Middle District of Florida

Tampa, Florida –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found Darius Hudson (44, Arcadia) guilty of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, three separate Hobbs Act robberies, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. Because of the specific robberies that they each participated in, the defendants also face mandatory minimum sentences of imprisonment. Hudson faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 27 years, and up to life, in federal prison.  A sentencing date has not yet been set. 

According to the evidence introduced during the trial, between December 2020 and April 2021, a group of individuals conspired with each other to commit armed robberies throughout Pasco, Polk, Lee, and Hillsborough Counties, as well as Georgia and Arizona. While committing these offenses, the conspirators, including Hudson, impersonated law enforcement officers by wearing black clothing, gloves, and masks, often with law enforcement insignia, or vests with “Sheriff” affixed. They drove a black Dodge Durango equipped with lights, and often handcuffed their victims. During these robberies, victims and their family members were awoken in the middle of the night at home, beat, pistol whipped, threatened, and, on several occasions, shot.

This case was investigated by the FBI, with assistance from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Bartow Police Department, the Lakeland Police Department, the Dade City Police Department, the Cape Coral Police Department, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, the Arcadia Police Department, and the Florida Highway Patrol. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diego F. Novaes.

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 that Alfred Clayton Rosier, Jr. (29, Sarasota) has pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Rosier faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 15 years, up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to the plea agreement, on September 22, 2022, a deputy from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office retrieved a package from a FedEx facility after the deputy’s canine partner had alerted on the package for the presence of narcotics. After the deputy had procured and executed a search warrant on the package, law enforcement discovered approximately 16 pounds of methamphetamine. The package was addressed to a residence in Sarasota.

Agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration, along with officers from the Sarasota Police Department and deputies from the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, conducted a controlled delivery of a portion of the methamphetamine to the residence. Rosier was found outside of the residence with a large box as law enforcement was executing a search warrant. When Rosier observed law enforcement approaching, he threw the box inside of a parked white van and jumped inside of a car parked next to the van. Upon a search of the van and the box that Rosier had thrown inside, agents discovered approximately 22 pounds of marijuana and 647 grams of methamphetamine. They also recovered a small backpack that contained a loaded pistol and documents addressed to Rosier.  

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, the Sarasota Police Department, and the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shauna S. Hale. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. 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 https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

Ocala, FL – Senior United States District Judge Gregory A. Presnell has sentenced Victor Aguilar (32, Orlando) to 12 years and 6 months in federal prison for attempting to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity. Aguilar had pleaded guilty on October 13, 2023.

According to court documents, in May 2023, Aguilar responded to a social media posting from an undercover law enforcement officer posing as a 15-year-old child. Aguilar engaged in sexually oriented conversation, telling the undercover officer in detail what he planned to do with the minor. The two discussed meeting locations, including a mall in the Ocala area. A few hours later, Aguilar told the undercover officer he had arrived at the Ocala mall to meet with the minor. While Aguilar was waiting, deputies arrived and arrested Aguilar.

“This predator knowingly targeted a child to carry out his deviant behaviors, but our team of investigators were diligent in bringing him to justice,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Orlando Assistant Special Agent in Charge David Pezzutti. “HSI investigators, alongside our partners, the U.S. Secret Service, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the Ocala Police Department, the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, have successfully removed another predator from the streets.”

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the United States Secret Service, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the Ocala Police Department, the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Belkis H. Crockett and Tyrie K. Boyer.

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.

Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton has sentenced Moad Mohamed Benkabbou (23, Kissimmee) to six years in federal prison for making false statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in an interview relating to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization. Benkabbou had pleaded guilty on May 5, 2023.

According to Benkabbou’s plea agreement and evidence previously admitted during a hearing, Benkabbou swore an oath to support ISIS in January 2020, made plans to travel to Turkey and Syria to fight for ISIS, sent money to support ISIS, purchased airplane tickets in August 2020 and January 2021 (later cancelled both tickets), and sent ISIS propaganda videos to others, including ISIS sponsored videos showing the executions (by gunshot and beheading) of American allies fighting against ISIS.  Benkabbou also sent a photo of himself dressed as an ISIS fighter with the statement, “Hey Crusaders hey Jews die within your rage.” When interviewed on two occasions by FBI in relation to these activities, Benkabbou lied about his involvement with and support of ISIS.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Shawn P. Napier and Kara M. Wick.

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Robert Lee Pringle (35, Orlando) has pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Pringle faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to court records, on May 3, 2022, law enforcement attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a stolen vehicle Pringle was driving. Rather than stopping, Pringle fled at a high rate of speed and later crashed into another vehicle. During a search of the stolen vehicle, officers located two firearms on the front passenger floorboard as well as a pistol magazine on the driver’s side floorboard. Also on the front passenger floorboard was a backpack containing paperwork with Pringle’s name, prescription bottles with Pringle’s name, suspected narcotics, digital scales, baggies, and 9mm bullets.

At the time, Pringle had multiple prior felony convictions, including carrying a concealed firearm, robbery, burglary of a conveyance, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, grand theft third degree, and fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer at high speed or with wanton disregard. As a multi-convicted felon, Pringle is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Orlando Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Megan Testerman.

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, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Kristian Ramos (43, Kissimmee) with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. If convicted, Ramos faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Ramos that the United States intends to forfeit a Beretta Nano 9mm handgun, which is alleged to be involved in the offense.

According to the indictment, on May 23, 2023, Ramos possessed a Beretta Nano 9mm handgun. At the time of the alleged offense, Ramos had prior felony convictions for robbery with a deadly weapon, possession of a controlled substance, and robbery. As such, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

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, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Orange County Sherriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Noah P. Dorman.

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 – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Angel Ruben Hernandez, Jr. (75, Altamonte Springs) has pleaded guilty to three counts of failing to record required information about firearms purchases. Hernandez faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison for each count. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to the plea agreement, Hernandez was an owner and responsible party for Arms Hill LLC, a federally licensed firearms dealer (FFL or Federal Firearms Licensee) from 2019 through 2023. In 2022, the FBI obtained information that Hernandez was supplying firearms to an individual who was unlawfully selling them to drug dealers and convicted felons and that Hernandez was falsifying paperwork in connection with supplying those firearms. FFL dealers who operate within the law require purchasers to complete specific forms (ATF Form 4473) and answer numerous questions about the buyer’s background and eligibility to purchase firearms. Firearms that are sold without a Form 4473 indicating the true purchaser are more valuable on the black market because they provide an avenue for otherwise prohibited persons to acquire firearms.

Beginning in April 2023, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), through a cooperating source, conducted a series of undercover purchases from Hernandez. On April 20 and 24, 2023, and again on May 1, 2023, Hernandez sold nine firearms to the ATF’s source. Hernandez charged above-market prices for the firearms while also creating false ATF Form 4473 forms documenting fake sales to Hernandez’s relatives. On May 19, 2023, during the execution of a search warrant, ATF agents found pre-filled ATF 4473 forms with information from Hernandez’s relatives that had been pre-populated and prepared for future fake sales. Hernandez’s FFL records indicate that nearly a quarter of his sales as an FFL from 2019-2023, including more than 260 firearms, were recorded as though they were sold to his relatives. 

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Apopka Police Department, and the Altamonte Springs Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Dana E. Hill and Noah Dorman.

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 return of an indictment charging Alexander Lightner (26, Venice, FL) with interstate transmission of a threat to injure and unlawful possession of a silencer. If convicted on all counts, Lightner faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. 

According to court filings, on December 29, 2023, Lightner made the following threats on an internet messaging platform indicating his intention to carry out a mass shooting: “2024 there shall be saints u fuq”; “Highscore shall be defeated”; “I’ll delete this, but I say to you there is no surrender only death. Only purpose”; “When my @ says last seen a week ago remove me from everything.”; “It’s called a .308 black tip.”; and “Those that know me know. It’s over, you have not seen the wrath of the Aryan that has no purpose left.” In the racially or ethnically motivated violent extremist (“RMVE”) community, a “saint” is an individual who commits an act of mass violence in furtherance of RMVE ideology, and the term “high score” refers to the death toll amassed by an attacker, or saint, who commits an act of mass violence.

Federal law enforcement subsequently executed a search warrant at Lightner’s residence. During the search, agents recovered an unregistered firearm silencer, ammunition, and multiple firearms from Lightner’s bedroom. 

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 Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, with valuable assistance from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Sarasota Police Department, and the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lindsey Schmidt. 

Jacksonville, Florida – Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan today sentenced Elliott Dubenion (40, Jacksonville) to 5 years and 10 months in federal prison for distributing 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Dubenion had pleaded guilty on September 27, 2023.

According to court documents, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office identified Dubenion as a mid-level supplier of fentanyl to other dealers in Duval and Clay counties. Agents conducted two controlled purchases of fentanyl directly from Dubenion in Jacksonville on January 27 and February 7, 2023. According to lab reports, Dubenion sold approximately 84 grams of fentanyl. 

