Middle District of Florida

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Kathryn K. Mizelle today sentenced Tracy Lee Jedlicki (56, Delray Beach) to 30 months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud.  As part of her sentence, the Court also ordered Jedlicki to forfeit $750,000, a 4.01 carat diamond ring, a 11-carat diamond necklace, and a South Florida residence worth more than $2 million.  The Court also ordered Jedlicki to pay $3,244,592 in restitution to the victims.  Jedlicki had pleaded guilty on February 24, 2022. 

According to court documents, Jedlicki and her coconspirators operated international boiler rooms in Panama and elsewhere.  The boiler rooms used high-pressure sales techniques to defraud individuals who believed they were investing substantial amounts of money in regulated financial products or markets, such as options in commodities and stocks. The majority of the victims targeted by the boiler rooms operated by Jedlicki and her coconspirators were located in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.

Jedlicki and her coconspirators then laundered fraud proceeds generated by the boiler rooms through several money laundering rings, to overseas accounts, with the launderers receiving a percentage of the funds they had moved. Jedlicki's duties included, among other tasks, arranging travel for boiler room workers to the boiler room locations, calling victims while posing as an employee of a fake investment firm to set up loading calls for coconspirators operating the boiler rooms, serving as a liaison between the boiler rooms and a money laundering organization, maintaining records of coconspirator wire transfer payments to foreign and domestic bank accounts, and reconciling payments between the boiler rooms and the money laundering organization.

Jedlicki herself received a 2% referral fee for referring victims’ funds to a money laundering ring and used the funds to perpetuate the conspiracy and for her own personal enrichment.  Jedlicki and her coconspirators wired or caused to be wired victims’ funds in the approximate amount of $3,244,592 to money laundering accounts in furtherance of the wire fraud conspiracy.

“We are committed to stopping transnational criminal organizations that target the elderly with fraudulent investment schemes that use high-pressure tactics,” said HSI Tampa Assistant Special Agent in Charge John Dumas. “This conviction should send a message that HSI and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), working with together with our international partners, are a formidable investigative force that is unwavering in our pursuit of fraudsters.” 

“These boiler rooms used high-pressure sales to peddle millions of dollars in bogus investments to unsuspecting victims across the globe,” said Brian Payne, Special Agent in Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation Tampa Field Office. “Thanks to the investigative work of IRS-CI and HSI special agents, another transnational criminal organization has bit the dust.”

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation.  It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David W.A. Chee and Assistant United States Attorney Craig Gestring.

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Raequin Smith (26, Tampa) with possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, possessing with the intent to distribute a controlled substance, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted, Smith faces up to 20 years in federal prison for the controlled substance offense, up to 10 years’ imprisonment for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, and up to 5 years’ imprisonment for possessing the firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The indictment also notifies Smith that the United States intends to forfeit all firearms and ammunition recovered as a result of the offense conduct.

According to the indictment, on April 5, 2022, Smith knowingly possessed a Glock .45 caliber pistol and 11 rounds of ammunition, and a Schedule II controlled substance (cocaine). Smith had previously been convicted of aggravated battery on or about September 18, 2014. Therefore, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

This is another case prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN), which is a nationwide crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities.  It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety – one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and re-entry efforts.  In the Middle District of Florida, U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.

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, Firearm and Explosives, and the Tampa Police Department.  It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Maria Guzman.

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Susan C. Bucklew today sentenced Eurich Griffin III to four years and nine months in federal prison for conspiring to defraud the United States by preparing false and fraudulent tax returns. In addition to the term of imprisonment, the court also ordered Griffin to pay more than $1.6 million in restitution to the United States. Griffin had pleaded guilty on March 14, 2022.

According to court documents, Griffin was involved in a conspiracy that recruited clients by convincing them that their mortgages and other debts entitled them to tax refunds and prepared false tax returns on the clients’ behalf. Between 2013 and 2018, as part of the conspiracy, Griffin helped prepare and file tax returns for clients that sought more than $5.2 million in fraudulent tax refunds. The tax returns falsely claimed that banks and other financial institutions had withheld large amounts of income tax from the clients, thereby entitling the clients to a refund. In reality, the financial institutions had not paid any income to, or withheld any taxes from, these individuals. To make the refund claims appear legitimate, however, Griffin and his co-conspirators filed fraudulent tax documents with the IRS that matched the withholding information listed on the tax returns, making them appear as if they had been issued by the banks. As part of the conspiracy, Griffin also submitted fraudulent promissory notes to the IRS totaling more than $1.35 million in which he falsely purported to pay the clients’ tax debts.

“Let’s call this scheme what it is – stealing. Griffin and his co-conspirators attempted to steal millions of dollars from the government by submitting fabricated tax returns,” said Brian Payne, Special Agent in Charge of the Tampa IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Field Office. “Thanks to the investigative work of our IRS-CI agents, we were able to shut this scheme down and prevent tax refunds from going to undeserving fraudsters.”

This case was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer L Peresie.

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that William Lee Shumaker, Jr. (39, St. Petersburg) has pleaded guilty to four counts of possessing a controlled substance with the intent to distribute it, and one count of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Shumaker faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for each controlled substance offense and up to 10 years’ imprisonment for the firearm offense. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to court documents, Shumaker, a convicted felon, sold quantities of fentanyl to undercover law enforcement officers on multiple occasions and in increasingly large amounts in March and April 2021. During one of the fentanyl transactions, Shumaker also sold a Ruger .357 Magnum revolver and also offered to sell a .22 caliber pistol. As a previously convicted felon, Shumaker is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David W.A. Chee.

This is another case prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN), which is a nationwide, crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety — one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts. In the Middle District of Florida, U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Virginia Hernandez Covington has sentenced Lazaro Adrian Quintana Martinez (27, Tampa) to four years and three months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit access device fraud and aggravated identity theft. Quintana Martinez had pleaded guilty on January 13, 2022.

According to court documents, Quintana Martinez and others conspired to obtain breached and stolen credit card and debit card account information and then use the stolen information to manufacture counterfeit credit cards. The conspirators used the counterfeit credit cards at retailers throughout the United States. The total loss from the conspirators’ use of the counterfeit credit cards is at least $435,000.

Quintana Martinez is the last of six conspirators to be sentenced. His codefendant, Lazaro Jesus Izquierdo (29, Tampa), was sentenced to six years and nine months’ imprisonment. Four other conspirators were sentenced in related cases as follows:

• On July 10, 2020, Yosvani Concepcion Izquierdo (33, Tampa) was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment.
• On November 10, 2020, Greisy Alfonso Lujan (29, Tampa) was sentenced to two years and eight months’ imprisonment.
• On December 7, 2021, Jany Angelica Hernandez Guerra (28, Tampa) was sentenced to two years and six months’ imprisonment.
• On January 26, 2022, Michael William Perez Castillo (32, Brandon) was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment.

“I would like to thank our agents, analysts, local, interstate, federal agencies and business partner for their hard work in solving this case. This complex, sophisticated fraud scheme case began in 2016 and spanned multiple counties in Florida and into other states. The collaboration between the public and private sectors made it possible to identify and dismantle this criminal organization,” said Florida Department of Law Enforcement Mark Brutnell, Special Agent in Charge, Tampa.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer L Peresie.

Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber today sentenced Herman Fleming (29, Fort Myers) to 12 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, and supervised release violations.  Fleming had pleaded guilty in March 2022.

According to court documents, on August 24, 2021, an undercover ATF agent watched Fleming, a convicted felon, purchase an AK-47 style rifle at a North Fort Myers flea market. The agent recognized Fleming because, in nearly identical circumstances four years earlier, the agent had personally witnessed Fleming illegally purchase a rifle at a North Fort Myers gun show. That investigation resulted in federal charges for Fleming and a three-year federal prison sentence.

Knowing Fleming and that he had recently been released from prison, the undercover ATF agent and deputies from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office followed Fleming from the flea market and conducted a traffic stop on his vehicle. Inside the vehicle, the officers found the AK-47 Fleming had purchased, as well as 25 grams of pure methamphetamine and 10 grams of fentanyl, which Fleming admitted he had intended to distribute to others.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael Leeman.

This is another case prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN), which is a nationwide, crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety — one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts. In the Middle District of Florida, U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.

Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the arrest and indictment of Darius Lopez (27, Tampa) charging him with one count of access device fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. If convicted, Lopez faces up to 10 years in federal prison for the fraud count and a consecutive 2 years’ imprisonment for the aggravated identity theft count.

According to court records, on April 13, 2021, Lopez purchased more than $27,0000 worth of landscaping equipment from a tractor dealer in Citrus County. During the transactions, Lopez used the unauthorized account numbers of four Department of Agriculture General Services Administration (GSA) Smartpay charge cards. The account numbers were fraudulently embossed on PayPal and 7-Eleven prepaid debit cards. GSA SmartPay provides services to more than 560 Federal agencies, organizations, and Native American tribal governments. Its payments solutions enable authorized government employees to make purchases on behalf of the federal government in support of their agency or organization’s mission.

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 General Services Administration - Office of Inspector General with assistance from the following agencies and financial institutions: U.S. General Services Administration - Office of Inspector General (Southeast and Caribbean Regional Investigations Office), U.S. Department of Agriculture - Office of Inspector General (Southeast Region), Amtrak - Office of Inspector General (Central Region), U.S. Secret Service Orlando Cyber Fraud Task Force, Citrus County Sheriff's Office, U.S. Bank, Synchrony Bank Special Investigations Team, and Morgan Stanley Corporate Security. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Hannah Nowalk and Tyrie K. Boyer.

Jacksonville, Florida – Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan has sentenced Monique Elizabeth Carter (36, Middleburg) to one year and one day in federal prison for tampering with a consumer product, specifically, injectable fentanyl. The court further ordered that after serving her prison sentence, Carter will serve one year of home detention as a condition of a two-year term of supervised release. During this time, Carter will also be prohibited from working in any position in which she would have access to prescribed medications. Carter had pleaded guilty on April 13, 2022.

According to court documents, Carter is a registered nurse who had previously been employed by a hospital in Jacksonville. She worked in a neural intensive care unit or ICU, which is a specialized unit that provides intensive and specialized care to critically ill patients with life-threatening neurological problems. Certain ICU patients were prescribed intravenous doses of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid used as a pain medication and as anesthesia. 

After Carter’s shift on September 28, 2021, a hospital pharmacist examined the ICU wing’s inventory of fentanyl and found a fentanyl syringe with a tamper-proof cap missing, but with some form of foreign adhesive remaining at the tip. A second fentanyl syringe had a cap that appeared to have been glued back on. After reviewing hospital records, a pharmacist supervisor noted a pattern of Carter checking out doses of fentanyl for patients, but then cancelling the transactions and checking syringes back into the hospital’s inventory. Records showed that Carter did so 24 times between August 29 and September 28, 2021. Carter was the only nurse on her ICU wing who persistently checked out fentanyl and returned it to the hospital’s inventory.

The next day, when Carter arrived for work, hospital representatives interviewed her. Confronted with the pharmacists’ findings, Carter eventually admitted that—to obtain drugs for personal use at home—she had been removing injectable fentanyl from syringes, replacing the drug with saline, and then gluing the plastic tampering caps back on the syringes with an adhesive that she obtained from the hospital. She admitted that she had been tampering with fentanyl syringes since the summer of 2021. Carter denied injecting fentanyl while on duty at the hospital, but in her bag, law enforcement investigators later located needles, saline syringes, and adhesive.

Carter is a trained healthcare professional and knew that her activities likely resulted in critically ill patients receiving diluted fentanyl, which was not safe and effective. Having been deprived of sterile, medically necessary medication, such patients were exposed to possible infection and endured unnecessary pain and suffering. In addition, Carter knew that the failure to anesthetize or control pain in ICU patients can result in increased risks of illness or death, stemming from, among other things, respiratory, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal complications.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office – Pharmaceutical Diversion and Designer Drug Unit attached to the North Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Coolican.

Jacksonville, Florida – Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan has sentenced Dennis Dewayne Jackson (39, Lake City) to 11 years and 6 months in federal prison for receiving visual depictions of child sexual abuse. The Court also ordered Jackson to serve a 20-year term of supervised release, to register as a sex offender, and to forfeit the phone that he had used to receive the images and videos of children being sexually abused. Jackson had pleaded guilty on March 9, 2022, and has been detained since his arrest on July 22, 2021.

