Middle District of Florida

Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Wendy W. Berger has sentenced Gray Edward Rivera (46, Miami) to 21 years and 10 months in federal prison for production and attempted production of child sexual abuse materials.  Once Rivera is released from prison, he will be required to serve a 10-year period of supervised release. Gray Edward Rivera was found guilty by a jury on September 5, 2024.

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Rivera gifted three items – a Bluetooth speaker, calendar/clock, and a USB charging tower – containing hidden cameras to a child and set them up in the child’s bedroom. In addition, a hidden camera smoke detector was discovered in the living room area. Those cameras were later discovered by the child’s mother, and she contacted the Clay County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO). Rivera was out of the country at the time.

The CCSO partnered with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and obtained Rivera’s cell phones when he re-entered the United States via a border search.  A review of Rivera’s cell phones resulted in the discovery of 14 files containing child sexual abuse material of the child, as well as phone activity related to the use of the app for controlling the hidden cameras. Records obtained by law enforcement showed that Rivera had purchased three of the hidden cameras online. 

“This predator’s use of hidden cameras to spy on a child in intimate areas in her own home is a heinous violation of trust and privacy,” said Tim Hemker, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Jacksonville Assistant Special Agent in Charge. “Thanks to the diligent efforts of the Northeast Florida INTERCEPT Task Force, and the protective nature of the victim’s mother, this predator will now spend more than two decades behind bars for his appalling actions. This investigation underscores our commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals and pursuing justice for those who seek to exploit and harm children.”

This case was investigated by the Northeast Florida INTERCEPT Task Force, to include Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Jacksonville, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, , and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Washington.

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.justice.gov/psc.

Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Wendy Berger has sentenced Emanuel Toney Cuff (24, Jacksonville) to seven years and three months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Cuff entered a guilty plea in September 2024.

According to court documents, on February 20, 2024, officers from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office were on patrol when they observed Cuff commit multiple traffic violations on a bicycle. While conducting a records search, an officer found an arrest warrant for Cuff and placed him under arrest. During a search of Cuff, officers found a loaded .40 caliber pistol with a large-capacity magazine hidden in Cuff’s waistband, five small bags of dipentylone, a small bag of marijuana, and $185 cash in varying denominations. Cuff was previously convicted of multiple felonies, including armed carjacking, carjacking, and robbery by sudden snatching. Therefore, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Elisibeth Adams.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Wendy Berger has sentenced Christian Alberto Arango (33, Deltona) to 8 years and 1 month in federal prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for receipt and possession of child sexual abuse material. The Court also ordered Arango to register as a sex offender and forfeit a computer and cell phone, which were used to commit the offenses. Arango had entered a guilty plea on June 11, 2024.

According to court documents, Arango was identified as a purchaser of child sexual abuse material during an FBI investigation into an individual who had been producing and selling that material on the internet. On November 13, 2023, FBI agents executed a search warrant at Arango’s Deltona residence and seized his computer and cell phone. A subsequent forensic examination of those devices revealed over 500 images and over 600 videos depicting the sexual abuse of children, including children as young as toddlers.

On February 13, 2024, during an interview with agents, Arango admitted that he had purchased and downloaded hundreds of child sexual abuse images since approximately 2018.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Del Mastro.

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

Ocala, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Girish Subburaman (24, California) with one count of cyberstalking. If convicted, Subburaman faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. A federal grand jury indicted Subburaman on October 22, 2024.

According to the indictment, from at least September 2023, to at least October 2023, Subburaman used the internet, a social media application, and cellular telephone networks to engage in a course of conduct that caused, attempted to cause, and would be reasonably expected to cause substantial emotional distress to the victim, while the victim was residing in Lake County, Florida. Subburaman’s actions were intended to injure, harass, and intimidate the victim.

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

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Leesburg Police Department, and the San Diego Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Belkis H. Callaos.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Luis Edel Trujillo Pena (29, Miami) has pleaded guilty to conspiracy, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Pena faces up to 20 years in prison on the wire fraud count, up to 5 years’ imprisonment on the conspiracy count and a minimum penalty of 2 years in prison on the aggravated identity theft count, and payment of restitution to the victims he and his co-defendants defrauded. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to court documents, Pena and his co-conspirators worked together to install skimmers on gas pumps at gas stations in Alabama, Louisiana, and Northern Florida, including the Florida Panhandle. The conspirators used the skimmers to illegally obtain credit and debit card account numbers connected with the purchase of fuel by customers at the gas pump. Using the account numbers stolen by the skimmers, Pena and his co-conspirators made counterfeit credit and debit cards. Pena then distributed the counterfeit credit and debit cards to his co-conspirators to purchase large amount of diesel fuel.

During the conspiracy, Pena and others drove vehicles that contained a fuel bladder system. This system allowed the conspirators to fake pumping gas into the vehicle’s gas tank when in fact the diesel fuel was being pumped into the fuel bladder system. Analysis by law enforcement of fuel purchases, vehicle tracker data, gas station video surveillance, and real time surveillance of the conspirators determined that Pena and other conspirators drove to multiple gas stations throughout Northern Florida. After obtaining the gas, Pena directed the conspirators to offload the stolen fuel into 9,500-gallon tanker trucks at a fuel yard. The stolen fuel was then sold to a gas station associated with one of the co-conspirators.

Deonelky Tabares Cid (36, Tampa) previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy, four counts of wire fraud, six counts of access device fraud, and one count of aggravated identity theft for his role in this case. He is pending sentencing.

Deyvis Hernandez (37, Miami), Luis Ernesto Vigil Ochoa (32, Miami), and Isvaldo Guerra Perdomo (38, Jacksonville) are set for trial in January 2025.

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

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Florida Highway Patrol, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, U.S. General Services Administration - Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Secret Service – Jacksonville Field Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein.

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Justin Ryan Culmo (40, Oldsmar) has pleaded guilty to three counts of production of child sexual abuse material, one count of distribution of child sexual abuse material, one count of possession of child sexual abuse material, and one count of production of child sexual abuse material that is an adapted or modified depiction of a minor. Culmo faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to court documents, Culmo produced child sexual abuse imagery involving children as young as infants and toddlers, and produced thousands of images of child sexual abuse using generative artificial intelligence (AI). Culmo possessed approximately 85,00 images of child sexual abuse material, 845 videos of child sexual abuse material, and 8,500 AI-generated images of child sexual abuses.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Abigail K. King.

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

Ocala, Florida – United States District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Joseph Raymond Morin (51, Ocala) to 11 years and 3 months in federal prison, followed by a life term of supervised release, for attempting to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity. Morin entered a guilty plea on September 5, 2024.

According to documents and evidence presented in court, between May 3 and June 26, 2024, Morin communicated online with someone whom he believed was a 13-year-old girl. The child, however, was an undercover Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agent. Morin engaged in a sexually explicit conversation with the undercover agent. Ultimately, Morin was arrested when he traveled to a pre-determined location in Marion County to meet with the fictitious minor to engage in sexual activity. Morin has a lengthy criminal history, including a prior federal conviction for a firearm offense. 

“Today’s sentence serves as a stark reminder that Homeland Security Investigations is committed to protecting children from online predators,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Orlando Assistant Special Agent in Charge David Pezzutti. “HSI, alongside our law enforcement partners at all levels, are dedicated to working tirelessly to rescue children.”

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.

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

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Tampa residents Bridget Luzod (42) and Victor Silva, MD (79) with one count of conspiring to distribute controlled substances, one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, 19 counts of unlawful distribution of controlled substances, and 19 counts of unlawful distribution of controlled substances using a registration number issued to another person. If convicted on all counts, Luzod and Silva each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Luzod and Silva that the United States intends to forfeit any money or asset traceable to proceeds of the offenses. 

According to the indictment, Luzod was the owner and primary operator of Thrive Medical Clinic, an alternative medicine clinic in South Tampa that she opened in September 2018. Although Luzod portrayed herself as a doctor or nurse to her patients, she had only a Florida basic x-ray machine operator license, which expired in 2018 and which Luzod did not renew until March 2024. She was not licensed to practice medicine in Florida and did not have a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration number to prescribe controlled substances.

Around March 2020, Luzod hired Dr. Silva to serve as Thrive’s medical director. Silva did not examine Thrive’s patients, diagnose them, prescribe treatments, or review their medical files. Instead, from 2020 to 2024, Luzod paid Silva a monthly stipend, and in return, Silva allowed Luzod to use Silva’s credentials and DEA registration number to treat her patients, friends, and family members with controlled substances – including Adderall, testosterone, hydrocodone, and phentermine. Luzod regularly forged Silva’s signature or used a rubber stamp to affix it to prescriptions.

