services under the false pretense that a co-conspirator would consent to pay for the treatment.  Using a stolen credit card number provided by the co-conspirator, Callens paid for herself to receive a root canal, a bridge, an extraction, a temporary crown, a retainer, anesthesia, and other items and services.

In another scheme, Callens committed stolen identity refund fraud. For tax years 2010, 2011, and 2012, she defrauded the Internal Revenue Service and certain taxpayers by electronically filing false and fraudulent tax returns, using stolen identities and, thereby, obtaining refunds.  She sought approximately $800,000 in fraudulent tax returns.

“Through the combined, tenacious investigative efforts of several key agencies in the Tampa Bay area, this predator was finally brought to justice,” said John Joyce, Special Agent in Charge of United States Secret Service’s Tampa Field Office. “Unfortunately, there are still others engaging in similar criminal behavior. Those who emulate Ms. Callens’ way of life will also eventually be apprehended and receive appropriate sentences.”

“The suspect in this case played on the sympathies of good samaritans and took advantage of their willingness to help,” said Jane Castor, Chief of the Tampa Police Department. “This sentence sends a loud and clear message that fraud of any kind is not tolerated in our city.”

"Although this was a collaborative effort of many agencies, everyone involved shared a single mission to focus on those individuals who involve themselves in tax refund fraud and identity theft. This should be a clear warning for those who engage in this type of criminal activity that the only outcome is lengthy prison terms and large monetary fines," stated Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee. 

“Stolen identity cases continue to plague our citizens and our criminal justice system,” said Clearwater Police Chief Tony Holloway. “This suspect didn’t care whose lives she impacted and from whom she stole money. She used stolen identities to make a living. She left an amazing trail of financial devastation and destruction in her wake,” Holloway added. “This sentence and accompanying money judgment send a strong and stern message to her and others like her – we will catch you, and you will pay for your crimes.”

“This case serves as an excellent example of how law-enforcement agencies from diverse jurisdictions can work together to solve crimes, protect our communities and get offenders off the street,” said Deputy Chief Bernard Seeley of the Temple Terrace Police Department.  “We’re proud to be a part of this collaborative effort.”

“Individuals such as Latasha Callens who commit identity theft and refund fraud of this magnitude deserve to be punished to the fullest extent of the law,” said James D. Robnett, Special Agent in Charge IRS Criminal Investigation.  “Callens demonstrated a blatant disregard of the integrity of the United States tax system and caused immeasurable hardship to innocent victims. IRS Criminal Investigation remains committed to the pursuit of identity theft and together with the members of the Tampa Bay Alliance, we will hold those who engage in similar conduct accountable.”

This case was investigated by the Tampa Police Department, the U.S. Secret Service, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Temple Terrace Police Department, the Clearwater Police Department, and the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations Division. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas N. Palermo.

Orlando, FL – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Daoud Theron Jarrett (28, Kissimmee), Michael Jovan Johnson (32, Orlando), and Thonnie Edward Grisby, II (29, Orlando) each pleaded guilty to one count of access device fraud.  Each faces a maximum penalty of ten years in federal prison.  A criminal complaint was filed against the three on August 22, 2013.

According to court documents, Jarrett, Johnson, and Grisby used fraudulent credit cards with stolen access numbers at various Wal-Mart stores in Orange, Seminole, Volusia, and Osceola Counties.  With these fraudulent credit cards, they purchased iPads, laptop computers, gift cards, and other items totaling more than $74,000.  

This case was investigated by United States Secret Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher LaForgia.

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Marlene Stephens (61, Kansas City, MO) pleaded guilty to one count of bankruptcy fraud. She faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison. As part of her plea agreement, Stephens has agreed to pay restitution in the amount of $175,000.48 to various credit card companies. Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 18, 2014.  

According to court documents, Stephens filed a petition for bankruptcy on October 10, 2008. In that petition, she sought the discharge of more than $500,000 in personal credit card debt. Included in the personal credit card debt was $191,342.51 that Stephens transferred to her sister via credit card convenience checks, in January and February 2008. The investigation revealed that Stephens wrote the convenience checks to her sister, who put the money into a Washington Mutual checking account. At the time Stephens filed the bankruptcy petition, this account had a balance of $175,000.48. Stephens’ bankruptcy, which included the credit card debt, was discharged in February 2009. 