Jackson’s older brother, John Thomas Jackson, was sentenced on January 27, 2022, to 20 years in federal prison for distributing visual depictions of child sexual abuse. 

According to court documents, the FBI initiated an investigation of a private chat group that catered to people interested in sexual activity between daughters and daddies and in which files of child sexual abuse material were regularly shared. After identifying John Jackson, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI executed a search warrant at the Jacksons’ residence in Lake City on July 4, 2021. While reviewing seized electronic devices, the FBI discovered that John Jackson was distributing videos of the sexual assault of children to his brother, Dennis Jackson. Further, the two had exchanged messages about the “need” to rape a 15-year-old child with whom John Jackson was communicating and of whom Dennis Jackson requested nude photos.

During a recorded interview, Dennis Jackson admitted to distributing and receiving child sexual abuse material for the last two years, and that he had received approximately 1,500 files of such material and distributed files dozens of times.

“The exploitation of children requires swift and intense law enforcement action,” said Sherri E. Onks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division.  “We at the FBI are prepared to immediately respond whenever a child is at risk. Predators should heed this warning: the FBI, along with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners will stop at nothing to stop these heinous crimes and protect innocent children.” 

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

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.

Tampa – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced today the second quarter results of the Middle District of Florida’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) strategy. Over the past three months, PSN prosecutors in the Middle District of Florida have charged 64 defendants with federal firearms and violent crime offenses. Those prosecutions have removed more than 200 firearms from our streets. During 2022, in total, PSN prosecutors in the Middle District of Florida have charged 115 defendants with federal firearms and violent crime offenses, involving 287 firearms and 1,813 auto sears. (See chart for case details)

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is also committed to violent crime prevention. PSN community outreach efforts in the second quarter involved more than 900 people. 

“Our ultimate goal is to reduce violent crime in our community,” said U.S. Attorney Handberg. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to doing our part to help make that happen, and we look forward to continuing to work with our law enforcement partners and our community stakeholders in this effort.”

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

The cases identified in the linked chart have been investigated by the Apopka Police Department, the Bradenton Police Department, the Cocoa Beach Police Department, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, the Fort Myers Police Department, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the Lake County Police Department, the Lake Mary Police Department, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation, the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office, the Ocala Police Department, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the Osceola County Sheriff's Office, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the Sanford Police Department, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, the Sarasota Police Department, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, the St. Petersburg Police Department, the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, the Tampa Police Department, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Border Patrol, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

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

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

Charged Cases

Defendant(s)

(Age)

Charges

Minimum/Maximum Terms of Imprisonment

Firearms Seized

Fort Myers Division

2nd Quarter

Cambrel Smart (28)

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

1

Terry Flournoy (28)

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

1

Ronald Perkins (44)

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

1

Najour Grimes (25)

Armed Career Criminal/felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term: 15 years

Maximum Prison Term: Life

1

James Edward Bess, III (27)

Carjacking

Maximum Prison Term: 25 years

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

Use of a firearm during and in relation to/possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence

Mandatory Minimum Prison Term: 10 years

Maximum Prison Term:  Life

1

Manuel Copland (28)

Possession with intent to distribute controlled substances

Maximum Prison Term: 20 years

Use of a firearm during and in relation to/possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term: 5 years

Maximum Prison Term: Life

3

These PSN cases from the Fort Myers Division are being handled by AUSAs Mark Morgan, Trent Reichling, and Mike Leeman

Jacksonville Division

2nd Quarter

Raymond Reeves (30)

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

2

Cornelius Moore (29)

 

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

1

Stephan Marshall (34)

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

1

Sterling Johnson (47)

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

Possession with intent to distribute controlled substances

Maximum Prison Term: 20 years

1

Brian Sarro (47)

 

Possession of a machinegun

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

1

Brandon Skeith (39)

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

Use of a firearm during and in relation to/possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking

Mandatory Minimum Prison Term: 5 years

Maximum Prison Term:  Life

Possession with intent to distribute controlled substances

Maximum Prison Term: 20 years

1

Shawntae Clark (41)

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

Use of a firearm during and in relation to/possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term: 5 years

Maximum Prison Term:  Life

Possession with intent to distribute controlled substances

Maximum Prison Term: 20 years

2

Johnny White (44)

 

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

Use of a firearm during and in relation to/possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term: 5 years

Maximum Prison Term:  Life

Possession with intent to distribute controlled substances

Maximum Prison Term: 20 years

1

James Little (49)

Making a materially false statement in connection with the purchase of firearms causing a Federal Firearm Licensee (FFL) to maintain false information in their official records

Maximum Prison Term: 5 years

0

Dontae Edwards (30)

Making a materially false statement in connection with the purchase of firearms causing a Federal Firearm Licensee (FFL) to maintain false information in their official records

Maximum Prison Term: 5 years

0

Thomas Morrison (62)

Making a materially false statement in connection with the purchase of firearms causing a Federal Firearm Licensee (FFL) to maintain false information in their official records

Maximum Prison Term: 5 years

0

Darrell Paschal (50)

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

Possession with intent to distribute controlled substances

Maximum Prison Term: 20 years

1

Hinduwah Sama (18)

Assault on a federal employee

Maximum Prison Term: 8 years

Possession of a stolen firearm

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

1

Dustin Eward (44)

Conspiracy; Violation of the National Firearms Registration Act

Maximum Prison Term: 5 years

Possession of firearms silencers

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

105

Gregory Eward (24)

Possession of firearms silencers

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

Michael Langston (37)

Possession of a machinegun and silencer violation of the National Firearms Registration Act

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

Possession of firearms by an adjudicated mental defective and unlawful user of controlled substances

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

11

Dylan Jarvis (30)

Possession of a short barreled shotgun, violation of the National Firearms Registration Act

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

1

David Geathers (25)

Drug trafficking conspiracy

Maximum Prison Term: 20 years

Possession with intent to distribute controlled substances

Maximum Prison Term: 20 years

Use of a firearm during and in relation to/possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term:5 years

Maximum Prison Term:  Life

4

These PSN cases from the Jacksonville Division are being handled by AUSAs Julie Hackenberry, Arnold Cormeier, John Cannizzaro, Frank Talbot, Cyrus Zomorodian, Rodney Brown, Michael Coolican, Kevin Frein, and Kirwinn Mike

Ocala Division

2nd Quarter

Ricky D. Franklin, Jr. (30)

Possession of a firearm/ammunition affecting commerce by a convicted felon

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

1

Ronrico Lionel Farmer (33)

Possession of a firearm affecting commerce by a convicted felon

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

1

James Clay Bexley (34)

Possession of an unregistered firearm/destructive device

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

Possession of a firearm in violation of a domestic violence injunction

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

18

Troy Nix (29)

Possession of a firearm affecting commerce by a felon

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

Possession with intent to distribute heroin

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

1

These PSN cases from the Ocala Division are being handled by AUSAs Tyrie K. Boyer, Hannah Nowalk, and Robert Bodnar, Jr.

Orlando Division

2nd Quarter

Kidanny Rivera-Rolon (27)

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

1

Mandel Lamont Stewart (24)

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

2

Ivan Hollingsworth (34)

Unlawful dealing in firearms –

 Maximum Prison Term: 5 years

NFT violation for transfer of auto sear

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

3 plus 238 auto sears

James King (53)

Possession of auto sear

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

Sale of firearm to felon

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

2 plus 12 auto sears

Brian A. Blake (30)

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition (two counts)

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years per count

2

Daniel Ira Johnson (34)

Transfer of firearm to non-resident

Maximum Prison Term: 5 years

3

Javier Lopez Rivera (36)

 

Pedro Tapia Matos (29)

Possession of a firearm affecting commerce by a felon

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

Possession with intent to distribute controlled substances

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term: 5 Years

Maximum Prison Term: 40 years

Possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking

Maximum Prison Term: 5 Years

3

Curtis Tyrone Johnson (34)

Possession of a firearm affecting commerce by a felon

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

Possession with intent to distribute controlled substances

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term: 10 Years

Maximum Prison Term: Life

Possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking

Maximum Prison Term: 5 years

1

Jason Aaron Beaty (43)

Possession of a firearm affecting commerce by a drug user

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

3

These PSN cases from the Orlando Division are being handled by AUSAs Chauncey Bratt, Ranganath Manthripragada, Terry Livanos, Dana Hill, Ilianys Rivera Miranda, Betty Gonzalez, and Michael Felicetta

Tampa Division

2nd Quarter

Jerome Miller (38)

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

1

Dallas Robinson, Jr. (21)

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

1

Niko Wimbley (27)

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

1

Deandre Lopez (32)

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

1

Michael Hankerson (30)

 

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

2

Raequan Nelson (23)

 

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

1

Raequin Smith (26)

 

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

2

Jackie Chapman, III (20)

 

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

0

Ataire Carl Ray (27)

 

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

1

Marquvius T. Dixon (26)

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term: 15 years

Maximum Prison Term: Life

1

Marquis Player (28)

 

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

Possession with intent to distribute controlled substances

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term: 15 years

Maximum Prison Term: Life

1

William Shumaker (38)

Drug trafficking conspiracy

Maximum Prison Term: 20 years

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

1

Cleate Wilson (40)

Forcibly resisting, opposing, impeding, and interfering with federal officers

Maximum Prison Term: 1 year

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

1

Roy Nobles (41)

 

Malachi Deloch (23)

 

Armed Career Criminal/felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term: 15 years

Maximum Prison Term: Life

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

4

Reginal Roberts (22)

 

 Nathaniel Carr (28)

 

 Daniel Jackson (29)

 

Chrishawn Butler (22)

Use of a firearm during and in relation to/possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence

Hobbs Act

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term: 24 years

Maximum Prison Term: Life

1

O’Marie Hudson (25)

Use of a firearm during and in relation to/possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence

Hobbs Act

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term:7 years

Maximum Prison Term: Life

0

 

Elijah Bell (19)

Hobbs Act

Maximum Prison Term: 20 years

 

0

Thomas Bellere (29)

 

Drug trafficking conspiracy

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term: 10 years

Maximum Prison Term: Life

Possession with intent to distribute controlled substances

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term:10 years

Maximum Prison Term: Life

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

Use of a firearm during and in relation to/possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term:5 years

Maximum Prison Term: Life

1

Magdiel Carmona (27)

 

Drug trafficking conspiracy

Maximum Prison Term: Life

Possession with intent to distribute controlled substances

Maximum Prison Term: Life

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term:10 years

Use of a firearm during and in relation to/possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence

Maximum Prison Term: 5 years

6

Derrek Wallace (45)

 

Troy Dollman (45)

Drug trafficking conspiracy

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term: 5 years

Maximum Prison Term: 40 years

Possession with intent to distribute controlled substances

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term:5 years

Maximum Prison Term: 40 years

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term:15 years

Maximum Prison Term:  Life

Use of a firearm during and in relation to/possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term: 15 years

Maximum Prison Term: Life

2

Rafael Gonzalez Alomar (38)

 

Possession with intent to distribute controlled substances

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term: 10 years

Maximum Prison Term: Life

Use of a firearm during and in relation to/possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term: 5 years

Maximum Prison Term: Life

2

These PSN cases from the Tampa Division are being handled by AUSAs Diego Novaes, Mike Sinacore, Samantha Beckman, Charlie Connally, Maria Guzman, David Sullivan, David Chee, Michael Kenneth, and Christopher Murray

 

Adjudicated Cases

Defendant(s)

(Age)

Charges

Minimum/Maximum Terms of Imprisonment

Firearms Seized

Fort Myers Division

2nd Quarter

Re’Shod Larry (27)

 

Felon in possession of firearm

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

1

Romeo Lenell Battle (24)

 

Felon in possession of firearm

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

1

These PSN cases from the Fort Myers Division are being handled by AUSA Simon Eth

Jacksonville Division

2nd Quarter

Edrick Jackson (28)

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

2

Ramone Astin

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

0

Andrew Harp (30)

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

1

Jeromy Washington (25)