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Aakash Singh.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Gabriel Daniel Pinnace (31, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to smuggling firearms from the United States and making materially false statements during the purchase of a firearm. Pinnace faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison for each offense. A sentencing date has not been set.

According to the plea agreement, on May 15, 2021, Pinnace and an individual in a related case, Antonio Reyes, attempted to smuggle three firearms and 57 rounds of ammunition from Jacksonville to Venezuela. Prior to that date, Reyes enlisted Pinnace to purchase the firearms from federally licensed firearms dealers with knowledge that the firearms would be sent to Venezuela. Pinnace purchased the firearms after falsifying ATF Forms 4473, which are required for all firearms purchases. After purchasing the firearms, Pinnace scratched the serial numbers off two of the firearms and provided them to Reyes, who then concealed the firearms and ammunition in a futon that he attempted to mail using a freight forwarding service. Employees from the freight forwarder observed the firearms during a routine x-ray of the parcel and contacted law enforcement. On May 22, 2021, agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) seized the three firearms, which included a Glock 17 pistol and two Smith and Wesson M&P 15 rifles. Forensic technicians at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) restored the obliterated serial numbers, which allowed ATF agents to trace the firearms back to Pinnace. On May 24, 2021, Pinnace reported the firearms as stolen. Following Reyes’s arrest on unrelated state charges on August 11, 2023, federal agents from ATF, HSI, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) searched Reyes’s cellphone and found conversations between Reyes and Pinnace discussing trafficking firearms to Venezuela. 

On August 26, 2023, ATF, HSI, and CBP agents conducted an operation to purchase firearms directly from Pinnace. That morning, Pinnace met with an undercover agent and agreed to sell the agent three firearms. That afternoon, agents surveilled Pinnace as he travelled to a gun store in Jacksonville, where he falsified another ATF Form 4473 and purchased two firearms. After leaving the store with what appeared to be a gun box, Pinnace travelled to meet with the undercover agent. At that meeting, Pinnace sold the undercover the three firearms and instructed the undercover to scratch off the serial numbers.

Reyes previously pleaded guilty to smuggling firearms from the United States and conspiring to use a facility of interstate commerce to commit a murder-for-hire on January 3, 2024. His sentencing hearing is set for April 23, 2024.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Aakash Singh.

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 – Senior U.S. District Judge Henry L. Adams has sentenced Geoffrey Scott Carter (44, Jacksonville) to 15 years in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. The court also ordered Carter to forfeit 10 firearms and assorted ammunition. Carter had pleaded guilty on March 28, 2023.

According to court documents, on August 5, 2022, in St. Johns County, a police officer observed an SUV commit a traffic offense and the officer executed a traffic stop. The only occupants of the SUV were its driver and Carter. A police canine alerted when walked around the SUV, indicating the recent presence of illegal drugs in the vehicle. When an officer searched the SUV, he found two loaded pistols (one of which had been previously reported stolen), approximately 36 grams of crystal methamphetamine, 21 grams of cocaine, 3 grams of MDMA (also known as ecstasy), 3 grams of marijuana, a digital scale, syringes, and baggies. The driver denied knowing that there were illegal drugs in the vehicle but confirmed that Carter was a drug dealer. When searched, Carter had brass knuckles in his pocket and was wearing an empty firearm holster. When an officer located the holster, Carter stated that it was for holding his cigarettes. Carter was arrested for various state offenses, but soon was released on bond.

Following Carter’s release, a confidential source, acting at the direction of law enforcement, purchased controlled substances from Carter four times at Carter’s home in Jacksonville. During these transactions, Carter sold the confidential source approximately 645 grams of methamphetamine, 3 grams of fentanyl, and a Colt revolver. Having previously been convicted of 11 felony offenses, Carter is prohibited by law from possessing firearms, including the Colt revolver.

On November 2, 2022, law enforcement agents and officers executed a federal search warrant at Carter’s home. During the search, they located seven loaded handguns, two body armor vests, ammunition, a scale, baggies containing methamphetamine and marijuana, a Nazi flag, and a vest with markings associated with the “Unforgiven,” a white-supremacist prison gang.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, the St. Augustine Beach Police Department, and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Coolican.

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 – January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. To commemorate this month, United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg renews his Office’s commitment to prosecuting human traffickers, protecting victims, empowering survivors, and preventing the proliferation of these abhorrent crimes.

In recognition of Human Trafficking Prevention Month, the U.S. Attorney’s Office reaffirms that vindicating the rights of human trafficking victims and other vulnerable persons ranks among its highest priorities.

“Human trafficking is a crime of exploitation,” said U.S. Attorney Handberg. “Whether it’s forced labor, domestic servitude, or sex trafficking of children and adults, human trafficking is the exploitation of human beings for profit and has no place in any society. That’s why in January and throughout the year, my Office’s dedicated prosecutors, victim witness coordinators, and support personnel work with our law enforcement partners to combat human trafficking and bring offenders to justice.”

Anyone who has information about a potential human trafficking situation or a person who may be experiencing human trafficking should contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733.

Information on the Office’s work to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/humantrafficking.

To enhance awareness and educate the community about human trafficking, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has released a Public Service Announcement on how to identify potential trafficking situations and where to report suspected human trafficking activity.

Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday has sentenced Erik Barner (45, St. Petersburg) to 17 years and 6 months in federal prison for distribution and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Barner had pleaded guilty on October 20, 2023.

According to court documents, on February 22, March 1, and March 10, 2023, Barner sold cocaine to a confidential informant working with the St. Petersburg Police Department. Law enforcement obtained a search warrant for a residence out of which Barner was operating, and a vehicle. Officers recovered four firearms and various ammunition that had been dispersed throughout the home. In the vehicle, officers found 176 grams of cocaine. Three of the firearms recovered from the home were later determined to have been reported stolen. Two of the firearms had Barner’s DNA on them.

Barner has previous felony convictions for possession of cocaine, throwing a deadly missile at or into an occupied vehicle, possession of cocaine with intent to sell, and two trafficking in cocaine convictions. As a convicted felon he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the St. Petersburg Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman. The forfeiture is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney James 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 announces that Evan Ingram (42, Clearwater) has pleaded guilty to distribution and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. For the distribution charge, Ingram faces up to 20 years in federal prison. For the possession of firearm charge, he faces a minimum mandatory of 15 years, up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to court documents, Ingram was previously convicted of seven felonies including possession of cocaine, sale or delivery of cocaine, robbery, aggravated assault, and sale of a counterfeit substance. On five dates in August and two dates in September 2022, Ingram distributed a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine. Court records also show that on four of those dates Ingram sold either a firearm or a firearm and ammunition.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Clearwater Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman.

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 announces the results achieved by the Middle District of Florida’s efforts to combat fraud related to COVID-19. Those efforts have included complementary actions by the United States Attorney’s Office’s (USAO-MDFL) Criminal, Asset Recovery, Appellate, and Civil Divisions, along with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.

“The Middle District of Florida United States Attorney’s Office continues to pursue, investigate, prosecute, and recover money from those who were engaged in major or sophisticated fraud schemes designed to steal benefits intended for Americans coping with the myriad impacts of the pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg.

On the criminal enforcement front, the USAO-MDFL and federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies combined resources in March 2020 to form the Middle District of Florida COVID-19 Fraud Task Force to identify, investigate, and prosecute fraud related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Since its inception, the Task Force has prosecuted 77 defendants for fraud schemes designed to exploit federal programs including the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), Economic Injury Disaster Loans (“EIDL”), Unemployment Insurance (“UI”), the Main Street Lending Program (“MSLP”), the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (“ERAP”), as well as government Healthcare programs such as Medicare (“HCF”). Collectively, these defendants sought to defraud the United States of over $85 million. Fifty-six of those defendants have already been found guilty, while prosecution remains pending against 21 defendants. (See chart for criminal case details.) In fiscal year 2023, the Task Force indicted 26 COVID-19 fraud related cases in which defendants sought to obtain more than $15 million from the various federal programs.

For example, in October 2023, U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber sentenced Denis Casseus to two years in federal prison for bank fraud and an illegal monetary transaction. As part of his sentence, the court also entered an order of forfeiture in the amount of $298,875, the proceeds of the bank fraud. According to court documents, Casseus submitted two fraudulent PPP applications, in which he falsely represented that the PPP funds would be used only for business-related purposes, as specified in the loan applications. Instead, Casseus used a portion of the fraudulent-obtained money for the purchase a residence in Cape Coral.

In a separate matter, United States District Judge Kathryn Mizelle sentenced Vitalii Chychasov to eight years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit access device fraud and trafficking in unauthorized access devices. Chychasov was an administrator of a series of websites that sold Social Security numbers. During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, traffic to and purchases on the website increased dramatically due to individuals purchasing Social Security numbers and other personal information in order to commit COVID-19 fraud, primarily unemployment insurance fraud.