A month before Stephens filed her bankruptcy petition, her sister transferred the money from a Washington Mutual account to a Wachovia Bank account. An investigation determined that Stephens concealed the existence of the Wachovia Bank account from the bankruptcy trustee when she filed for bankruptcy in October 2008. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) was able to trace the funds in the Wachovia Bank account back to Stephens, after the bankruptcy was discharged.      

This case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, with assistance from the United States Trustees Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn P. Napier.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan today sentenced John Charles Stevenson (46, Rincon, Georgia) to 7 years in federal prison for receiving videos and images of child pornography over the Internet. He was also ordered to serve a 5-year term of supervision and to register as a sex offender, following his incarceration. Stevenson pleaded guilty on October 29, 2013, and has been in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service since his arrest in Rincon, Georgia on June 21, 2013. 

According to court documents, an agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted an investigation to identify individuals, in Jacksonville, who were trading images and videos depicting child pornography over the Internet. The agent determined that a computer using a particular Jacksonville Internet Protocol (IP) address was hosting child pornography. The agent was able to download several videos of prepubescent children engaged in sexually explicit conduct from this host computer.  Further investigation revealed that the subscriber information for this IP address resolved to a residence in Jacksonville, where Stevenson was living. On January 31, 2013, FBI agents and other officers executed a federal search warrant at this Jacksonville residence. 

During an interview, Stevenson stated that he had been viewing and downloading child pornography for at least three years. He described his activities with child pornography as "interesting, curious, and novel," and stated that he downloads and watches child pornography for his “personal use.”  Subsequent forensic analysis of Stevenson's two laptop computers seized from the residence revealed that they contained a total of at least 24 videos and 51 images depicting child pornography.  

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

It is another 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 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.usdoj.gov/psc.

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Tanya Fox (38, Clermont) with 1 count of conspiracy to defraud the government, 5 counts of wire fraud, 10 counts of theft of government property, and 10 counts of aggravated identity theft. If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment on the conspiracy count, 20 years in prison on the wire fraud counts, 10 years in prison for the theft of government property counts, and an additional 2 years’ imprisonment for the aggravated identity theft charges, to be served consecutively to any sentence imposed on the previous charges. The indictment also notifies the defendant that the United States is seeking a money judgment of $4,055,735 for the wire fraud and theft of government property charges. 

Fox was arrested and made her initial appearance on March 25, 2014, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Philip R. Lammens.  She was detained pending further proceedings.      

According to the indictment, Fox orchestrated a scheme to file fraudulent tax returns using identities that were stolen from a variety of sources. She would direct other individuals to open business bank accounts in the name of a fraudulent tax preparation business and have the tax refunds deposited into those accounts. Fox would then work with those individuals to withdraw the funds. 

Previously, Shanterica Smith, Gerald Williams, and Delray Duncan were convicted and sentenced for providing over 2,200 names from the Orange County Health Department to Fox so that she, or a co-conspirator, could file over $3.9 million in fraudulent tax returns. Further, as part of this scheme, Fox purchased a number of automobiles, furniture, and other lifestyle items. In total, the United States alleges that Fox filed attempted to file fraudulent tax returns totaling over $5.8 million.

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

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, and the United States Postal Inspection Service.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn P. Napier.

Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge John E. Steele today sentenced Fred Kevin Johnson to 10 months in federal prison for possession of 15 or more unauthorized access devices. In addition, he was sentenced to a consecutive term of 24 months’ imprisonment for aggravated identity theft.  Johnson pleaded guilty on January 7, 2014.

According to court documents, on October 2, 2012, Johnson was stopped in a vehicle for traffic violations in Lee County, Florida.  A subsequent search of his vehicle revealed that Johnson possessed multiple notebooks containing the Personal Identification Information (PII) of more than 100 individuals. Some of the PII was used to file fraudulent tax returns.  The fraudulent returns were filed without the knowledge of the individuals whose PII was used by Johnson.

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey F. Michelland.

Orlando, FL – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Michael Rivers (56, Windermere) yesterday pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, eight counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, eight counts of money laundering, and three counts of aggravated identity theft.  Additionally, Kim Rivers (46, Windermere) pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated identity theft. Michael Rivers faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count of wire fraud, 10 years’ imprisonment on each count of money laundering, and a mandatory minimum of 2 years in prison on each aggravated identity count. Kim Rivers faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 2 years, up to 6 years in federal prison.

According to court documents, Michael and Kim Rivers created an alleged international bank software company named Global Business Genesis, LLC, (“GBG”) that was headquartered in Orlando, Florida. Michael Rivers was the Chief Executive Officer and Kim Rivers was the Executive Assistant of that company. GBG allegedly provided wireless bank software to major banks in developing countries. This software would enable customers to transfer money between international accounts, as well as issue prepaid currency and prepaid credit cards overseas.

