Southern District of Florida

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Jose A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and Scott J. Israel, Sheriff, Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO), announce today that co-defendants Camilla Gonzalez, 29, and Patricia Alcime, 29, both of Lauderhill, were sentenced today before U.S. District Judge William P. Dimitrouleas, in connection with their previous convictions relating to a tax refund scheme that used stolen social security and other personal identifying information to file false online tax returns that resulted in the issuance of hundreds of fraudulent tax refunds by the IRS totaling in excess of $1.5 million.

At today’s hearing, Judge Dimitrouleas sentenced Camilla Gonzalez to 102 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and sentenced Patricia Alcime to 94 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Additionally, they were each ordered to pay $1.8 million in restitution to the IRS and were ordered to forfeit $511,801.28 in fraudulently obtained U.S. currency that had been frozen by SunTrust Bank and seized by the IRS.

Previously, on January 29, 2014, Gonzalez was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit false claims, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 286, two counts of theft of public money, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641, and two counts of aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028A. Co-defendant Alcime was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit false claims, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 286, three counts of theft of public money, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641, and three counts of aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028A.

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, as well as from court documents, between January 15, 2011 and continuing until on or about October 20, 2011, Gonzalez and Alcime conspired to defraud the United States by obtaining and aiding to obtain the payment or allowance of false, fictitious, and fraudulent claims. It was the object of the conspiracy that the defendants unjustly enrich themselves, by obtaining and utilizing stolen means of identification to file false and fraudulent federal income tax returns with the IRS claiming tax refunds to which they were not entitled.

In the instant case, Camilla Gonzalez and Patricia Alcime obtained personal identifying information of numerous identity theft victims, including their names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers. The defendants utilized this information to electronically file false and fraudulent federal income tax returns without the knowledge or authorization of the identity theft victims, utilizing the Electronic Filing Identification Number (EFIN) assigned to Luxury Tax Inc. and their individually assigned Preparer Tax Identification Numbers (PTIN), claiming refunds to which they were not entitled from the IRS. Camilla Gonzalez and Patricia Alcime thereafter directed the IRS that the fraudulently claimed refunds be direct deposited into Luxury Tax, Inc. bank accounts at JP Morgan Chase Bank and SunTrust Bank or onto pre-paid reloadable debit card accounts.

Once the bank accounts or pre-paid reloadable debit cards had been funded by the Department of the Treasury, Gonzalez and Alcime would thereafter withdraw the funds by making withdrawals at local automated teller machines, transfers to other accounts under their control or to merchants directly, or would utilize the debit cards associated with the Luxury Tax Inc. bank accounts to make everyday purchases, including point of sale transactions at various local businesses and merchants.

In total, Camilla Gonzalez filed 621 fraudulent 2010 tax returns on behalf of unsuspecting identity theft victims, claiming $1,738,639.00 in fraudulent refunds. The IRS subsequently paid out $1,858,386.00 in refunds directly to accounts under her control. Patricia Alcime filed at least 92 fraudulent 2010 tax returns on behalf of unsuspecting identity theft victims, claiming $222,652.00 in fraudulent refunds. The IRS subsequently paid out $203,831.00 in refunds directly to accounts under the control of both Camilla Gonzalez and Patricia Alcime.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the IRS-CI and BSO. This case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc Anton.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Jose A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), announce that Jeffrey Emil Groover, 53, of Delray Beach, was sentenced today before U.S. District Judge Robin Rosenbaum to 60 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Groover was ordered to pay $350,373.86 in restitution. Groover previously pled guilty to the indictment, which charged him with making and presenting false claims to the Internal Revenue Service, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 287.

According to court documents, prior to March 2012, victims’ personal identification information was used to electronically file fraudulent federal tax returns and obtain tax refunds via U.S. Treasury checks and refund anticipated loan checks, payable to the victims whose tax returns had been fraudulently filed. Groover’s part in this scheme was to deposit the fraudulent tax refund checks into two business accounts, Affordable Pest Protection and Useful Products, companies he owned and controlled. Groover attempted to use those proceeds for himself and to pay others involved in the scheme.

Court documents state that in March 2012, Groover opened a merchant account at Telecheck Services, Inc. in the name of Affordable Pest Protection. Several large U.S. Treasury checks were processed through the defendant's business account. Groover stated to Telecheck that he met with each of the named payees on the tax refund checks in person to convert their tax refund checks into pre-paid extermination and disinfection services. Groover further explained that he was trying to “mimic” automobile dealerships’ promotions by allowing clients to bring him their tax refund checks and apply the refund amounts to pre-paid pest control services. When TeleCheck requested that Groover provide documentation to support his claim that the refund checks were provided to Affordable Pest Protection by customers as payment for services rendered, Groover provided Telecheck copies of Affordable Pest Protection invoices billing the payees of the tax refund checks for services he never provided. None of the payees received the tax refund checks issued in their names. Nor did the payees endorse the checks or authorize Affordable Pest protection or Groover to claim the tax refund check.

In sentencing the defendant to a sentence significantly above the sentencing guideline range, the judge noted the defendant’s extensive criminal history, his recent arrest for a new identity theft crime while on bond awaiting sentencing, and the large number of victims who suffered, some for years, as a result of his repeated commission of identity theft crimes. The judge also noted that while serving a 46 month sentence for identity theft in 2004, the defendant provided testimony to the Senate Special Committee on Aging, in which he explained how easy it was to commit identity theft using the internet and how his 46 month sentence would cause him to never commit such crimes again. Since the 46 month sentence had not deterred Groover from committing new crimes, the judge imposed a 60 month sentence.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of IRS-CI. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrienne Rabinowitz.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Jose A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Paula Reid, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Secret Service (USSS), Miami Field Office, and Scott Israel, Sheriff, Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO), announce that Andrew Ware, 27, of Lauderhill, was sentenced today to 70 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release for his participation in a stolen identity tax refund scheme and an access device fraud scheme that resulted in the submission of over $137,000 in fraudulent tax refund claims and over $49,000 in unauthorized access device purchases. Ware previously pled guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1349, 1343, 1029(b)(2) and 1028A(a)(1), respectively.

Co-defendants Alex Dontfred, 29, David Tilus, 27, Sherika Rowe, 20, Fritznel Etienne, 24, and Latonya Ware, 27, all of Lauderhill, were previously sentenced. Dontfred was sentenced on March 18, 2014 to 46 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay forfeiture of $49,561.88 and restitution in the amount of $45,711.10. Tilus was sentenced on March 10, 2014 to 70 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $188,322 in restitution. Rowe was sentenced on March 13, 2014 to 45 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a money judgment of $136,538 and restitution in the amount of $136,535. Etienne was sentenced on March 14, 2014 to 34 months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a money judgment of $11,204 and restitution in the amount of $3,844.81. Latonya Ware was sentenced on March 10, 2014 to 34 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a money judgment of $136,535 and restitution in the amount of $136,535.

Dontfred previously pled guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit access device fraud and access device fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1029(b)(2) and 1029(a)(2), respectively. Tilus previously pled guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1349, 1343, 1029(b)(2) and 1028A(a)(1), respectively. Rowe previously pled guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349, 1343 and 1028A(a)(1), respectively. Etienne previously pled guilty to one count each of access device fraud and aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1029(a)(2) and 1028A(a)(1), respectively. Latonya Ware previously pled guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349 and 1028A(a)(1), respectively.

According to court documents, Andrew Ware, David Tilus, Latonya Ware and Sherika Rowe obtained the personal identifying information (PII) of numerous identity theft victims, including their names, dates of birth, and social security numbers. Latonya Ware stole patients' names and social security numbers from a medical office where she worked, and gave the PII to Tilus and her cousin, Andrew Ware. Rowe electronically filed fraudulent tax returns utilizing the victims’ names and social security numbers, and the fraudulent refunds from these returns were loaded onto prepaid debit cards that Tilus and Andrew Ware used to purchase gift cards and other merchandise from retail stores. Fraudulent refunds claimed by Andrew Ware, Tilus, Latonya Ware and Rowe from the stolen identities totaled approximately $137,132.

Court documents state that Andrew Ware, David Tilus, Jaqwayn Henry, Alex Dontfred and Fritznel Etienne utilized victims’ access devices, without their authorization, to purchase merchandise totaling at least $1,000 in a single year. These defendants obtained credit card numbers from various victims and used these stolen access devices to purchase merchandise, gift cards and prepaid debit cards for later use. The total amount of fraudulent charges made or attempted to be made by Andrew Ware, Tilus, Henry, and Dontfred utilizing the stolen credit cards is $49,561.88. From approximately January 20, 2012 through January 22, 2012, the total amount of fraudulent charges made or attempted to be made by Etienne utilizing a stolen credit card number is $11,942.23.

Co-defendant Jaqwayn Henry, 23, of Lauderhill, is a fugitive. The indictment was dismissed against Latanya Ware.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of IRS-CI, the USSS, and BSO. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alicia Shick and Harry Wallace.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, announce today that Terrance Brown, 41, of Miami, was convicted of Hobbs Act robbery, two counts of attempted Hobbs Act robbery, and three counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

According to the indictment and evidence presented at trial, Brown was the mastermind of a seven-man robbery crew that conspired in 2010 to rob armored Brinks trucks. In July 2010, the crew planned to rob a Brinks truck at a Bank of America in Lighthouse Point. However, that robbery did not occur because the Brinks truck did not arrive at the bank at the time that the crew planned to rob it. In September 2010, the crew attempted to rob another Brinks truck at a Bank of America in Miramar. That robbery also did not occur because a police vehicle drove through the bank parking lot just prior to the planned robbery causing members of the crew to run from the scene. Finally, in October 2010, the crew returned to the same Bank of America in Miramar to once again rob the Brinks guard as he was delivering currency to the bank. During that robbery, the gunman fatally shot the guard in the head while Brown and his accomplices acted as lookouts. The gunman was arrested at the scene, and one year later, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison. Thereafter, in July of 2013, a jury convicted Brown and three other co-defendants of several charges, including conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery. However, the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict on several other charges, which resulted in a retrial for the charges for which defendant Brown was just convicted.