Further, the USAO-MDFL’s Asset Recovery Division and federal seizing agencies have completed the forfeiture of more than $20 million of EIDL, UI, and PPP funds that were fraudulently obtained, depriving the fraudsters of their ill-gotten gains and recovering the proceeds for the victims. More than $18 million in additional pandemic fraud proceeds have been seized and are pending civil or criminal forfeiture.

The U.S. Attorney General has established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

Through the PPP, the federal government authorized over $600 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through the PPP. The EIDL program provides economic relief to small businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. The MSLP provided support to small and medium-sized businesses and their employees across the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. UI programs provided unemployment benefits to eligible workers who became unemployed through no fault of their own.

The criminal cases charged by the Middle District of Florida COVID-19 Fraud Task Force have been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Secret Service, Internal Revenue Service—Criminal Investigation, the Department of Labor—Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Postal Service, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the Small Business Administration, the Small Business Administration—Office of Inspector General, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation—Office of Inspector General, Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery, Federal Reserve Board—Office of Inspector General, Department of Health and Human Services—Office of Inspector General, the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation, the Tampa Police Department, the Orlando Police Department, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, the Winter Park Police Department, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys throughout the Middle District of Florida.         

The Department of Justice needs the public’s assistance in remaining vigilant and reporting suspected fraudulent activity. To report suspected fraud, contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud (“NCDF”) at (866) 720-5721 or file an online complaint at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/webform/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form. Complaints filed will be reviewed at the NCDF and referred to federal, state, local, or international law enforcement or regulatory agencies for investigation.

United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida

COVID Fraud Criminal Cases

Charged Cases

Defendant(s) (Age)

Charge(s)

Max. Imprisonment

Type of Fraud*

Intended Loss

Amount

Tampa Division

Alexander Alli

Wire fraud conspiracy

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

EIDL

$80k

Ellyn Pinkney

Wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

EIDL

$40k

Kieanna Garrett

Wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

EIDL

$40k

Nicole Bramble-King

Wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

PPP

$40k

Mehdi Tazi

Conspiracy

Maximum Prison Term: 5 years

Wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

Aggravated identity theft

Maximum Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive

UI

$1.5M

Modupe Ogundele

Wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

PPP

$20k

Devontaie Deravil

Aggravated identity theft

Maximum Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive

Access device fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years

UI

$480k

Jordan Ross

Wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

Illegal monetary transactions

Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years

EIDL/PPP

$1.3M

Demarius Wilson

Wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

PPP

$18k

Tommy Louisville

Wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

PPP

$33k

Dawn Ogundele

Theft of government funds

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

False statement to obtain federal employees’ compensation

Maximum Prison Term: 5 years

Wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

PPP

$20k

These COVID Fraud cases from the Tampa Division are being handled by AUSAs Rachel Jones, Tiffany Fields, Greg Pizzo, Candace Rich, Jennifer Peresie, and Michael Kenneth

Orlando Division

Evan Edwards

Joshua Edwards

Conspiracy to commit bank fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 30 years

Bank fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 30 years

Visa fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

False statements

Maximum Prison Term: 30 years

PPP

$8M

Emmet Bowens

Wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

Illegal monetary transactions

Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years

PPP

$740k

Latresia Wilson

False statements

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

HCF

$2.6M

These COVID Fraud cases from the Orlando Division are being handled by AUSAs Kara Wick, Amanda Daniels, and DOJ Trial Attorney Keith Clouser

Jacksonville Division

James Wigg

Wire Fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 years

PPP

$476k

This COVID Fraud case from the Jacksonville Division is being handled by AUSA Tysen Duva

Fort Myers Division

Venera Price

Mail fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

ERAP

$82k

Timothy Jolloff

Wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

Money laundering

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

Illegal monetary transactions

Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years

PPP/EIDL

$2.1M

Lisa Jolloff

Money laundering

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

Illegal monetary transactions

Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years

PPP/EIDL

Diop McKenzie

Bank fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 30 years

Wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

Aggravated identity theft

Maximum: Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive

EIDL/PPP

$237k

These COVID Fraud cases from the Fort Myers Division are being handled by AUSAs Yolande Viacava and Trent Reichling

Ocala Division

Henry Wade

Wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

EIDL

$500k

This COVID Fraud case from the Ocala Division is being handled by AUSA Hannah Nowalk

Adjudicated Cases

Tampa Division

Joseph Abdo

Wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

Illegal monetary transactions

Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years

PPP

$500k

Keaujay Hornsby

Racketeering conspiracy

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

Aggravated identity theft

Maximum Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive

Access device fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years

UI

$3M

Kareem Spann

Racketeering conspiracy

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

Aggravated identity theft

Maximum Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive

Access device fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years

UI

$3M

Marqus Willard Johnson

Bank fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 30 Years

Money laundering

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

PPP

$500k

Charles Cunningham

Bank fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 30 years

PPP

$800k

These COVID Fraud cases from the Tampa Division are being handled by AUSAs Rachel Jones, Diego Novaes, Tiffany Fields, Jennifer Peresie, and Greg Pizzo, and DOJ Trial Attorney John Scanlon

Orlando Division

Joseph Faubert

Bank fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 30 years

PPP

$778k

This COVID Fraud case from the Orlando Division is being handled by AUSAs Chauncey Bratt

Jacksonville Division

Christopher Daragjati

Wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

Theft of government funds

Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years

Aggravated identity theft

Maximum: Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive

PPP

$150k

This COVID Fraud case from the Jacksonville Division is being handled by AUSAs Kevin Frein and Michael Coolican

Ocala Division

Passion Jackson

Wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

PPP

$20K

This COVID Fraud case from the Ocala Division is being handled by AUSA Hannah Nowalk

Fort Myers Division

Evan Graves

Wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

EIDL

$1.3M

This COVID Fraud case from the Fort Myers Division is being handled by AUSAs Yolande Viacava and Simon Eth

Sentenced Cases

Tampa Division

Alexander Leszczynski

Wire fraud, bank fraud, illegal monetary transactions

Sentence Imposed: 17 and ½ years in federal prison

PPP

$1.1M

Louis Thornton, III

Wire fraud

Sentence Imposed: 42 months in federal prison

EIDL/PPP

$815k

Kary Stevenson

Corey Quinn

Conspiracy to commit access device fraud and aggravated identity theft

Sentence Imposed: 5 years, 10 months in federal prison (Stevenson)

Sentence Imposed:7 years in federal prison (Quinn)

UI

$1M

Bridgitte Keim

Bank fraud

Sentence Imposed: 2 years in federal prison

PPP

$588k

Wayne Ganaway

Conspiracy to commit wire fraud

Sentence Imposed: 4 years in federal prison

EIDL

$300k

Eriaius Bentley

Racketeering conspiracy, aggravated identity theft, access device fraud

Sentence Imposed: One year in federal prison

UI

$3M

Rolanda Wingfield

Access device fraud, aggravated identity theft

Sentenced Imposed: 3 years in federal prison

UI

$135k

Tywon Spann

Racketeering conspiracy, aggravated identity theft, access device fraud

Sentence Imposed: 6 years and 9 months in federal prison

UI

$3M

Randy Jones

Wire fraud, aggravated identity theft

Sentence Imposed: 5 years and 1 month in federal prison

EIDL/UI

$250k

Julio Lugo

Conspiracy to commit money laundering

Sentence Imposed: 7 years and 6 months in federal prison

EIDL/PPP

$4.4M

Keith Nicoletta

Conspiracy to commit money laundering

Sentence Imposed: 24 months in federal prison

PPP

$1.9M

Rosenide Venant

Conspiracy to commit money laundering

Sentence Imposed: 5 years in federal prison

EIDL/PPP

$413k

Melinda Hernandez

Conspiracy to commit wire fraud,

wire fraud and aggravated identity theft

Sentence imposed: Three years and six months in federal prison

UI

$1.5M

Bri’antina Mills

Wire fraud and theft of government funds

Sentence imposed: 15 months in federal prison

EIDL

$10K

Jorge Gutierrez Echeverria

Wire fraud

Sentence imposed: Two years and six months in federal prison

EIDL

$150k

Omar Esquivel Bello

Wire fraud

Sentence imposed: 15 months in federal prison

EIDL

$242k

Steve Moodie

Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft

Sentence imposed: 5 years and 10 months in federal prison

UI

$1.5M

Richard Simpkins

Conspiracy to commit money laundering

Sentence imposed: 5 years and 10 months in federal prison

PPP

$1.9M

Devaris McClain

Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, access device fraud

Sentence imposed: 5 years and 1 month in federal prison

UI

$85K

Jalissa McDuffy

Wire fraud

Sentence imposed: 3 years supervised release with 6 months home detention

PPP

$41k

These COVID Fraud cases from the Tampa Division were handled by AUSAs Rachel Jones, Greg Pizzo, Tiffany Fields, Diego Novaes, Jennifer Peresie, and SAUSA Chris Poor