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

Possession with intent to distribute controlled substances

Maximum Prison Term: 20 years

1

Adam Taylor (32)

Making a materially false statement in connection with the purchase of firearms

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

2

Charles Mobley (49)

Making a materially false statement in connection with the purchase of firearms

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

9

These PSN cases from the Jacksonville Division are being handled by AUSAs Michael Coolican, David Mesrobian, Arnold Corsmeier, Frank Talbot, David Mesrobian, and John Cannizzaro

Ocala Division

 

                   2nd Quarter

 

Marty Eugene Days, Jr. (33)

Possession of a firearm/ammunition affecting commerce by a convicted felon

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

1

Nathanael Santiago (28)

Possession of a firearm/ammunition affecting commerce by a convicted felon

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

1

Tevaughn Johnson (28)

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Forcibly assaulting federal officer with injury

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

1

Marques Leroy Young (22)

Making a materially false statement in connection with the purchase of firearms

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

Causing a Federal Firearm Licensee (FFL) to maintain false information in their official records

Maximum Prison Term: 5 years

1

Samuel A. Glover (30)

Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term: 10 years

Maximum Prison Term: Life

Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term: 5 years

Maximum Prison Term: Life

2

Dean Dumont (23)

Possession of an Unregistered NFA Weapon

Maximum Mandatory Prison Term: 10 years

1

Miguel Vargas-Narez (44)

Possession of a firearm by an illegal alien

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

1

These PSN cases from the Ocala Division are being handled by AUSAs Robert Bodnar, Jr, Tyrie K. Boyer, Mike Felicetta, Will S. Hamilton, and Hannah Nowalk

Orlando Division

2nd Quarter

Jarvis Jackson (31)

 

 

Use of a firearm during and in relation to/possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

Minimum Mandatory Prison Term: 5 years

Maximum Prison Term: Life

Interference with commerce by robbery

Maximum Prison Term: 20 years

1

             

Kevin Deane Jones (50)

 

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

2       

 

These PSN cases from the Orlando Division are being handled by AUSAs Chauncey Bratt and Jen Harrington

Tampa Division

2nd Quarter

Devin Kelly (27)

 

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

1

Devontae Hunter (24)

 

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

1

Kermon Williams (44)

 

Jhaphre Higgs (42)

 

James Higgs (37)

 

Conspiracy to commit murder for hire

Mandatory Minimum Prison Term: Life

Maximum Prison Term: Life

Murder for hire

Mandatory Minimum Prison Term: Life

Maximum Prison Term: Life

Conspiracy to possess cocaine with the intent to distribute

Maximum Prison Term: 20 years

Attempt to possess cocaine with the intent to distribute

Maximum Prison Term: 20 years

Use of a firearm causing death in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime

Mandatory Minimum Prison Term: Life

Maximum Prison Term: Life

Use of a firearm causing death in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime

Mandatory Minimum Prison Term: Life

Maximum Prison Term: Life

Unlawful possession of ammunition by a convicted felon

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

0

These PSN cases from the Tampa Division are being handled by AUSAs Mike Sinacore, David Chee, Craig Gestring, and Charlie Connelly

 

Sentenced Cases

Defendant(s)

(Age)

Charges

Sentence Imposed

Firearms Seized

Fort Myers Division

2nd Quarter

John Olvera Salinas (19)

 

 

Use of a firearm during and in relation to/possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence—18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)

Sentence Imposed: 5 years in federal prison

15

Joshua Wade McGinnis (27)

*Salinas codefendant

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine

Distribution of cocaine (3 Counts)

Use of a firearm during and in relation to/possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence

Sentence Imposed: 10 years in federal prison

This PSN case from the Fort Myers Division were handled by AUSA Mike Leeman

Jacksonville Division

2nd Quarter

Steven McWhorter (49)

Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine over 500 Grams

Sentence Imposed: 136 months in federal prison

2

                         

Charles DeYoung (45)

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Possession with intent to distribute controlled substances

Sentence Imposed: 10 years in federal prison

1

                         

Brittany Cooper (32)

Interference with commerce by robbery

Sentence Imposed: 42 months in federal prison

0

These PSN cases from the Jacksonville Division were handled by AUSAs Ashley Washington, Betty Gonzalez, David Mesrobian, and Laura Taylor

*Ocala Division

2nd Quarter

Marrin Maurice Baker (48)

Possession of a firearm and ammunition affecting commerce by a convicted felon

Sentence Imposed: 28 months in federal prison

1

Ashley Nicole Kirkland (24)

Possession of a firearm and ammunition affecting commerce by a previously convicted felon

Sentence Imposed: 34 months in federal prison

1

Lonnie Lorenzo Hollingsworth, Jr. (37)

Possession of ammunition affecting interstate commerce by a previously convicted felon

Sentence Imposed: 36 months in federal prison.

0

Christopher Graves (28)

Possession of a firearm or ammunition affecting interstate or foreign commerce by a felon

Sentence Imposed: 53 months in federal prison.

1

Deveon Demon Jenkins (27)

Possession of a firearm affecting commerce by a previously convicted felon

Sentence Imposed: 15 years in federal prison.

1

Darrell Pierre Hopkins (54)

Making a materially false statement during the purchase of firearms

Causing an FFL to maintain false information in its official records

Sentence Imposed: 4 years in federal prison

0

 

 

Jeffrey Walt Boston (44)

Felon in possession of firearm

Unlawful possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance

Sentence Imposed: 8 years, 8 months in federal prison

1

Christopher L. Leslie (25)

Felon in possession of a firearm or ammunition affecting commerce

Possession of an unregistered NFA weapon

Sentence Imposed: 4 years, 4 months in federal prison

3

Kenyari D. Brewton (26)

Making a materially false statement during the purchase of firearms

Causing an FFL to maintain false information in its official records

Sentence Imposed: Time Served

0

Mark Charles Weatherly (21)

Possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute (actual meth – 5 grams or more)

Possession of a firearm and ammunition affecting interstate or foreign commerce by a felon

Sentence Imposed: 5 years in federal prison  

1

These PSN cases from the Ocala Division were handled by AUSAs Michael P. Felicetta, Robert Bodnar, Jr., and Tyrie K. Boyer.

Orlando Division

2nd Quarter

Larry Burrows (26)

Use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence

Carjacking

Sentence Imposed: 27 years in federal prison

0

       

This PSN case from the Orlando Division was handled by Chauncey Bratt.

Tampa Division

2nd Quarter

Dnerius McCullough (28)

 

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Sentence Imposed: 77 months in federal prison

1

Samuel Storey (43)

 

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Sentence Imposed: 17 years in federal prison

1

Antonio Phillips (33)

 

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Sentence Imposed: 8 years in federal prison

1

                      

Victor Grant (40)

 

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Sentence Imposed: 21 years, 10 months in federal prison

0

Michael Cottone (35)

 

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Sentence Imposed: 5 years and 3 months in federal prison

2

Christian Agosto (22)

 

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Sentence Imposed: 4 years, 3 months in federal prison

1

                   

Deuntay Robertson (30)

 

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Sentence Imposed: 6 years in federal prison

1

Robert Russel Hinote (75)

 

Dealing firearms without a license

Sentence Imposed: Probation

75

Travis Riley (39)

 

Possession with intent to distribute controlled substances

Drug trafficking conspiracy

Sentence Imposed: 9 years, 7 months in federal prison

3

Ralph Malpeso (44)

Possession of an unregistered firearm

Sentence Imposed:3 years, 1 month in federal prison

6

Clay Morris (29)

Sentence Imposed: Probation

Francis Zuilkoski  (64)

Sentence Imposed: Probation

Calfus W. Drummond (35)

 

Possession with intent to distribute controlled substances

Possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking

Sentence Imposed: 11 years, 6 months in federal prison

6

Ronald White (27)

 

Felon in possession of firearm/ammunition

Sentence Imposed: 3 years, 1 month

1

                       

These PSN cases from the Tampa Division were handled by AUSAs Diego Novaes, Charlie Connally, and Mike Sinacore

 

Outreach Activities

2nd Quarter

Date

Event

Number of Attendees

Division

April 4, 2022

Cleveland Elementary

28

Tampa

April 7, 2022

AMI Youth Program (Guns, Gangs & Goals)

29

Tampa

April 12, 2022

Girls With Pearls

17

Orlando

April 19, 2022

Girls With Pearls at PACE Center

20

Orlando

April 21, 2022

Central Florida Reentry Network Program

56

Orlando

April 22, 2022

FBI Protecting Places of Worship Program

55

Tampa

April 22, 2022

Baker Correctional Reentry Program

75

Jacksonville

April 26, 2022

Girls With Pearls at PACE Center

14

Orlando

April 28, 2022

Tampa Bay Reentry Month Program

163

Tampa

May 2, 2022

Rising Stars Program at Westbrooke Elementary (Gun Pledge)

18

Orlando

May 9, 2022

Cleveland Elementary

27

Tampa

May 12-13, 2022

Problem-Solving for Public Safety Partners

21

Jacksonville

May 17, 2022

Pace Center for Girls

15

Orlando

May 20, 2022

Lockhart Elementary Lunch Buddies Mentor Appreciation

50

Tampa

May 21, 2022

NOBLE Law In Your Community Program

35

Fort Myers

May 23, 2022

Cleveland Elementary

28

Tampa

May 26, 2022

Lee County Public Schools Assembly (Assistant Principals)

93

Fort Myers

June 2-3, 2022

Problem-Solving for Public Safety Partners

15

Ocala

June 14, 2022

Boys & Girls Club at Marshall Middle School (Guns, Gangs & Goals)

42

Tampa

June 15, 2022

Boys & Girls Club at Shields Middle School (Guns, Gangs & Goals)

77

Tampa

 

May 2, 2022

May 31, 2022

June 14, 2022

June 28, 2022

PSN Violent Crime Initiative – Orlando PD

25

10

25

40

Orlando

 

Total Number of Events for 2nd Quarter: 24

Total Number of Attendees for 2nd Quarter: 97

Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell has sentenced Serdarryel Dave English, Jr. (39, Fort Myers) to six years in federal prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. The court also ordered English to forfeit the firearm and ammunition used in the offense. English had pleaded guilty on March 17, 2022.

According to court documents, on April 14, 2018, an officer with the Fort Myers Police Department was conducting uniformed marked patrol when she observed a dark Toyota sedan roll through a stop sign at the intersection of Lora Street and Polk Street in Fort Myers. The officer turned to follow the vehicle and make a traffic stop, but before she could she observed the car quickly turn onto Belmont Street where she briefly lost sight of it. Once on Belmont Street, the officer observed the vehicle turn into a driveway, and at that point she activated the vehicle police lights and conducted a traffic stop. 

During the traffic stop, the officer identified the front-seat passenger as English. During a search of the vehicle, the officer found a loaded handgun magazine between the passenger seat and door jam, adjacent to where English had been sitting. The magazine had a Smith and Wesson logo and was loaded with four rounds of .380 caliber ammunition. A further search of the vehicle revealed a .380 caliber Smith and Wesson pistol without an attached magazine.  The firearm was chambered with one round of .380 caliber ammunition, matching the ammunition in the magazine found in the car. At the time, English had prior felony convictions and was therefore prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Fort Myers Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Simon R. Eth.

This is another case prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN), which is a nationwide, crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety — one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts. In the Middle District of Florida, U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the arrest of Christopher Froehlich (40, Wauchula) on a criminal complaint charging him with production, distribution, and possession of child pornography. If convicted, Froehlich faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 15 years, and up to 30 years, in federal prison for production of child pornography, a minimum mandatory penalty of 5 years, and up to 20 years, in federal prison for distribution of child pornography, and a penalty of up to 10 years in federal prison for possession of child pornography, and a potential life term of supervised release on all counts. Froehlich made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Amanda A. Sansone on Friday and was ordered detained pending trial. 

According to the complaint, in December 2017, Froehlich posed as a 15-year-old boy and connected with the 15-year-old victim via Live.Me, a live-streaming video service. Froehlich convinced the child victim that they were in a relationship and coerced the child to produce sexually explicit videos and photos for Froehlich. When the child tried to stop producing sexually explicit videos and photos for Froehlich, Froehlich threatened to post the videos and photos to social media for the child’s family and friends to see.