During the course of the charged conspiracy and fraudulent scheme, Michael and Kim Rivers litigated multiple civil state cases in the Ninth Judicial Circuit of Florida, a bankruptcy proceeding in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida, and a civil action brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Judgments were entered against Michael and Kim Rivers and the entities they controlled, in state and federal court. During the course of the charged conspiracy, the couple used investor funds to support their lifestyle, including obtaining a $114,000 exotic sports car, private schooling in excess of $230,000 for their children, and living in a home with a delinquent mortgage well over $2 million, all while delaying payments and putting off their creditors. 

Throughout, Michael and Kim Rivers told state and federal courts, the government, creditors, and opposing litigants, that Michael Rivers had debilitating cancer and was receiving treatment in Argentina. The couple often claimed that Michael Rivers was medically incapacitated in Argentina and that, for that reason, they were unable to appear in court proceedings and at meetings in the United States. Those false representations were made via letters, e-mails, court filings and proceedings, as well as by representatives for the couple. During the execution of search warrants, law enforcement found items, including correspondence, templates, letterhead, altered documents, and computer files and images of signatures and seals that the defendants used to create and discuss the creation of the forged documents, which they used during the course of the fraud. Elements used to create forged documents such as attorney letters, doctors’ letters concerning cancer treatment, insurance, and documents from financial institutions and government entities were also recovered during the search.

On December 11, 2012, Michael Rivers sent an e-mail to Kim Rivers, instructing her and another co-conspirator in a ruse on how to portray themselves as employees of a law firm (“Fried Frank Law Firm”). In January 2013, Michael Rivers was in London, England, trying to solicit investors. After receiving some resistance from investors, he suggested they call “Fried Frank Law Firm” to speak with an attorney who could vouch for the authenticity of GBG and its license agreements. Michael Rivers called Kim Rivers who pretended to work at the law firm. Afterwards, another co-conspirator pretended to be a law associate at Fried Frank Law Firm and stated that due diligence had been conducted.

Victims confirmed that due to the ruse perpetrated by Michael and Kim Rivers, where they portrayed themselves as a reputable law firm vouching for the solvency of GBG, the victim and other investors’ fears were allayed and they subsequently wired nearly $1 million dollars during that portion of the scheme. 

Michael and Kim Rivers also defrauded local investors in the Orlando area. From that scheme, they used money to obtain luxury automobiles, including a Fisker Karma and a Jaguar XK-R, Cirque Du Soleil tickets, and other lifestyle items.

This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Christopher LaForgia and Daniel C. Irick.

Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the return by a grand jury of an indictment charging Ramon Almengo (47, Fort Myers) with conspiracy to commit theft of government funds. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison. The Indictment also notifies Almengo that the United States is seeking a money judgment in the amount of $2,053,328.28, the proceeds of offense. An arraignment is scheduled for March 27, 2014 at 1:30 p.m., before U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas N. Frazier.

Almengo was previously charged by a criminal complaint on March 11, 2014.

According to court documents, Almengo owned and operated Mi Bodegon Latino y Mas, Inc, in Fort Myers, Florida. Almengo allegedly cashed approximately $2,053,328.28 worth of United States Treasury tax refund checks that were generated as a result of fraudulently filed tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service, utilizing stolen personal identification information. Almengo retained 20% of each check that he cashed on behalf of the conspirators.      

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

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David G. Lazarus.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Shelton Thomas Bell (20, Jacksonville) today pleaded guilty to conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and attempting to provide material support to terrorists. Bell faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to the plea agreement, between May 2012 and continuing through at least July 18, 2012, Bell agreed and conspired with a juvenile, and one other individual, to train and prepare themselves as combatants for overseas violent jihad, then travel from Jacksonville to the Middle East for the ultimate purpose of providing themselves to terrorists, including members of Ansar al-Sharia in Yemen. Once overseas, their plan included receiving further training and deadly weapons from Ansar al-Sharia, and then engage in violent jihad against, and to kill, others in the country of Yemen and elsewhere.