Orlando Division

Daniel Johnson

Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, unlawful transfer of firearm

Sentence Imposed: 7 years, 6 months in federal prison

UI

$2.3M

Jacquavius Smith

Possession of short-barreled rifle; felon in possession of firearm; and aggravated identity theft

Sentence Imposed: 7 years, 1 month in federal prison

PPP

$10k

Johnson Eustache

Wire fraud

Sentence Imposed: 5 years in federal prison

EIDL/PPP

$2.2M

Joseph Harrison

Conspiracy to commit wire fraud

Sentence Imposed: 12 months in federal prison

UI

$2.1M

Tomas Ziupsnys

Conspiracy to commit bank fraud; bank fraud; aggravated identity theft

Sentence Imposed: 5 years in federal prison

PPP

$2M

Holly Urban

Conspiracy to commit bank fraud

Sentence Imposed: 30 months in federal prison

PPP

$1.5M

Joel Greenberg

Conspiracy to commit wire fraud and other offenses while on pretrial release

Sentence Imposed: 11 years in federal prison

EIDL

$430k

Don Cisternino

           

Wire fraud, illegal monetary transactions, and aggravated identity theft

Sentence Imposed: 8 years and 6 months in federal prison

PPP

$7.2M

Keith Ingersoll          

Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft

Sentence imposed: 9 years, 1 month in federal prison.  

EIDL

$66k

Jaheim Davis

Access device fraud and aggravated identity theft

Sentence imposed: 3 years, 6 months in federal prison.  

UI

$219k

Teresa McIntyre

Conspiracy to commit wire fraud and other offenses

Sentence Imposed: 5 years’ probation

EIDL

$730k

Brian Blake

Possession of device-making equipment, access device fraud, aggravated identity theft

Sentence Imposed: 9 years and 8 months in federal prison

PPP/UI

$832k

These COVID Fraud cases from the Orlando Division were handled by AUSAs John Gardella, Amanda Daniels, Chauncey Bratt, Emily Chang, Shannon Laurie, and Jennifer Harrington, and U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg

Jacksonville Division

Jacob Byrd

Wire fraud

Sentence Imposed: 5 years’ probation

PPP

$10k

Deconna Burke

Wire fraud

Sentence Imposed: 5 years’ probation

PPP

$20k

Desmond Williams

Wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud

Sentenced Imposed: 5 years’ probation

PPP

$40k

Kenneth Landers

Wire fraud and illegal monetary transaction

Sentence Imposed: 1 year in federal prison followed by 1 year of supervised release

PPP

$1.4M

These COVID Fraud cases from the Jacksonville Division were handled by AUSAs Kevin Frein and Michael Coolican

Fort Myers Division

Casey Crowther

Bank fraud, false statement to a financial institution, illegal monetary transaction

Sentence Imposed: 3 years, 1 month in federal prison

PPP

$2.7M

Anthony Bruey

Amber Bruey

Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, illegal monetary transactions

Sentence Imposed:

Anthony Bruey: 4 years, 3 months in federal prison

Amber Bruey: 4 years in federal prison

PPP/EIDL

$881k

Edrica Leann Watson

False statement to a lending institution

Sentence Imposed: 15 months in federal prison

PPP

$392k

Daniel Joseph Tisone

Wire fraud, bank fraud, money laundering, aggravated identity theft, possession of ammunition by a prohibited person

Sentence Imposed: 7 years in federal prison

PPP/EIDL/MSLP

$10.7M

Liliana Gonzalez

Wire fraud

Sentence Imposed:  5 years of probation with 18 months of home confinement

PPP

$169k

Al Clint LaRoche

Bank fraud

Sentence Imposed: Two years in federal prison

PPP

$1M

Denis Casseus

Bank fraud and illegal monetary transaction

Sentence Imposed: 2 years in federal prison followed by 3 years supervised release

PPP

$298k

Ismaelle Manuel

Bank fraud

Sentence Imposed: Credit for time served followed by 5 years supervised release

PPP

$280k

These COVID Fraud cases from the Fort Myers Division were handled by AUSAs Trent Reichling, Michael Leeman, Jesus Casas, and Yolande Viacava

Ocala Division

Lavelle Harris

Wire fraud

Sentence Imposed: Two years and three months in federal prison

PPP

$1.2M

This COVID Fraud case from the Ocala Division was handled by AUSA Hannah Nowalk

Types of Fraud*

Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

Unemployment Insurance (UI)

Main Street Lending Program (MSLP)

Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)

Health Care Fraud (HCF)

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Heidi Richards (50, Madeira Beach) with one count of conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, one count of trafficking in illicit labels, two counts of trafficking in unauthorized access devices, and one count of possession of 15 or more access devices. If convicted, Richards faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison for the conspiracy offense and for trafficking in illicit labels. She faces up to 10 years in federal prison for each access device offense. The indictment also notifies Richards that the United States is seeking an order of forfeiture for proceeds obtained from the offense.

According to the indictment, beginning at least as early as August 2017, Richards conspired with an unindicted coconspirator to obtain and traffic in illicit labels designed to be affixed to Microsoft software products. Richards sent wire transfers and payments totaling at least $5.14 million during that time to a company owned by the unindicted coconspirator to pay for and acquire software products. Richards also trafficked in Microsoft product activation keys that she or her company were not authorized to sell and obtained proceeds totaling $1,000 or more as a result in calendar years 2020 and 2022. Richards similarly possessed 15 or more unauthorized Microsoft product activation keys on March 8, 2023.

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 Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Risha Asokan and Trial Attorney Jared S. Hosid of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section.

Download Indictment

Ocala, Florida – Senior United States District Judge John Antoon II has sentenced Brian David Casey (35, Clermont) to 21 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Casey had pleaded guilty on August 24, 2023.

According to the court records, Casey was previously convicted of three felonies, including burglary (2008) and two counts of battery on a law enforcement officer (2011). As a convicted felon, Casey is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition under federal law.

On March 20, 2023, Casey pointed a loaded shotgun at his neighbor, telling her that he was going to kill her. When Casey’s wife pushed the firearm’s barrel away, Casey fired the shotgun into the ground. Casey later admitted that he intended to discharge the firearm, calling it a “warning shot.” When federal agents subsequently arrested Casey for this offense, Casey was found to be in possession of another firearm—a loaded revolver.

This case was investigated by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk.

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 – Senior United States District Judge Henry Lee Adams, Jr. has sentenced Mario Lenard Elbert (34, Jacksonville) to seven years in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. Elbert had pleaded guilty on August 22, 2023.

According to court documents, on May 11, 2022, a trooper from the Florida Highway Patrol conducted a traffic stop on Elbert’s vehicle due to traffic violations. Elbert fled from the vehicle on foot during the traffic stop but was apprehended following a short pursuit. Elbert had in his possession 54 grams of fentanyl and a loaded pistol. Elbert is prohibited from possessing firearms due to a South Carolina felony conviction (2019) for possessing a controlled substance with the intent to distribute it.     

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Highway Patrol. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John Cannizzaro.             

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 District Judge Marcia Morales Howard has sentenced Keith Allen Dixon (46, Jacksonville) to 10 years in federal prison for distribution of 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Dixon had pleaded guilty on October 4, 2023.

According to court documents, on January 6, 2023, Dixon sold methamphetamine to a confidential informant outside a hotel off Lane Avenue in Jacksonville. Dixon also sold two 20-gauge shotguns during the transaction. Dixon is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law. At the time, Dixon was on probation following a conviction in Duval County for the possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Dixon was accountable for at least 146 grams of pure methamphetamine.   

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

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.

Fort Myers, Florida – United States District Judge Sheri P. Chappell has sentenced Augustin Desgrange (51, Haiti) to 30 months in federal prison for illegal reentry into the United States after deportation by an aggravated felon. Desgrange had pleaded guilty on October 24, 2023.

According to court documents, on April 13, 2015, Desgrange was convicted of illegal reentry after deportation by an aggravated felon and aggravated identity theft. His status as an aggravated felon stems from a 1998 state conviction for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. Desgrange has previously been deported from the United States to Haiti on two occasions. 

This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO). It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick L. Darcey.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Brent Brown (55, formerly of Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to failing to pay over payroll taxes withheld from employees. Brown faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. As part of his plea, Brown agreed to pay $3,832,360.48 in restitution to the IRS for unpaid payroll taxes, including both taxes withheld from employees and taxes that should have been paid by the company. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to the plea agreement, Brown was the Chief Executive Officer of Latitude 360, Inc., and the manager of its subsidiaries, including Latitude 360 Jacksonville. Brown exercised oversight over every aspect of the company’s business affairs, including payments of wages to the company’s employees and disposition of funds in the company’s bank accounts, and he had the corporate responsibility to collect, truthfully account for, and pay over the company’s payroll taxes.