U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer stated, “We are gratified that the jury reached a unanimous verdict finding Terrance Brown guilty of robbery murder and related weapons charges. Brown was the mastermind of a violent robbery crew that resulted in the senseless murder of a Brinks guard. Today our community can sleep sounder knowing that Brown is off our streets and that justice has been served.”

“Terrance Brown is a violent and greedy criminal who was bent on hitting armored truck couriers during their deliveries,” said George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Miami. “In July 2010, Brown and his robbery crew fatally shot a Brinks guard during the course of his duties. For this brutal and cowardly act, Brown is now being held accountable.”

Sentencing for Brown is scheduled for July 1, 2014 before U.S. District Judge Robin S. Rosenbaum in Ft. Lauderdale. Brown faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Mr. Ferrer commended the FBI’s Violent Crime Task Force, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, the Miramar Police Department, the Lighthouse Point Police Department and the Coconut Creek Police Department for their excellent work on this matter. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark Dispoto, Marc Anton, and Michael Gilfarb.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, José A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and Steve Steinberg, Chief, Aventura Police Department, announce that Tekia Jones, 37, of Hallandale, and Ivory Covington, 29, of Miami, each pled guilty to one count of access device fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1029(a)(3), and one count of aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028A(a)(1). Sentencing is scheduled for June 24, 2014 before U.S. District Judge William P. Dimitrouleas.

According to court documents, Jones was an employee of a national fast food restaurant chain and had access to employees’ names, social security numbers and dates of birth, but did not have permission to possess the employees’ information outside of her employment. On March 10, 2013, during an inventory search of a car driven by Covington, but shared and controlled by Covington and Jones, 118 names, social security numbers and dates of birth were found that belonged to former and current employees of this national fast food restaurant chain, along with two GreenDot Visa prepaid debit cards.

The defendants face a maximum sentence of ten years in prison for the access device fraud charge, and a mandatory term of two years in prison, consecutive to any other term in prison, for the aggravated identity theft charge.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of IRS-CI and the Aventura Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gera R. Peoples.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, and José A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI), announce the filing of charges against Irene Shannon, formerly known as Irene Stay, 50, of Miami, for conspiring to commit crimes through the operation of the former Fort Lauderdale law firm of Rothstein, Rosenfeldt and Adler, P.A. (RRA). The defendant was the Chief Financial Officer of RRA. In 2009, it was discovered that RRA was being utilized by its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Scott W. Rothstein, to commit a massive Ponzi scheme stemming from the sale of fictitious confidential settlements.

The information, which was filed earlier today, charges Shannon with conspiracy to commit money laundering and to defraud a financial institution, in violation of 18 U.S.C. ' 371. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum statutory sentence of up to five years in prison.

According to the information, Shannon oversaw the accounting functions of RRA, including the deposits and withdrawals made by RRA and Rothstein at TD Bank and other financial institutions. In furtherance of the Ponzi scheme, Shannon transferred hundreds of millions of dollars obtained from investors to pay prior investors in the scheme and to supplement and support the operation and activities of RRA, among other purposes. The information further charges that the defendant was well aware that hundreds of millions of dollars were not being held in trust accounts for investors, contrary to what those investors had been told, and that the funds were instead being disbursed to further Rothstein’s fraudulent scheme. The information also charges that the defendant utilized her position to float checks between and among certain bank accounts maintained by RRA in a form of bank fraud commonly known as “check kiting.”

U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer stated, “Once again, the information filed today reaffirms that Rothstein’s massive fraud could not have been the work of one person. As alleged in the information, Irene Shannon played an important role in carrying out Rothstein’s fraud and concealing it from the investors. Indeed, as Chief Financial Officer of RRA, Shannon knew hundreds of millions of dollars of investor funds were not being held in trust accounts and that the funds were being disbursed to further Rothstein’s fraudulent scheme. Shannon is now the eighteenth accomplice to be held accountable in Rothstein’s $1.2 billion Ponzi scheme.”

“Scott Rothstein was the mastermind of a massive Ponzi scheme, but he needed a trusted agent who knew how to shuffle money to keep the scheme running,” said George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Miami. “Irene Shannon, Rothstein, Rosenfelt and Adler’s Chief Financial Officer, transferred millions of dollars and floated innumerable checks in an effort to make it all look legitimate. It wasn’t and now she will be held accountable.”

IRS Special Agent in Charge José A. Gonzalez stated, “As Chief Financial Officer of Rothstein, Rosenfeldt and Adler, P.A., Shannon was in a position to conspire and actively participate with Scott Rothstein in his massive money laundering scheme. By following the money trail, IRS Special agents were able to determine that Shannon assisted Scott Rothstein by conducting numerous fraudulent financial transactions designed to deceive investors by creating a facade of wealth. Today’s message serves as a reminder that those who engage in the deception and financial exploitation of honest investors will be held accountable for their actions.”

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI and IRS-CI. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lawrence D. LaVecchio, Paul F. Schwartz, and Jeffrey N. Kaplan.

An information is only an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Attachment:

Irene Shannon - Information (PDF)

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and José A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), announce that Steven E. Siff, of Davie, was charged in an information with three counts of failing to file an income tax return, in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 7203.

According to the information, since at least 1982, Siff worked as an attorney in the Miami office of an international law firm, first as an associate, then as a partner. Siff failed to file personal United States income tax returns since at least tax year 1997. Between 2001 and 2011, Siff earned approximately $8,248,401 in partnership profits. For tax years 2009 through 2011, Siff failed to make an income tax return reporting gross partnership income of $716,464, $705,967, and $694,449, respectively.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of IRS-CI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bertha R. Mitrani.

An information is only an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), José A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and Ronald J. Verrochio, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Miami Division, announce that Victor Martinez Pantoja, 23, of Naples, pled guilty to one count of theft of government money, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 64l, and one count of aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1028A(a)(1) and 2. Sentencing is scheduled for June 30, 2014 at 2:45 p.m. before U.S. District Judge Jose E. Martinez in Key West.

According to court documents, on November 21, 2013, Pantoja met with two FBl Under Cover Employees (UCEs) and negotiated a deal to cash fraudulently obtained U.S. Treasury income tax refund checks. During the meeting, Pantoja gave the UCEs three Treasury checks totaling $27,263 to be cashed, provided a copy of a counterfeited Florida driver license and social security card for each corresponding Treasury check, and forged the names of the individuals to endorse the back of each check. Pantoja obtained these U.S. Treasury checks by filing fraudulent tax returns using the identities of individuals who died in the previous tax year. He obtained the deceased individuals’ identities from the Internet.

Court documents also state that the UCEs agreed to cash the Treasury checks within three business days and to return $20,500 to Pantoja. On November 26, 2013, the UCEs gave Pantoja $20,500 as payment for the previous three Treasury checks. During this meeting, Pantoja provided the UCEs with 6 Treasury checks totaling $35,547, which were to be cashed by the UCEs.

Pantoja faces a maximum sentence of ten years in prison for the theft of government money charge, and a mandatory term of two years in prison, consecutive to any other term in prison, for the aggravated identity theft charge.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of FBI, IRS-CI, and the USPIS. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gera R. Peoples.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Tracy Dunn, Acting Special Agent in Charge, NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement, and Edward Grace, Deputy Assistant Director, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, announce that Joseph Franko, 35, of Romulus, Michigan, was sentenced today in in Key West for conspiring to purchase, transport, harvest and sell sea fans, ornamental tropical fish and alligators, knowing the wildlife was taken, possessed, transported, sold, and intended to be sold in violation of the laws and regulations of the State of Florida, in violation of Title 16, United States Code, Sections 3372(a)(2)(A), 3372(a)(4), and 3373(d)(1) and (2), all in violation of Title 18,United States Code, Section 371.

United States District Judge Jose E. Martinez, who had previously accepted Franko’s guilty plea, imposed a sentence of five months in prison, followed by five months of home confinement with electronic monitoring, and a two year term of supervised release. The Court determined that he was unable to pay a criminal fine. At the conclusion of the hearing Franko was remanded into the custody of the U.S. Marshal’s Service. Franko’s co-defendant, Richard Perrin, 80, also of Romulus, was sentenced in April in the same case to a three year term of probation, a criminal fine of $15,000, and forfeiture of the vehicle used in the commission of the Lacey Act violations.

According to the indictment and joint factual statements submitted to the Court, during the period extending from December 2008 through approximately December 2011, Perrin and Franko engaged in a conspiracy to purchase, harvest, and transport marine life and reptiles from Florida to Michigan for sale through a business known as Tropicorium, Inc. Perrin was the owner of Tropicorium, engaged in the day-to-day management and operation of the corporation, while Franko was an employee. Tropicorium was organized in 1993 under the laws of Michigan with its principal place of business in Romulus. Tropicorium was engaged in the purchase and retail sale of marine life and reptiles, including sharks, marine invertebrates, sea fans (Gorgonia flabellum and Gorgonia ventalina), ornamental tropical fish, and alligators (Alligator mississippiensis).

The defendants admitted that they failed to acquire or possess the licenses required by Florida Statute for the marine life they harvested during multiple trips to the Florida Keys. Additionally, the sea fans taken by the defendants and sold in Michigan are prohibited from being harvested from the waters of the State of Florida or the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. According to the Factual Statements, Perrin and Franko also made stops while en route to and from the Keys in the area of Big Cypress National Preserve, where they illegally poached juvenile alligators to sell through Tropicorium. Unknown to the defendants, on one occasion they actually sold a baby alligator and illegal sea fans from a Florida harvesting trip to an undercover Special Agent of the Fish & Wildlife Service. The two defendants also utilized a facility on Grassy Key as a maintenance base for their harvested marine life until they were ready to ship or transport the specimens to Michigan for sale.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of NOAA Office of Law Enforcement and the Fish & Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement. Mr. Ferrer also thanked the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Watts-FitzGerald and Antonia Barnes.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Tracy Dunn, Acting Special Agent in Charge, NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement, and Edward Grace, Deputy Assistant Director, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, announce that Idaho Aquarium, Inc. (IAI), located in Boise, Idaho, was sentenced today in Key West for conspiring to harvest, transport, and sell spotted eagle rays and lemon sharks, knowing the marine life were taken, possessed, transported, sold, and intended to be sold in violation of the laws and regulations of the State of Florida, contrary to the federal Lacey Act, Title 16, United States Code, Sections 3372(a)(2)(A), and 3373(d)(1) and (2), all in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371.