In June 2020, the child attempted to stop communication with Froehlich, at which point Froehlich posted the child’s nude photos to social media. Froehlich continued to contact the child until June 2022 by using various phone numbers and different usernames on social media platforms.

A 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 Federal Bureau of Investigation, with substantial assistance from the Wauchula Police Department, the Sarasota Police Department, and the Bradenton Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Abigail K. King.

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’ Office 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 – U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday has sentenced Rolanda Wingfield (39, Tampa) to three years in federal prison for access device fraud and aggravated identity theft. As part of her sentence, the court also ordered Wingfield to pay $135,576 in restitution to the various state workforce agencies she defrauded. Wingfield had pleaded guilty on April 26, 2022.

According to court documents, from approximately May through September 2020, Wingfield obtained the personal identifying information of others and used that information to submit, or cause the submission of, false and fraudulent unemployment insurance (UI) claims to various state workforce agencies in order to obtain UI benefits to which she was not entitled. These UI benefits were then transferred to bank accounts or loaded onto debit cards issued in the names of others. Wingfield then used, or attempted to use, the fraudulently obtained debit cards to withdraw money using ATMs. The U.S. Department of Labor determined that Wingfield obtained $135,576.

In March 2020, the President signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, which expanded states’ ability to provide UI for many workers impacted by COVID-19, including for workers who were not ordinarily eligible for benefits.

On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General 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. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Gregory D. Pizzo and John Cannizzaro.

Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge William F. Jung has sentenced Randy Xavier Jones (34, Sarasota) to five years and one month in federal prison for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. The court also ordered Jones to forfeit proceeds traceable to the offense, including 12 fraudulently obtained prepaid debit cards containing unemployment insurance benefits to which Jones was not entitled.  Jones had pleaded guilty on March 24, 2022.

According to court documents, from July 2020 through at least September 2020, Jones knowingly engaged in a scheme to defraud several federal and state programs by obtaining COVID-19 related benefits—both loan proceeds from the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (“EIDL”) program and unemployment insurance (“UI”) benefits from state workforce agencies—to which he was not entitled. Specifically, Jones obtained an EIDL loan in the amount of $50,000 in the name of a non-existent entity. In addition, in response to numerous fraudulent applications filed in multiple states, Jones obtained UI benefits, loaded on to prepaid debit cards, from state workforce agencies in Arizona, California, and Nevada, among others. In order to retrieve the proceeds of the scheme, Jones, a resident of Sarasota, flew to California and, over a period of several weeks, withdrew cash from the prepaid debit cards that were funded as a result of the fraudulent applications. Through both schemes, Jones and others obtained nearly a half million dollars.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is a federal law enacted March 2020. It is designed to provide emergency financial assistance to millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act is the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through the PPP. In April 2020, Congress authorized over $300 billion in additional PPP funding.

The EIDL program is designed to provide economic relied to small businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. EIDL proceeds can be used to cover a wide array of working capital and normal operating expenses, such as continuation of health care benefits, rent, utilities, and fixed debt payments. If an applicant also obtains a loan under the PPP, the EIDL funds cannot be used for the same purpose as the PPP funds.

This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rachel K. Jones.

Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found Manuel Angel Velez-Acosta (33, Ecuador), Guillermo Cabrera Perez (48, Mexico), Andres Nixon Gonzales-Catagua (48, Ecuador), and Hernan David Gonzales-Quiroz (42, Ecuador) guilty of possessing and conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine on a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. The defendants each face a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years, and up to life, in federal prison. The sentencing hearings have been scheduled for October 13, 2022. They were indicted on February 4, 2021.

According to testimony presented at trial, on January 26, 2021, a U.S. Navy airplane detected a 25-30 foot open-hull motorboat in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, about 400 nautical miles south of Mexico, operating in a location where maritime drug smuggling by similar vessels is common. As the Navy aircrew watched and video-recorded, the defendants, who were the four crewmembers on board that boat, began jettisoning packages of cocaine overboard into the water. The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter BERTHOLF was patrolling nearby and launched its helicopter and small boats to investigate. After arriving on scene, the Coast Guard determined the vessel was without nationality, and therefore subject to U.S. jurisdiction. Although the Coast Guard was unable to recover the jettisoned packages, it was able to collect chemical trace detection evidence, which showed the presence of cocaine in the same compartments of the boat where the defendants had done the jettisoning. Cocaine was also found on one of the defendant’s hands.

This case was investigated by the United States Coast Guard and the Panama Express Strike Force, a standing Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Strike Force comprised of agents and analysts from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and the U.S. Southern Command's Joint Interagency Task Force South. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Del Mastro and Assistant United States Attorney Joseph Ruddy.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Paul Bryan McCorkle (54, Interlachen) with possession of an explosive by a convicted felon. If convicted, McCorkle faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies McCorkle that the United States intends to forfeit an improvised explosive device, which is alleged to have been unlawfully possessed.

According to the indictment, on February 22, 2022, McCorkle possessed an explosive (Pyrodex powder), which is a black powder substitute. McCorkle had been twice convicted of failure to register as a sex offender, which is a felony, and was therefore prohibited under federal law from possessing an explosive.

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, the Florida Bureau of Fire Arson and Explosives Investigation, and the Putnam County Fire Rescue Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Cofer Taylor. The asset forfeiture will be handled by Assistant United States Attorney Mai Tran.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Damien Deshaun Dennis (42, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. Dennis faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison for the bank fraud and a 2-year minimum mandatory term of imprisonment for the aggravated identity theft. He must also pay restitution to the victims he defrauded.

According to court documents, on August 9, 2021, Dennis entered a Community First Credit Union (CFCU) branch in Jacksonville and, using the identity of G.M., explained that he wanted to open a bank account. He then presented a counterfeit South Carolina driver license bearing a photo of Dennis, but in the name of and containing the date of birth of G.M. Dennis also provided a fraudulent document showing a home address in Jacksonville and a fraudulent pay stub outlining his purported employment at a company in Jacksonville. After completing a “New Membership Application” using G.M.’s identity, including his Social Security number, CFCU approved the application. Dennis then applied for a personal loan, stating he needed to pay for an upcoming wedding. In reliance on his false statements, the counterfeit driver license, and the accompanying fraudulent documents, CFCU approved the personal loan in the name of G.M. for $20,000. Dennis subsequently made a cash withdrawal of $20,000 and left the branch.

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

Jacksonville, Florida –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Stephan Leon Marshall (34, Jacksonville) with possessing two firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Marshall that the United States intends to forfeit the firearms and ammunition traceable to the offense. Marshall was arrested on July 11, 2022, in Jacksonville. He made his initial appearance on July 14, 2022, before United States Magistrate Judge Patricia D. Barksdale and was ordered detained pending trial.

According to the indictment, on April 10, 2022, Marshall was in possession of two firearms and ammunition. At the time of the incident, Marshall had previous felony convictions for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, aggravated fleeing, and two burglaries. As a previously convicted felon, Marshall is prohibited from possessing firearms 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 Jacksonville Sherriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John Cannizzaro. The forfeiture will be handled by Assistant United States Attorney Mai Tran.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Wendy W. Berger has sentenced Danny Wayne Holmes (62, Kathleen) to 15 years and 8 months in federal prison for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. On June 14, 2022, Judge Berger sentenced codefendant Robert Wayne Watson (59, Seville) to 9 years in federal prison. Holmes had pleaded guilty on February 23, 2022, and Watson had pleaded guilty on March 29, 2022. 

According to court documents, Holmes and Watson were part of a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from a distribution hub in Crescent City, through Watson’s home in Seville, to points throughout central Florida, including Holmes’s location in Kathleen. Watson served as the primary conduit for methamphetamine from Crescent City to street-level dealers. Further, Holmes obstructed justice by absconding while on pretrial release in this case.   

Eleven others previously pleaded guilty and have been sentenced for their roles in this case. See below for details.

Defendant

(age, city of residence)

Plea Date

Sentence Hearing Date

Incarceration

Alejandro Alvarado

(30, Crescent City)

11/2/21

3/31/22

25 years

Miguel Angel Perez

(29, Deland)

12/14/21

3/31/22

12 years, 3 months

Jose Martinez

(43, Crescent City)

11/16/21

3/31/22

12 years, 3 months

Miguel Angel Ortiz

(39, Crescent City)

11/30/21

2/15/22

5 years, 10 months

Jonathan Arroyo Ontiveros

(25, Crescent City)

11/30/21

2/16/22

5 years, 11 months

Noel Bueno Jr.

(27, Crescent City)

8/24/21

11/16/21

3 years

Robert Wayne Watson

(59, Seville)

3/29/21

6/14/22

9 years

Danny Wayne Holmes

(61, Kathleen)

2/23/22

7/14/22

15 years, 8 months

George Edward Sykes

(46, Bunnell)

11/16/21

4/7/22

6 years, 10 months

David John Doerr

(56, Astor)

11/16/21

2/16/22

4 years, 9 months

Dina Dynnette Kempher

(38, Satsuma)

11/30/21

2/15/22

2 years

 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, and the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dana E. Hill.

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

Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard has sentenced Edward Alan Hardin (35, Clay County) to 40 years in federal prison for attempted production of child sex abuse material and possession of child sex abuse material. After serving his prison term, Hardin will be required to register as a sex offender and serve a lifetime of supervised release. Hardin had pleaded guilty on February 17, 2022. As part of his plea agreement, Hardin also admitted to sex trafficking two children under 14 years old and to the online enticement of a third child to engage in illegal sexual activity.

According to court documents, at various times in 2018, 2019, and 2020, Hardin had access to three female children who were in his custody. One of those children – referred to as Minor Victim 1 – had known Hardin since she was a toddler and considered Hardin to be a father figure. Beginning when Minor Victim 1 was about 12 or 13 years old, Hardin provided money and gifts to Minor Victim 1 in exchange for the sexual abuse of Minor Victim 1.

On May 8, 2020, a deputy with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office observed Hardin’s truck parked at a shopping center in Orange Park. As the deputy approached Hardin’s truck on foot, he observed Hardin in the driver’s seat of the truck, and then observed Minor Victim 1 sit up in the passenger seat of the truck. The deputy smelled the aroma of marijuana emanating from the truck. As the deputy approached the passenger door of the truck, he could see that Hardin’s pants were unzipped and that Hardin and Minor Victim 1 appeared nervous. Minor Victim 1 agreed to speak with a detective and disclosed text messages between she and Hardin that showed that Hardin, on multiple occasions, had made arrangements to pay Minor Victim 1 for sex. Minor Victim 1 stated that Hardin had been sexually abusing her in the truck prior to the deputy approaching. Hardin was arrested and admitted to engaging in sexual intercourse with Minor Victim 1 earlier that day, but he claimed it was the first time and that it had been consensual.

Minor Victim 1 also identified two other child victims who had been sexually abused by Hardin.

Minor Victim 2 was interviewed and disclosed that Hardin had transported her to Valdosta, Georgia, to visit a particular theme park in July 2018, when she was 15 years old. Minor Victim 2 informed detectives that Hardin had sexually abused her during the trip and continued to maintain a sexual relationship with her until around March 2020, during all of which time Minor Victim 2 was underage.

Minor Victim 3 was interviewed and disclosed that when she was 13 years old she had attended a sleepover with Minor Victim 1. During the sleepover, Hardin provided Minor Victim 3 and Minor Victim 1 with marijuana, and Minor Victim 3 was encouraged to allow Hardin to sexually assault her, and he did so. Hardin then gave Minor Victim 3 and Minor Victim 1 $20 as payment for the sex act.

Hardin’s phone was searched and contained photos of Minor Victim 2 engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Additionally, Hardin’s phone contained text messages to Minor Victim 1 in which Hardin repeatedly requested that Minor Victim 1 produce pornographic images of herself and provide them to Hardin.

“This predator took advantage of the innocence of minor girls and sexually abused them through manipulation,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tampa Special Agent in Charge John Condon. “This successful sentencing is a testament to the strength of our law enforcement partnerships and our commitment to serve and protect the community.”           

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Cofer Taylor.

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.

Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Amber Rewis Bruey (35, Lehigh Acres) to four years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and illegal monetary transactions. Her husband and co-conspirator, Anthony James Bruey, was sentenced to four years and three months in federal prison for the same offenses. Mr. and Ms. Bruey had pleaded guilty on February 4, 2022, and March 16, 2022, respectively.

According to court documents, between April and June 2020, the Brueys conspired to submit a total of 26 fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) applications to Small Business Administration (SBA) approved lenders, loan processing companies, and the SBA. The applications contained numerous false and fraudulent representations, including the applicant’s dates of operation, payroll, gross revenues, total number of employees, and the criminal histories of the applicants or business owners. The Brueys also submitted false and fraudulent tax documents to qualify for the loans.

The Brueys’ false and fraudulent representations caused PPP lenders and the SBA to approve 12 of the loans and issue a total of $881,058.35 in PPP and EIDL funds. The Brueys then unlawfully used the funds to purchase a $211,457 residence in North Carolina, a 2019 GMC Yukon SUV, a 2020 Honda Talon, and to make a $23,566 restitution payment as a condition of probation in a criminal court case for Amber Bruey. The Brueys were ordered to forfeit all of these items and property, as well as to pay restitution in the amount of $881,659.35. 

“The Brueys used CARES Act funds as their personal ATM. They bought cars and a residence, and used the funds to make a restitution payment in another criminal case,” said Brian Payne, special agent in charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Tampa Field Office. “IRS-CI special agents are committed to stamping out fraud and ensuring that CARES Act funds are used for their intended purpose.”

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is a federal law enacted March 2020. It is designed to provide emergency financial assistance to millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act is the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through the PPP. In April 2020, Congress authorized over $300 billion in additional PPP funding.

The PPP allows qualifying small businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of one percent. Businesses must use PPP loan proceeds for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent and utilities. The PPP allows the interest and principal to be forgiven if the business spends the proceeds on these expenses within a set time period and uses at least a certain percentage of the loan toward payroll expenses.

The EIDL program is designed to provide economic relied to small businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. EIDL proceeds can be used to cover a wide array of working capital and normal operating expenses, such as continuation of health care benefits, rent, utilities, and fixed debt payments. If an applicant also obtains a loan under the PPP, the EIDL funds cannot be used for the same purpose as the PPP funds. 

This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Trent Reichling. The forfeiture was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Nebesky.

Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell has sentenced Eric Maurice Brown, Jr. (32, Fort Myers) to 13 years and 8 months in federal prison for possessing with the intent to distribute 40 or more grams of fentanyl and for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. Brown had pleaded guilty on January 27, 2022.

According to court records, on April 27, 2021, officers from the Fort Myers Police Department and emergency medical services personnel responded to a 911 call regarding a single-vehicle accident. The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle involved in the accident, Brown, was observed unresponsive in the driver’s seat suffering from an apparent drug overdose. Two loaded firearms were found on or near Brown by medical personnel treating him, including a Smith and Wesson .45-caliber handgun recovered from under Brown’s thigh and a Glock .380-caliber handgun located in his front left pants pocket.

Inside the vehicle officers located and seized multiple baggies containing suspected controlled substances, a box containing several rounds of ammunition, a loaded .45-caliber Smith and Wesson magazine, a digital scale, and a box of clear plastic baggies. Laboratory analysis later confirmed that the substances found in the vehicle included more than 50 grams of fentanyl, more than 32 grams of cocaine, and approximately 13 grams of cocaine base. 

Brown was previously convicted in Florida state courts of multiple felony offenses, including robbery with a firearm, possession of a controlled substance, and robbery, and is therefore prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law. As a result of his prior convictions, he was sentenced as a career offender.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

This case was investigated by the Fort Myers Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Simon R. Eth. 

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that David Gainer, Jr. (50, Lutz) has pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud. Gainer faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to the plea agreement, Gainer is the former President and Treasurer of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce (“Chamber”), an organization comprised of area merchants who paid membership dues and other funds to the Chamber to promote their businesses within the community. As President and Treasurer, Gainer had access to bank account information utilized by the Chamber to maintain its operations as well as to its funds and deposits.

Gainer devised a scheme to defraud the Chamber of funds. He used his positions as President and Treasurer to access the Chamber’s bank accounts, make unauthorized withdrawals from said accounts, deposit the misappropriated funds into accounts he controlled, and use the proceeds of such unauthorized withdrawals to pay personal bills and debts and otherwise for his own personal enrichment. Gainer fraudulently misappropriated at least $104,689 of the Chamber’s funds. He has agreed to forfeit this amount as part of his plea agreement with the government.

This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Maria Guzman.

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle today sentenced Cecil Hickox (46, Hillard) to 10 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Hickox had pleaded guilty on April 13, 2022.

According to court documents, on September 11, 2019, Hickox sold 27 grams of 100% pure methamphetamine to a law enforcement confidential informant. The next day, Hickox facilitated the sale of a firearm to an undercover law enforcement officer. Less than two weeks later, on September 25, 2019, Hickox sold an undercover law enforcement officer 110 grams of 99% pure methamphetamine.

This case was investigated by a multi-agency task force through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply. Agencies involved in this OCDETF operation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Charlie D. Connally. 

Tampa, FL - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Dyonnie Alvarez (22, Tampa), her brother, Christopher Alvarez (18, Gibsonton), and Enrique Marquez (26, Tampa) with four Hobbs Act robberies, conspiracy to commit those robberies, and four counts of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence during the commission of those robberies. Dyonnie Alvarez and Marquez have also each been charged with an additional Hobbs Act robbery. If convicted, each faces up to 20 years for each robbery count, and up to 20 years for the conspiracy count. The firearm charges each carry a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 7 years, and up to life, in prison consecutive to any other term of imprisonment. The indictment also notifies the defendants that the United States intends to forfeit any firearm and ammunition traceable to the offenses as well as the proceeds the defendants obtained as result of their offenses.

According to the indictment, on May 5, 2022, Dyonnie Alvarez, Christopher Alvarez, and Marquez robbed two convenience stores in the Tampa area. During the robberies, they brandished a firearm. The next morning, the trio robbed two more Tampa area convenience stores in the same manner. In addition, on May 1, 2022, Dyonnie Alvarez and Marquez attempted to rob a citizen in an attempt to obtain narcotics.

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 will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman. The forfeiture will be handled by Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Nebesky.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Hugo Espinosa Chavez (59, Tampa) has pleaded guilty to using a minor child to produce images depicting sexual abuse, traveling to Colombia to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a child, and possessing images of this child being sexually abused. Espinosa Chavez faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 15 years, up to 30 years, on the production charge, up to 30 years’ imprisonment on the sex tourism charge, and up to 10 years in federal prison for the possession charge. Espinosa Chavez was arrested on October 5, 2021, and will remain in custody through sentencing. He is a dual citizen of both Colombia and the United States.

According to court documents, from May through December 2020, Espinosa Chavez coerced, persuaded, and used a 15-year-old indigent child who lived in Colombia to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing photos of this conduct. In return, Espinosa Chavez gave the child money and other gifts. Espinosa Chavez located the 15-year-old child victim on Facebook and began communicating with the child via Facebook Messenger. Espinosa Chavez demanded nude photos of the child, offering money in exchange for photos of the child’s buttocks and genitals.

On December 12, 2020, Espinosa Chavez traveled from the United States to the Republic of Colombia for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with the child. Espinosa Chavez ultimately sexually abused the child victim, again offering money and gifts in exchange for sex. On other occasions, Espinosa Chavez took sexually explicit pictures of the child on his personal cellphone. In return, the child victim was given 60,000 Colombian pesos (about $17 in U.S. currency) for the initial pictures the victim had sent. When the pictures were taken in person, Espinosa Chavez paid the child a small amount of cash in exchange for taking pictures and enduring the sexual abuse perpetrated by Espinosa Chavez. Espinosa Chavez continued to demand more sexual acts from the child and would only pay the child if the specific requests were met. When the child victim resisted and did not fully cooperate, Espinosa Chavez said, “I feel cheated.”

On October 2, 2021, Espinosa Chavez was arrested on these federal child sex charges. During an interview with law enforcement, he admitted that he had paid the child money in exchange for sexually explicit photos, he knew the child was a minor, and he had sexually abused the child while in Colombia.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Tampa, with substantial assistance from HSI Bogota, the Colombian National Police, the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin Claire Favorit.

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.

Tampa, Florida –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Kirk Douglas Dudley (47, Maryland) has pleaded guilty to two counts of assault by striking, beating, or wounding. Dudley faces a maximum penalty of one year in federal prison for each count. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to court documents, on January 26, 2021, while living on MacDill Air Force Base with this wife, Dudley repeatedly slapped his spouse with an open hand, knocking her to the ground. He then sat on top of her and stuffed a rag into her mouth, holding his hand over her mouth and nose to prevent her breathing. On January 31, 2021, Dudley again assaulted his wife by slapping her with open palms and slamming her head on various surfaces in their bathroom. This assault was witnessed by a juvenile.

This case was investigated by the Office of Special Investigations (OSI) at MacDill Air Force Base. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ilyssa Spergel and Karyna Valdes.

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle has sentenced Guillermo Inamagua (57, Davenport) to 3 years and 10 months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to defraud the United States and the Internal Revenue Service. In addition, the court entered an order of forfeiture in the amount of $1,553,334 as well as an order for the forfeiture of two real properties in Polk County, proceeds of the wire fraud and tax conspiracies. Inamagua had pleaded guilty on March 9, 2022.

According to court documents, Inamagua owned and managed a construction company which purported to supply construction services and labor for construction contractors and subcontractors. In order to comply with Florida law, Inamagua’s company was required to secure and maintain adequate worker’s compensation insurance coverage. Inamagua’s company had agreements with contractors and subcontractors to use workers purported to be Inamagua’s employees at construction sites, and these workers were often undocumented aliens who were actually working for and under the daily supervision and direction of the contractors. Inamagua or others would then regularly receive “payroll checks” from contractors that were cashed at various financial institutions to pay Inamagua’s purported “employees” and other related expenses.

During the time period charged, Inamagua falsely and fraudulently represented in insurance applications that his company had a very limited payroll and a very limited number of employees who worked on construction jobsites. Inamagua also falsely and fraudulently sent wire communications to numerous contractors representing that his company’s employees had full worker’s compensation coverage.

In fact, Inamagua’s company received and cashed more than $19 million in checks from various construction contractors for these purported “employees.” This payroll figure far exceeded the very limited payroll figures that Inamagua had reported to his worker’s compensation insurance company. As a result, these employees—in reality, the employees of other entities—performed work on jobsites without adequate insurance coverage. In addition, the insurers lost premiums they would have charged had they been aware of the true number of workers their policies were thus being manipulated to appear to cover. The loss to those insurers was over $1,460,000 in insurance premiums that were not paid.

As a result of these misrepresentations, Inamagua’s company also disclaimed responsibility for ensuring that jobsite workers were legally authorized to work in the United States and evaded laws that required the payment of state and federal payroll taxes on behalf of these workers. Inamagua’s company did not collect or remit any such payroll taxes to the United States. Further, the contractors who actually paid these workers’ wages and used their services were able to avoid responsibility for those taxes as well. The amount of those un-paid payroll taxes totaled more than $4,670,000.

“Business owners who deliberately evade their tax and legal workforce requirements must be held accountable,” said IRS CI Special Agent in Charge Brian Payne. “Employers who intentionally deflect these obligations undermine what is owed to the U.S. government in payroll taxes and other fees, in addition to creating an unfair economic advantage over the law-abiding businesses who are operating above board.”

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation and the State of Florida Department of Financial Services. It is part of a lengthy investigation by those agencies into the use of shell companies and “ghost” employees in the construction industry. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jay L. Hoffer.

Jacksonville, Florida – Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan today sentenced Shawn Andrew Wilson (47, Fernandina Beach) to seven years and eight months in federal prison for possessing with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine and for violating the conditions of his supervised release. Wilson had pleaded guilty on December 16, 2021. 

According to court documents, at approximately 2:00 a.m. on September 2, 2021, Wilson was riding a motorcycle in Jacksonville with the license plate folded up and not visible – a traffic violation. When a police officer signaled him to stop, Wilson made a U-turn and appeared to pull over but then accelerated and fled.  After racing through a red traffic light at an intersection, Wilson crashed the motorcycle. Officers arrested Wilson and, during a subsequent search, found in his backpack a jacket, the linings of which concealed four plastic bags containing approximately 114 grams of methamphetamine.