Latitude 360 withheld taxes from employee wages, including federal income taxes and Federal Insurance Contributions Act, or “FICA” taxes, which were required periodically to be remitted to the Internal Revenue Service. Brown, on behalf of the company, filed quarterly tax returns that accurately reflected the payroll taxes due, but he caused the company to fail to pay over the payroll taxes to the IRS.

This case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Arnold B. Corsmeier and Laura Cofer Taylor.

Jacksonville, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Jason Harris (42, Palm Coast) with making a false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer during the attempted purchase of a firearm. If convicted, Harris faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison.

According to the indictment, Harris completed an ATF Form 4473 during the attempted purchase of a firearm from Southeastern Sports, a federally licensed firearms dealer. Harris indicated on the required paperwork that he was not a convicted felon. The indictment alleges that this was a false statement, and that Harris was previously convicted of multiple felonies, including robbery, shooting or throwing a deadly missile, felony battery and sale of cocaine. Therefore, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

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, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Talbot.

This is another case uncovered through the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). All NICS denials are reported to federal law enforcement and are reviewed daily for potential criminal prosecution. Federal law makes it a felony offense to make a false statement to a firearms dealer when trying to buy a gun.              

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 District Judge Marcia Morales Howard has sentenced Kristofferson Farmer, Jr. (24, Lake City) to six years and eight months in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute Alpha-PVP, a controlled substance and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. Farmer had pleaded guilty on October 4, 2023.

According to court documents, on February 7, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Farmer’s residence. Found inside the residence was Alpha-PVP, fentanyl, cocaine, and marijuana. Additionally, three loaded firearms were found inside the residence, including a 45 caliber Glock pistol that had been reported stolen, a 9mm caliber Glock pistol, and an AR-15 rifle. Farmer admitted to owning the firearms and narcotics and stated he made approximately $40,000 a month selling narcotics out of his residence. Farmer’s DNA was found on the AR-15 rifle.

Farmer was previously convicted (2018) for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and carrying a concealed firearm. As such, he is prohibited from producing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John Cannizzaro.          

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 Michael Buck Brockway (40, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to using the internet and his cellphone to attempt to entice a 13-year-old child to engage in sexual activity. Brockway faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, up to life, in prison as well as a potential lifetime term of supervised release. Brockway was arrested on July 28, 2023, and is being detained pending his sentencing hearing, which has not yet been scheduled.

According to court documents, on July 17, 2023, an agent with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), using the personae of a 13-year-old child (UC), began an undercover investigation designed to identify individuals who were seeking to meet children online for sexual activity. The UC, as the “child,” began an online conversation on a particular social media application (app) with user “Telly_Rider,” who was later identified as Brockway. Over the next 10 days, Brockway and the “child” engaged in numerous sexually explicit conversations using several social media apps and text messaging. During these online conversations, Brockway confirmed that the child was only 13 years old, inquired about the child’s sexual experience, and asked if the child wanted to meet him in person for sex. On July 27, 2023, Brockway asked the child if “she” was alone for the next few days, and he confirmed that the child was living at a particular apartment complex in Jacksonville. Brockway sent the child explicit videos of himself using a sex toy, including one video that he produced and sent while onboard a U.S. Navy ship that was docked at Naval Station Mayport.

On July 28, 2023, Brockway drove to the apartment complex where the child purportedly lived, then over to a nearby restaurant where the child had agreed to meet him. When Brockway entered the restaurant to meet the child, he was arrested by detectives from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO). During a search incident to his arrest, Brockway’s cellphone and three condoms were recovered from his front pockets. A search of Brockway’s car revealed a container of personal lubricant, an unopened bottle of vodka, and a sex toy. A search of Brockway’s cellphone revealed at least 200 photos and 400 videos depicting children being sexually abused.      

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

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 child victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the arrest and filing of a criminal complaint charging James Warren Finnister (47, Detroit, MI) with interfering with flight crew members and assaulting a flight attendant on an aircraft in the United States. If convicted, Finnister faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.

According to court documents, Finnister interfered with crew members and flight attendants during a January 9, 2024, flight from Louisville to Orlando International Airport. Finnister allegedly sexually harassed flight attendants, assaulted a crew member, and requested entry into the aircraft cockpit while the plane was in flight, in addition to other disruptive behavior.

A criminal complaint 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 is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the United States Marshals Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam J. Nate.

Download Criminal Complaint

Orlando, Florida – Senior United States District Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr. has sentenced Jeziah Guagno (24, Boynton Beach) to 37 months in federal prison for mailing threatening communications to a federal judge. Guagno had pleaded guilty on October 10, 2023.

According to court documents, in May 2021, a federal judge in the Middle District of Florida received a threatening letter from M.S.—an inmate at the Santa Rosa Correctional Institution. The letter included violent threats to murder the judge and his wife. When interviewed, M.S. denied making the threats. Guagno, however, was also serving time in the same Florida prison as M.S. Subsequent DNA and fingerprint analysis by the FBI determined that Guagno’s DNA was on the envelope and his palmprint was on the letter. Known handwriting samples from Guagno also matched the handwritten threats in the letter. Further investigation revealed that the federal judge who had been threatened in the letter had previously dismissed a civil case filed by Guagno. 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Marshals Service, and the Florida Department of Corrections. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Tyrie K. Boyer and Belkis H. Crockett.

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Kevin Scott Thompson (34, Winter Park) with three counts of receiving child sexual abuse material over the internet and one count of possession of child sexual abuse material. If convicted, Thompson faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 5 years, up to 20 years, in federal prison for each of the receipt counts, and up to 20 years’ imprisonment for the possession count.

According to court documents, law enforcement seized Thompson’s cellphone during a search of his home following an investigation into his activity of downloading child sexual abuse material from a file sharing program. While forensically examining the cellphone, investigators discovered numerous images and videos of child sexual abuse material. Some of the children depicted in the images and videos were under the age of 12 years old.

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. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael Sartoian.

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

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Laela Marme (18, Temple Terrace) with possession of stolen firearms. If convicted, Marme faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. 

According to court documents, on October 28, 2023, Marme stole five firearms, including four handguns and a semi-automatic rifle, from a victim with whom she was in an ongoing relationship. Multiple photographs and videos were located on Marme’s Instagram account depicting her in possession of the stolen firearms.

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, the Tampa Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It will be 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 for occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Noah Michael Urban (19, Palm Coast), a/k/a “Sosa,” a/k/a “Elijah,” a/k/a “King Bob,” a/k/a “Anthony Ramirez,” with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, eight counts of wire fraud, and five counts of aggravated identity theft. If convicted, Urban faces up to 20 years in federal prison on each wire fraud charge. He also faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 2 years’ imprisonment for the aggravated identity offenses which will run consecutive to any other prison sentence imposed. Urban was arrested on January 9, 2024.

According to the indictment, between August 2022 and March 2023, Urban committed wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, which resulted in at least $800,000 being stolen from at least five different victims. 

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 is a joint partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Justice Department’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, the United States Attorney’s Office District of Oregon, and the United States Attorney’s Office Middle District of Florida. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John Cannizzaro.

Orlando, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Malcolm Bellamy (33, Orlando) with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. If convicted, Bellamy faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Bellamy that the United States intends to forfeit the firearm and ammunition that are alleged to have been used during the commission of the offense.

According to the indictment, on April 21, 2023, Bellamy possessed a Forjas Taurus firearm. At the time of the alleged offense, Bellamy had prior felony convictions for robbery with a firearm and aggravated assault with a firearm. As a convicted felon, Bellamy is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

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 and the Orlando Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Rachel S. Lyons.

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 Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Michael Guy Dambrosia (61, Ocala) with interstate transmission of a threat to injure and making a false statement in connection with the attempted purchase of a firearm. If convicted on both counts, Dambrosia faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. 

According to the indictment, on August 30, 2021, Dambrosia attempted to purchase a firearm from a local federally licensed firearms dealer. In completing the necessary paperwork to purchase the firearm, Dambrosia indicated that he was not a convicted felon even though he knew this to be false. Later, on January 30, 2023, Dambrosia made an interstate telephone call to the victim and left an obscenity-laden, threatening voicemail stating several times that he would kill 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 United States Capitol Police - Threat Assessment Section. It will be prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Joe Wheeler, III and Assistant United States Attorney Tyrie Boyer.

Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Hernan Cruz-Moreno (24, Earlimart, California) has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Cruz-Moreno faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to the plea agreement, on May 2, 2023, Cruz-Moreno and Agustin Ortiz-Sanchez (22, Thermal, CA) flew from Los Angeles, California to Tampa International Airport with four suitcases containing a total of 60 kilograms of methamphetamine. Special agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and officers from the Tampa International Airport Police Department examined the luggage in a secure area of the airport, and a narcotics detection dog indicated there were drugs in the bags. Cruz-Moreno and Sanchez-Ortiz later retrieved the bags and were arrested by officers conducting surveillance. Cruz-Moreno admitted that he had been paid $2,000 by another individual to transport the luggage and stated at the time that he didn’t know what was in the bags, but he knew it was something illegal. 