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

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Florida Department of Health, the Tampa Police Department, and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael M. Gordon.

Ocala, Florida – United States District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Terrance Maurice Washington (42, Marion County) to 14 years in federal prison for possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine and fentanyl) with intent to distribute it. Washington entered a guilty plea on June 26, 2024.

According to court documents, on multiple occasions between October 2023 and January 2024, Washington distributed methamphetamine and/or fentanyl to a confidential source who was working with law enforcement. The drugs provided by Washington during the transactions ranged from gram quantities to upwards of a pound or more of methamphetamine. Washington bragged that the type of fentanyl he distributed was “dropping people.” After law enforcement arrested Washington, a search of his residence revealed another two pounds of methamphetamine intended for distribution.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Marion County Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team (UDEST). It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States District Judge Wendy W. Berger has sentenced Pablo Isila Euceda-Hernandez (36), a Honduran national illegally present in United States, to 27 months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit tax fraud. The court also ordered Euceda-Hernandez to pay restitution to the IRS in the amount of $1,214,508. The court also entered a money judgment against Euceda-Hernandez in the amount of $336,029, representing the proceeds of the wire fraud. 

According to court documents, Euceda-Hernandez established a shell company that purported to be involved in the construction industry. Euceda-Hernandez obtained a workers’ compensation insurance policy in the name of the shell company to cover a minimal payroll for a few purported employees. He then “rented” the workers’ compensation insurance to work crews who had obtained subcontracts with construction contractors on projects in various Florida counties as well as contractors in other states. He sent the contractors a certificate as “proof” that the work crews had workers’ compensation insurance, as required by Florida law. By sending the certificate, Euceda-Hernandez falsely represented that the work crews worked for the shell company. Over the course of the scheme, Euceda-Hernandez “rented” the certificates to dozens of work crews, defrauding the worker’s compensation carrier, typically allowing undocumented illegal workers to be employed unlawfully.

As part of the scheme, the contractors issued payroll checks for the workers’ wages to the shell companies and Euceda-Hernandez cashed these checks, then distributed the cash to the work crews after deducting their fee, which was typically about 6% of the payroll. During the scheme, Euceda-Hernandez cashed payroll checks totaling approximately $5 million. Neither the shell company nor the contractors reported to government authorities the wages that were paid to the workers, nor did they pay either the employees’ or the employer’s portion of payroll taxes – including Social Security, Medicare, and federal income tax. According to the IRS, the amount of payroll taxes due on wages collected by Euceda-Hernandez totaled $1,214,508.

The scheme also facilitated the avoidance of the higher cost of obtaining adequate workers’ compensation insurance for the numerous workers on the work crews to whom Euceda-Hernandez “rented” the workers’ compensation insurance. The policy that Euceda-Hernandez purchased and then “rented” out was for an estimated payroll of $169,400 and the insurance company issued a policy for a premium of approximately $11,352. Had a workers’ compensation insurance policy been purchased for the actual payroll totaling approximately $5 million, the policy premium would have totaled approximately $591,978.

“Under-the-table cash payroll schemes, especially those designed to pay illegal immigrants not authorized to work in the United States, jeopardizes the integrity of the construction industry and undermines the legal framework intended to protect workers and ensure fair business through legal and ethical standards,” said Tim Hemker, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Jacksonville assistant special agent in charge. “HSI, through our strong law enforcement partnerships, is committed to uncovering the schemes of criminals and ensuring that justice is served for those who seek to exploit the system.”

“This defendant cheated.  He cheated their employees, the U.S. taxpayers, and most importantly the free-market principles which govern our society,” said Ron Loecker, Special Agent in Charge of IRS-Criminal Investigation’s Tampa Field Office. “By breaking the law, Euceda-Hernandez sought an unfair advantage to all their competitors who played by the rules and will now contemplate their actions from prison. We want to ensure a level playing field for the business owners doing things the right way. To those who think they can get away with this type of behavior, no matter what steps you take to cover your tracks, we will find out, and do everything we can to bring you to justice.”

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, and the Florida Department of Financial Services. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John Cannizzaro.  

Ocala, Florida – United States District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Shane McMillan (51, Texas) to 25 years in federal prison following jury verdicts finding McMillan guilty of assault with the intent to commit murder and possession of a prohibited object by a federal inmate.

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, McMillan was an inmate in the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex in Sumter County. On July 9, 2023, McMillan followed another inmate into a cell, closed the door, and then stabbed the victim approximately 10 times with a shank. Another inmate heard screaming and opened the cell door, which allowed the victim to escape. The victim suffered multiple puncture wounds to his neck, chest, and torso. The victim was transported by helicopter to a nearby hospital where he eventually recovered from the injuries. When interviewed by the FBI, McMillan admitted that he wanted to kill the victim. 

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk Watson.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Bryan Jermaine Davis (37, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to possessing ammunition as a convicted felon. Davis faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.

According to court documents, on July 5, 2024, an officer with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop of Davis for failing to wear a seatbelt. During questioning, Davis admitted to having marijuana in his possession. The officer conducted a search of Davis’s vehicle and recovered a bag containing assorted rounds of ammunition and a ghost gun under the driver’s seat. Ghost guns have no serial number and are therefore untraceable. When the officer found the ammunition and ghost gun, Davis attempted to flee on foot but was caught and detained by officers who had responded to the scene. At the time of the offense, Davis had multiple prior felony convictions including robbery, selling heroin, possession of cocaine, dealing in stolen property, and possession of a weapon by a state prisoner. As a convicted felon, Davis is prohibited from possessing ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brenna Falzetta.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Tampa, FL - Attorney General Merrick B. Garland today announced the recipients of the Seventh Annual Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Community Policing. Award recipients in the Middle District of Florida recipients included Detective Matthew Newbold of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Officer Stephen Malandro, Officer Trevor Stamper, and Specialist Todd Nutbrown of the Largo Police Department.

This prestigious award recognizes law enforcement officers who demonstrate exceptional dedication to strengthening trust, promoting community engagement, and enhancing public safety.

“Community policing is essential to building trust and ensuring public safety,” said Attorney General Garland. “These officers have gone above and beyond their duty to foster partnerships with the communities they serve. Their work is an inspiration to us all and a reminder of the profound impact law enforcement can have on individuals, neighborhoods, and society.”

Detective Matthew Newbold of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office was recognized for his diligent work, study and understanding of new technologies, and commitment to pursuing the truth. Detective Newbold was able to crack a cold case that had gone unsolved for 36 years. Over his 24 years of service, Detective Newbold’s steadfast commitment has delivered justice to countless victims and their families, leaving an indelible mark on the community.

Officer Stephen Malandro, Officer Trevor Stamper, and Specialist Todd Nutbrown of the Largo Police Department were honored for their extraordinary efforts that have transformed the lives of over 500 individuals experiencing homelessness. In addition to this team’s creative solutions like partnering with a homeless shelter or drafting new city ordinances, they have also shown their dedication, their deep understanding of the nature of these challenges, and their unwavering commitment that has made such a change for the community.

“Working collaboratively with communities to address concerns and reduce crime is the cornerstone of effective policing,” said U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg. “The law enforcement personnel recognized in our district today are among the best in the nation. Their active engagement and innovative approaches towards public safety has greatly improved the quality of life for the citizens of our district.”

The Attorney General’s Award recognizes individual state, local, and Tribal sworn officers, deputies, and troopers for exceptional efforts in community policing. The awarded individuals have demonstrated active engagement with the community in one of three areas: criminal investigations, field operations, or innovations in community policing.

The awardees were selected from a nationwide pool of nominees for their outstanding achievements in fostering safer, more inclusive communities.

The Department of Justice commends these officers for their service, leadership, and unwavering commitment to their communities. For more information about the awards, visit www.justice.gov.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Taylor Ryan Hill (27, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to mailing threatening communications. Hill faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to court documents, on February 12, 2024, Hill was a state inmate at Hardee Correctional Institution in Bowling Green. On that date, he mailed a threatening letter to an Assistant State Attorney in Clay County who had prosecuted Hill for his underlying convictions of violent crimes. The letter threatened to have that prosecutor, as well as the judge who had sentenced him, killed. It was signed “Taylor Ryan Hill” and was mailed in an envelope with a return address of Taylor Hill, his inmate number, and the address for the Hardee Correctional Institution. 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in cooperation with the Office of the State Attorney for the Fourth Judicial Circuit. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Rachel Lasry and Michael J. Coolican.

Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan has sentenced Danny Ray Boree (39, Keystone Heights) to 10 years and 10 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The court also ordered Boree to forfeit a Raven Arms pistol traceable to the firearm offense. Boree was arrested on September 8, 2023, and ordered detained. He entered a guilty plea on July 10, 2024.    

According to court documents and proceedings, Boree is a member of the Unforgiven, a violent white supremacy gang. On June 8, 2023, a deputy with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) pulled over a vehicle for a stop sign violation in Keystone Heights. Upon approaching the car, the deputy observed Boree in the passenger seat with a meat cleaver/hatchet directly in front of him and a knife in a sheath by his feet. For his safety, the deputy directed Boree to step out of the car. As Boree exited the vehicle, the deputy observed part of a clear baggie in the waistline of Boree’s shorts. During a pat down of Boree, the deputy removed the baggie which contained a large amount of methamphetamine. During a subsequent search of the car, the CCSO located a Raven Arms pistol and additional methamphetamine.

At the time of the offenses, Boree had previously been convicted in Florida state court of 10 felonies, including battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (2007, 2019). As a convicted felon, Boree is prohibited from possessing a firearm under federal law. Boree was released from the Florida Department of Corrections in January 2023 for his last firearm conviction.   

“We are grateful for our ongoing partnership with the U.S. Attorney's Office as we continue our shared commitment to combating drugs and preventing the violence that often accompanies them,” said Sheriff Michelle Cook. “Together, we are making significant strides in keeping Clay County safe.”

“Residents of Northeast Florida are much safer with this violent criminal in federal prison,” said ATF Tampa Field Division Special Agent in Charge Kirk Howard. “Disrupting the Unforgiven’s nefarious activities takes unwavering commitment and we’re proud to have helped the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and federal prosecutors with this huge win.”

This case was investigated by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives – Jacksonville Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. 

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge William F. Jung today sentenced Joshua Scott Landers (48, Bradenton) to 27 years and 3 months in federal prison for producing and possessing child sex abuse material. A federal jury found Landers guilty on August 27, 2024.

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Landers installed a video camera inside a smoke detector on the ceiling of the teenage victim’s bedroom. Landers then manipulated the footage to save photos and videos of the victim engaged in sexually explicit conduct. 

This case was investigated by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Abigail K. King and Courtney Derry.

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

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Kevin John Merritt (63, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to producing videos and photos of him sexually abusing a child. Merritt faces a minimum penalty of 25 years, up to 50 years, in federal prison and a potential life term of supervised release. Merritt is a registered sex offender, having been convicted in August 2011 of possessing child sexual abuse materials. Merritt was arrested on March 16, 2023, and has been in custody since that time. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 18, 2025.

According to court documents, an investigation began when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received a “CyberTipline Report” from an online social media app advising that certain files depicting child sexual abuse materials had been sent through the messaging function on the app on September 14, 2022, by user “Jackie Frost” to another user who was ultimately identified and located in Jacksonville. This information was forwarded to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) for further investigation. JSO detectives obtained search warrants and subpoenas for the internet and cellphone service providers and social media apps that were connected to Merritt. The investigation confirmed that the user “Jackie Frost” was Merritt, and that Merritt had distributed child sexual abuse materials to another individual.

On March 16, 2023, JSO detectives and other personnel executed a search warrant at Merritt’s residence. Merritt was at the home and was arrested. Several of Merritt’s electronic devices were seized, including his cellphone. Forensic examination of the cellphone revealed an email account that was linked to the “Jackie Frost” social media account. It also contained more than 100 photos and videos depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor child who was later identified. 

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

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

Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan has sentenced Luis Lacerda (37, West Palm Beach) to three years and five months in federal prison, Omar Solari (36, Fort Lauderdale) to 2 years and six months in federal prison, Michael Murphy (38, Fort Lauderdale) to 15 months in federal prison, and Joelson Viveros (45, Boca Raton) to 5 years’ probation for their respective roles in a $54.3 million health care fraud scheme in which the defendants paid kickbacks and bribes to telemarketers and telemedicine providers to secure orders for medically unnecessary prescriptions that were billed to Medicare. The court also ordered Lacerda to forfeit $15,600,333.30 and pay $54,303,526 in restitution; Solari to forfeit $6,341,240.58 and pay $36,246,251 in restitution; Murphy to forfeit $3,650,943.36 and pay $8,374,175 in restitution; and Viveros to forfeit $894,116.45 and pay $3,017,135 in restitution.  Each previously pleaded guilty to their role in a conspiracy in which the co-conspirators owned and operated pharmacies that participated in the Medicare program, including one located in Jacksonville.

According to court documents, from approximately 2018 through 2021, the co-conspirators paid kickbacks and bribes to telemarketing companies in exchange for recruiting Medicare beneficiaries to accept prescriptions for various medications – mainly topical creams – which the beneficiaries did not want or need. Some of the co-conspirators also operated companies that engaged in telemarketing activities to develop beneficiary leads.

The co-conspirators then paid kickbacks and bribes to telemedicine companies that employed or contracted with physicians who signed the prescriptions. The physicians had no physician-patient relationship with the beneficiaries and typically signed the prescriptions after a cursory telephone conversation with the beneficiary or with no contact at all. After obtaining Medicare beneficiary information and the signed prescriptions, the co-conspirators submitted claims to Medicare for medically unnecessary medications, sometimes through multiple pharmacies they owned and controlled in a practice known as “recycling.” Over the course of the conspiracy, the defendants’ pharmacies were reimbursed more than $54.3 million for medically unnecessary prescriptions by Medicare Part D.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David B. Mesrobian and Trial Attorney Gary Winters of the Department of Justice – Criminal Division, Fraud Section. The forfeiture was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer M. Harrington and Mai Tran.

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Jonen Castillo (24, Orlando) has pleaded guilty to smuggling goods from the United States. Castillofaces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to the plea agreement, in June 2023, Castillo concealed five firearms and nine firearm magazines inside record players and mailed them to a recipient residing in Canada. 

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diane Hu.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Travis Morgan Slaughter and Tripp Charles Slaughter have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and conspiracy to commit tax fraud related to a Jacksonville roofing business that they operated. They each face a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison for the tax fraud offense and up to 20 years’ imprisonment for the mail and wire fraud offense. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

Travis Slaughter has agreed to forfeit to the United States $2,780,947 in proceeds he obtained from the mail and wire fraud offense and to pay restitution of $6,768,612 for the payroll tax loss, $2,780,947 for unpaid workers’ compensation insurance premiums, and $271,217 for two paid workers’ compensation claims. Tripp Slaughter has agreed to forfeit to the United States $416,800 in proceeds he obtained from the mail and wire fraud offense and to pay restitution of $623,269 for the payroll tax loss, $416,800 for unpaid workers’ compensation insurance premiums, and $137,778 for a paid workers’ compensation claim.

According to their plea agreements, since 2007 the Slaughters have operated a roofing business in Jacksonville, first under the name Great White Construction, then under the name Florida Roofing Experts, and finally under the name 5 Star Roofing Services. Although the names changed, each business operated in the same manner, banked at the same financial institutions, and employed the same employees.

The company contracted with professional employer organizations (PEOs) to prepare payroll checks for employees, after making deductions for payroll taxes, and to file payroll tax returns and forward tax payments to governmental authorities. However, the company did not provide the PEOs with information about all the hours worked by, or all the wages due to, its employees. Instead, the company also paid the employees directly, with separate checks drawn on company bank accounts, and did not deduct payroll taxes from these checks. By paying employees with “split checks”—one from the PEO and one from the company—the company avoided paying the full amount of payroll taxes due to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

During the period of January 2017 through July 2020, the PEOs issued payroll checks to the employees totaling approximately $4,930,613, after deducting and paying over to the IRS the payroll taxes due. During that same period, the company issued checks to the employees totaling approximately $18,545,845, with no payroll taxes being deducted or paid. The total unpaid payroll taxes on that amount were $2,768,377.

The PEOs also secured workers’ compensation insurance coverage for the company. The premiums charged by the workers’ compensation insurers were based on the total amount of payroll that the company reported to the PEOs. If the company had reported the actual amount of payroll, the insurers would have charged additional premiums totaling $2,780,947.