Wilson committed this offense while serving a term of supervised release imposed following his conviction for a previous federal offense. Specifically, in July 2019, a federal court convicted Wilson of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and sentenced him to 40 months’ imprisonment, followed by a 3-year term of supervised release. Wilson was released from prison and began serving his term of supervised release on April 28, 2021, approximately four months before his arrest in this case.

This case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Coolican. 

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found Davion Rivers (27, Bradenton) guilty of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Rivers faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years, and up to life, in federal prison. His sentencing hearing has not been set yet.  Rivers had been indicted on August 27, 2020.

According to testimony presented at trial, on August 10, 2020, law enforcement officers encountered Rivers when they responded to a call for service. Rivers yelled at the officers and pushed one of them. An officer saw that Rivers had a firearm in his pocket after the push. The officer tased Rivers and recovered the firearm from his pocket. The firearm was a Taurus Judge, a revolver that can fire shotgun shells, and which had five spent shell casings in the cylinder. Officers later secured a search warrant for Rivers’s phone and found that it contained a text message thread where Rivers had negotiated and agreed to buy the firearm.

As a previously convicted felon, Rivers is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under the law.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Bradenton Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Charlie D. Connally and David W.A. Chee.

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Tampa, FL - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Marques Howard (31, Tampa) with Hobbs Act robbery, conspiracy to commit that robbery, discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. If convicted, Howard faces up a maximum penalty of 20 years for the robbery offense, up to 20 years for the conspiracy offense, and up to 10 years for the possession of the firearm offense. The discharging of the firearm charge carries a minimum mandatory term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of life imprisonment, consecutive to any other term of imprisonment. The indictment also notifies the Howard that the United States intends to forfeit any firearm and ammunition traceable to the offense.

According to the indictment, on April 20, 2022, Howard robbed an individual at his residence in the Tampa area. During the robbery, Howard, a convicted felon, discharged his firearm. As a previously convicted felon, Howard 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 Tampa Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman. The forfeiture will be handled by Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Nebesky.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Today, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced the recipients for the 69th Annual Attorney General’s Awards, recognizing Department of Justice employees and partners for extraordinary contributions to the enforcement of our nation’s laws. This year, 298 Justice Department employees received awards, while 54 non-department individuals are also being honored for their work. 

“This year’s awardees have served selflessly to further the Department’s important work upholding the rule of law, keeping our country safe, and protecting civil rights,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “I am proud to recognize these individuals for their professionalism, skill, and leadership, and I am grateful for their service to our Department and our nation.”

“I am proud to join Attorney General Garland in recognizing a former member of my office for this prestigious award,” stated U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg. “AUSA Murray’s contribution to this case is a clear example of the great coordination and cooperation that we have with our partners here in the Middle District of Florida.”

In the Middle District of Florida, former Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis D. Murray was recognized for his successful prosecution of Elvis Harold Reyes (United States vs. Reyes). Reyes, who had never been a licensed attorney, posed as an immigration attorney targeting undocumented immigrants from Spanish-speaking countries, who were seeking Florida driver licenses and work authorization. As part of the scheme, Reyes gave false, inaccurate, and incomplete legal and immigration advice to victims in order to induce them to retain his services. Because of his false representations, victims retained and paid Reyes to represent them in immigration-related matters before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and other agencies, during which Reyes filed hundreds of fraudulent asylum applications. As a result of the tireless efforts of AUSA Murray, his investigative and support team, Reyes was sentenced to 20 years and 9 months in federal prison.

For details on all of today’s award recipients, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-merrick-b-garland-honors-department-justice-employees-and-others-69th-annual.  For additional details on the Reyes case, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/phony-immigration-attorney-who-filed-hundreds-fraudulent-asylum-applications-sentenced.

Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the results achieved to date by the Middle District of Florida’s efforts to combat fraud related to COVID-19. Those efforts have included complementary actions by the Criminal, Asset Recovery, and Civil Divisions, along with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.

“Throughout the pandemic, my office and our law-enforcement partners have used all available methods to combat fraud related to COVID-19, and we will continue to do so,” stated U.S. Attorney Handberg. “After the United States instituted multiple programs to financially assist those most harmed by the pandemic, criminals sought to defraud those programs for personal enrichment at the expense of the taxpayers who funded these programs. We will continue to disrupt these fraud schemes, prosecute those who commit crimes, and return ill-gotten gains through our efforts.”

On the criminal-enforcement front, the United States Attorney’s Office and federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies joined together 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 34 defendants for fraud schemes designed to exploit federal programs created or expanded to address the COVID-19 pandemic, including the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), Economic Injury Disaster Loans (“EIDL”), Unemployment Insurance (“UI”), and the Main Street Lending Program (“MSLP”). These defendants collectively sought to defraud the United States of over $39 million. Twenty-five of those defendants have already been found guilty, while prosecution remains pending against nine defendants. (See chart for criminal case details.)

For example, Keaujay Hornsby, a/k/a “Plug,” (26, Tampa); Kareem Spann, a/k/a “Reem,” (27, Tampa); and Tywon Spann, a/k/a “Weez” (25, Tampa) pleaded guilty to a racketeering conspiracy related to numerous violent, drug trafficking, and COVID-19 related frauds that were committed in furtherance of a criminal enterprise called “Robles Park.” Hornsby and Kareem Spann have also pleaded guilty to committing violent crimes in aid of racketeering and discharging firearms in aid of crimes of violence. Eriaus Bentley (29, Tampa) and the three other defendants have each also pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit fraud and identity theft, and committing numerous substantive acts of fraud and identity theft.

 “Robles Park” is a criminal organization whose members and associates engaged in acts involving murder, assault, intimidation, narcotics trafficking, unemployment insurance fraud, identity theft, obstruction of justice, and other crimes.

In another matter, Alexander Leszczynski (22, North Redington Beach) has been charged with wire fraud, bank fraud, and money laundering; he is pending trial on those charges. Leszczynski used fictitious charitable entities, such as Love & Bliss, Inc., to engage in numerous frauds. The schemes included fraudulently applying for and receiving two PPP loans, engaging in a check kiting scheme, and attempting to deposit $2.7 million of worthless checks into the Love & Bliss, Inc. business account. The United States ultimately seized the PPP proceeds from an account Leszczynski controlled. In a separate fraud scheme, Leszczynski filed fraudulent warranty deeds purporting to deed himself and his businesses 10 properties around the United States collectively valued at more than $300 million.

In addition to the work of the Criminal Division, the District’s Asset Recovery Division and federal seizing agencies have completed the forfeiture of more than $14 million of PPP, EIDL, and UI funds that were fraudulently obtained, depriving the fraudsters of their ill-gotten gains and recovering the proceeds for the victims. The District’s Civil Division has similarly combatted fraud related to COVID-19 through its enforcement efforts.

The 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 identified in the linked chart have been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Secret Service, Internal Revenue Service—Criminal Investigation, Department of Labor—Office of Inspector General, U.S. Postal Service, Federal Housing Finance Agency, Small Business Administration, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation—Office of Inspector General, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation, the Tampa Police Department, the Orlando Police Department, 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.

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.

 Middle District of Florida COVID Fraud Cases

Charged Cases

Defendant(s) (Age)

Charge(s)

Max. Imprisonment

Type of Fraud*

Intended Loss Amount

Tampa Division

Richard Simpkins (47)

 

Conspiracy to commit bank fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 30 Years

Illegal monetary transactions

Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years

PPP

$1.9M

Joseph Abdo (39)

 

Wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

Illegal monetary transactions

Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years

PPP

$500k

Jorge Gutierrez Echeverria (33)

Wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

EIDL

$150k

Steve Moodie (33)

Melinda Hernandez (33)

 

Conspiracy to commit wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 5 Years

Wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

Aggravated identity theft

Maximum: Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive

UI

$550k

Alexander Leszczynski (22)

Wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

Bank fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 30 Years

Illegal monetary transactions

Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years

PPP

$200k

These COVID Fraud cases from the Tampa Division are being handled by AUSAs Rachel Jones, Greg Pizzo, Candace Rich, Diego Novaes, and Jennifer Peresie

Orlando Division

Don Cisternino (46)

 

Wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

Illegal Monetary Transactions

Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years

Aggravated Identity Theft

Maximum Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive

PPP

$7.2M

 

 

 

Emmet Bowens (53)

 

Wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

Illegal monetary transactions

Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years

PPP

$740k

These COVID Fraud cases from the Orlando Division are being handled by AUSAs Chauncey Bratt and Amanda Daniels

Fort Myers Division

Daniel Joseph Tisone (34)

 

Wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

Bank fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 30 Years

Money laundering

Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years

Aggravated Identity Theft

Maximum Prison Term: 2 Years Consecutive

Possession of Ammunition by a Prohibited Person

Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years

PPP/EIDL/MSLP

$2.6M

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

Ocala Division

Levelle Harris (36)

Wire Fraud (14 counts)

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

PPP

$1.2M

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

Adjudicated Cases

Tampa Division

Rolanda Wingfield (39)

 

Access device fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years

Aggravated identity theft

Maximum Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive

UI

$135k

 

 

Keith Nicoletta (49)

 

Conspiracy to commit money laundering

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

PPP

$1.9M

Randy Jones (34)

 

Wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

Aggravated identity theft

Maximum Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive

EIDL/UI

$250k

Rosenide Venant (37)

 

Conspiracy to commit money laundering

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

EIDL/PPP

$413k

 

Julio Lugo (45)

 

Conspiracy to commit money laundering

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

EIDL/PPP

$4.4M

Keaujay Hornsby (26)

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 (27)

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

These COVID Fraud cases from the Tampa Division are being handled by AUSAs Rachel Jones and Tiffany Fields

Orlando Division

Daniel Johnson (34)

Conspiracy to commit wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

Aggravated identity theft

Maximum Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive

Unlawful transfer of firearm

Maximum Prison Term: 5 Years

UI

$2.3M

This COVID Fraud case from the Orlando Division are being handled by AUSA Emily Chang

Fort Myers Division

Anthony Bruey (36)

Amber Bruey (35)

 

Conspiracy to commit wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 30 Years

Wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 30 Years

Conspiracy to commit money laundering

Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years

Illegal monetary transactions

Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years

 

PPP/EIDL

$881k

Edrica Leann Watson (30)

 

False statement to a lending institution

Maximum Prison Term: 30 Year

 

PPP

$392k

Liliana Gonzalez (31)

 

Wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

PPP

$169k

These COVID Fraud cases from the Fort Myers Division are being handled by AUSAs Trent Reichling and Jesus M. Casas

Sentenced Cases

Tampa Division

Louis Thornton, III (63)

 

Wire Fraud

Sentence Imposed: 42 months in federal prison

EIDL/PPP

$815k

Kary Stevenson (48)

Corey Quinn (35)

 

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 (52)

 

Bank fraud

Sentence Imposed: 2 years in federal prison

PPP

$588k

Wayne Ganaway (47)

 

Conspiracy to commit wire fraud

Sentence Imposed: 4 years in federal prison

EIDL

$300k

Eriaius Bentley (29)

Racketeering conspiracy, aggravated identity theft, access device fraud

Sentence Imposed: One year in federal prison

UI

$3M

Tywon Spann (25)

Racketeering conspiracy, aggravated identity theft, access device fraud

Sentence Imposed: 6 years and 9 months in federal prison

UI

$3M

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

Orlando Division

Jacquavius Smith (21)

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 (40)

 

Wire fraud

Sentence Imposed: 5 years in federal prison

EIDL/PPP

$2.2M

Joseph Harrison (43)

 

Conspiracy to commit wire fraud

Sentence Imposed: 12 months in federal prison

UI

$2.1M

Tomas Ziupsnys (39)

 

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

Sentence Imposed: 5 years in federal prison

PPP

$2M

Holly Urban (36)

 

Conspiracy to commit bank fraud

Sentence Imposed: 30 months in federal prison

PPP

$1.5M

These COVID Fraud cases from the Orlando Division were handled by AUSAs John Gardella, Amanda Daniels, Chauncey Bratt, Emily Chang, and Jennifer Harrington

Fort Myers Division

Casey Crowther (36)

 

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

Sentence Imposed: 3 years, 1 month in federal prison

PPP

$2.7M

This COVID Fraud case from the Fort Myers Division was handled by AUSA Trent Reichling

Types of Fraud*

Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

Unemployment Insurance (UI)

Main Street Lending Program (MSLP)

 

 

 

 

Orlando, Florida – United States District Judge Carlos E. Mendoza has sentenced Michael Belmares (63, St. Cloud) to 25 years in federal prison for production and possession of child sex abuse materials. Belmares was also ordered to serve a 10-year term of supervised release and register as a sex offender following his release from prison. Belmares had pleaded guilty on March 15, 2022.    