IAI, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jose E. Martinez, who had previously accepted the guilty plea from IAI, to pay a criminal fine of $10,000 and serve a term of probation of three years. The court added special conditions requiring IAI to submit a comprehensive Compliance Plan and to conduct annual audits of the corporate records by an independent auditor. Additionally, the Court ordered IAI to make alternative community service payments in the amount of $50,000 to the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, a Congresionally-chartered charitable and non-profit organization. The payment is to be used by NFWF to promote research, management, education, conservation, and restoration of marine life and corals throughout the waters of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and the Florida Keys. IAI’s co-defendants, Ammon Covino, 40, formerly of Meridian, Idaho, and Christopher Conk, 40, formerly of Middleton, were sentenced on December 2, 2013 on the same offense. Covino was sentenced to one year and a day in prison, followed by two years of supervised release and was barred by the Court from any employment during that period that involves the possession, display, transportation, exhibition, purchase, or sale of wildlife. Conk, who cooperated with investigators, received a reduced sentence of four months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release and forfeiture of the vehicle used in the commission of the violation. As part of his sentence, 180 days of the supervised release is to be served in home detention under electronic monitoring. Conk also received the specific employment prohibition during his period of supervision. In imposing the prison sentences, Judge Martinez stated that the defendants conduct “strikes to the very heart of this area and the economy of this area.”

According to the indictment, joint factual statements submitted to the Court, and arguments at the sentencing hearings, during the period extending from March 2012 through approximately November 2012, IAI, Covino and Conk engaged in a conspiracy to purchase and transport wildlife from the Florida Keys to Idaho for exhibit at IAI in Boise. The wildlife included spotted eagle rays and lemon sharks, which required Florida licenses and permits never acquired by the participants in the deals. According to the Factual Statements, Covino and Conk were both at the time officers of the Aquarium, were individually advised of the requirements of the law, and nevertheless directed their Florida-based suppliers to ignore the law and make the shipments. Unknown to them the Florida business owner was cooperating with federal authorities and the phone conversations and text messages were recorded. Payment for the various specimens was made by credit cards held in IAI?s name. The defendants acknowledged that Covino and Conk’s illegal conduct was within the scope of their employment, and intended to benefit, at least in part, IAI.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of NOAA Office of Law Enforcement and the Fish & Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement. Mr. Ferrer also thanked the Idaho Department of Fish & Game. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Watts-FitzGerald and Antonia Barnes, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney?s Office for the District of Idaho.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and José A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), announce that defendant Jeffrey Alexander Martin, 27, of Broward County, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robin S. Rosenbaum to 99 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Martin was also ordered to pay $197,088 in restitution.

Martin and co-defendant Tobin Lamar Lyon, II, a/k/a/ Tobe Kasa, 27, of Charlotte, North Carolina, previously pled guilty to one count of wire fraud conspiracy, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349, and one count of aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title l8, United States Code, Section 1028A(a)(1). Judge Rosenbaum’s sentencing decision as to Martin was largely influenced by the fact that Martin committed the exact same crime, after pleading guilty in this case, when he was arrested with new access devices including gift cards that he had converted into credit and debit cards by encoding the credit card numbers and bank account information of victims on those cards. Lyon was sentenced on January 6, 2014 to 72 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Lyon was also ordered to pay $118,602.52 in restitution.

According to court documents, Lyon worked as a service representative for Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association - College Retirement Equities Fund (TIAA-CREF), a financial services company specializing in providing retirement services to those in the academic, research, medical and cultural fields. As an employee of TIAA-CREF, Lyon had access to the names, addresses, social security numbers, and dates of birth of TIAA-CREF's clients.

Court documents state that Lyon, in anticipation of a share of the proceeds, provided Martin with personal identifying information (PII) belonging to individual clients of TIAA-CREF for the purpose of filing fraudulent tax returns claiming tax refunds in those clients' names. Lyon sent over 500 different identities to Martin. For the tax years 2011 and 2012, the total amount of fraudulent refunds claimed by Martin as a result of the stolen PII he received from Lyon is approximately $304,611. From those fraudulent returns, Martin received approximately $5,776 in fraudulent refunds. Lyon knowingly possessed and transferred the victims' means of identification without authority and permitted Martin to use the stolen PII to file these fraudulent returns. During the time that Lyon was providing stolen PII of TIAA-CREF clients to Martin, he was also providing stolen PII to others in New York for the purpose of raiding the TIAA-CREF clients' bank accounts.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of IRS-CI, and thanked the Sunrise Police Department for its assistance in this case. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alicia E. Shick.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, David W. Bourne, Special Agent in Charge, Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations, Miami Field Office, and Vincent Demsi, Chief, West Palm Beach Police Department, announce the filing of charges against Dewitt McDonald, 45, of Wellington. Initial appearance for McDonald is scheduled for Tuesday, April 15, 2014, in Fort Lauderdale before U.S. Magistrate Judge Alicia O. Valle.

According to the information filed with the Court, the defendant was a police officer with the West Palm Beach Police Department. Dewitt McDonald was charged with one count of knowingly carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A). If convicted, the defendant faces a minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum statutory sentence of up to life in prison.

The information against McDonald charges that, while employed as a police officer, the defendant operated two businesses: Prime Performance Wellness Centers, Inc., located in Lake Worth, and Prime Health and Rejuvenation Clinic, located in Wellington, through which he unlawfully distributed anabolic steroids and other prescription drugs. The information further alleges that on March 5, 2013, while on duty and carrying his Smith & Wesson MP40 pistol, the defendant made a delivery of these drugs to someone in Palm Beach County, Florida.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations. Mr. Ferrer also thanked the West Palm Beach Police Department for their cooperation and assistance in this matter. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lawrence D. LaVecchio, Paul F. Schwartz, and Jeffrey N. Kaplan.

An information is only an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, and Jose A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), announce that Geto Dorlizier, 35, of Boynton Beach, and Jourmel Thomas, 48, of Lake Worth, were sentenced for their participation in a scheme to commit stolen identity tax refund fraud and other types of tax fraud. Dorlizier was sentenced to 111 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Thomas was sentenced to 61 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release.

Each defendant previously pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to steal, receive, and retain money and things of value of the United States and to forge endorsements on and cash U.S. Treasury checks, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 371, 641, 510(a)(1) and 510(a)(2); count three, which charges the defendant with receipt and retention of things of value of the United States, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641; and count eight, which charges the defendant with aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028(a)(1).

According to the facts agreed to in the plea agreements and at sentencing, Dorlizier and Thomas, who are brothers, each operated tax preparation businesses. Dorlizier was operating Atlantic Multi-Services, LLC (Atlantic Multi-Services) in Delray Beach by at least 2011. Thomas operated JTS Paperworks and Tax Services in Lake Worth in 2013. Between them, the two businesses submitted 706 Federal income tax returns that were fraudulent either in that the taxpayer did not know about or authorize the return to be filed or in that the return contained significant material falsehoods, or both. Based on these fraudulent returns, the Treasury Department paid more than $1.6 million in tax refunds.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI and IRS-CI. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc Osborne.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, and Jose A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), announce that Michael Ali Bryant, Sr., 41, and his wife, Latina Rashawn Bryant, 43, both of Lauderdale Lakes, were sentenced for their participation in a stolen identity tax refund scheme. Michael Bryant was sentenced to 144 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Latina Bryant was sentenced to 48 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release.

Both defendants previously pled guilty to one count of aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028A. Michael Bryant also previously pled guilty to one count of possession of fifteen or more unauthorized access devices, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1029(a)(3); and Latina Bryant previously pled guilty to one count of using an unauthorized access device, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1029(a)(2).

Co-defendant Marquis Onigirin Moye, 24, of Pompano Beach, was sentenced on March 28, 2014 to 54 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Moye previously pled guilty to one count of possession of fifteen or more unauthorized access devices, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1029(a)(3), and one count of aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028A.

Co-defendants Tiffany Shenae Cooper, 33, of Deerfield Beach, and Angela Dione Rosier, 41, of Coral Springs, were sentenced on February 28, 2014. Cooper was sentenced to 57 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Rosier was sentenced to 49 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. The court also ordered both defendants to pay $129,390.06 in restitution to the IRS and the medical services provider whose database had been breached. Cooper previously pled guilty to one count of possession of fifteen or more unauthorized access devices, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1029(a)(3), and one count of aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028A. Rosier previously pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit access device fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1029(b)(2).

According to court documents, a confidential source (CS) initially approached Michael Bryant and inquired about purchasing narcotics. Bryant told the CS that he did not have any narcotics but that he did have personal identity information (PII) that he was willing to sell to the CS. The CS made a controlled purchase of ten pages (each page containing approximately 20 to 25 names) of PII. Bryant instructed the CS on how to commit tax fraud using the PII, and provided the CS with specific instructions on what information to enter into the web pages of the internet-based tax services to obtain a tax refund. An examination of the PII revealed that it was from a medical services provider.

Rosier was an employee of the medical services provider. Cooper spoke to Rosier to obtain user names and passwords for current employees of the medical services provider. Cooper admitted to illegally logging on to the medical services provider’s computer network and downloading PII for the purpose of committing various types of fraud. She was assisted in her activities by Rosier and co-defendant Moye.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI and IRS-CI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia R. Wood.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, announce the unsealing of an indictment alleging that two former employees of IMG Worldwide, Inc. defrauded the company that runs the Sony Open Tennis tournament on Key Biscayne.Mikel Mims, 37, of Miami Gardens, and Simon Habbershaw, 41, formerly of Miami, were charged with conspiring to commit wire fraud and substantive wire fraud charges. Mims was arrested this morning and is scheduled to have an initial appearance this afternoon in Miami. Simon Habbershaw remains at large.

Each defendant faces a maximum term of 20 years in prison for each count of wire fraud and five years in prison for conspiring to commit wire fraud.