In addition to causing the company to underreport their payroll to the IRS, the Slaughters also underreported their personal income to the IRS. For the tax years 2014 through 2019, the total unpaid taxes due on Travis Slaughter’s unreported income totaled $2,467,183. For the tax years 2015 through 2019, the total unpaid taxes due on Tripp Slaughter’s unreported income totaled $263,614.

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General, and the Florida Department of Financial Services. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Arnold B. Corsmeier. The asset forfeiture is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer M. Harrington.

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Yitzchak Reuven Baum (36, Tampa) with attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor, receipt of child sex abuse material, and accessing with intent to view child sex abuse material. If convicted on all counts, Baum faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. 

According to the indictment, between August and October 2023, Baum attempted to persuade an individual Baum believed to be a minor to engage in sexual activity. In October 2023, Baum attempted to transfer an explicit image to an individual Baum believed to be under the age of 16. On October 30, 2023, Baum knowingly received a visual depiction that involved the sexual abuse of a minor. On December 29, 2023, Baum accessed with the intent to view an image depicting the sexual abuse of a minor. 

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

This case was investigated by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Courtney Derry.

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

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday has sentenced Javier Alejandro Anaya-Leal (31, Ruskin) to eight years in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of cocaine, and possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute. The court also ordered Anaya-Leal to forfeit $9,750, which are traceable to proceeds of the offense. Anaya-Leal entered a guilty plea on July 11, 2024.

According to court documents, from 2022 through 2023, Anaya-Leal possessed with the intent to distribute more than 1,400 grams of methamphetamine and four kilograms of cocaine. In July, August, and September 2022, Anaya-Leal sold more than 1,400 grams of 97% pure methamphetamine to a confidential informant (CI) working with the Drug Enforcement Administration.

On March 4, 2024, Anaya-Leal agreed to sell two to three kilograms of cocaine. The CI met with Anaya-Leal at his residence in Hillsborough County to complete the transaction. A courier, later identified as Matias Sanchez Cardosa, arrived a short while later with the cocaine. After the courier’s arrival, the CI left the residence to retrieve payment for the drugs. During this time, law enforcement agents moved in to arrest Anaya-Leal and Cardosa. Four kilograms of cocaine were discovered in Cardosa’s vehicle. Anaya-Leal was supposed to receive all four of the kilograms to distribute throughout the Middle District of Florida.

Matias Sanchez Cardosa was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison on October 21, 2024.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shauna S. Hale. 

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Jet Sern Law (36, Plant City) with international parental kidnapping. If convicted, Law faces a maximum penalty of three years in federal prison. 

According to the indictment, in August 2024, Law removed a minor child from the United States with the intent to obstruct the parental rights of the child’s mother.

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

This case was investigated by the FBI. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Courtney Derry.

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday has sentenced Jason Alan Wacker (28, Pasco County) to 10 years in federal prison for possession of child sexual abuse material. The court also ordered Wacker to forfeit two cellphones, which are traceable to proceeds of the offense. Wacker entered a guilty plea on August 12, 2024.

According to court documents, in May 2023, Wacker, a registered sex offender, was on supervised release for transportation and possession of child sex abuse material when law enforcement received a cyber tip that he was again accessing child sex abuse material. Forensic examinations of Wacker’s cellphones revealed more than 100 images and videos of child sexual abuse and exploitation.  

This case was investigated by the Pasco Sheriff’s Office and the FBI. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Courtney Derry and Jennifer Peresie.

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

Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the arrest of Brandon Ejae Elliot (34, Tampa) on a criminal complaint charging him with second-degree murder. If convicted, Elliot faces up to life in federal prison.  

According to court records, on December 3, 2022, Elliot was a federal inmate in the United States Penitentiary-II in the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex in Sumter County. During a lockdown at the prison, other inmates heard fighting and yelling coming from Elliot’s cell. When prison staff opened the cell, they found Elliot’s cellmate unresponsive with multiple puncture wounds to his body. The victim was transported to a local hospital but succumbed to his injuries. An investigation revealed that Elliot had multiple scratches on his body that were consistent with the victim attempting to fight off the attack. Staff members also located a sharp metal object in Elliot’s cell. Another inmate told investigators that Elliott had talked to him through an air vent after the attack and had admitted to killing the victim.    

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

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. This case is being prosecuted by Hannah Nowalk. 

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Virginia Hernandez Covington has sentenced Andre Adams, Jr. (43, Bradenton) to 19 years in federal prison for possession of 500 grams or more of cocaine, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and 40 grams or more of fentanyl with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possessing firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon. The court also ordered Adams to forfeit four firearms and assorted ammunition. A federal jury found Adams guilty on July 17, 2024.  

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, after a complaint from a concerned citizen, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) began investigating an unknown individual in Bradenton for selling fentanyl and using a finance app for payment. Investigators determined the identity of the individual as Andre Adams, Jr. Over the next several months, investigators observed frequent visitors to Adams’s residence. The visitors briefly met with Adams and appeared to make exchanges with him. Adams’s finance app records showed that tens of thousands of dollars had been paid to Adams over a short period of time. Many of the senders had known drug addiction issues and used coded drug language such as “Scooby snacks,” a street term for heroin or fentanyl.

On August 4, 2022, detectives with MCSO executed a search warrant at Adams’s residence and located a loaded handgun, scales, drug cutting agents, a money counter, a kilo press, $22,000 in cash, 55 grams of methamphetamine, 400 grams of cocaine, and 80 grams of fentanyl. Later that day, investigators executed a search warrant at Adams’s storage unit and located two kilograms of cocaine, more than 350 grams of methamphetamine, drug cutting agents, and a digital scale. They also seized three additional firearms, including an AK-47 rifle, and several dozen rounds of ammunition.

Prior to August 2022, Adams had been convicted of trafficking in cocaine and served 15 years in Florida state prison. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shauna S. Hale.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. 

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Ray Thomas (33, Mobile, AL) with inducement to travel to engage in prostitution and transportation of an individual to engage in prostitution. If convicted on all counts, Thomas faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. 

According to the indictment, in December 2023, Thomas persuaded, induced, enticed, and coerced an individual to travel from Massachusetts to Florida for the purpose of engaging in prostitution and sexual activity. He also transported the individual from Massachusetts to Florida.

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

This case was investigated by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Courtney Derry.

Tampa, FL — A Florida dentist pleaded guilty today to sending threats to three victims in 2019 and 2020 and to an election official in 2024.

According to court documents, from September 2019 to July 2020, Richard Glenn Kantwill, 61, of Tampa, sent over 100 threats to various public figures based on their political commentary via Facebook and Instagram messages, email, and text. As charged in the superseding information, those threats included a threat sent via email to an author, a threat sent via text to a religious persona, and a threat sent via Instagram to a television personality. Kantwill also sent at least seven additional threats to four public figures via Facebook from April 2022 to April 2024, including a threat to an election official in another state on Feb. 9, 2024.

“With this plea, the Justice Department is ensuring that Richard Kantwill faces accountability for targeting an election official and other public figures with over 100 heinous threats,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “In the three years since I created the Department’s Election Threats Task Force we have worked to aggressively combat the dangerous increase in violent threats against the public servants who administer our elections. Today’s action is yet another warning: the Justice Department will not stand for threats of violence that endanger people’s safety and endanger our democracy.”

“Today’s guilty plea is the next step in holding Richard Kantwill accountable for his almost year-long campaign of terror, sending more than 100 violent threats to over 40 victims including various public figures and an election official,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “Make no mistake, using electronic communications to threaten victims with violence is illegal and the FBI will continue to pursue those who seek to cause fear and terror by sending such violent threats.”

“Richard Kantwill sent more than 100 violent threats to multiple public figures, including an election official,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The Justice Department has zero tolerance for conduct that seeks to intimidate public servants from doing their jobs. I am proud of the work the Election Threats Task Force has done over the past three years to hold accountable those who threaten election workers with violence.”

Kantwill pleaded guilty to four counts of interstate transmission of a threat. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for each count. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI is investigating the case.

Trial Attorney Aaron L. Jennen of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Abigail K. King for the Middle District of Florida are prosecuting the case, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado.

This case is part of the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force. Created by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and launched by Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco in June 2021, the task force has led the Department’s efforts to address threats of violence against election workers, and to ensure that all election workers — whether elected, appointed, or volunteer — are able to do their jobs free from threats and intimidation. The task force engages with the election community and state and local law enforcement to assess allegations and reports of threats against election workers, and has investigated and prosecuted these matters where appropriate, in partnership with FBI Field Offices and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country. Three years after its formation, the task force is continuing this work and supporting U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and FBI Field Offices nationwide as they join the task force in its critical work.