In May 2012, Bell introduced the juvenile to the concept of traveling overseas for the purpose of engaging in violent jihad and inspired the juvenile and another person with the teachings of an Al Qaida spokesperson, Anwar al-Awlaki ("al-Awlaki"). Bell suggested traveling to Yemen to fight because of al-Awlaki's teachings - that all young people should travel to Yemen to “take up the fight.” Bell and the juvenile subsequently agreed to a plan in which they would travel to Israel and then make Hajj. As part of the deception, the conspirators told others, including their parents, that they were traveling overseas to attend Hajj, to study, and to get an education. By July 2012, Bell, the juvenile, and another individual began taking actions to train for their unlawful activities by conducting mental training that included watching al-Awlaki videos and looking at images of dead Muslims. 

Another part of the training took place on July 4, 2012, when Bell and another individual conducted a late-night “jihadi training mission” that involved the destruction of religious statues in a multi-denominational cemetery located in Jacksonville, Florida. In preparation for the mission, the two dressed in all black clothing, wore tactical gloves, masks, and wrapped their shoes in black duct tape to avoid leaving footprints. Bell brought a loaded 9 mm pistol with him on the mission, to use “in case any kuffar want to cause any trouble.” Other training sessions conducted by Bell included a homemade firing range and impromptu battlefield lessons intended for recording and uploading to the Internet, to be used in the recruitment of others as to “the actions of Jihad.” At the conclusion of one training session, Bell placed the American flag on a machete, burned it, and commented that the flag was “burning to the ground by the mujahidin’s hands.” To recruit other youth to travel and join in armed conflict, Bell and the juvenile also planned to take footage of each other actually participating in armed conflict in the Middle East, once they made it there and began fighting. 

On September 25, 2012, Bell and the juvenile left Jacksonville and flew to New York, Poland, and Tel Aviv, Israel, where they were detained by Israeli officials and deported to Poland. From there, Bell and the juvenile traveled to Jordan to stay with the juvenile's relatives. While in Jordan, Bell and the juvenile contacted another person to assist in their plan of joining up with Ansar al-Sharia. Bell and the juvenile also bought airline tickets to the country of Oman, believing they would fly to Oman and walk across the border to Yemen to join the armed conflict there. As part of the conspiracy, Bell and the juvenile intended to travel to Yemen, where they intended to carry out their plan. During their overseas travel, Bell and the juvenile took steps to avoid detection by law enforcement.

Ultimately, Bell and the juvenile were deported from Jordan to the United States on November 21, 2012. At that time, Bell spoke with agents and stated, among other things, that he and the juvenile had purchased plane tickets to Oman, with the intention of entering Yemen. Bell stated, “If you ask me if [I] was going for jihad in Yemen, I say yes.”  Bell confirmed that Ansar al-Sharia was the group that they sought to join, but explained that several groups were affiliated with Ansar al-Sharia, including al Qa’ida and the Taliban.

In commenting on this case, United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III stated, “Working with our law enforcement partners to prevent terrorism and promote national security is a top priority. We are thankful that this investigation was resolved without harm or injury to any citizens, at home or abroad.”

“Stopping these threats from within is the grim reality we deal with today,” said Special Agent in Charge Michelle S. Klimt, FBI - Jacksonville. “This case serves as a reminder that terrorist-related activities can occur anywhere. It also shows that we will use all the resources at our disposal to root out the individuals posing these threats to keep America safe.”

This case was investigated by the FBI's Jacksonville Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF). The JTTF is a multi-agency task force comprised of full-time personnel from the FBI, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, Florida Highway Patrol, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mac D. Heavener, III and Department of Justice Trial Attorney Mara M. Kohn from the Department's Counter Terrorism Section, National Security Division.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that David Allen Dinsbeer (37) today pleaded guilty to 16 counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud. Each count carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison. Dinsbeer is currently released on bond, pending a sentencing hearing.

Dinsbeer was indicted on October 3, 2013.

According to court records, between January 2011 and May 2012, Dinsbeer defrauded the Hickory Foods group of companies out of approximately $904,000. The Hickory Foods companies are best known for Bubba Burgers. The investigation revealed that Dinsbeer used phony supplier companies to bill for supplies that were never delivered. He then deposited checks, which were issued on false invoices, into bank accounts for the phony companies, which he controlled. An FBI forensic accountant determined that the companies had no legitimate business expenses and that Dinsbeer withdrew money from the accounts, using them to pay his personal expenses. To facilitate the scheme, Dinsbeer conspired with an employee of Hickory Foods companies.
 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dale Campion.

###

WASHINGTON – A Florida man who had been the straw owner of a physical therapy rehabilitation facility has been sentenced to serve 30 months in prison for his role in a $28.3 million Medicare fraud scheme.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida A. Lee Bentley III, Special Agent in Charge Paul Wysopal of the FBI’s Tampa Field Office and Acting Special Agent in Charge Brian P. Martens of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s (HHS-OIG) Florida region made the announcement.