In November 2023, Ortiz-Sanchez pleaded guilty to same offense. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 27, 2024.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with assistance from the Tampa International Airport Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney E. Jackson Boggs Jr.

Orlando, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Jackie Jamal Hines (46, Melbourne) with possession with the intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine. If convicted, Hines faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison.  The indictment also notifies Hines that the United States intends to forfeit any assets which are alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offense. 

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 and the Melbourne Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Megan Testerman.

Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard has sentenced Andrew Tyler Harp (31, St. Augustine) to 10 years in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.  As part of his sentence, the court also entered an order of forfeiture for a Taurus pistol and assorted ammunition. Harp had pleaded guilty on May 27, 2022.

According to court documents, on November 24, 2021, a deputy witnessed Harp commit a traffic offense in St. Johns County. The deputy signaled Harp to pull over. In response, Harp initially appeared to be looking for a place to stop, but then accelerated and started racing down the streets of a residential neighborhood, causing the deputy to lose sight of him. A police helicopter then began tracking the speeding car.

The helicopter pilot saw an object being throw from the car. Noting the location of the object, the pilot directed another deputy to that specific location.  Following the directions of the pilot, that deputy located a black backpack on the side of the road. Inside the backpack the deputy found a plastic bag containing approximately 988.3 grams of crystal methamphetamine, a digital scale, a pouch containing approximately 28.2 grams of THC wax, baggies of various sizes, nine rounds of .380 ammunition, and a paycheck and pay statement made out to Harp.  A fingerprint examiner later determined that Harp’s fingerprints were on the methamphetamine’s packaging.

In the meantime, Harp continued to drive but he eventually reached a dead end, abandoned the car, and attempted to hide in a nearby wooded area. With the assistance of a police canine and the helicopter, deputies located Harp and arrested him.

When deputies searched the abandoned vehicle, they located approximately 74.5 grams of marijuana and a loaded Taurus .380 pistol.  Having previously been convicted of various felony offenses, Harp was prohibited by law from possessing firearms or ammunition.

This case was investigated by the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Coolican.

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 Gregory A. Presnell today sentenced Denisse Munoz-Mora (31, Mexico) to 18 months in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute heroin. Munoz-Mora had pleaded guilty on October 25, 2023. Munoz-Mora’s conspirator, Irving Cepeda-Chico, previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced in 2021 to 14 years in federal prison for engaging in distribution of heroin and fentanyl-laced heroin that resulted in a drug poisoning death.      

According to court documents, Munoz-Mora worked with an individual using a Mexican-based phone number who arranged for Munoz-Mora to supply Cepeda-Chico with heroin. Munoz-Mora communicated with Cepeda-Chico and arranged to deliver 377 grams of heroin to him at a hotel near the Orlando International Airport on August 4, 2019. Munoz-Mora was subsequently detained and admitted that she was paid $3,000 to enter the United States from Mexico, meet an individual in California, receive drugs from that individual, and transport the heroin by concealing it while she flew to Orlando. Munoz-Mora stated that she had done so on at least one prior occasion. After she was indicted and a federal arrest warrant was issued, Munoz Mora was not found and apparently returned to Mexico.

In 2020, on the eve of Cepeda-Chico’s trial, Munoz-Mora emailed representatives of the United States Attorneys’ Office and DEA protesting the fairness of her being charged in the case, although she refused to turn herself in to a port of entry. In 2023, Munoz-Mora was again found crossing the border from Mexico and was arrested on the outstanding federal warrant.     

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dana E. Hill.

Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the arrest and filing of a criminal complaint charging William Joseph Timothy (43, Naples), a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer (CBP), with stealing cash from an international airline passenger during the course of his employment as a CBP Officer at Naples Airport. If convicted, Timothy faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.

According to court documents, after an international airline passenger reported that more than $2,000 in cash was missing after it had been inspected by a CBP officer at Naples Airport, an investigation was undertaken by agents from CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility. During the investigation, surveillance video was examined which showed Timothy hiding and taking approximately 22 bills of U.S. currency belonging to the airline passenger during a border enforcement examination in May 2023.  

A criminal complaint 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 is being investigated by U.S. Customs and Protection’s Office of Professional Responsibility. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Simon R. Eth.

If you believe you have also been a victim of such a theft from the Naples Airport, please contact the CBP Joint Intake Center at (877) 246-8253 or jointintake@cbp.dhs.gov.  

 

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Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Francis Galen Dulac has pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion. Dulac faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to the plea agreement, from 2016 through 2022, Dulac filed taxes with the IRS each year showing a total income of between $12,000 and $20,000, while in reality, he was earning between $275,000 and $366,000 annually. By doing so, Dulac avoided paying more than half a million dollars in income taxes over seven years. Dulac was operating a nutrition and supplements business and derived more than $10,000 from the sale of illegal steroids. Dulac made extensive use of cash in his business, and purchased numerous Mercedes, Lamborghini, and Ferrari sports cars worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, which he financed by claiming annual incomes of $125,000 and $480,000.   

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dana E. Hill.

Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell has sentenced Anthony Vincent Organo (32, Cape Coral) to 17 years and 6 months in federal prison for distributing videos depicting the sexual abuse of a child. The court also sentenced Organo to a term of 15 years of supervised release and ordered him to register as a sex offender. Organo had pleaded guilty on October 3, 2023.

According to court documents, between March 9 and May 9, 2023, Organo distributed videos depicting minors being sexually abused through his social media account. Among those who Organo had distributed the child sexual abuse material to were undercover special agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). In addition, Organo distributed videos of children being sexually abused to an undercover detective from the Montgomery County Constable’s Office in Texas. During the investigation, law enforcement discovered that Organo was an administrator of a social media chat group and had helped to run the chat group that had the main purpose of sharing child sexual abuse material.

On June 14, 2023, a search warrant was executed at Organo’s residence and agents seized Organo’s cellphone. A subsequent forensic examination of Organo’s cellphone revealed more than 400 videos depicting the sexual abuse of children.

During an interview with agents on June 14, 2023, Organo admitted that he had received videos and images of children ranging in age from 5-15 years old.  Organo estimated that he had sent and received over 500 images and videos depicting children being sexually abused in 2023, and he admitted that he had created the social media group chat where he would send and receive child sex abuse material.    

This case was jointly investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Fort Myers Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, with assistance from the Montgomery County (Texas) Constable’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Yolande G. Viacava.

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 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.

Tampa, Florida –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the charging of Maximo Espinosa (44, Kissimmee) with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, and fentanyl. If convicted, Espinosa faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison. Because Espinosa was on federal supervised release at the time of this offense, he will also face an additional sentence for violating his terms of supervised release.

According to the criminal complaint, on November 9, 2023, December 5, 2023, and December 7, 2023, Espinosa and others were part of a criminal conspiracy that distributed kilograms of cocaine and fentanyl throughout the Middle District of Florida, including Polk and Osceola Counties. On January 2, 2024, Espinosa again attempted to distribute controlled substances, and was arrested with 10 kilograms of cocaine and 2 kilograms of fentanyl. A search warrant executed at Espinosa’s home revealed another kilogram of cocaine, a half kilogram of fentanyl, two firearms and several hundred pills.

A criminal complaint 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 Polk County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Winter Haven Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Diego F. Novaes and Adam J. Nate.

Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge Sherri Polster Chappell today sentenced Chester Lewis Risco, III (20, North Fort Myers) to 3 years and 10 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. The court also ordered Risco to forfeit the firearm and ammunition, which facilitated the offense. Risco had pleaded guilty on September 20, 2023.

According to the plea agreement, on April 27, 2023, Risco fled from a deputy on his bicycle after committing several traffic violations. Risco had a loaded Taurus pistol in a holster in his waistband when he was apprehended by the deputy. At the time, Risco had previous felony convictions which prohibit him from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law. Risco was also under court ordered supervision when he was found in possession of the loaded pistol.

This case was investigated by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Morgan.  

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 – U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard has sentenced Devan Franklin Hall (33, Jacksonville) to 10 years in federal prison for conspiring to distribute 50 grams or more of pure methamphetamine. Hall had pleaded guilty on September 29, 2023.

According to court documents, between 2022 and 2023, FBI and HSI special agents investigated a drug trafficking organization operating in the Jacksonville area. In 2022, the agents conducted multiple controlled purchases of methamphetamine from an associate of Hall’s in Jacksonville. During these transactions, the agents identified Hall as the supplier of the methamphetamine and observed Hall traveling to Ocala before meeting with his associate in Jacksonville. Further investigation confirmed that Hall was supplying his associate in Jacksonville and sourcing the methamphetamine from Ocala. Between April and June 2023, agents observed Hall distributing between 150 and 500 grams of methamphetamine to his associate in Jacksonville. On July 26, 2023, agents executed a search warrant at Hall’s residence and found multiple firearms and more than $2,000 in drug proceeds.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), which identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Aakash Singh and Frank Talbot.