Under the leadership of the Attorney General and the Deputy Attorney General, the task force is led by the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section (PIN) and includes several other entities within the Justice Department, including the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, Civil Rights Division, National Security Division, and FBI, as well as key interagency partners, such as the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Postal Inspection Service. For more information regarding the Justice Department’s efforts to combat threats against election workers, read the Deputy Attorney General’s memo.

To report suspected threats or violent acts, contact your local FBI office and request to speak with the Election Crimes Coordinator. Contact information for every FBI field office may be found at www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/. You may also contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or file an online complaint at www.tips.fbi.gov. Complaints submitted will be reviewed by the task force and referred for investigation or response accordingly. If someone is in imminent danger or risk of harm, contact 911 or your local police immediately.

Ocala, Florida – U.S. District Judge Thomas Barber has sentenced Imran Siddiqi (40, North Port) to 15 years in federal prison for attempting to transfer obscene material to a minor and committing a felony offense involving a minor as a registered sex offender. Siddiqi entered a guilty plea on July 22, 2024.

According to court documents, between January 31 and March 6, 2024, Siddiqi engaged in a conversation with an undercover law enforcement officer who was posing online as a 13-year-old girl. During the conversation, Siddiqi repeatedly described his desire to have sex with the child, sending multiple explicit photographs of himself along with images of adult pornography to the undercover officer. Siddiqi, a registered sex offender, previously was convicted in state court of traveling to meet a parent to solicit/entice a child to commit a sex act in 2016.

“This recidivist predator once again attempted to violate the innocence and vulnerability of a child,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tampa Assistant Special Agent in Charge Micah McCombs. “HSI, alongside our law enforcement partners at all levels, is steadfast in our commitment to work tirelessly investigating anyone who attempts to exploit children.”      

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.

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

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Timothy Stephens (25, Orlando) with possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and possessing an unregistered machinegun. If convicted of the felon in possession offense, he faces up to 15 years in federal prison. If convicted of possessing an unregistered machinegun, Stephens faces up to 10 years in federal prison.  

According to the indictment, on October 17, 2024, Stephens, having previously been convicted of a felony, was found in possession of a Glock Model 30 with a machinegun conversion device installed. As a convicted felon, Stephens is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law. Additionally, the machinegun was not registered to Stephens in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.

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

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tabacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Orlando Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kaley Austin-Aronson.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Ocala, Florida – United States District Judge Thomas Barber has sentenced Steven Cabrera to three years in federal prison for assisting in preparing false tax documents, submitting false tax documents, and willfully failing to file tax returns. Cabrera entered a guilty plea on August 16, 2024.

According to court documents, Cabrera worked as a tax preparer in the Ocala area. From 2017 to 2019, Cabrera engaged in widespread tax fraud, adding unauthorized and fraudulent deductions and credits to his clients’ tax returns without their knowledge and then embezzling the additional tax return proceeds for his own use. Cabrera also defrauded clients directly by telling them to make out checks to “IRS” and pledging that he would send the funds to the IRS himself. Instead, he deposited those checks into an account he controlled for a fictitious business, “International Resort Services.” Cabrera’s years of fraudulent activity caused total losses of nearly $1 million.

“It’s certainly a bold move to invoke the name of the ‘IRS’ when attempting to defraud not only the government, but people who are putting their trust in you,” said Ron Loecker, Special Agent in Charge of IRS-Criminal Investigation’s Tampa Field Office. “The real ‘IRS’ is always going to show up, investigate, and put a stop to these types of scams. If your return preparer exhibits any of the behaviors shown in this case, please visit IRS.gov and click on the ‘Get your tax record’ button. From there, you can verify the accuracy of the information on your tax record and, if necessary, report any fraudulent or inaccurate information.”

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William S. Hamilton.

Ocala, Florida – U.S. District Judge Thomas Barber has sentenced Marcus Cleaver Morgan, Jr. (24, Ocala) to four years in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Morgan entered a guilty plea on July 25, 2024.

According to court documents, on January 14, 2023, officers from the Ocala Police Department attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Morgan. Morgan failed to stop and a high-speed pursuit ensued. The pursuit ended when the vehicle crashed into an embankment. Officers located a backpack near the open driver’s side door where Morgan had been seated. The backpack contained two loaded handguns, approximately 239 grams of marijuana, 33.5 grams of MDPV, and a scale. Testing by the FBI confirmed Morgan’s DNA on the trigger, grip, and slide of one of firearms. Morgan has a previous state felony conviction for carrying a concealed firearm. Therefore, he is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Ocala Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.

This case is part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence for occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found Amaris Marie Delapena (50, Windermere) guilty of 15 counts of wire fraud and 22 counts of bank fraud. Delapena faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison for each count of bank fraud and up to 20 years’ imprisonment for each count of wire fraud. Her sentencing hearing is set for February 19, 2025.

According to evidence and testimony presented during the four-day trial, Delapena used illegal wire transfers and check deposits to embezzle funds during her employment as a paralegal for an Orlando law firm. Her fraud centered on re-routing checks from and to law firm clients and vendors into accounts Delapena controlled and transferring client payments from the law firm’s account to accounts Delapena controlled.

Between the time Delapena committed the offenses and her trial, she earned a law degree and became a licensed attorney in Florida.

This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam J. Nate.

Ocala, Florida – U.S. District Judge Thomas Barber has sentenced Gary Dale Thrasher (56, Georgia) to four years and nine months in federal prison for bank fraud, passport fraud, and aggravated identity theft. As part of his sentence, the court also entered an order of forfeiture for $25,200, the amount representing the proceeds of Thrasher’s fraud offenses. Thrasher entered a guilty on June 27, 2024.

According to court documents, between May and June 2023, Thrasher obtained and used, or attempted to use, fraudulent identification documents, including fraudulent United States passport cards, containing the personal information of others. Thrasher used the fake identification documents to make cash withdrawals from the accounts of the victims at multiple branches of four different federally insured financial institutions in the Middle District of Florida. 

“Identity theft is not a victimless crime, and these fraud schemes undermine the trust in our financial systems and damage the lives of innocent people,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Orlando Assistant Special Agent in Charge David Pezzutti. “HSI, alongside our state and local partners in Florida, are committed to seeking these fraudsters out and holding them accountable for their actions.”

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Ocala Police Department, the Wildwood Police Department, the Leesburg Police Department, and the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Kevin Karl Wills, Jr. (48, Ft. Lauderdale) today pleaded guilty to conspiring to receive kickbacks in return for the referral of Medicare beneficiaries for the provision of COVID-19 tests and to purchase and sell Medicare beneficiary identification numbers. He faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

           According to the plea agreement, Wills and a co-conspirator owned and operated a company that engaged marketers who illegally obtained Medicare beneficiary identifying information. They entered into “consulting” agreements with medical service providers whereby they introduced the marketers to the providers, and the marketers agreed to supply the providers with lists of Medicare beneficiaries and their identifying information, including their Medicare beneficiary identication numbers. The providers then shipped COVID-19 tests to the identified beneficiaries and billed Medicare for the tests, then paid both the defendant’s company and the marketers a set dollar amount per beneficiary. However, the providers paid this amount only if a claim submitted on behalf of a beneficiary was reimbursed by Medicare. Such payments were illegal kickbacks under federal law.

         The actions of Wills and his co-conspirators caused the submission of approximately 152,00 fraudulent claims to Medicare by several different medical service providers, which resulted in reimbursements from Medicare totaling approximately $14,405,700. Wills received a total of approximately $652,312 in kickbacks, which he agreed to forfeit to the government.

        One of the providers who purchased Medicare beneficiary identifying information was SWL Services, a business in Jacksonville, Florida. The owners and operators of SWL Services, Courtney Shauta’ Lewis (31, Jacksonville) and Latania Renee Smith-Washington (50, Jacksonville), pleaded guilty to the conspiracy on March 14, 2024, and are scheduled for sentencing on December 2, 2024. One of the marketers that Wills introduced to SWL Services, Noel Gary Beres (64, Sunny Isles), pleaded guilty to the conspiracy on August 27, 2024, and is scheduled for sentencing on April 22, 2025.

        This case was investigated by Health and Human Services–Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Arnold B. Corsmeier. The forfeiture is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Harrington.