Roberto Fernandez Gonzalez, 63, formerly of southwest Florida, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Susan C. Bucklew in the Middle District of Florida and was ordered to forfeit $446,738 and pay the same amount in restitution.  Fernandez pleaded guilty on June 24, 2013, to conspiracy to commit health care fraud.

According to court documents, Fernandez and his co-conspirators used various physical therapy clinics and other business entities throughout Florida – including Rehab Dynamics Inc. in Venice, Fla. – to submit approximately $28.3 million in fraudulent reimbursement claims to Medicare from 2005 through 2009.  Medicare paid approximately $14.4 million on those claims. 

Fernandez’s co-conspirators obtained and controlled Rehab Dynamics.  They engaged in a sham sale of Rehab Dynamics to Fernandez, a Cuban immigrant with no background in the health care industry.  Fernandez did not have the money to buy Rehab Dynamics.  Instead, the co-conspirators paid Fernandez approximately $20,000 to serve as the straw owner of Rehab Dynamics from January 2008 through March 2008.  During that time, Rehab Dynamics submitted approximately $1.6 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare seeking reimbursement for rehabilitation therapy services that were not provided.  Medicare paid approximately $446,738 on those false claims.

This case is being investigated by the FBI and HHS-OIG and 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 for the Middle District of Florida.  This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Christopher J. Hunter and Andrew H. Warren of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant United States Attorney Simon A. Gaugush of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.

Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, now operating in nine cities across the country, has charged more than 1,700 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for more than $5.5 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.

14-280

DO NOT REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE.  IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, PLEASE USE THE CONTACTS IN THE MESSAGE OR CALL THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT 202-514-2007.

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that David Wendel Thompson (48, Seffner) was charged by a criminal complaint and arrested on Friday, March 14, 2014 for the enticement of minors. Thompson made his initial appearance today in Miami, Florida and is currently being detained. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years, up to a maximum penalty of life in federal prison.

Thompson is a teacher at Centennial Middle School in Dade City, Florida.

According to the criminal complaint, Thompson used Facebook in an attempt to knowingly persuade two minor females, from the country of Belize, to engage in sexually explicit conduct. In February 2014, Thompson had sexually explicit conversations with a 13 year old and a 15 year old female in Belize. In those conversations, he discussed flying to Belize to meet the minors and engage in sexual activity with them. On March 14, 2014, Thompson took a flight from Tampa, Florida to Belize City, Belize, with a layover in Miami, Florida. He was refused entry into Belize and arrested in the Miami International Airport. 

A criminal complaint is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer L. Peresie.

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.usdoj.gov/psc.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announced today that Franklin Stuart King (39, Interlachen) has pleaded guilty in United States District Court, in Jacksonville, to receiving child pornography over the Internet. King faces a mandatory minimum penalty of not less than 5 years, up to 20 years in federal prison and a potential life term of supervision. King has been in custody since his arrest on October 10, 2013. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to court documents, an agent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), in Jacksonville, began an investigation to identify area individuals who had access to and/or were trading images and videos depicting child pornography over the Internet. The investigation revealed that a host computer using a particular Internet Protocol (IP) address in the Jacksonville area was hosting images of child pornography, while using a particular file sharing program. The agent made a successful connection to the host computer at this IP address and successfully downloaded several image files directly from the host computer that depicted child pornography. Further investigation revealed that the IP address resolved to a particular residence located in Interlachen, where King resided. HSI agents and other officers subsequently executed a search warrant at King’s residence and seized, among other things, King’s computer and other items of electronic media.

King was at the residence during the execution of the search warrant and told agents that he viewed images of underage kids on his computer, that while using a particular file sharing program, he would do random searches on the computer, and that he had seen images of nude minor children while on the computer. King also told agents that he used certain specific search terms to find these images and videos and stated, “there is like a small spark somewhere in [his] head that likes to see [child pornography].” King said that he had been viewing child pornography for two or three years. 

A subsequent analysis of King=s computer media revealed that it contained a total of 808 images depicting child pornography.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.

It is another 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 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.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."

Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge James S. Moody, Jr. yesterday sentenced Norma Cabezas-Hernandez to 5 years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit credit card fraud and aggravated identity theft. As part of her sentence, she was also ordered to forfeit her share of the traceable proceeds of the offense, which total more than $655,000. Cabezas-Hernandez pleaded guilty on December 6, 2013. 