Jacksonville, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the returned an indictment charging Roberto Roman Ramirez (50, Orange Park) with making a false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer during the attempted purchase of a firearm. If convicted, Ramirez faces up to five years in federal prison.

According to the indictment, Ramirez completed an ATF Form 4473 during the attempted purchase of a firearm from Academy Sports, a federally licensed firearms dealer. Ramirez indicated on the required paperwork that he was not a convicted felon. The indictment alleges that this was a false statement, and that Ramirez was previously convicted in federal court of conspiring to distribute over 100 kilograms of marijuana.  

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 is another case uncovered through the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). All NICS denials are reported to federal law enforcement and are reviewed daily for potential criminal prosecution. Federal law makes it a felony offense to make a false statement to a firearms dealer when trying to purchase a gun.  

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Talbot.

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 Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of a two-count superseding indictment charging Phil Henry Taylor (66, Homosassa) with forcibly assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon and receipt of stolen government property. If convicted, Taylor faces up to 20 years in federal prison on the assault charge and up to 10 years’ imprisonment on the fraud charge. On December 12, 2023, Taylor and his stepdaughter, Patricia Clinard, were each charged with one count of receipt of stolen government property. Today, the grand jury superseded that indictment to add one count of forcibly assaulting a federal officer by Taylor.

According to court records, between February 26, 2016, and March 2, 2020, Taylor and Clinard fraudulently obtained Social Security benefits from Taylor’s late-wife’s account by forging her name on checks. After the return of the indictment for the receipt of stolen government property, federal warrants were issued for their arrests. On January 4, 2024, special agents with the Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General attempted to arrest Taylor at his home. Taylor, however, refused to exit, telling the agents that he would stab them if they entered. After breaching the front door of the home, the agents immediately observed Taylor holding two large knives. Taylor eventually dropped the weapons and was taken into custody.

An indictment is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a federal criminal offense. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case is being investigated by the Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk.

Jacksonville, Florida–Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan and U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg warn the public of a nationwide scam in which callers pose as U.S. Marshals or other government officials and claim that the victim is about to be arrested for not appearing for jury duty but can avoid arrest by paying a fine. The Middle District of Florida has recently received an increased number of phone calls from victims regarding these scams and deems it of the utmost importance to promote awareness and prevent more people from falling prey to such scams. The scammers may provide convincing information, including about the victim (e.g., addresses, date of birth, etc.), real names of federal judges or court employees, actual court addresses, court phone numbers, and case and badge numbers. Scammers may even “spoof” the phone number on the caller ID so that the call falsely appears to originate from a court number or the number of another government agency. The caller then tells the victim they can avoid arrest by paying an immediate fine and walks them through purchasing a prepaid debit or gift card or making an electronic payment to satisfy the “fine.” 

These phone calls are fraudulent, and citizens should not provide the caller with any personal or financial information. In no instance will a court official, U.S. Marshals Service, or other government employee contact someone and demand payment or personal information by phone or email.

“We’ve seen a resurgence of jury scams in recent months where a caller demands that someone pay a fee or face arrest for missing jury duty.  Let me be clear: these calls are fraudulent,” warns Chief Judge Corrigan.  “If you receive a phone call from someone claiming to be a judge or other court official, do not give them your credit card or other financial information.  The court appreciates those citizens who are called for jury service and always endeavors to treat them with respect.”

“Jury service is one of the most important public services a citizen can perform, and it is a serious matter when scammers attempt to use a citizen’s sense of civic duty to defraud them,” said U.S. Attorney Handberg.  “If someone calls and threatens you to pay them to not be arrested for missing federal jury duty, you are being scammed. This scam works by trying to create a false sense of urgency that you must pay money immediately to avoid arrest.  Do not fall for it.  Hang up the phone and instead report the call to the appropriate federal authorities.”

Residents of the Middle District of Florida who believe they have been the victim of such a scam are encouraged to report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/ and your local FBI Field Office.  Below are a few preventative facts to remember if contacted by a scammer:

• The court will always send a jury summons by U.S. Mail. A court will never ask for a credit/debit card number, wire transfers, bank routing numbers, or demand payment over the phone for any purpose.

• A prospective juror who disregards a summons will be contacted by the District Court Clerk’s Office by mail and may, in certain circumstances, be ordered to appear before a judge. Such an order will always be in writing and signed by the judge.

• A fine will never be imposed until after an individual has appeared in court and been given the opportunity to explain their failure to appear. If a fine is imposed, it will be in open court and reduced to writing (and will not be payable by gift card number).

• Report scams to the District Court Clerk’s Office, U.S. Marshals Service, or Federal Trade Commission. You can remain anonymous when you report.

• You can authenticate a call by contacting the Clerk’s Office of the U.S. District Court. Each division phone number is on the Court’s website at www.flmd.uscourts.gov.

Ocala, Florida –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the arrest of James Wendell Jackson (31, Wildwood) on an indictment charging him with possession of a firearm affecting commerce by a convicted felon. If convicted, Jackson faces up to 15 years in federal prison. A federal grand jury indicted Jackson on November 28, 2023.

According to the court records, Jackson has been convicted of seven felonies, including selling cocaine within 1000 feet of a daycare. On January 12, 2023, law enforcement executed a federal search warrant on a Hernando County residence and found a loaded American Tactical Imports firearm locked in a safe. A subsequent forensic analysis revealed Jackson’s palmprint on the firearm. As a convicted felon, Jackson is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition under federal law.

A federal indictment is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a federal criminal offense. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, and the Wildwood Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk.

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, FL –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Maria Del Carmen Montes (46, Kissimmee) has pleaded guilty to three counts of bank fraud. Each bank fraud count carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison. Montes was indicted, along with coconspirator Carlos Ferrer, on July 20, 2022.

According to the plea agreement, Montes, coconspirator Ferrer, and others created and executed a mortgage fraud scheme targeting financial institutions. Montes assisted clients with purchasing homes and after signing the real estate contract, referred her buyers to a loan officer at a mortgage company. In order to qualify her clients for mortgages loans for which they were unqualified, Montes transferred the personally identifying and financial information of her clients to Ferrer and directed Ferrer to create fictitious paystubs and W-2s showing false earnings and length of employment for her clients knowing that her clients never worked for the companies on the fictitious employment documents. After Ferrer created the documents, Montes submitted the fictitious paystubs and W-2s to the financial institutions who relied on them when making underwriting decisions.

This case was investigated by the Federal Housing Finance Agency – Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Chris Poor.

Jacksonville, Florida –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Michael A. Crider (43, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to escape from custody.  Crider faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to court documents, in 2018, Crider was adjudicated guilty and sentenced to 80 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. In January 2023, while Crider was completing that prison term, the Bureau of Prisons transferred him into the custody of Bridges Federal Reintegration Centers – Jacksonville, a residential reentry center or halfway house. While in custody there, he was subject to drug testing, and on the evening of April 11, 2023, he was provided a copy of an incident report documenting a recent positive test for cocaine. Later, around midnight, a halfway house staff member noticed that Crider was not in his assigned dormitory. Searching the facility, the staff could not find him.

A month later, on May 13, 2023, at approximately 6:00 a.m., in St. Augustine, Florida, a police officer observed a minivan, which Crider was driving, traveling at over 100 mph, running red traffic lights, and weaving in and out of traffic. The officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but Crider refused to pull over, and a chase ensued. Crider eventually crashed the minivan and was arrested.

At the crash scene, the police officer smelled marijuana coming from the minivan. Crider initially refused to identify himself, but eventually stated that he knew that there was a warrant for his arrest. In the backseat of the minivan, police found a backpack, which contained several documents bearing Crider’s name, a scale, and a dose of Buprenorphine 8mg, a synthetic opioid and Schedule III controlled substance.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Saint Johns County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Coolican. 

H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute Hospital Inc. (Moffitt), a non-profit cancer treatment and research center based in Tampa, Florida, has agreed to pay $19,564,743 to resolve its civil liability under the False Claims Act for improper claims submitted to federal healthcare programs for certain patient care items and services provided during research studies that were not eligible for reimbursement. In connection with the settlement, the United States acknowledged that Moffitt took a number of significant steps entitling it to credit for cooperating with the government.

This settlement resolves Moffitt’s civil liability for claims that it submitted to Medicare and other federal healthcare programs during the period from 2014 to 2020 for services that were not reimbursable under Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services rules governing reimbursement for clinical care provided in connection with clinical research trials. Specifically, Moffitt billed federal healthcare programs for items and services provided as part of clinical trial research that should have been billed to non-government trial sponsors. After learning of these issues, Moffitt initiated an independent investigation and compliance review and voluntarily provided the government with a written disclosure of its findings. Moffitt cooperated fully with the government’s investigation of the conduct and implemented prompt and substantial remedial measures. The federal share of the settlement is approximately $18.2 million and the state Medicaid share of the settlement is approximately $1.3 million.