Tampa, FL – Ping Li, 59, of Wesley Chapel, Florida, was sentenced to 48 months in prison today for conspiring to act as an agent of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) without notification to the Attorney General. Li was further ordered to pay a fine of $250,000 and to serve three years of supervised release.

According to the plea agreement and other court filings, the PRC’s Ministry of State Security (MSS) is in charge of civilian intelligence collection for the PRC. The MSS often uses “cooperative contacts” located in countries outside of the PRC in furtherance of their intelligence goals, which include obtaining information concerning foreign corporate or industrial matters, foreign politicians or intelligence officers, and information concerning PRC political dissidents residing in those countries. These cooperative contacts assist the MSS in a variety of ways, including by conducting research on topics of interest to the PRC that can be used to further the MSS’s mission.

Li is a U.S. citizen who immigrated to the United States from the PRC. At various times, Li worked for a major U.S. telecommunications company and an international information technology company.

Li admitted that, from at least as early as 2012, he served as a cooperative contact working at the direction of officers of the MSS to obtain information of interest to the PRC government. Li obtained a wide variety information at the request of the MSS, including information concerning Chinese dissidents and pro-democracy advocates, members of the Falun Gong religious movement, and U.S.-based non-governmental organizations, and reported that information to the MSS. Li also provided the MSS with information obtained from his employer. Li used a variety of anonymous online accounts for the purpose of communicating with the MSS, and traveled to the PRC to meet with the MSS.

For example, in August 2012, an MSS officer requested that Li provide information about practitioners of Falun Gong and pro-democracy advocates in the United States. Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a religious movement that originated in the PRC in the 1990s. Falun Gong is not one of the five religions formally recognized by the PRC government, and it has been banned since 1999. Its adherents both in China and abroad are of particular interest to the PRC government because of Falun Gong’s advocacy of ideas deemed subversive to the PRC government. Less than a week after receiving this request, Li sent the name and biographical information of an individual affiliated with Falun Gong residing in St. Petersburg, Florida.

In March 2015, an MSS officer requested information from Li about branch offices that Li’s employer, a major U.S. telecommunications company, had opened in the PRC. Li responded with the requested information three weeks later.

In March 2017, an MSS officer requested a training instruction plan from Li. In April 2017, Li responded indicating that he had uploaded materials to an online account that he shared with the MSS officer and asked the MSS officer to delete the materials after reading them.

In May 2021, an MSS officer requested information from Li concerning hacking events targeting U.S. companies, including a widely publicized hacking of a major U.S. company by the Chinese government. Within four days, Li responded with the requested information.

In March 2022, an MSS officer requested information from Li concerning Li’s new employer, an international information technology company, as well as materials relating to cybersecurity training. That same day, Li sent the requested information about his employer as well as materials relating to cybersecurity training.

In June 2022, an MSS officer requested information from Li concerning an individual who, according to the officer, had resided in the PRC but fled to the United States, and the officer provided Li with the name and suspected residential address in the United States of that individual. That same day, Li responded with information about the owners of that residential address.

Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida, and Executive Assistant Director Robert Wells of the FBI’s National Security Branch made the announcement.

The FBI investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel J. Marcet, Karyna Valdes, and Jordan Howard for the Middle District of Florida and Trial Attorney Scott Claffee of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section prosecuted the case.

Ping Li, 59, of Wesley Chapel, Florida, was sentenced to 48 months in prison today for conspiring to act as an agent of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) without notification to the Attorney General. Li was further ordered to pay a fine of $250,000 and to serve three years of supervised release.

According to the plea agreement and other court filings, the PRC’s Ministry of State Security (MSS) is in charge of civilian intelligence collection for the PRC. The MSS often uses “cooperative contacts” located in countries outside of the PRC in furtherance of their intelligence goals, which include obtaining information concerning foreign corporate or industrial matters, foreign politicians or intelligence officers, and information concerning PRC political dissidents residing in those countries. These cooperative contacts assist the MSS in a variety of ways, including by conducting research on topics of interest to the PRC that can be used to further the MSS’s mission.

Li is a U.S. citizen who immigrated to the United States from the PRC. At various times, Li worked for a major U.S. telecommunications company and an international information technology company.

Li admitted that, from at least as early as 2012, he served as a cooperative contact working at the direction of officers of the MSS to obtain information of interest to the PRC government. Li obtained a wide variety information at the request of the MSS, including information concerning Chinese dissidents and pro-democracy advocates, members of the Falun Gong religious movement, and U.S.-based non-governmental organizations, and reported that information to the MSS. Li also provided the MSS with information obtained from his employer. Li used a variety of anonymous online accounts for the purpose of communicating with the MSS, and traveled to the PRC to meet with the MSS.

For example, in August 2012, an MSS officer requested that Li provide information about practitioners of Falun Gong and pro-democracy advocates in the United States. Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a religious movement that originated in the PRC in the 1990s. Falun Gong is not one of the five religions formally recognized by the PRC government, and it has been banned since 1999. Its adherents both in China and abroad are of particular interest to the PRC government because of Falun Gong’s advocacy of ideas deemed subversive to the PRC government. Less than a week after receiving this request, Li sent the name and biographical information of an individual affiliated with Falun Gong residing in St. Petersburg, Florida.

In March 2015, an MSS officer requested information from Li about branch offices that Li’s employer, a major U.S. telecommunications company, had opened in the PRC. Li responded with the requested information three weeks later.

In March 2017, an MSS officer requested a training instruction plan from Li. In April 2017, Li responded indicating that he had uploaded materials to an online account that he shared with the MSS officer and asked the MSS officer to delete the materials after reading them.

In May 2021, an MSS officer requested information from Li concerning hacking events targeting U.S. companies, including a widely publicized hacking of a major U.S. company by the Chinese government. Within four days, Li responded with the requested information.

In March 2022, an MSS officer requested information from Li concerning Li’s new employer, an international information technology company, as well as materials relating to cybersecurity training. That same day, Li sent the requested information about his employer as well as materials relating to cybersecurity training.

In June 2022, an MSS officer requested information from Li concerning an individual who, according to the officer, had resided in the PRC but fled to the United States, and the officer provided Li with the name and suspected residential address in the United States of that individual. That same day, Li responded with information about the owners of that residential address.

Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida, and Executive Assistant Director Robert Wells of the FBI’s National Security Branch made the announcement.

The FBI investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel J. Marcet, Karyna Valdes, and Jordan Howard for the Middle District of Florida and Trial Attorney Scott Claffee of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section prosecuted the case.

A Florida dentist pleaded guilty today to sending threats to three victims in 2019 and 2020 and to an election official in 2024.

According to court documents, from September 2019 to July 2020, Richard Glenn Kantwill, 61, of Tampa, sent over 100 threats to various public figures based on their political commentary via Facebook and Instagram messages, email, and text. As charged in the superseding information, those threats included a threat sent via email to an author, a threat sent via text to a religious persona, and a threat sent via Instagram to a television personality. Kantwill also sent at least seven additional threats to four public figures via Facebook from April 2022 to April 2024, including a threat to an election official in another state on Feb. 9.

“With this plea, the Justice Department is ensuring that Richard Kantwill faces accountability for targeting an election official and other public figures with over 100 heinous threats,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “In the three years since I created the Department’s Election Threats Task Force we have worked to aggressively combat the dangerous increase in violent threats against the public servants who administer our elections. Today’s action is yet another warning: the Justice Department will not stand for threats of violence that endanger people’s safety and endanger our democracy.”

“Today’s guilty plea is the next step in holding Richard Kantwill accountable for his almost year-long campaign of terror, sending more than 100 violent threats to over 40 victims including various public figures and an election official,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “Make no mistake, using electronic communications to threaten victims with violence is illegal and the FBI will continue to pursue those who seek to cause fear and terror by sending such violent threats.”

“Richard Kantwill sent more than 100 violent threats to multiple public figures, including an election official,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The Justice Department has zero tolerance for conduct that seeks to intimidate public servants from doing their jobs. I am proud of the work the Election Threats Task Force has done over the past three years to hold accountable those who threaten election workers with violence.”

Kantwill pleaded guilty to four counts of interstate transmission of a threat. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for each count. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI is investigating the case.

Trial Attorney Aaron L. Jennen of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section (PIN) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Abigail K. King for the Middle District of Florida are prosecuting the case, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado.