According to court documents, from at least 2011 through February 2013, Cabezas-Hernandez engaged in a conspiracy to commit access device fraud by using counterfeit credit cards and re-encoded gift cards to make purchases of consumer goods throughout the Middle District of Florida. Her brother and co-conspirator, Michel Lermos-Hernandez, installed and directed others to install key loggers and other skimming devices on credit card readers and point-of-sale terminals in the Tampa area, including locations at the International Mall. Lermos-Hernandez then removed or directed others to remove the devices, from which he downloaded the stolen credit and debit card account numbers and account information. The conspirators obtained the stolen credit and debit account numbers and re-encoded them onto reloadable gift cards to create counterfeit credit cards.

Lermos-Hernandez and others, including Cabezas-Hernandez, used the counterfeit credit cards to purchase retail items such as electronics and store gift cards, which they sold to another co-conspirator for cash.

On February 7, 2013, a search warrant was executed at the residence of Cabezas-Hernandez and her brother, Lermos-Hernandez. Inside, agents recovered $14,515 in cash, a laptop computer, a credit card embosser, a mag stripe reader/encoder, a key logger, and multiple counterfeit credit cards and re-encoded gift cards. Agents also seized a 2005 black Ford Mustang and 2012 Black Nissan sedan, both registered to Cabezas-Hernandez. Counterfeit gift cards were also found inside the Mustang.

The total actual loss identified to date is approximately $655,568.61, including more than 14 federally-insured financial institutions and over 1,000 individuals, whose account information was compromised. 
Currently, Lermos-Hernandez is a fugitive. Co-conspirator Viviana Reyes was convicted at trial and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 14, 2014.  Danay Crespo-Rodriguez pleaded guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on June 25, 2014. Lazaro Rodriguez was sentenced on January 22, 2014, to 37 months’ imprisonment. Abel Osoria-Cuok, who was only involved in the conspiracy for approximately three weeks, was sentenced to a term of five years’ probation on February 21, 2014.

This case was investigated by the Tampa Police Department, Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the United States Secret Service (USSS), all of whom are members of the USSS’s Credit Card Fraud and Identity Theft Task Force. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Mandy Riedel and Suzanne Nebesky.

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that today Jason Lynn Gay (40, Orlando) was arraigned in federal court on an indictment charging him with one count of threatening a federal official, one count of making threats against the President of the United States, and one count of mailing a threatening communication. If convicted on all counts, Gay faces up to 25 years in prison.    

According to the indictment, Gay threatened to assault and murder an agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and threatened to take the life of and inflict bodily harm upon the President of the United States of America. He made these threats in a communication that he mailed to the U.S. Courthouse in Orlando. Gay also threatened to “blow up” the federal courthouse in the same mailed communication. 

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

This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service.  It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew C. Searle.

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Shawn Williams (41, Ocoee) was arrested yesterday for the distribution and possession of child pornography. Williams made his initial appearance today on a criminal complaint and is currently detained. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count.

According to the criminal complaint, Williams responded to a sexually explicit Craigslist ad and began online correspondence with an Orlando man. The two men discussed their mutual interest in child pornography and attempted to make arrangements to meet, in person, for a sexual rendezvous. Williams used his cellular telephone to send the Orlando man several images of child pornography and they again discussed meeting to share their collections of child pornography. During their conversations, the Orlando man told Williams that he had a one year-old child. Williams then asked the man to send him “baby pics” and “adult with baby pics.” Agents arrested Williams at his home on March 13, 2014.

A criminal complaint is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph M. Schuster.

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.projectsafechildhood.gov.

Tampa, FL – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that a federal jury yesterday found Donald Edwin Gallagher, Jr. (51, St. Petersburg) guilty of two counts of production of child pornography, one count of distribution of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography. Gallagher faces a maximum penalty of 30 years’ imprisonment on each production count, 20 years in prison on the distribution count, and up to 10 years for the possession charge. His sentencing hearing will be scheduled for a later date.

Gallagher was arrested on a criminal complaint on July 24, 2013, and indicted on December 18, 2013.          