According to the indictment, Mims and Habbershaw were employees of IMG Worldwide, Inc. responsible for coordinating with sponsors and patrons for the delivery of tickets to the Sony Open Tennis tournament on Key Biscayne. The defendants are alleged to have told the printing vendor for IMG Worldwide, Inc., that patrons and customers of IMG Worldwide, Inc. had purchased more tickets than the patrons and customers had actually purchased. As a result, the printing vendor for IMG Worldwide, Inc. printed extra tournament tickets that it delivered to the defendants. The defendants then told customers that purported patron and customers of IMG Worldwide, Inc. had extra tickets for the tennis tournament that needed to be sold, stating that various companies had previously purchased too many tournament tickets. Between 2008 and 2013, Mims and Habbershaw sold these extra tournament tickets to patrons and customers of IMG Worldwide, Inc., but instead used the proceeds of the sale of the additional tournament tickets for their own personal benefit and the benefit of others. The indictment seeks forfeiture in the amount of $407,409.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys H. Ron Davidson and Alison Lehr.

An indictment is merely an accusation and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Lester Fernandez, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Inspector General, Ric Bradshaw, Sheriff, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Thomas Caul, Special Agent in Charge, Social Security Administration (SSA), Office of Inspector General, Atlanta Field Division, Karen Citizen-Wilcox, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Office of Inspector General, and Brian P. Martens, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), announce that Gloria Nereida Valle-Clas, 49, and Alexander Gonzalez, 41, of Loxahatchee, were sentenced today in West Palm Beach before United States Senior District Judge Kenneth L. Ryskamp.

Valle-Clas was sentenced to 51 months in prison, three years supervised release, and restitution of $283,359.43. Gonzalez, her husband, was sentenced to 364 days in prison, three years supervised release, and $9,999 in restitution.

Valle-Clas previously pled guilty to one count of conspiracy, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371, and one count of making a false statement to HUD, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001. Gonzalez pled guilty to one count of aiding and abetting Valle-Clas in making a false statement to HUD, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001.

According to the indictment, and as made public at the plea and sentencing hearings, Valle-Clas obtained two social security numbers (SSN), one which was originally associated with her birth name, “Nereida Valle,” and one which was originally associated with the name “Gloria Lopes Clas.” From at least December 2003 to January 2013, she used the SSN for “Nereida Valle” to obtain almost $500,000 in federal housing, social security, food, cash, and medical benefits from HUD, SSA, USDA and HHS. At the same time, she used the SSN for “Gloria Lopes Clas” to obtain mortgage loans and buy real estate in both Broward and Palm Beach Counties. As “Gloria Clas,” she sold two Broward properties for a profit of over $200,000. She also purchased over an acre of property in Loxahatchee on which she built an approximately 2,700 square foot residence. After the residence was built, she received a $200,000 HELOC collateralized by the property, but defaulted on it owing over $150,000. At various times, her husband, Gonzalez, assisted her in obtaining housing benefits.

Valle-Clas, who formally changed her name from “Nereida Valle” to “Gloria Nereida Valle-Clas” in 2003, used approximately 12 aliases in perpetrating the scheme, most of which were variations on “Nereida Valle” and “Gloria Lopes Clas.”

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of HUD-Office of Inspector General, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, SSA-Office of Inspector General, USDA-Office of Inspector General, and the HHS-OIG. This case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carolyn Bell.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Alysa D. Erichs, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), and José A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), announce that Jean-Elguentino Cayo, 26, of Miami Gardens, was sentenced today to 37 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release for his participation in a stolen identity scheme. Cayo previously pled guilty to one count of access device fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1029(a)(2).

According to court documents, beginning in December 2012 through June 2013, the defendant sold approximately 400 names, dates of birth, and social security numbers belonging to other persons to a confidential informant and undercover law enforcement officer in exchange for money. The defendant had no authorization to traffic in the names, dates of births, and social security numbers belonging to other persons and acted with the intent to defraud.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of ICE-HSI and IRS-CI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank Maderal.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, announce the arrest of Joseph Signore, 49, of Palm Beach Gardens, and Paul Lewis Schumack, II, 56, of Coconut Creek, in connection with an alleged $70,000,000 investment fraud concerning the sales and marketing of a “Virtual Concierge” machine by a Jupiter-based company, JCS Enterprises, Inc., and T.B.T.I., Inc. formerly of Highland Beach. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) sought and obtained a temporary restraining order freezing the accounts and assets of the companies in a separately-filed civil action.

According to the criminal complaint, Signore and Schumack allegedly collected approximately $70,000,000 from investors nationwide with the representation that for an approximate investment of $3,500 the investor would be guaranteed a monthly payment of $300 for three years, and their payments would be based on advertising revenue earned from ads sold on “Virtual Concierge” machines (VCMs). The criminal complaint alleges that detailed financial analysis revealed that little advertising revenue was actually received by JCS Enterprises, and that in fact old investors were paid with new investors’ money which is the hallmark of a Ponzi scheme. The criminal complaint alleged that TBTI served as the sales arm for JCS Enterprises.

Signore and Schumack each have been charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, five counts of mail fraud each, and six counts of wire fraud. Each of those counts carries a maximum period of twenty years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000 and mandatory restitution.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen Carlton and Ellen Cohen.

A criminal complaint is only an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Ronald J. Verrochio, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Brian P. Martens, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), and George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, announced that nine residents of Miami-Dade County and a resident of Hillsborough County have been indicted for their alleged participation in a $12.5 million Medicare fraud scheme.

On March 20, 2014, a federal grand jury in Miami returned a 59-count indictment charging Vicente Diaz, 39, Daniel Ocampo, 35, Elsa Capo, 71, Santiago Sepulveda, 79, Marta Curbeco, 67, Margarita Rodriguez, 72, Francisco Maysonet, 67, Pedro Peralta, 69, Amira Galan, 79, and Ana Rosa Santana, 77, for allegedly participating in a scheme to defraud Medicare by submitting false and fraudulent claims, and the payment and receipt of kickbacks in connection with a federal health care program, from approximately November 2011 to October 2013.

All ten defendants are charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud, and conspiracy to pay and receive bribes and kickbacks in connection with a federal health care program. Diaz is additionally charged with nine counts of health care fraud, and nineteen counts of paying kickbacks and bribes in connection with a federal health care program. Ocampo is additionally charged with nine counts of health care fraud, and thirteen counts of paying kickbacks and bribes in connection with a federal health care program. Capo, Sepulveda, Curbeco, Rodriguez, Maysonet, Peralta, Galan, and Santana are charged with one count of health care fraud, and various counts of receiving kickbacks and bribes in exchange for serving as patients of Marcialed Health Care Corp. (Marcialed) and Sacred Health, Inc. (Sacred Health). Curbeco, Rodriguez, and Peralta are also charged with soliciting and accepting kickbacks and bribes in exchange for referring other beneficiaries to serve as patients of Marcialed and Sacred Health.

The allegations center on the operation of Marcialed and Sacred Health, two companies located in Miami-Dade County which were purportedly in the business of providing home health care to Medicare beneficiaries.

According to the indictment, Diaz controlled Marcialed and Sacred Health. Ocampo was for a time an officer of Sacred Health. Diaz and Ocampo offered and paid kickbacks and bribes to patient recruiters in return for referring beneficiaries to serve as patients so that Marcialed and Sacred could bill Medicare for home health services that were not medically necessary and were not provided. Curbeco, Rodriguez and Peralta solicited and accepted kickbacks and bribes in exchange for referring beneficiaries to serve as patients of Marcialed and Sacred Health. Capo, Sepulveda, Curbeco, Rodriguez, Maysonet, Peralta, Galan, and Santana are Medicare beneficiaries who solicited and accepted kickbacks in return for agreeing to serve as patients of Maricaled and Sacred Health so that the companies could bill Medicare for home health services that were not medically necessary and were not provided.

The indictment alleges that the defendants falsified, and caused to be falsified, records to document the receipt of home health services from Marcialed and Sacred Health that were not provided and were not medically necessary. Diaz and Ocampo violated Medicare rules and regulations by offering and paying kickbacks and bribes to patient recruiters in exchange for the referral of beneficiaries to Marcialed and Sacred Health. Diaz and Ocampo then caused Marcialed and Sacred Health to submit false and fraudulent claims seeking payment from Medicare for the home health services which had purportedly been provided to beneficiaries, when in truth the services had not been provided and were not medically necessary. The indictment alleges that as a result of the fraudulent claims, Diaz and Ocampo caused Medicare to pay approximately $7,809,243 to Marcialed and $4,694,834 to Sacred Health.

The indictment alleges that Diaz, Ocampo and other conspirators used the money fraudulently obtained from Medicare for their personal use and to further the fraud. The indictment seeks forfeiture of two properties and four Mercedes vehicles.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of U.S. Postal Inspection Service, HHS-OIG, and the FBI and was brought as part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric E. Morales.

An indictment is only an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Jose A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and J.D. Patterson, Director, Miami-Dade Police Department, announce that Roshawn Jermaine Davis, 38, of Miami, was sentenced for his participation in a stolen identity tax refund scheme. Davis was sentenced to 57 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Davis previously pled guilty to one count of possession of fifteen or more unauthorized access devices, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1029(a)(3), and aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028A(a)(1).

According to court documents, during a traffic stop of a vehicle Davis was driving, a bag was found containing pre-paid debit cards in other individuals’ names, together with over 150 pieces of personal identification information (PII) on handwritten sheets of paper, printouts, and patient information sheets from doctors’ offices. Some of the sheets had handwritten notes indicating dollar amounts, routing numbers, and account numbers.

Court documents also state that fraudulent tax returns were filed for the 2011 tax year on behalf of at least sixteen individuals whose PII was found in the defendant’s bag. The handwritten dollar amounts listed on the documents found in the bag matched the tax refund amounts on the sixteen fraudulent tax returns.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the Identity Theft Tax Refund Strike Force, with special commendation to IRS-CI and the Miami-Dade Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John R. Byrne.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Alysa D. Erichs, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), and Scott Israel, Sheriff, Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO), announce the arrest and detention of Jesse Lewis, 28, on charges of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1591(a). These charges carry a minimum mandatory sentence of fifteen years and a possible maximum sentence of life in prison.