This case is part of the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force. Created by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and launched by Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco in June 2021, the task force has led the Department’s efforts to address threats of violence against election workers, and to ensure that all election workers — whether elected, appointed, or volunteer — are able to do their jobs free from threats and intimidation. The task force engages with the election community and state and local law enforcement to assess allegations and reports of threats against election workers, and has investigated and prosecuted these matters where appropriate, in partnership with FBI Field Offices and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country. Three years after its formation, the task force is continuing this work and supporting U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and FBI Field Offices nationwide as they join the task force in its critical work.

Under the leadership of the Attorney General and the Deputy Attorney General, the task force is led by PIN and includes several other entities within the Justice Department, including the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, Civil Rights Division, National Security Division, and FBI, as well as key interagency partners, such as the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Postal Inspection Service. For more information regarding the Justice Department’s efforts to combat threats against election workers, read the Deputy Attorney General’s memo.

To report suspected threats or violent acts, contact your local FBI office and request to speak with the Election Crimes Coordinator. Contact information for every FBI field office may be found at www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/. You may also contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or file an online complaint at www.tips.fbi.gov. Complaints submitted will be reviewed by the task force and referred for investigation or response accordingly. If someone is in imminent danger or risk of harm, contact 911 or your local police immediately.

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle has sentenced Mirtza Ocana (39, Tampa) to five months in federal prison for smuggling bulk cash into the United States. The court also ordered Ocana to pay a $10,000 fine and to forfeit more than $100,000 that she had tried to smuggle into the United States. Ocana entered a guilty plea on August 12, 2024.

According to court documents, on February 5, 2024, Ocana returned to the United States on a flight from Cuba. As Ocana passed through passport control, she told U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents that she did not have anything to declare, including any cash over $10,000. When agents searched Ocana’s bags, they discovered $31,409 in cash in her luggage and purse. Agents then patted down Ocana and found an additional $71,300 concealed under her clothing. In total, Ocana attempted to smuggle approximately $102,400 into the United States. 

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Buchanan.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Trentavius Quntez Scott (37, Tampa) has pleaded guilty to passing counterfeit Federal Reserve notes. Scott faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and restitution to the victims he defrauded. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to court documents and public records, Scott appeared in federal court on September 26, 2024, pursuant to a writ bringing him to Jacksonville from the Hillsborough County Detention Center where he is serving a sentence for a counterfeit-related crime. The court ordered Scott detained. Scott is also wanted on a felony arrest warrant out of Hernando County on an unrelated financial crime case.

According to the plea agreement, in July 2023, Scott recruited an individual to assist him in passing counterfeit Federal Reserve notes. Scott provided the individual with counterfeit the counterfeit currency, then the two traveled to Ocala. In Ocala, Scott and the individual went to a retail store and passed multiple counterfeit bills. In March 2024, Scott recruited two more individuals and provided them with counterfeit cash. Scott and the two individuals traveled to St. Johns County where they passed more counterfeit Federal Reserve notes at a retail store. 

This case was investigated by the Ocala Police Department, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, and the United States Secret Service - Jacksonville Field Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein. 

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell has sentenced Eric L. Lemon (46, St. Petersburg) to 21 years and 10 months in federal prison for drug trafficking offenses. Lemon entered a guilty plea in July 2024.

According to court documents, Lemon and his co-conspirators sold methamphetamine, cocaine, bath salts, and a variety of prescription pills out of various trap houses in St. Petersburg. During the investigation into Lemon, law enforcement seized more than 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine and four firearms. Lemon previously served 10 years in federal prison for drug trafficking offenses. 

This case was investigated by the St. Petersburg Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David P. Sullivan and James A. Muench.

This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Brandon Laverne Parsons (30, Orlando) with attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, attempted production of child sexual abuse material, attempted unlawful transfer of obscene material to a minor, and two counts of distributing, and one count of possessing child sexual assault material. If convicted, Parsons faces a minimum penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison for the attempted enticement offense, a minimum penalty of 15, up to 30, years for the attempted production offense, a minimum penalty of 5, up to 20, years for each distribution offense, up to 20 years for the possession offense, and up to 10 years’ imprisonment for the attempted transfer of obscene material. 

According to court documents, between October 1 and 17, 2024, Parsons communicated with an individual whom he believed to be a 13-year-old child via a social media platform. The individual was an uncover law enforcement officer. During the course of that conversation, Parsons requested that the “child” send him child sexual abuse material (CSAM), attempted to set up a meeting with the 13-year-old, and sent the child explicit images of himself.

In addition, Parsons distributed CSAM in March and April 2024. Parsons also possessed CSAM in October 2024, including videos and images where the victim was under 12 years of age.

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

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Orlando Police Department, and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kaley Austin-Aronson.

This is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 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 child victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found Chad Allen Pease (48, Fort Pierce) guilty of attempting to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity and committing a felony offense involving a minor when required to register as a sex offender. Pease faces a minimum penalty of 20 years, up to life, in federal prison. He must also forfeit a cellphone which he used in the commission of the offense. 

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, on February 3, 2024, Pease began communicating with an undercover law enforcement officer (UC) whom Pease believed to be the father of a 13-year-old girl. During the course of the conversation, Pease made plans to meet up with the UC and his “daughter” so that Pease could sexually assault the child. Pease drove 18 miles to the meeting location and conducted countersurveillance before fleeing the scene. Nevertheless, law enforcement was able to identify Pease, reconstruct his activities that evening, and later arrest him at his residence in Fort Pierce.

Pease was previously convicted of a sex offense in 2008 after sending explicit photographs and traveling to have sex with someone he believed to be a 13-year-old girl. He has been required to register as a sex offender ever since. 

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Cellular Analysis Survey Team and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Richard Varadan and Special Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Del Mastro.

The 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 Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Mauricio Chahine (52, Jacksonville) with five counts of money laundering and attempted money laundering. If convicted, Chahine faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count. Chahine was arrested on a criminal complaint on November 12, 2024, and has been ordered detained while awaiting trial.

According to the indictment and other court documents, beginning in March 2024, Chahine met several times with undercover federal agents who were posing as drug traffickers. Chahine explained to the undercover agents the various ways that he could launder money for a fee on their behalf. On four separate occasions, Chahine accepted cash from the agents, totaling more than $200,000. Chahine then caused the cash to be divided up and deposited into the bank accounts of various corporate entities, only to return the money to the agents – less his fee – through a series of wire transfers to a bank account controlled by the agents. The purpose of these transactions was to conceal or disguise the nature, location, source, ownership, and control of the cash, which Chahine believed to be drug trafficking proceeds. The indictment also alleges that Chahine attempted to engage in money laundering on a fifth occasion shortly before his arrest. 

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

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kelly S. Milliron and Michael J. Coolican.

This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Daniel Diaz Garcia (35, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to credit card fraud and theft of mail. He faces up to 10 years in federal prison for the credit card fraud offense, up to 5 years’ imprisonment for the mail theft offense, and payment of restitution to the victims in the case. Garcia was arrested on July 29, 2024, by the U.S. Postal Service – Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG). A sentencing date has not yet been set. 

According to court documents, in September 2023, Garcia began working as a highway contract carrier handling First Class mail delivery in Jacksonville. While working in that capacity, Garcia stole mail, opened it, and removed the contents to include credit cards. An investigation by the USPS-OIG determined that Garcia stole credit cards belonging to various victims on his mail route. Video surveillance from various businesses showed Garcia using the stolen credit cards to purchase more than $1,000 in merchandise. While questioning Garcia about his use of the stolen credit cards, law enforcement located an additional stolen credit card in his wallet.  

This case was investigated by United States Postal Service – Office of Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein.

Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard has sentenced Josue Garriga (35, St. Augustine), a/k/a “Sway,” to 24 years and 4 months in federal prison for enticing a child to engage in sexual activity. Following his release from prison, Garriga is also required to register as a sex offender and serve a term of supervised release of 10 years. The court also ordered Garriga to forfeit two cellphones that Garriga had used to commit the offense. Garriga entered a guilty plea on July 16, 2024. He was remanded into custody following the sentencing hearing.

According to court documents, Garriga, who at the time was a detective with the gang unit of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO), met the minor victim, who was 17 years old, at church in 2023. Garriga pursued a sexual relationship with the child victim until approximately March 7, 2024. This included reaching up the victim’s skirt while she worked serving coffee before church service. At some point, Garriga used his JSO-issued cellphone and an undercover social media account to reach out to the victim and obtained her phone number. Garriga then used his personal cellphone to communicate with the victim, directing their messages to an encrypted app set to automatically delete the messages after 24 hours. Garriga requested nude photos from the victim and sent her nude photos of himself. 