According to evidence presented at trial, in January 2013 an undercover detective with the St. Petersburg Police Department downloaded approximately 15 files of child pornography from an Internet Protocol (IP) address that traced back to Gallagher’s residence, in St. Petersburg. Based upon the investigation into the origin of these images, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other local agencies executed a federal search warrant at that residence. During the search, agents located and seized a laptop computer belonging to Gallagher, as well as hard drives and other digital media, on which agents located thousands of images and hundreds of videos containing child pornography. Upon further investigation and review of Gallagher’s digital media, law enforcement recognized the background in some of the pornographic images and videos as being Gallagher’s residence. Law enforcement later determined that Gallagher had produced images and videos of two minor victims engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Gallagher stored these images and videos on his various digital devices. 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and members of the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force, including the Largo Police Department and the St. Petersburg Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Josephine W. Thomas and Stacie B. Harris.          

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 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.usdoj.gov/psc.

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Jonathan Tyler Prive (25, West Melbourne) was arraigned today in federal court on an indictment charging him with one count of online enticement of a minor and one count of attempted online enticement of a minor. If convicted, Prive faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, up to life in prison. 

According to the indictment, on September 9, 2013 through September 10, 2013, Prive used a means of interstate commerce to induce and coerce a minor individual into engaging in illegal sexual activity. Prive attempted to engage in this same conduct again on November 4, 2013 through November 5, 2013. 

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

This case was investigated by the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).  It will be 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 the 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge James S. Moody today sentenced Michael T. Rivers (32, Sarasota) to 9 years and 7 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Rivers pleaded guilty to the offense on October 23, 2013.

According to court documents, after executing a search warrant at Rivers’s residence, law enforcement officers found two loaded firearms, ammunition, and drug paraphernalia inside the residence. Laboratory analysis revealed that one of the firearms found in the search had a fingerprint on it, belonging to Rivers. At the time of the offense, Rivers had been previously convicted of multiple felonies, including home invasion robbery and battery on a corrections officer. Therefore, he was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and Sarasota Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer L. Peresie.

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 Julie Leon, 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. It is also a part of ATF’s Frontline strategy to reduce violent crime and improve the quality of life in communities where law enforcement efforts are focused.

Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Gregory A. Presnell today sentenced Stephen Richnafsky (38, North Royalton, OH) to 20 months in federal prison for mail fraud and obstruction of Internal Revenue laws.  The court also ordered Richnafsky to make full restitution to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the amount of $42,021.88.  Additionally, Richnafsky's domestic partner, Scylina Spikes (40, North Royalton, Ohio), was sentenced to two years of probation for her role in the mail fraud scheme.  Richnafsky and Spikes both pleaded guilty on November 19, 2013.

According to court documents, between July 2009 and August 2010, Richnafsky and Spikes conspired to evade their debts by mailing fraudulent documents, through the U.S. Mail, to their creditors. These documents included letters disguised as official documents, fraudulent promissory notes, and other documents directing creditors to collect funds from fictitious "treasury accounts."  The documents also included bills and account statements which were stamped or handwritten with statements such as "accepted for value and returned for value," and IRS Forms that were fraudulently presented as forms of payment. When creditors refused to accept these documents in satisfaction of Richnafsky’s and Spikes's debts, Richnafsky and Spikes would attempt to file personal liens against the employees, executives, and attorneys of the creditors.  Richnafsky also filed four fraudulent tax returns, which falsely claimed taxes withheld from interest income from financial institutions. For tax years 2005-2008, Richnafsky claimed that the IRS had withheld more than $181,000 in interest income, when in fact no such income had ever been withheld. As a result of these filings, the IRS issued a refund of $42,021.88 to Richnafsky.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Vincent S. Chiu.

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Jovanna Deshawan Forte (39) and William Boyd Burns (44), both of Lakeland, with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and fifteen separate counts of bank fraud. If convicted, Forte and Burns each face a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison on each count. The indictment also notifies the individuals that the United States is seeking a money judgment in the amount of the proceeds of the bank fraud.  Forte and Burns were arrested and made their respective initial appearances on March 6, 2014 and March 7, 2014, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas G. Wilson.  They were both detained.

According to the indictment, Forte and Burns used other peoples’ accounts at local banks to deposit third party checks that were written to the account holders. The amounts of the checks ranged from $1,500 to $3,600, which are under the limits set by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) regulations, providing a lesser delay in the availability of the funds. These third party checks were fraudulent and false when they were deposited by Forte and Burns, because the checks were written on closed accounts and accounts that did not have sufficient funds to pay the amount of the checks.  The fraudulent checks were deposited into these accounts by ATM, after the financial institution was closed. Forte and Burns then withdrew or attempted to withdraw funds, both in cash and through debit card purchases, which had been credited to the account from the fraudulent check deposit.  They used the money for personal expenditures.