According to the allegations contained in the criminal complaint, Lewis met a 26 year- old victim in Tampa in June 2013 and offered her a place to live after finding out that she was homeless. After unsuccessfully trying to prostitute her in Tampa, Lewis transported the victim to Broward County where he took sexually provocative pictures of her, posted them on-line and then forced her to engage in prostitution dates with numerous men over the course of several days. Following each “date,” Lewis took all the money. According to the victim, Lewis choked her and slapped her in the face, instructing her to always look him in the eye and call him ‘Daddy.’ The victim said she had about 10 “dates” over several days, collecting between $80 and $150 per date, with all the money going to Lewis, who waited outside the hotel rooms during each sexual encounter. After approximately one week with Lewis, the victim was able to escape after Lewis fell asleep. She contacted the police who located Lewis and arrested him in June 2013 on what were originally state charges of human trafficking, forcing commercial sexual activity, procuring for prostitution another to become a prostitute, and living off the earnings of a prostitute. The federal criminal complaint and arrest warrant were issued shortly thereafter, but before Lewis could be taken into custody on the federal charges, he was transported to Miami-Dade County where he was facing charges of living off the earnings of a prostitute, stemming from a previous arrest in Miami Beach on March 14, 2013. Lewis pled guilty to the Miami charges and after his release from custody on April 2, 2014, he was arrested on the federal complaint.

During Lewis’ April 7, 2014 detention hearing, the government proffered additional testimony that Lewis forced another victim to engage in acts of prostitution in 2010. According to that victim, she met Lewis when she was unemployed and Lewis offered her a place to live. Soon thereafter, Lewis convinced her to work as an “escort” but when the victim told Lewis she did not want to engage in prostitution, Lewis beat her. When the victim tried to escape, Lewis prevented her from leaving by holding a gun to her head and threatening to carve the word “liar” into her forehead with a knife.

At the conclusion of the hearing, United States Magistrate Judge Patrick M. Hunt found that Lewis posed a serious danger to the community and ordered him detained pending trial.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of ICE-HSI and BSO. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis Viamontes.

A complaint is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Jose A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), announce that Lourdes Margarita Garcia, 62, of Pinecrest, a Medical Doctor, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge K. Michael Moore to 51 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Garcia was previously convicted by a federal jury in Miami in January 2014, of conspiracy to defraud and to file false returns with the IRS, and of three counts of filing false returns with IRS.

According to documents filed in court, Garcia was the owner and operator of Global Medical Group, LLC, a Sub-S Corporation, or “flow-through” entity for income tax purposes, which operated a clinic in Coral Gables, and previously in Miami. The evidence presented at trial showed that Garcia, a physician assistant at the time the false returns were filed in 2007 and 2008, had originally been the subject of an IRS collection action for multiple years of back-taxes owed. During the collection case, the IRS learned that Garcia and her now deceased spouse were delinquent in filing income tax returns for the years 1997-2005. When those returns were filed in 2007, under penalties of perjury, the 1997 and 2001 through 2005 returns reported $0.00 adjusted gross income, and a 2006 amended return also filed in August 2007, reported less than $20,000 of adjusted gross income.

According to the evidence presented at trial, during a 1997 Chapter 11 bankruptcy case, Garcia filed sworn monthly reports with the Bankruptcy Court reporting $81,000 of salaries and commissions for the months of May 1997 through October 1997. Additionally, during 2001 through 2007, the clinic, Global, had steadily increased its revenues from insurance payments and patient fees, from approximately $81,000 in 2001, to approximately $1.9 million in 2006 and $1.7 in 2007, but no flow-through income from Global was reported on the 2001 through 2005 individual returns of Garcia and her spouse. Their 2006 and 2007 returns omitted approximately $400,000 of insurance payments and patient fees from Global. The evidence at trial also showed that in 2007, Garcia and her spouse purchased an approximately $2 million residence in Pinecrest, despite the $0.00 adjusted gross income reported in the 1997, and 2001 through 2005 returns, and the less than $20,000 and $30,000 of adjusted gross income reported in the 2006 and 2007 returns, respectively. Further, the evidence presented at trial showed that Garcia and her spouse conspired to defraud the IRS, by impairing, obstructing and defeating its lawful functions in the ascertainment, computation and collection of federal income taxes, including by withdrawing approximately $900,000 from bank accounts, only days before an IRS Notice of Levy attached to the accounts.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of IRS-CI. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jose A. Bonau and Andy R. Camacho.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Hugo J. Barrera, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Miami Field Office, Deryl Loar, Indian River County Sheriff, and Ric Bradshaw, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, announce that Glenn Thomas Carvajal, 34, of Vero Beach, has been charged in an indictment for two armed robberies of Treasure Coast GameStop stores. Carvajal was arraigned today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Frank J. Lynch Jr. in Ft. Pierce and is being detained, pending trial, as a risk of flight and danger to the community.

Carvajal was charged with two counts of interfering with commerce by threats or violence (robbery), in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1951(a), and two counts of possessing and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A). If convicted of interfering with commerce by threats or violence (robbery), the defendant faces a possible statutory maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison. If convicted of possessing and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, the defendant faces a consecutive seven year term in prison. If convicted of the second count of possessing and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, the defendant faces another consecutive 25 year term in prison.

According to documents filed in the case, Carvajal, a former GameStop manager, robbed a total of three GameStop stores, in less than two weeks. This robbery spree, which spanned three Florida counties, began on October 8, 2013, at the GameStop store located in Brevard County. On October 10, 2013, Carvajal robbed the Game Stop store located in Indian River County. Carvajal’s spree ended after the October 17, 2013 armed robbery of the GameStop store located in Palm Beach County. During each of the robberies, Carvajal wore a baseball cap and sunglasses, and handed the store clerks a note, as he brandished a handgun in his waistband. Carvajal would instruct the employees to set the store safe timer, and used a number of GameStop terms, used primarily by GameStop employees.

This case is a result of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is a Department of Justice nationwide initiative that combines traditional law enforcement activities with community-based support and intervention programs. The two primary goals of the PSN initiative are to reduce and prevent violent crimes and to help past offenders adjust and re-enter the community.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of ATF, the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, the Palm Beach County Sherriff’s Office and the Melbourne Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carmen Lineberger.

An indictment is only an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, and Jose A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), announce that Russell S. Adler, 52, of Ft. Lauderdale, pled guilty today before United States District Judge James I. Cohn to one count of conspiracy to violate the Federal Election Campaign Act and to defraud the United States, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371. The defendant was a shareholder of the former Ft. Lauderdale law firm of Rothstein, Rosenfeldt and Adler, P.A. (RRA).

Sentencing is scheduled for June 27, 2014 at 9:30 a.m. in Ft. Lauderdale. At sentencing, the defendant faces a maximum statutory sentence of up to five years in prison.

In connection with his guilty plea, the defendant admitted that, in order to circumvent campaign finance laws setting limitations on the amounts which donors can contribute, RRA Chairman and CEO Scott W. Rothstein enlisted some of the attorneys and administrative personnel of RRA, and other persons associated with RRA, including Adler, to make political contributions to various political campaigns which were unlawfully reimbursed to them by RRA.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI and IRS-CI. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lawrence D. LaVecchio, Paul F. Schwartz, and Jeffrey N. Kaplan.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, José A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, announce the unsealing of a twenty-two count indictment charging eight defendants with participating in a conspiracy to unjustly enrich themselves by stealing personal identifying information and using the information to make unauthorized wire transfers from the victims' bank accounts and obtain unauthorized credit or debit cards.

All of the defendants were charged with one count of conspiracy, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349, and several defendants were charged individually with access device fraud, in violation of Title 18 United States Code, Sections 1029(a)(2) and 1029(a)(3), and aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028A(a)(1).

The defendants charged are: Chouman Emily Syrilien, 25, of Lauderdale Lakes, Arrington Basil Segu, 28, of Miami, Carlos Antonio Alexander, 24, of Orlando, Angel Arcos, 23, of Pompano Beach, Shantegra La’Shae Godfrey, 23, of Deerfield Beach, and Monique Smith, 31, of Pompano Beach. Arcos, Godfrey and Smith had their initial appearances this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Alicia O. Valle. Segu had his initial appearance yesterday. Alexander is currently incarcerated. Two defendants remain at a large.

According to the indictment, Syrilien was employed by Interactive Response Technologies, lnc. (IRT) located in Margate. IRT provides staffing for call centers to handle direct sales and customer inquiries for AT&T. Syrilien unlawfully provided a co-conspirator with the personal identifying information from multiple AT&T customer files. Segu also unlawfully provided personal identifying information of numerous individuals to the co-conspirator.

Alexander, Godfrey, and Smith and were added as “authorized users” on victims’ credit or debit card accounts or bank accounts to access the accounts of persons whose personal identifying information had been stolen. Once a co-conspirator’s name was added as an “authorized user,” the bank and/or credit card company was directed to mail additional debit or credit cards bearing the names of these newly added “authorized users” to their addresses or addresses under their control, all without the true account holder's knowledge or consent. The defendants used these credit and debit cards to make purchases or obtain money. Alexander, Smith and Godfrey each made both retail purchases as well as cash advances in excess of $24,000, $12,000 and $8,200, respectively.

Defendant Arcos allowed his personal information to be used to open a bank account to further the fraudulent activity.

If convicted, the defendants each face a maximum of thirty years in prison for the conspiracy charge, a maximum of ten years in prison for the access device fraud charge, and a mandatory term of two years in prison for each aggravated identity theft charge, at least one of which must be served consecutive to any other term in prison.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of IRS-CI and FBI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia R. Wood.

An indictment is only an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and José A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), announce the unsealing of an indictment charging Bradley Bowman, of Lighthouse Point, with two counts of filing false claims to the IRS, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 287 and 2.