According to evidence presented in open court, Belmares took photos of a six-year-old child that depicted the child naked from the waist down and focused on the child’s genitalia. In addition, a subsequent search revealed that Belmares had other photos that he had taken of various children in shopping center parking lots in Osceola County. These children were fully clothed and could not be identified. Finally, Belmares had a collection of thousands of images depicting children being sexually abused. Among these were binders of photos that Belmares had saved, with date stamps, from as early as 1996, and hundreds of images of child sex abuse saved on various electronic devices. The court also found that Belmares had a 1996 sex offense conviction in North Carolina that enhanced his sentence. 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the St. Cloud Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn P. Napier.  

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 Carlos E. Mendoza has sentenced Theresea Walker (30, Fairburn, GA) to three years and six months in federal prison for wire fraud. She was also ordered to pay $1,757,082.73 in restitution and forfeited $934,885.65 that was seized by the FBI from various accounts held by her or in her control. Walker had pleaded guilty on March 29, 2022.

According to court documents, from at least October 2019 through May 21, 2021, Walker was employed as an accounts payable processor with a technology company, defense contractor, and information technology services provider headquartered in Melbourne, Florida. In this role, Walker’s responsibilities included accessing her employer’s payment software systems for the purpose of entering vendor and supplier invoices and scheduling those invoices for payment. Walker’s employer conducted an audit of accounts serviced by Walker and the audit revealed that Walker had made false entries into the employer’s accounts payable system to conduct nine wire transactions through which Walker caused the transfer of funds from the employer’s bank account to accounts controlled by Walker.

As part of her scheme, Walker also edited the payment terms and accounts of actual existing vendors with the employer, so that new invoices entered under that vendor name would be paid directly to the accounts designated by Walker.  During the course of the scheme, in an attempt to hide her fraudulent activity, Walker created multiple fictitious invoices and fraudulent credit memos. In total, as a result of her scheme, Walker caused a total loss of $1,757,082.73 to the employer, which also represents the proceeds received by her from her scheme. 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Terry B. Livanos. The forfeiture was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Andrejko.

Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Magdiel Carmona (27, Tampa) with one count of conspiracy to distribute narcotics, four counts of possession with the intent to distribute narcotics, four counts of carrying a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and six counts of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. If convicted, Carmona faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for the each of the drug counts, a minimum of five years, and up to life, for each count of carrying a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and up to 10 years in prison for each count of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The indictment also notifies Carmona that the United States intends to forfeit the firearms recovered in this investigation, which are alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offense.

According to the indictment, from August 10, 2021, through March 6, 2022, Carmona conspired with others to sell or deliver narcotics. During the conspiracy, Carmona possessed multiple firearms. Carmona had previously been convicted of multiple felonies – to include robberies – and is therefore prohibited from possessing firearms 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 Hillsborough Sheriff’s Office, the Tampa Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Beckman.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.       

Orlando, Florida –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Justin Dwayne Johnson, Sr. (47, Sanford) has pleaded guilty to five counts of producing and attempting to produce videos depicting children being sexually exploited and one count of possessing child sexual abuse materials. Johnson faces a minimum of 15 years, and up to 30 years, in federal prison on each of the five production counts, and up to 20 years in federal prison for the possession count. A sentencing date has been set for October 12, 2022. Johnson had been indicted on March 23, 2022.

According to the plea agreement, in January 2022, an investigation was initiated into Johnson after Child Protection Services was alerted that Johnson was secretly video-recording foster children to whom he had access. Johnson disclosed to an acquaintance that he had cameras in a particular residence to record the children in the nude and that he had videos on his cellphone and computer that depicted him molesting the children. During the investigation, law enforcement officers seized several devices belonging to Johnson. The forensic examinations of Johnson’s cellphone and other electronic devices revealed numerous images and videos depicting children being sexually abused. Specifically, the evidence showed that Johnson used the children under his care to produce depictions of sexually explicit conduct. Additionally, Johnson’s cellphone contained numerous videos and images depicting other young children being sexually abused. To date, the FBI has identified at least 16 child victims that were sexually exploited by Johnson.

This case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Sanford Police Department and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Courtney Richardson-Jones and Ilianys Rivera Miranda.

Any person who was a victim, or has knowledge of someone who may have been a victim, is urged to contact FBI at 1-800-225-5324 or https://tips.fbi.gov.  

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.  

Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard has sentenced Brett Amante (39, Jacksonville) to nine years and six months in federal prison for bank robbery and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime.  The court also ordered Amante to forfeit the firearms and ammunition he had possessed in connection with the offenses. Amante had pleaded guilty on February 22, 2022.

According to court documents, on the morning of February 26, 2021, Amante robbed a Wells Fargo Bank branch in Jacksonville. Amante entered the bank and approached a teller, passing over a bag and a note which demanded money and stated that if the teller gave him a dye pack, “it will not end well with you.” The teller pressed the panic button, which Amante noticed. Amante then brandished two loaded 9mm pistols in a shoulder holster and in his waistband. The teller provided him with approximately $1,046 and Amante escaped in a getaway vehicle.

The teller had placed a GPS tracking device in the bag and officers from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office immediately responded and followed the GPS device to the Amante’s residence. Amante was apprehended as he walked out of his front door still armed with one of the 9mm pistols and carrying some of the stolen money and a stolen license plate that he had used on his getaway vehicle. Law enforcement recovered the other 9mm pistol used in the robbery during a search of Amante’s house, along with an AR-15-style rifle, 869 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 993 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, body armor, an unregistered firearms silencer, surveillance equipment, handcuffs, and zip ties.  Officers also searched the getaway vehicle and recovered an unregistered AR-15-style short-barreled rifle loaded with armor-piercing ammunition, along with multiple loaded spare magazines for the rifle and the 9mm pistols.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.  It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David B. Mesrobian.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Tampa, FL – Senior U.S. District Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington has sentenced Luis Alberto Bran-Lopez (43, Oaxaca, Mexico) to 21 years and 10 months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine while onboard a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.  Bran-Lopez had pleaded guilty on April 15, 2022.

According to court documents, on January 14, 2021, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Cutter STEADFAST interdicted a go-fast vessel (GFV) carrying Bran-Lopez and his six co-conspirators in international waters about 212 nautical miles south of Huatulco, Mexico. The defendants were carrying approximately 760 kilograms of cocaine on the GFV. During the boarding of the GFV, Bran-Lopez told the USCG that he and his co-conspirators were fishing for sharks even though there was a lack of fishing equipment and neither ice nor bait on board.

According to testimony and court documents, investigators learned of a plan that one of the seven co-conspirators would plead guilty and then provide information to law enforcement exonerating the others. Bran-Lopez was that person, and he later told federal agents, while under a cooperation agreement, that he tricked his co-defendants into thinking they were going on a fishing trip when, in reality, the co-defendants were going on a smuggling trip that Bran-Lopez had to take because his family had been kidnapped. The court rejected this explanation and found that Bran-Lopez had obstructed the investigation by making materially false statements to law enforcement.

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

A Florida man was sentenced today to 20 years in federal prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release, for attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham, also known as ISIS, a designated foreign terrorist organization.

Romeo Xavier Langhorne, 32, of St. Augustine, pleaded guilty in the Middle District of Florida to one count of attempting to provide material support to ISIS on May 13, 2021. According to court documents, Langhorne pledged his allegiance to ISIS at some point in 2014, knowing that ISIS was a designated foreign terrorist organization that engaged in acts of terrorism. Between 2018 and 2019, Langhorne reaffirmed his support of ISIS on various social media accounts, posted ISIS-produced videos to his YouTube account and participated in online ISIS chat rooms with like-minded individuals. In December 2018 and January 2019, Langhorne expressed in one of those chat rooms an interest in creating a video that would improve on existing videos demonstrating the making and use of a deadly explosive, triacetone triperoxide (TATP).

In February 2019, Langhorne began communicating with an undercover employee (UCE) of the FBI who was posing as someone working on behalf of ISIS. Langhorne told the UCE about his plans to create and disseminate an instructional video on making TATP and sought the UCE’s assistance in creating the video. Langhorne told the UCE that, in order to ensure that the video was not removed from the internet by service providers, it should include disclaimers advising that it was intended for educational purposes. However, Langhorne informed the UCE that his true purpose in making and distributing the video was to arm ISIS adherents and others with knowledge of how to make TATP and use it for terrorism-related purposes in support of ISIS.

During the summer of 2019, Langhorne sent multiple messages to the UCE for assistance with creating a Nasheed, which is a form of Islamic vocal music. Langhorne stated he wanted the Nasheed to include a particular recording of an ISIS member yelling “Allahu Akbar” while breaking out of prison, as well as a clip of children saying, “kill them all.” Langhorne explained that he wanted the Nasheed “to encourage justified retaliation” against the United States for its role in killing Muslims.

The FBI produced a video in accordance with Langhorne’s instructions, but – unbeknownst to Langhorne – it featured an inert chemical formula for TATP that would not produce an explosion.  In November 2019, the UCE provided versions of the TATP video to Langhorne, and Langhorne distributed the video by uploading it to a video-sharing website.

Langhorne was arrested at his residence in Roanoke, Virginia, on Nov. 15, 2019. Langhorne admitted in a post-arrest interview that he had “probably at some point” pledged allegiance to both ISIS and Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who was the leader of ISIS from 2014 until his death on Oct. 26, 2019.  Langhorne admitted that he communicated with the UCE and that he uploaded the TATP video to the internet.

Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida Roger B. Handberg, Acting Assistant Director Kevin Vorndran of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division and Special Agent in Charge Sherri E. Onks of the FBI’s Jacksonville Field Office made the announcement.

The FBI, including partner agencies participating in the Northeast Florida Joint Terrorism Task Force, investigated the case with investigative support from U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations and Border Patrol and the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Cofer Taylor for the Middle District of Florida and Trial Attorney D. Andrew Sigler of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section prosecuted the case.

Jacksonville, FL – United States Attorney Roger Handberg announces today that a Florida man was sentenced today to 20 years in federal prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release, for attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham, also known as ISIS, a designated foreign terrorist organization.

Romeo Xavier Langhorne, 32, of St. Augustine, pleaded guilty in the Middle District of Florida to one count of attempting to provide material support to ISIS on May 13, 2021. According to court documents, Langhorne pledged his allegiance to ISIS at some point in 2014, knowing that ISIS was a designated foreign terrorist organization that engaged in acts of terrorism. Between 2018 and 2019, Langhorne reaffirmed his support of ISIS on various social media accounts, posted ISIS-produced videos to his YouTube account and participated in online ISIS chat rooms with like-minded individuals. In December 2018 and January 2019, Langhorne expressed in one of those chat rooms an interest in creating a video that would improve on existing videos demonstrating the making and use of a deadly explosive, triacetone triperoxide (TATP).

In February 2019, Langhorne began communicating with an undercover employee (UCE) of the FBI who was posing as someone working on behalf of ISIS. Langhorne told the UCE about his plans to create and disseminate an instructional video on making TATP and sought the UCE’s assistance in creating the video. Langhorne told the UCE that, in order to ensure that the video was not removed from the internet by service providers, it should include disclaimers advising that it was intended for educational purposes. However, Langhorne informed the UCE that his true purpose in making and distributing the video was to arm ISIS adherents and others with knowledge of how to make TATP and use it for terrorism-related purposes in support of ISIS.