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

This case was investigated by United States Postal Investigation Service, Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.  It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelley C. Howard-Allen.

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Carlos Velazquez-Roman (52, North Port), Jasmine Santos-Martinez (40, North Port), Yoel Emilio Baez-Hernandez (40,  Hialeah), Edel Mesa-Hernandez (35, Miami), Mario Emilio Tamayo-Mejias (51, Port Charlotte), and Amable Gonzalez-Mandin (56, Miami) with conspiring to bring more than 100 illegal aliens into the United States, bringing illegal aliens into the U.S., transporting illegal aliens, and violating a federal regulation prohibiting departing U.S. waters with intent to enter Cuban waters without authorization.  If convicted, each faces up to 10 years in federal prison for each alien, as it relates to the conspiracy charge.  Bringing illegal aliens in the U.S. yields a mandatory minimum penalty of five years, up to a maximum of 15 years in federal prison. Transporting illegal aliens carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. Violating a federal regulation prohibiting departing U.S. waters with intent to enter Cuban waters without authorization can result in a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies all six individuals that the United States is seeking a forfeiture money judgment of at least $1,530,000, the proceeds of the charged criminal conduct, real property located at 4871 Kendsha Street, North Port, Florida, and a vessel registered to Velazquez-Roman, both of which are to be forfeited to the United States as substitute assets.

According to the indictment, beginning on an unknown date prior to May 3, 2007 and continuing through at least May 15, 2013, all six individuals were part of a conspiracy to bring and attempt to bring more than 100 illegal aliens to the United States. Velazquez- Roman is charged with six instances of bringing illegal aliens to the U.S., while Mesa-Hernandez, Santos-Martinez, Tamayo-Mejias, and Gonzalez-Mandin are each charged with one instance of bringing illegal aliens to the U.S.  Velazquez-Roman is charged with two instances of departing U.S. territorial waters and entering Cuban territorial waters without permission, while Mesa-Hernandez, Tamayo-Mejias, and Gonzalez-Mandin are each charged with one such incident. Velazquez-Roman and Gonzalez-Mandin are each charged with transporting an illegal alien within the U.S.

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

This case was investigated by agents of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Border Patrol, and the United States Coast Guard Investigative Service. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney and Senior Litigation Counsel Donald L. Hansen.

Tampa, FL – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that a federal jury today found Kristian Keron Green (23, Lakeland) guilty of conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery, interference with interstate commerce by robbery, and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Green faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each of the robbery counts and a mandatory minimum of 10 years on the firearm charge, which must run consecutive to the robbery counts. His sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date. Green was indicted on March 5, 2013.

According to the evidence presented at trial, early in the morning of December 4, 2010, Green and Joshua Antoin Chatmon robbed a Circle K convenience store, in Lakeland, at gunpoint. During the robbery, Chatmon held a firearm, which was discharged, striking the clerk. Green and Chatmon took $40 from the store.

On July 31, 2013, Chatmon pleaded guilty for his role in the crime. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 25, 2014, at 9:00 a.m., before U.S. District Judge Mary Scriven.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph W. Swanson and James A. Muench.

It 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 Julie Leon, 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. It is also a part of ATF’s Frontline strategy to reduce violent crime and improve the quality of life in communities where law enforcement efforts are focused.

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Patrick R. Minga (50, formerly of Cape Coral) was arrested today on a criminal complaint for attempting to induce and facilitate, for his own financial gain, the travel of an individual from Brevard County, Florida, to Quito, Ecuador, so that the individual could engage in illicit sexual conduct with minor girls. If convicted, Minga faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison.

According to the criminal complaint, Minga advertised, on Craigslist, a sex tourism business in Ecuador. Minga indicated that, for a fee, he could facilitate lodging, transportation, meals, and unlimited access to females from Ecuador and Colombia. An undercover agent with a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations Task Force observed the ad and contacted Minga. Over the course of several months, Minga tried to induce and arrange the travel of the undercover agent from Florida to Quito, where Minga advised that he could provide sexual encounters with minors as young as 13 and 14 years of age. 

On March 2, 2014, Minga traveled from Ecuador to the United States, where agents subsequently arrested him in Huntsville, Alabama. He is currently detained, pending removal proceedings before a United States Magistrate Judge in Birmingham, Alabama. Thereafter, he will be transported to the Middle District of Florida for further proceedings.  

This case is being investigated by the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ilianys Rivera Miranda.

It is another 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 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.usdoj.gov/psc.

(Download Factual Basis )