According to court documents, Bowman engaged PMDD Services, a tax return preparation firm in Shelley, Idaho, to prepare his 2005 and 2008 Individual Income Tax Returns. Bowman claimed fraudulent tax refunds of $299,024 and $140,355 on his tax returns for the 2005 and 2008 tax years, respectively.

If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum term of five years in prison for each count.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of IRS-CI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bertha R. Mitrani and Department of Justice Tax Division Trial Attorney Gregory P. Bailey.

An indictment is only an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Jose A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, Miami Field Office, Paula Reid, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Secret Service (USSS), Ronald J. Verrochio, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Miami Division, Alysa D. Erichs, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), Max Eamiguel, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG), and J. Scott Dennis, Chief, North Miami Beach Police Department (NMBPD), announce the filing of federal charges against 25 defendants in 19 separate cases, dealing with thousands of stolen identities and millions of dollars of fraudulent identity theft tax filings. Today’s cases reaffirm the joint federal and local commitment to crack-down on stolen identity tax refund fraud (SIRF) perpetrators.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, Florida had the highest rate of identity theft in the United States in 2013. While identity theft in Florida ranks highest in the United States, the identity theft rate in Miami has reached near epidemic proportions. Florida’s rate of 192.9 complaints per 100,000 residents – the highest in the United States – is dwarfed by the Miami rate of 340.4 complaints per 100,000 residents.

In an attempt to combat the rising wave of stolen identity tax refund scams, and armed with recent directives from the Department of Justice’s Tax Division, making prosecutions faster and easier, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida established the South Florida Identity Theft Tax Fraud Strike Force (Strike Force) in August 2012.

The members of the Strike Force, and participating agencies, include the United States Attorney’s Office, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Miami Field Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Miami Division, Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General (SSA-OIG), Aventura Police Department, North Miami Beach Police Department, Miami-Dade Police Department, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), Miami Field Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Miami Field Division, Town of Davie Police Department, Florida Highway Patrol, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO), Ft. Lauderdale Police Department, Coconut Creek Police Department, Sunrise Police Department, Coral Springs Police Department, Miramar Police Department and North Miami Police Department.

Since the inception of the Strike Force, we have charged 296 defendants responsible for approximately $485.5 million in intended stolen identity refund fraud loss and in excess of $106 million in actual SIRF fraud loss.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the IRS have also attacked this problem at its root by revoking so called “electronic filing identity numbers” or EFIN numbers, which allow individuals to file tax returns on behalf of others. Before revoking these EFIN numbers, SIRF fraudsters had used them to file 166,495 fraudulent tax refund claims over the past two years.

United States Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer stated, “The number of stolen identities and the dollar amount of the tax fraud involved in these cases is staggering. These cases serve as a reminder that each and every one of us is a potential victim. While we have a talented and effective team dedicated to fight this fraud, we need everyone – both taxpayers and institutions – to remain vigilant in safeguarding personal identifying information. Protect it as if it were a trade secret.”

IRS Special Agent in Charge José A. Gonzalez stated, “Today’s announcement should send a message to those who might consider disguising themselves as legitimate tax return preparers or Electronic Filing Identification Number (EFIN) holders for the purpose of submitting false claims with the IRS. Protecting the integrity of our U.S. tax system is essential, therefore, those who chose to corrupt this system will be investigated and brought to justice, regardless of their level of participation in the fraud.”

“Criminals all over South Florida are turning to computers to make an easy buck at the public’s expense,” said George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Miami. “Identity theft, the fastest growing crime here, is as easy as one, two, three. One, criminals steal someone’s name and social security number; two, they use that identity to file a fraudulent tax return on line; and three, they collect the refund check. Repeat thousands of times. Don’t become a victim, learn how you can protect your personal identifying information from these thieves at FBI.GOV or FTC.GOV.”

U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Paula Reid added, “Once again, the U.S. Secret Service is glad to be an integral part of combatting this massive fraudulent scheme that is plaguing South Florida. Together, we will continue to identify and penalize those who misuse our government systems with no regard to the financial and unjust impacts they cause on others.”

Ronald Verrochio, Inspector in Charge for Postal Inspection Service stated, “Tax return fraud directly affects millions of Americans each year and indirectly affects every tax payer throughout the country, we are committed to working with our law enforcement partners to combat this problem.”

Alysa D. Erichs, Special Agent in Charge for ICE-HSI stated, “Homeland Security Investigations utilizes its vast authorities to work with their partners to disrupt and dismantle criminal organizations involved in tax refund fraud schemes and other financial violations that affect our citizens and economy.”

“U.S. Postal Service employees are honest, hardworking, and trustworthy, but when a Postal Service employee engages in criminal activity, our Special Agents will investigate those matters vigorously, as we did in this case,” says Max Eamiguel, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General.

Today, U.S. Attorney Ferrer, joined by members of the Strike Force, announce the most recent results of their investigative efforts. The cases announced today include:

1. United States v. Rhim-Grant, et al., Case No. 14-20181-Cr-Lenard. United States v. Nydia Tanay Laron Nelson, Case No. 14-2375-mj-Goodman

On March 21, 2014, Pamela Rhim-Grant, 40, and Eugene Moss, 33, both of Miami, were charged by information in a scheme to steal identities for the purpose of conducting stolen identity fraud. On April 1, 2014, Nydia Tanay Laron Nelson, 30, of Miami, was charged by criminal complaint in connection with the same scheme.

According to the criminal complaint, the defendants conspired to steal the identities of Miami-Dade Public Schools students by exploiting Rhim-Grant’s access to the student information computer database as a food service manager at Horace Mann Middle School. Over the course of more than a year approximately 400 student identities were stolen from across the Miami-Dade County Public Schools district, resulting in numerous fraudulent tax returns.

The information and complaint charge the defendants with conspiracy to commit computer fraud and aggravated identity theft.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI, IRS-CI, and the Miami-Dade Schools Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank Maderal.

1. United States v. Marlon Maikel Palacios, Case No. 14-20121-Cr-Cooke

On February 28, 2014, Marlon Maikel Palacios, 38, of North Miami, was charged in a twelve count indictment for his participation in a conspiracy to defraud the government and mail theft.

According to the indictment, the defendant, a former [effective 3/28/2014] mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service, provided to his co-conspirators addresses on his mail routes used with filing false tax returns with the IRS, receiving IRS correspondence, and tax refund checks. The defendant would then identify and pull the IRS correspondence and refund checks, for which the defendant would be paid. With the IRS correspondence, the defendant’s co-conspirators would file false, fictitious, and fraudulent federal income tax returns and thereafter claim refunds to which they were not entitled from the IRS.

The indictment charges the defendant with conspiracy to defraud the government with respect to federal income tax refunds and theft of mail by a postal employee.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the USPS-OIG, USPIS, ICE-HSI, and IRS-CI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andy R. Camacho.

1. United States v. Rodelyn Lamour and Nestor Armando Herrera, Case No. 14-20169-Cr-Martinez

On March 14, 2014, Rodelyn Lamour, 26, and Nestor Armando Ficquire Herrera, 22, of Miami, were charged in a seven count indictment for their participation in a conspiracy to steal mail and a stolen identity tax refund scheme.

According to the indictment, the defendants used a stolen postal service key to open various apartment complex mailboxes and steal mail containing debit cards. The debit cards contained refunds from fraudulent federal income tax returns filed using stolen identities. The defendants then used the stolen debit cards to obtain cash, without the knowledge or authorization of the identity theft victims. The intended loss to the IRS was approximately $39,000.

The indictment charges the defendants with conspiracy, theft of mail, use of a postal service key, unauthorized use of personal identification information, and aggravated identity theft.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of USPIS. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Vanessa Snyder.

1. United States v. Paul Evans Auguste, Case No. 14-80087-Cr-Scola

On February 12, 2014, Paul Evans Auguste, 30, of Miami, was charged in a seven-count indictment for his participation in a stolen identity tax refund scheme.

According to the criminal complaint, Auguste sold approximately 260 stolen identities to an undercover law enforcement officer and stated that he could provide the undercover law enforcement officer any types of identities he would want, including those of children and the elderly. Auguste also stated his intention to conduct tax fraud with the multitude of stolen identities he maintained at his residence. Law enforcement obtained a federal search warrant for Auguste’s residence which revealed an additional 1,200 stolen identities in his possession.

The defendant was charged with access device fraud and aggravated identity theft.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of ICE-HSI and IRS-CI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank Maderal.

1. United States v. Freddie Howard, Case No. 14-60068-Cr-Rosenbaum

On April 1, 2014, Freddie Howard, 56, of Davie, was charged in a one-count information in a stolen identity refund fraud scheme that involved the submission of approximately $22 million in fraudulent refund claims.

According to the information, Howard operated a tax preparation business called QTS1, Inc. (Quality Tax Service) in Broward County. Howard prepared false and fraudulent tax returns using the identity information of willing participants and stolen identity information. Howard used false and fictitious income and withholding tax information on the returns submitted to the IRS to justify fraudulent large-dollar refund requests. The requested refund amounts generally ranged from $60,000 to $1,400,000, and Howard typically requested payment of these refunds via U.S. Treasury tax refund check. To conceal his identity, Howard submitted the tax returns to the IRS by mail and did not include preparer information. Howard also blocked out the tax preparer software information, and used other people to contact the IRS to inquire about the status of the fraudulent returns.

According to the information, Freddie Howard submitted over $22 million in false and fraudulent tax refund claims to the IRS. The IRS paid approximately $4.5 million on these refund requests.

The defendant was charged with access device fraud and identity theft.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the Strike Force, with special commendation to the FBI and IRS-CI. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael N. Berger.

1. United States v. Anthony A. Pace, Jr., et al., Case No. 14-20101-Cr-Moore/Torres

On February 18, 2014, Anthony A. Pace, Jr., 29, Brandon A. Terry, 29, Derel L. Henry, 39, and Rosa Johnson, 26, all of Miami, were charged in a twenty-three count indictment for their participation in a $3.3 million stolen identity tax refund scheme.