On at least two occasions, Garriga used his JSO work vehicle to travel to the victim’s neighborhood in Clay County to meet up with her and engage in sexual contact that was illegal under Florida law. On another occasion, Garriga met up with the victim at a coffee shop in Clay County and enticed her to his JSO work vehicle where he engaged in sexual activity with the victim and physically restrained her from leaving the vehicle until she relented and performed a sex act on him. 

“This individual violated his position of trust in the community and sought to take advantage of a child for his own satisfaction,” said Tim Hemker, Assistant Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) in Jacksonville. “This conviction stands as a testament to the commitment of HSI and our law enforcement partners with the Northeast Florida INTERCEPT Task Force, including the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. HSI is committed to identify and bring to justice those who exploit the vulnerability of our children.” 

This case was investigated by the Northeast Florida INTERCEPT Task Force, to include Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Jacksonville, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Laura Cofer Taylor and Kelly S. Milliron.

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

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Terry McDonald, Jr. (32, Bradenton) today pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. McDonald faces a minimum penalty of 5 years, up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to court records, on October 5, 2023, deputies from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at a home in Bradenton based on a series of controlled fentanyl purchases from another individual at the residence. At the time of the execution, McDonald was the sole occupant of a vehicle backed into the driveway. The vehicle was searched, and McDonald was found to be in possession of a loaded Smith and Wesson handgun, a digital scale, fentanyl, and cocaine. At the time, McDonald had multiple prior felony convictions, including possession of cocaine with intent to sell or deliver, fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer, and carrying a concealed firearm. Therefore, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

McDonald has agreed to forfeit a Smith & Wesson firearm and ammunition which were used in the commission of the offenses.

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

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven has sentenced Perry Ivory Wims (39, Tampa) to 15 years in federal prison for possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute it and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Wims entered a guilty plea in August 2024.

According to court records, the Tampa Police Department (TPD) learned that Wims was selling fentanyl out of his motel room in Tampa and obtained a search warrant for the room. Prior to the execution of the warrant, officers observed Wims point a firearm at individuals in the motel parking lot. Inside the motel room, officers located fentanyl, cocaine, two firearms, ammunition, and a drum magazine. 

Wims previously served a 15-year federal sentence for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. He completed serving that sentence less than three months before his arrest in this matter. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Tampa Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David P. Sullivan and James A. Muench.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced today the results of the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024 Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) strategy. During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024, ending on September 30, 2024, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida indicted 72 defendants. These individuals face federal firearms, narcotics, and violent crime charges. Law enforcement also seized more than 100 firearms associated with these cases. (See chart for case details)

The U.S. Attorney’s Office also engaged in community outreach efforts aimed at violent crime prevention throughout the year. Members of the Office spoke with more than four hundred people as part of outreach efforts during the fourth quarter of 2024, including hundreds of students. Prosecutors also spoke to more than 80 recently released individuals at the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office DISMAS program at the Jacksonville Bridge Community Release Center.

“The residents of the Middle District of Florida deserve to work and live in communities safe from violence,” stated U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg. “Over the past three fiscal years, the United States Attorney’s Office has increased its number of violent crime and firearms prosecutions by more than 75%. We are committed to working with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to aggressively investigate and federally prosecute perpetrators of violent crime.”

PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. This evidence-based program has proven to be effective at reducing violent crime by engaging a broad spectrum of stakeholders working together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in communities and developing comprehensive solutions that reduce crime. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses on prevention and intervention efforts through community engagement and problem-solving partnerships, strategic enforcement of the most violent offenders, and locally based re-entry programs to reduce recidivism.

MDFL Fourth Quarter PSN Case Highlights

United States v. Latrel Jackson (Ft. Myers)

In August 2024, Latrel Jackson was sentenced to life in federal prison for conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and murder-for-hire. According to court records, in November 2019, Jackson, along with a co-conspirator (now deceased), traveled from Chicago to Fort Myers to commit murder in exchange for $10,000. Jackson was hired by Marvin Harris, Jr. Harris was sentenced to 45 years in prison in connection with the crime. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Fort Myers Police Department, with assistance from the Joliet (Illinois) Police Department, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

United States v. David Wayne Riddle (Jacksonville)

On September 9, 2024, David Wayne Riddle was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. According to court documents, in January 2023, Riddle was stopped by officers from the

Jacksonville Sherriff’s Office for a seatbelt infraction. When officers encountered Riddle, they smelled marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. A search was conducted and a loaded Smith and Wesson pistol was recovered from under the front passenger seat of the vehicle. Riddle had multiple prior felony convictions for serious drug-related offenses and violent crimes making him prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.

United States v. Jerome Junior Swopshire (Ocala)

In August 2024, Jerome Swopshire was sentenced to eight years in federal prison for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. According to court records, in August 2023, the United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force arrested Swopshire on outstanding state warrants. A search of Swopshire’s backpack revealed a loaded semi-automatic pistol with an extended ammunition magazine, a digital scale (coated with cocaine residue), a jar of marijuana, and small plastic baggies used to distribute drugs. In Swopshire’s vehicle, law enforcement recovered fentanyl and a spent 9mm shell that matched the ammunition in Swopshire’s firearm. At the time, Swopshire had previous state felony convictions for robbery, child abuse, resisting an officer with violence, felony domestic battery, and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription. This case was investigated by the United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, the Ocala Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

United States v. Angel Velazquez Delgado, Jesus Hernandez, Edgar Jimenez, Jesus Paulino, Jonathan Borja, and Jesus Andres (Orlando)

Angel Velazquez Delgado, Jesus Hernandez, Edgar Jimenez, Jesus Paulino, Jonathan Borja, and Jesus Andres were charged in Orlando with a series of federal firearms laws. According to court records, in May 2023, ATF began investigating a firearms trafficking organization led by Velazquez Delgado operating in Central Florida. These individuals purchased high-caliber firearms in the United States for resale to Mexican drug cartels. It is alleged that the firearms were purchased at the request of the cartels and transported to the cartels soon after purchase. Using the eTrace Firearm Recovery Notification Program, Mexican authorities were able to confirm the presence of at least one of the trafficked firearms in Mexico. On March 22, 2023, Mexican State Police and Mexican Military Personnel were involved in a shooting with suspected cartel members in Michoacan, Mexico. Two individuals were killed during the exchange of gunfire. After the shooting, a Barrett .50 caliber rifle purchased by Jesus Hernandez on November 8, 2022, was recovered. At some point during its operation, the trafficking organization began removing the serial numbers from the firearms to avoid tracing by law enforcement. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, the Volusia Bureau of Investigations and the Deland Police Department.

United States v. Johnny Flores (Tampa)

In July 2024, Johnny Flores was sentenced to 45 years in federal prison for 3 counts of Hobbs Act robbery. According to evidence presented at trial, in February 2022, Flores robbed three Tampa businesses wearing a hooded sweatshirt and facial covering. During the robberies, he brandished and threatened the victims with a weapon, removed cash from the registers, and verbally and physically assaulted the victims. Flores was initially identified through video surveillance showing him leaving two of the robberies in a vehicle that was traced back to another individual who died prior to the trial. A second individual had dropped Flores off near the robbery. Although he testified that he did not know that Flores had committed a robbery, the individual testified that he had driven Flores to a location near the robbery. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Tampa Police Department.

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

These cases are being prosecuted by the Assistant United States Attorneys in all five divisions throughout the Middle District of Florida. For additional information on Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit our website: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/project-safe-neighborhoods-0.    

PSN Chart

Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Esdras Joel Garcia De La Rosa (28, Los Angeles, CA) has pleaded guilty to conspiracy with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. De La Rosa faces up to life in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to the plea agreement, De La Rosa conspired with Durand Dijuon Demetiu Colbert (34, Fort Myers) to distribute various controlled substances including methamphetamine and fentanyl. De La Rosa resided in the Los Angeles area and supplied Colbert, a Lee County resident, with controlled substances that were later distributed to others. The controlled substances were sent by De La Rosa in California to Colbert in Lee County through the U.S. mail or other packaging carriers.

During the conspiracy, on November 17, 2023, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Colbert’s Florida residence and seized approximately 1,700 fentanyl pills, which investigators determined were sent by De La Rosa.

Colbert pleaded guilty to his role in this case on September 16, 2024. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 12, 2024.

This case was investigated by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Morgan.