“Healthcare providers participating in federal healthcare programs must ensure that they comply with applicable rules and regulations, including those relating to the submission of claims in connection with clinical research,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “As today’s settlement reflects, when providers run afoul of their obligations, they can mitigate the consequences by making timely self-disclosures, cooperating with investigations and taking appropriate remedial measures.”

“Protecting the nation’s healthcare programs is a top priority of our office,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “When those who receive funds from government healthcare programs discover that they have submitted improper claims, we encourage them to promptly disclose the issues and cooperate fully with investigators to reach an appropriate and swift settlement. That’s what Moffitt did here: self-reported its improper claims, cooperated with government investigators and took action to remediate its billing systems.”

“Providers participating in clinical trials funded by federal health care programs must abide by specific guidelines that safeguard these programs,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Fernando Porras of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “Providers will be held accountable if they bill for services outside the rules governing reimbursement. Together, with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to maintain the fiscal integrity of federal healthcare programs.”

The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida and HHS-OIG.

The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement can be reported to HHS at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).

The matter was handled by Trial Attorney Gary Dyal of the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Randy Harwell and Carolyn Tapie for the Middle District of Florida.

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the culmination of a transnational cybercrime investigation involving the xDedic Marketplace. According to court documents, the xDedic Marketplace was a website on the dark web that illegally sold login credentials (usernames and passwords) to servers located across the world and personally identifiable information—dates of birth and Social Security numbers—of U.S. residents. Once purchased, criminals used these servers to facilitate a wide range of illegal activity that included tax fraud and ransomware attacks. The xDedic administrators practiced exceptional operational security, operating the website across a widely distributed international network, and utilizing cryptocurrency in order to hide the locations of the Marketplace’s underlying servers and the identities of its administrators, sellers, and buyers. In total, xDedic offered more than 700,000 compromised servers for sale, including at least 150,000 in the United States and at least 8,000 in Florida. Marketplace victims spanned the globe and industries, including local, state, and federal government infrastructure, hospitals, 911 and emergency services, call centers, major metropolitan transit authorities, accounting and law firms, pension funds, and universities.

In January 2019, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida (Tampa Division) seized xDedic’s domain names and dismantled the website’s infrastructure, effectively ceasing its operation. The international operation to dismantle and seize this infrastructure was the result of close cooperation with law enforcement authorities in Belgium and Ukraine, the European law enforcement agency Europol, the National High Tech Crime Unit from the Dutch National Police, and the German Bundeskriminalamt.

In the years that followed the takedown of the xDedic Marketplace, the U.S. Attorney’s Office investigated and charged individuals involved in every level of the website’s operation, including its administrators, server sellers, and buyers. For example, Alexandru Habasescu and Pavlo Kharmanskyi were Marketplace administrators. Habasescu, who resided in Chisnau, Moldova, was the lead developer and technical mastermind for the Marketplace, while Kharmanskyi, who lived in Kiev, Ukraine, advertised for the website, paid administrators, and provided customer support to buyers. Habasescu was taken into custody in the Spanish Canary Islands in 2022 and extradited to the United States, while Kharmanskyi was arrested at the Miami International Airport in 2019 as he attempted to enter the United States. Habasescu and Kharmanskyi were sentenced to 41 and 30 months’ imprisonment, respectively.

Marketplace seller Dariy Pankov, a Russian national, was one of the highest sellers on the Marketplace by volume, listing for sale the credentials of more than 35,000 compromised servers located all over the world and obtaining more than $350,000 in illicit proceeds. Pankov’s criminal activities were facilitated by a powerful malicious software program he developed named “NLBrute,” that was capable of compromising protected computers by decrypting login credentials. Pankov was taken into custody in the Republic of Georgia in 2022 and extradited to the United States. He was subsequently sentenced to 60 months in federal prison.

Nigerian national Allen Levinson was a prolific buyer on the Marketplace who held particular interest in purchasing access to U.S.-based Certified Public Accounting firms. He used the information he obtained from those servers to file hundreds of false tax returns with the United States government, requesting more than $60 million in fraudulent tax refunds. Levinson was taken into custody in the United Kingdom in 2020 and extradited to the United States. He was subsequently sentenced to 78 months in federal prison.

Many of the charged defendants are foreign nationals and hold citizenship in countries that do not extradite their nationals, requiring the United States to locate and extradite subjects from countries that do.  As identified in the table below, to date, 17 defendants have been charged and/or extradited to the United States.

 

Name

(Age, Nationality)

 

 

 

Offense of Conviction

 

 

Term of

Imprisonment

Allen Levinson

(31, Nigeria)

Conspiracy to Commit

Mail and Wire Fraud

78 months

T’Andre McNeely

(33, California)

Conspiracy to Commit

Mail and Wire Fraud

78 months

Michael Carr

(33, California)

Conspiracy to Commit

Mail and Wire Fraud

78 months

Dariy Pankov

(29, Russia)

Conspiracy to Commit

Access Device and Computer Fraud

60 months

Glib Ivanov-Tolpintsev

(29, Ukraine)

Conspiracy to Commit

Access Device and Computer Fraud

48 months

Alexandru Habasescu

(31, Moldova)

Access Device Fraud

 

41 months

Adedotun Adejumo

(45, Oklahoma)

Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud

 

33 months

 

Pavlo Kharmanskyi

(32, Ukraine)

Access Device Fraud

 

30 months

Joshua Spencer

(29, New York)

Conspiracy to Commit

Access Device Fraud

28 months

Ibrahim Jinadu

(36, Georgia)

Conspiracy to Commit

Wire Fraud

27 months

Brandon Williams

(34, California)

Conspiracy to Commit

Mail and Wire Fraud

12 months

Harold McKinzie

(29, Illinois)

Wire Fraud

5 years’ probation

Bamidele Omotosho

(42, Nigeria)

Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud

Sentence pending

Olayemi Adafin

(38, United Kingdom)

Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud

Sentence pending

Olakunle Oyebanjo

(29, United Kingdom)

Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud

Sentence pending

Akinola Taylor

(38, United Kingdom)

Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud

Sentence pending

Oluwarotimi Ogunlana

(29, Texas)

Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud

Sentence pending

In addition to the individuals above, xDedic Marketplace buyers Olufemi Odedeyi (42, United Kingdom) and Oluwaseyi Shodipe (41, United Kingdom) have been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Both and are pending extradition from the United Kingdom. Shodipe has also been charged with making false claims and theft of government funds. If convicted, Odedeyi and Shodipe each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.

These cases were led by the Tampa Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Tampa Field Office of Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation. Substantial assistance was provided by the IRS-CI Cyber Crimes Unit (Washington, D.C.), the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, and Homeland Security Investigations. This investigation also benefited greatly from cooperation with foreign law enforcement in Belgium, Georgia, Germany, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom, Romania, Switzerland, Estonia, Latvia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Lithuania, and Moldova. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Rachel K. Jones, Carlton C. Gammons, and Suzanne Nebesky.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Antonio Jose Melean Reyes (29, Jacksonville) today pleaded guilty to smuggling firearms from the United States and conspiracy to use a facility of interstate commerce in the commission of a murder-for-hire. Reyes faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison for each offense. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to his plea agreement, on May 15, 2021, Reyes attempted to smuggle 3 firearms and 57 rounds of ammunition from Jacksonville to Venezuela. Reyes concealed the firearms and ammunition in a futon that he attempted to mail using a freight forwarding service. Employees from the freight service observed the firearms during a routine x-ray of the parcel carrying the futon and contacted law enforcement. On May 22, 2021, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents seized the 3 firearms, which included a Glock 17 pistol and 2 Smith and Wesson M&P 15 rifles. The Glock pistol and one of the Smith and Wesson rifles had obliterated serial numbers. Forensic technicians at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) restored the obliterated serial numbers, which allowed ATF agents to trace the firearms to a subject in Jacksonville. The shipping documents also included Reyes’s phone number and address.

Following Reyes’s arrest on unrelated state charges on August 11, 2023, federal agents from ATF, HSI, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) searched Reyes’s cellphone and found conversations between Reyes and another individual discussing trafficking firearms to Venezuela. From Reyes’s phone, agents also learned Reyes and others were involved in a murder-for-hire plot. Between July 12 and August 9, 2023, Reyes and others surveilled two intended victims to murder them based on a $60,000 debt. Reyes and others followed the two victims to various locations around Jacksonville, including outside their home. Reyes attempted to hire a hitman for $15,000, but federal agents prevented any murder from occurring by arresting Reyes on a criminal complaint.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Aakash Singh.

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.