According to the indictment, the defendants obtained personal identifying information, including names, dates of birth and Social Security numbers, of hundreds of identity theft victims, for use in this identity theft tax fraud scheme. The defendants used this stolen personal identity information, including personal identity information of former and current inmates of the Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Program, to file false and fraudulent federal income tax returns without their victims’ knowledge and authorization. Based on Internet Protocal data and a unique tax filing number issued by the IRS called an EFIN, each of the defendants filed false and fraudulent tax returns using stolen identities and directed the IRS to deposit the funds into bank accounts and onto debit cards accessible to the members of the scheme.

According to disclosures at bond hearings, Anthony A. Pace, Jr. was employed as a correctional officer with the Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Program. False and fraudulent tax returns were filed in the names of former and current prisoners using an EFIN associated with defendant Pace. These same tax filings directed payment of the illicit tax refund proceeds into accounts controlled by Pace and Johnson. ATM video reveals that Pace was withdrawing funds from the accounts into which the illicit funds were deposited.

The indictment charges all of the defendants with conspiracy to make false claims, in violation of 18 U.S.C. ' 286 and aggravated identity theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. ' 1028A, defendants Brandon Terry and Derel Henry with access device fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. ' 1029, and defendants Anthony Pace and Rosa Johnson with theft of government property, in violation of 18 U.S.C. ' 641.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of IRS-CI, FBI and USSS. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter A. Forand.

1. United States v. Judes Stanley Celestin, Case No. 13-60243-Cr-Scola

On September 27, 2013, Judes Stanely Celestin, 36, of Hallandale Beach, was charged in a sixteen-count indictment in a stolen identity refund fraud scheme that resulted in the submission of approximately $1 million in fraudulent refund claims.

According to the indictment, Celestin set up Florida corporations (JC Easy Tax and Taxes on Time) with himself as the president and then opened up bank accounts at numerous different banks from 2010 through 2012 in the name of these corporations. Celestin subsequently caused false and fraudulent tax returns to be filed with the IRS in the names of individuals without these individuals’ knowledge or authority. In total, Celestin caused approximately $1 million dollars in tax refund monies to be direct deposited to these bank accounts and related bank accounts from 2010 through 2012 and then withdrew the money for his own personal use.

The defendant was charged with wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the Strike Force, with special commendation to IRS-CI. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael N. Berger.

1. United States v. Karl Moltimer, Case No. 14-20117-Cr-Altonaga

On February 27, 2014, Karl Moltimer, 34, of Miami, was charged in a fourteen-count indictment in a stolen identity tax refund fraud scheme that resulted in the submission of over $1 million in fraudulent refund claims.

According to the indictment, Moltimer obtained EFIN numbers that permitted him to file tax returns in the names of other persons. Moltimer opened bank accounts for himself and his business name. Moltimer, through his EFINs, caused false and fraudulent tax returns seeking refunds to be filed with the IRS using stolen individuals’ personal identity information. Moltimer caused the fraudulently obtained tax refunds to be either deposited into bank accounts controlled by him, paid via refund anticipation checks controlled by him, or paid via pre-paid debit cards controlled by him. Moltimer caused over one million dollars in false and fraudulent tax refund claims to be submitted to the IRS from 2009 through 2012 through his EFINs.

The defendant was charged with wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the Strike Force, with special commendation to IRS-CI. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael N. Berger.

1. United States v. Marlon Hamilton, Case No. 14-20175-Cr-Moreno

On March 18, 2014, Marlon Hamilton, 40, of Hialeah, was charged in a six count indictment for his participation in a stolen identity tax refund scheme.

According to the indictment, the defendant obtained and sold the personal identifying information of numerous identity theft victims, including their names, dates of birth, and social security numbers, to an individual who intended to utilize the information to electronically file false, fictitious, and fraudulent federal income tax returns without the knowledge or authorization of the identity theft victims, and thereafter claim refunds to which they were not entitled from the IRS. The intended loss to the IRS was approximately $190,000. The indictment charges the defendant with unauthorized possession of personal identification information and aggravated identity theft.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Vanessa Snyder.

1. United States v. Marcus Braxton, Case No. 14-20174-Cr-Ungaro

On March 18, 2014, Marcus Braxton, 29, of Plantation, was charged in a six count indictment for his participation in a stolen identity tax refund scheme.

According to the indictment, the defendant obtained and sold the personal identifying information of numerous identity theft victims, including their names, dates of birth, and social security numbers, to an individual who intended to utilize the information to electronically file false, fictitious, and fraudulent federal income tax returns without the knowledge or authorization of the identity theft victims, and thereafter claim refunds to which they were not entitled from the IRS. The intended loss to the IRS was approximately $58,500.

The indictment charges the defendant with unauthorized possession of personal identification information and aggravated identity theft.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Vanessa Snyder.

1. United States v. Richard Anthony Siler, Case No. 14-20116-Cr-Williams

On February 27, 2014, Richard Anthony Siler, 50, of Hollywood, was charged in a nine-count indictment in a stolen identity refund fraud scheme that involved the sale of over 5,000 people’s identities.

According to the indictment and other documents filed in court, Siler discussed selling approximately 10,000 to 15,000 identities to a confidential source who told Siler that the identities would be used to file taxes. Siler indicated to the confidential source that these identities were “never revealed before.” Siler discussed selling the 10,000 to 15,000 identities to the confidential source for approximately $6,200. On February 14, 2014, an FBI controlled e-mail account received an e-mail from Richard Siler containing approximately 5,200 individuals’ personal identifying information that appeared to be patients. On that same date, the confidential source provided Siler with $6,200 in currency and Siler was arrested.

The defendant was charged with access device fraud and identity theft.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the Strike Force, with special commendation to the FBI and IRS-CI. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael N. Berger.

1. United States v. Giovanni Francois Noel, Case No. 14-20198-Cr-Moore

On March 28, 2014, Giovanni Francois Noel, 24, of North Miami Beach, was charged in an eight count indictment for his participation in an identity theft tax refund scheme.

According to the indictment, the defendant possessed the social security numbers of at least fifteen individuals. The indictment also alleges that the defendant stole the means of identification, specifically, the name and date of birth, of seven individuals.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the Strike Force, with special commendation to the IRS-CI and the NMBPD. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John R. Byrne.

1. United States v. Wallens B. Alcime, Case No. 14-02372-mj-Goodman

On April 1, 2014, Wallens B. Alcime, 26, of Miami, was charged by criminal complaint for his participation in a stolen identity tax refund scheme.

According to the criminal complaint, a confidential source informed law enforcement that Alcime was using the mailing addresses of accomplices to receive stolen identity tax refunds deposited onto pre-paid debit cards. A controlled delivery was arranged where Alcime took possession of a debit card loaded with stolen identity tax refunds while under law enforcement surveillance. Alcime was later captured on surveillance video making cash withdrawals from the debit card.

The defendant was charged with access device fraud and aggravated identity theft.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI and IRS-CI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank Maderal.

1. United States v. Steven Toussaint, et al., Case No. 14-20161-Cr-Martinez

On March 14, 2014, Steven Toussaint, 32, and Emmanuel Alphonse, 28, both of Miami, were charged by indictment in a scheme to launder money from stolen identity tax refund fraud.

According to the indictment, the defendants conspired to conduct financial transactions the purpose of which was to conceal the proceeds of theft from the government. Each defendant is also charged with ten counts of money laundering connected to individual money orders cashed on various dates alleged in the indictment.

The complaint charges the defendants with conspiracy to commit money laundering and money laundering.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of USPIS and IRS-CI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank Maderal.

1. United States v. Mark Anthony Dacres, Jr., Case No. 14-20204-Cr-Ungaro

On April 1, 2014, Mark Anthony Dacres, Jr., 30, of Homestead, was charged in a seven-count indictment for identity theft in connection with his unauthorized possession of at least fifteen social security numbers belonging to other individuals. Dacres was found with over 1,700 names, dates of birth and social security numbers of other individuals.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the Strike Force, with special commendation to IRS-CI and USSS. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gera Peoples.

1. United States v. Providencia Llanos, Case No. 14-20205-Cr-Lenard

On April 1, 2014, Providencia Llanos, a/k/a “Providensia Llanos,” a/k/a “Providencia Allison,” 36, of Miami Gardens was charged in a seven-count indictment for identity theft in connection with her unauthorized possession of at least fifteen social security numbers belonging to other individuals. Llanos was found with over 3,000 names, dates of birth and social security numbers of other individuals.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the Strike Force, with special commendation to IRS-CI and USSS. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gera Peoples.

1. United States v. Stevens Nore, Case No. 14-14016-Cr-Middlebrooks

On March 24, 2014, Stevens Nore, 35, of Port St. Lucie, was charged in a twenty-eight count indictment for his participation in tax fraud and identity theft schemes.

According to the indictment, from June 11, 2009 through April 2012, Nore owned and operated Fraternity Tax and Services, a tax return preparation business located in Fort Pierce. Nore prepared and submitted Individual Tax Returns (Forms 1040), with accompanying schedules, to the IRS on behalf of taxpayers claiming false deductions and credits for tax years 2009 to 2011. Nore also filed false tax returns for 2010 and 2011 by falsely stating the amount of gross receipts and sales on Schedule C forms. The defendant stole three tax refunds totaling $26,349.30 to which he was not entitled, and used the identity of two individuals without their permission.

Nore was charged with twenty-one counts of preparing false tax returns, two counts of filing false tax returns, three counts of theft of public money, and two counts of aggravated identity theft.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of IRS-CI. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shaniek Maynard.

1. United States v. Rony Maurival, Case No. 14-14014-Cr-Middlebrooks

On March 24, 2014, Rony Maurical, 38, of Port St. Lucie, was charged in fifty-two count indictment for his participation in tax fraud and identity theft schemes.

According to the indictment, from July 3, 2008 through March 23, 2012, Maurival owned and operated RJ’s Tax & Services, a tax return preparation business located in Fort Pierce. Maurival prepared and submitted Individual Tax Returns (Forms 1040), with accompanying schedules, to the IRS on behalf of taxpayers claiming false deductions and credits for tax years 2008 to 2011. Maurival also filed false tax returns for 2009 and 2010 by falsely claiming Head of Household and falsely stating Schedule C income, gross receipts, and sales. The defendant stole three tax refunds totaling $3,292 to which he was not entitled, and used the identity of three individuals without their permission.