During the summer of 2019, Langhorne sent multiple messages to the UCE for assistance with creating a Nasheed, which is a form of Islamic vocal music. Langhorne stated he wanted the Nasheed to include a particular recording of an ISIS member yelling “Allahu Akbar” while breaking out of prison, as well as a clip of children saying, “kill them all.” Langhorne explained that he wanted the Nasheed “to encourage justified retaliation” against the United States for its role in killing Muslims.

The FBI produced a video in accordance with Langhorne’s instructions, but – unbeknownst to Langhorne – it featured an inert chemical formula for TATP that would not produce an explosion. In November 2019, the UCE provided versions of the TATP video to Langhorne, and Langhorne distributed the video by uploading it to a video-sharing website.

Langhorne was arrested at his residence in Roanoke, Virginia, on November 15, 2019. Langhorne admitted in a post-arrest interview that he had “probably at some point” pledged allegiance to both ISIS and Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who was the leader of ISIS from 2014 until his death on October 26, 2019. Langhorne admitted that he communicated with the UCE and that he uploaded the TATP video to the internet.

Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida Roger B. Handberg, Acting Assistant Director Kevin Vorndran of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division, and FBI Jacksonville Special Agent in Charge Sherri E. Onks made the announcement.

“The willingness of this dangerous individual to go to great lengths to harm innocent Americans was always very real,” said FBI Jacksonville Special Agent in Charge Sherri E. Onks, “but through hard work and determination, the FBI Jacksonville Joint Terrorism Task Force successfully disrupted his plan early on, and averted a threat to the safety of our community. Moving forward, we remain as vigilant as ever in our efforts to protect the public from others who support terrorist organizations, and we encourage the public to help us by reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement.”

“Due to the outstanding cooperation and coordination by our law enforcement partners, great harm to our community was prevented,” stated U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg. “I applaud the diligence of those who worked expeditiously to disrupt this threat to our public’s safety.” 

The FBI, including partner agencies participating in the Northeast Florida Joint Terrorism Task Force, investigated the case with investigative support from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Border Patrol and the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Cofer Taylor for the Middle District of Florida and Trial Attorney D. Andrew Sigler of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section prosecuted the case.

Jacksonville, Florida –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Shawntae Jamell Clark (41, Clay County) with possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession of two firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. If convicted on all counts, Clark faces a minimum mandatory term of 15 years, and up to life, in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Clark that the United States intends to forfeit two firearms and ammunition, which are alleged to be traceable to his offenses. Clark is detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for July 11, 2022.

According to the indictment, on July 2, 2021, Clark was in possession of 50 grams or more of pure/actual methamphetamine while also in possession of two firearms and ammunition. At the time of the incident, Clark had previous felony convictions for armed robbery, attempted lewd or lascivious act – sexual battery, and multiple convictions for possession of cocaine. As a previously convicted felon, Clark 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, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein. The forfeiture will be handled by Assistant United States Attorney Mai Tran.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Orlando, Florida – United States District Judge Carlos E. Mendoza has sentenced Yunis Isaac Mejia (28, St. Cloud) to 21 months in federal prison for possessing an unregistered short-barreled rifle. Mejia had pleaded guilty on January 28, 2022. 

According to evidence admitted during the sentencing hearing, Mejia illegally modified a CZ Scorpion EVO 3 S1 pistol, with a barrel less than 16 inches long, with an aftermarket shoulder stock. With this modification, Mejia illegally converted the pistol into a short-barreled rifle. Under the federal National Firearms Act, short-barreled rifles are required to be registered. 

Mejia then offered to sell his illegally modified firearm to an confidential source working at the direction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Mejia also provided direction and instruction to the confidential source on how the confidential source could purchase the same model of pistol and modify it himself.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn P. Napier.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Ocala, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found Nishera Remon Johnson (41, Silver Springs Shores) guilty of one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance (methamphetamine, cocaine, cocaine base, and marijuana) and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Johnson faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years, and up to life in federal prison, for the firearm offense and a minimum mandatory 10 years, and up to life imprisonment, for the drug offense. Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 22, 2022. A grand jury had indicted Johnson on September 2, 2020.

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, on November 26, 2019, investigators searched a vehicle belonging to Johnson and found nearly two pounds of methamphetamine. They also found evidence of a marijuana grow operation at Johnson’s residence. When that home was searched pursuant to a warrant in December 2020, agents located numerous firearms and ammunition along with nearly half a kilogram of powder cocaine. In a shed behind the home, agents discovered the hidden marijuana grow operation. Johnson had been living at the home with her minor child and a co-defendant. Johnson, a convicted felon, is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the City of Ocala Police Department, and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William S. Hamilton.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Charlene E. Honeywell today sentenced Deuntay Robertson (30, Sarasota) to 6 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. The court also ordered Robertson to forfeit a Bersa Thunder 380 CC, .380 caliber pistol and four rounds of ammunition. Robertson had pleaded guilty on March 11, 2022.

According to court documents, on February 9, 2021, law enforcement officers were working an undercover operation in Sarasota. Robertson approached the undercover law enforcement vehicle and offered to sell the undercover officers cocaine base. Robertson instructed the undercover officers to meet him around the corner.

Two uniformed law enforcement officers approached and detained Robertson as he went to meet the undercover officers. The officers conducted a pat-down search of Robertson and recovered a loaded firearm, a digital scale, cocaine base, and eutylone. Robertson later confessed to possessing the firearm. At the time of this offense, Robertson had multiple prior felony convictions and therefore is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Sarasota Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Charlie D. Connally.

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Marquvius Trevon Dixon (26, Clearwater) with possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. If convicted, Dixon faces a minimum mandatory term of 15 years, and up to life, in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Dixon that the United States intends to forfeit the firearm traceable to his offense.

According to the indictment, on July 8, 2021, Dixon possessed a firearm. At the time of the incident, Dixon had multiple prior felony convictions for the sale of cocaine and possession of cocaine. As a previously convicted felon, Dixon is prohibited from possessing a firearm 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 Clearwater Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David P. Sullivan. The forfeiture will be handled by Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Nebesky.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge William Jung has sentenced Gerardo Gomez-Lubo, a/k/a Francisco Niño, (42, Colombia) to 15 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute cocaine knowing and intending it to be imported into the United States. Gerardo Gomez-Lubo had pleaded guilty on January 11, 2022.

According to court documents, beginning in approximately September 2017 and continuing through 2019, Gomez-Lubo was part of a transnational criminal conspiracy that transported cocaine directly from Colombia, through Central America and the Caribbean, directly to the United States, including Texas, California, Hawaii, and Florida.

Th investigation revealed that Gomez-Lubo and others discussed, planned, and executed the transportation of cocaine to include discussing cocaine prices, currency transfers, drug debts, and methods used to avoid apprehension and detection by law enforcement. The cocaine distributed by Gomez-Lubo and others displayed identifying symbols and marks. Those marks were found in kilograms of cocaine recovered by law enforcement in New York, Pennsylvania, and Florida.

Gomez-Lubo’s co-defendant, Piero Antonio Lubo-Barros, was also indicted.

Lubo-Barros was arrested in Costa Rica in January 2021, living under an assumed identity. He was extradited to the United States in November 2021 and is currently pending trial in Tampa.

“This case is a great example of how the DEA works in concert with our law enforcement partners all across the globe to apprehend and bring to justice those involved in the poisoning of American communities by trading in illicit drugs,” said Special Agent in Charge J. Todd Scott, head of DEA’s Louisville Division. “I’m very proud of the work done by all of our special agents who work very hard to keep our communities safe.”

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diego F. Novaes.

The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant support with the defendant’s extradition. The U.S. Marshals Service also provided critical assistance by extraditing Gerardo Gomez-Lubo from Panama to the Middle District of Florida.

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

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber today sentenced Shyron Deonta Givens, a/k/a “Ron,” (45, St. Petersburg) to 5 years and 10 months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute cocaine. Givens had pleaded guilty on April 16, 2021.

According to court documents, Givens was one of eleven defendants charged with federal drug trafficking offenses. According to the indictment, from around August 2018, and continuing through November 26, 2019, Givens and others conspired to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine. As part of this conspiracy, Givens facilitated cocaine deals between the co-defendants. In total, Givens was responsible for several drug transactions that involved more than 5 kilograms of cocaine.

Each of the eleven individuals charged in this case has pleaded guilty and been sentenced, as reflected in the chart below:

Defendant (age, residence)

Sentence Imposed

Ahmad Rashad Weston, a/k/a “Blood,” (45, St. Petersburg)

17 years, 6 months

Charleston Shellie Long, a/k/a “Shellie,” (41, St. Petersburg)

7 years, 6 months

Shyron Deonta Givens, a/k/a “Ron,” (45, St. Petersburg)

5 years, 10 months

Charlie James McDuffy, Jr. (34, Clearwater)

10 years

Teddy Terrell Strachan (40, Pembroke Pines)

6 years, 6 months

Ceveghnta Billvon Guyden, a/k/a “Chop,” (44, St. Petersburg)

17 years, 6 months

Quincy Alfonzo Turner, a/k/a “Chico,” (44, St. Petersburg)

10 years

Justice Deshonna McLaurin, a/k/a “Jussy,” (27, St. Petersburg)

5 years

Willie Carl McLaurin, a/k/a “Baldy,” (55, St. Petersburg)

Time Served

Ja’Vonta Willie McLaurin, a/k/a “Tay Tay,” (28, St. Petersburg)

5 years

Willie Carl McLaurin, Jr. (33, St. Petersburg)

5 years

This case was investigated by a multi-agency task force through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply. Agencies involved in this OCDETF operation include the Drug Enforcement Administration, the St. Petersburg Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Charlie D. Connally.   

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday today sentenced Calfus W. Drummond (37, Gulfport) to 11 years and 6 months in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl; 500 grams or more of methamphetamine; cocaine and marijuana; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Drummond had pleaded guilty on December 7, 2021. This federal sentence is to run consecutive to a 7-year prison sentence that a state court previously imposed on Drummond for possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute. The court also ordered Drummond to forfeit a Glock 19 pistol, Romrarm/Cuigar Draco pistol, Iver Johnson revolver, FIE E22 pistol, Glock 17 pistol, Ruger P90 pistol and 177 rounds of ammunition.

According to court documents, on October 9, 2018, Drummond pleaded nolo contendere to a 10-count Information in state court in Manatee County. The state charges that Drummond had pleaded to include possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute. Drummond was on bond when he pleaded guilty and later failed to appear for his sentencing, becoming a fugitive.

On February 4, 2021, law enforcement officers located Drummond at a hotel in Manatee County. The officers detained Drummond as he was getting into his car. The officers recovered a loaded firearm from the passenger seat of the car. The firearm was located underneath a backpack that officers had observed Drummond carrying. The officers searched the backpack and discovered 15 grams of fentanyl, 13.8 grams of methamphetamine, and 57 grams of cocaine. The officers also recovered four pounds of marijuana from inside Drummond’s car. More than $6,700.00 was seized from Drummond’s person during a search incident to arrest.

On that same day, subsequent to Drummond’s arrest, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Drummond’s residence and located two bags near Drummond’s front door. One bag contained three firearms, 35 grams of cocaine, 2 grams of fentanyl, and 210 grams of methamphetamine. The second bag contained nearly 1,890 grams of fentanyl and 115 grams of marijuana. Officers also officer recovered $9,836, a Ruger 45, and ammunition from Drummond’s bedroom, an additional 29 grams of fentanyl, 349 grams of methamphetamine, and 116 grams of marijuana were located inside the home. Two firearms and assorted ammunition were recovered from a shed located the back of the residence.

This case was investigated by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Charlie D. Connally.

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.    

 Jacksonville, FL –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Jesse Rance Moore (45, Bell) with Hobbs Act robbery, robbery involving controlled substances, and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of crimes of violence. If convicted on all counts, Moore faces a minimum mandatory term of seven years, and up to life, in federal prison.

According to the indictment, on or about January 13, 2022, Moore robbed the North Florida Pharmacy of Fort White. During the robbery, Moore brandished a firearm and took pharmaceutical drugs and controlled substances from an employee of the pharmacy. Moore was arrested and made his initial appearance on June 27, 2022. 

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

This case was investigated by the FBI, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration,  the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, the Lake City Police Department, the Chiefland Police Department, and the Florida Highway Patrol. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kirwinn Mike.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.