Maurival was charged with forty-four counts of preparing false tax returns, two counts of filing false tax returns, three counts of theft of public money, and three counts of aggravated identity theft.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of IRS-CI. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell R. Killinger.

If convicted, the defendants face a possible maximum statutory sentence of twenty years in prison for each count of wire fraud; ten years in prison for conspiracy to make false claims against the United States; five to fifteen years in prison for access device fraud; ten years in prison for stealing government funds; and two years in prison consecutive to any other term for aggravated identity theft.

An indictment is only an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, announce that Anthony Livoti, Jr., 65, of Fort Lauderdale, was sentenced today in Miami by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Scola, Jr. to ten years in prison. Livoti was also ordered to pay over $800 million in restitution to fraud victims.

Livoti was convicted after nearly a three-month trial by a Miami federal jury of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and mail fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. ' 1349, 1956(h), and 1341, respectively. The verdict was the result of Livoti’s participation in a scheme to defraud approximately 30,000 victims who invested in the viatical and life settlement company Mutual Benefits Corp. (MBC). According to the indictment, Livoti and others, including Joel Steinger, a/k/a “Joel Steiner,” Steven Steiner a/k/a Steven Steinger, and Michael McNerney, raised more than $1.25 billion from these investor-victims before being shut down by federal regulators in May 2004. Steven Steiner received a fifteen-year sentence and Joel Steinger, who recently pled guilty, is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Scola on June 6, 2014.

According to the evidence presented at trial, from approximately 1994 to May 2004, MBC purchased life insurance policies from the elderly, as well as persons suffering from AIDS and other chronic illnesses. Thereafter, MBC sold fractionalized interests in insurance policy death benefits, known as “viatical settlements,” to approximately 30,000 investor-victims. MBC told investors that its viatical settlements offered a fixed rate of return with low risk, and that investors’ principal and returns were paid by the insurance companies. Evidence presented at trial established that MBC misrepresented many important facts relating to its viatical settlements, including, for example, the estimated life expectancies of the insured persons, MBC’s fraudulent methods used to acquire life insurance policies, the risks associated with certain policies, the payment of premiums, and the source of funds used to pay investors.

Anthony Livoti, Jr., an attorney licensed by the State of Florida, was MBC’s premium trustee, and as a result was entrusted with millions of dollars of investor money placed in bank accounts under his control. Livoti was also the designated “trustee” of thousands of the insurance policies sold by MBC. Evidence showed that Livoti assisted MBC with the marketing of its fraudulent investment by meeting with investors in his Fort Lauderdale law office and encouraging them to purchase MBC investments.

Witnesses testified that new investor money was regularly used to pay premiums on life insurance policies purchased by earlier investors and to pay investors who requested their money back. In Ponzi-like fashion, Livoti and his co-conspirators were using new investor money to pay for earlier investor obligations. As the fraud continued, eventually investor money was required to prevent the MBC Ponzi from collapsing. Ultimately, investors lost more than $800 million.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI and the Miami Regional Office of the Securities and Exchange Commission, which previously brought a civil action against MBC and its principals. This case was tried by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen Rochlin and Roger Cruz.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Jose A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), announce that Scarlet Veres, and Steven M. Veres, III, both of Clermont, formerly of Broward County, pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Robert N. Scola, Jr. for their participation in a scheme to evade paying taxes on income received through their construction company following the 2004 and 2005 hurricanes.

Scarlet and Steven Veres each pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371. At sentencing, the defendants face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

According to court documents, Scarlet Veres and Steven M. Veres III, who was then a licensed general contractor, were the sole shareholders of Superior Contracting, Inc., a Broward County-based construction company. In 2005, Superior Contracting, Inc. received millions of dollars from contracts to make hurricane-related repairs, including a contract to make repairs at a condominium development in Fort Pierce. During 2005, the defendants diverted corporate receipts of Superior Contracting, Inc. for their own use. In order to conceal their diversion of corporate funds, the defendants falsified the profit and loss statement of Superior Contracting, Inc. by characterizing personal expenses, including the purchase of property in Parkland, the construction of their personal residence on the Parkland property, the purchase of a residence in Osceola County, and a $550,000 personal real estate investment as business expenses. The defendants further falsified the profit and loss statement by claiming that a $400,000 personal real estate investment was a repayment of a fictitious loan previously made to Superior Construction, Inc. Pursuant to their plea agreements, the defendants agreed to pay restitution to the Internal Revenue Service in the amount of $600,000.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the IRS-CI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Evans.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, John A. Bolduc, Chief, Port St. Lucie Police Department, Ken J. Mascara, St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, Sean Baldwin Chief, Ft. Pierce Police Department, J. Michelle Morris, Chief, Sebastian Police Department, Deryl Loar, Sheriff, Indian River Sheriff’s Office, announce that Joe JR Desilien, 24, of West Palm Beach, pled guilty yesterday to conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1951(a); interfering with commerce by robbery, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1951(a) and 2; and, using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 924(c)(1)(A)(ii)and 2. Sentencing has been set for July 14, 2014 before U.S. District Judge Jose E. Martinez, in Ft. Pierce.

At sentencing, Desilien faces up to 20 years in prison, followed by a term of supervised release of up to five years and a fine of up to $250,000 for the conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery charge, and for the interfering with commerce by robbery charge; and, a mandatory minimum of seven years, consecutive to any sentence imposed, and may impose a statutory maximum term of life imprisonment, followed by a term of supervised release of up to five years and a fine of up to $250,000 for the charge of using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

According to court documents, between June 8, 2013 and July 8, 2013, employees of five PNC bank branches, located in the counties of Indian River, Volusia, Hillsborough, and St. Lucie Counties, were robbed at gunpoint by three black males, whose faces were covered, wearing gloves. In all of the robberies, one male would brandish a handgun, and two males would jump the tellers’ counters demanding money.

On June 20, 2013, at approximately 9:50 a.m., three black males entered the PNC Bank, at 1090 Dunlawton Avenue, Port Orange, Volusia County, Florida with faces covered and wearing gloves. One male brandished a firearm at bank employees, two jumped the teller counters, and demanded and took United States currency. The three males were picked up by a fourth, driving a stolen Blue Jeep, which was found abandoned nearby. Anthony Isaac Johnson, Paul Edward Moore, and Alan Demetrius Bradford remained in cellular phone contact with one another before and after the robbery.

On July 1, 2013, at approximately 9:50 a.m., three black males entered the PNC Bank, at 12951 Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida, with faces covered, wearing gloves. One male brandished a firearm at the bank employees and two males jumped the teller counters, with another remaining in the lobby area. They demanded and took United States currency. The three males fled the bank in a stolen Dodge Intrepid. While in the area of the PNC bank and the site the vehicle was stolen, Raven Simone Sayers and Bradford remained in cellular phone contact with each other. The stolen vehicle was abandoned in a housing development near the PNC bank. On this date, Sayers was in possession of a leased vehicle.

According to court documents, during the night of July 7, 2013, into the early morning hours of July 8, 2013, Sayers, Ivory Lee Robinson, Tomaleesha Jeffie Laqua McKeliver, Moore, Desilien, Herbert Lenorris Smith, Jr., Johnson, and Bradford, planned and agreed to rob two St. Lucie County PNC banks at gun point. In order to carry out the two robberies, the group separated into two teams. The plan was for each team to have a female as a getaway driver and three males. Sayers and McKeliver agreed to be the robbery getaway drivers. Each team would steal a van, rob each of the banks at gunpoint, with their faces covered, leave the bank in the van, and transfer into the getaway vehicles, in order to flee the area. Sayers and McKeliver drove rental cars. The two teams travelled from Palm Beach County to St. Lucie County in the two rented cars. While en route, the two teams remained in cellular phone contact with one another. Once in St. Lucie County, the teams scouted PNC Banks and escape routes and stole two vans in Ft. Pierce for use in the two bank robberies.

Later on July 8, 2013, between 9:00 and 9:30 a.m., St Lucie County PNC Banks located at 5493 NW St. James Drive, Port St. Lucie, and 4156 Okeechobee Road, Fort Pierce, were robbed at gunpoint, almost simultaneously. After the Ft. Pierce and Port St. Lucie PNC bank robberies, McKeliver, Johnson, Robinson and Bradford were arrested after a police pursuit, and Moore was arrested near the bank. Law enforcement eventually identified, located, arrested and charged Sayers, Smith, and Desilien, who escaped back to Palm Beach County.

Previously sentenced in this case were Robinson, 22, and McKeliver, 22, both of West Palm Beach, by U.S. District Judge Donald L. Graham. Robinson, a career offender, was sentenced to 262 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release on February 27, 2014; McKeliver was sentenced to 102 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release on December 16, 2013. Sayers, 23, of Hallandale, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jose E. Martinez to 162 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release on March 11, 2014.

Smith pled guilty on January 29, 2014 to two counts of interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act), in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1951(a) and 2, and one count of using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(ii)and 2. Sentencing for Smith has been set for May 21, 2014 before U.S. District Judge Jose E. Martinez in Ft. Pierce.

Bradford pled guilty on February 4, 2014 to conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1951(a); two counts of interfering with commerce by robbery, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1951(a) and 2; two counts of using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 924(c)(1)(A)(ii)and 2; and, felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 2. Sentencing for Bradford has been set for May 22, 2014 before U.S. District Judge Jose E. Martinez in Ft. Pierce.

A jury trial for the remaining defendants, Moore and Johnson, is set for May 19, 2014 before U.S. District Judge Jose E. Martinez in Ft. Pierce.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI, Port St. Lucie Police Department, Ft. Pierce Police Department, Sebastian Police Department, St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, Indian River Sheriff’s Office, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Port Orange Police Department, and Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office for their work on this case. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carmen Lineberger

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and William H. Calvert, Supervisory Law Enforcement Officer, United States Fish & Wildlife Service, West Palm Beach, announce that Kenneth Cornelius Coleman, 52, of Riviera Beach, entered a guilty plea today before U.S. District Judge William Zloch to one count of unlawfully transporting endangered sea turtle eggs in violation of the Lacey Act, 16 U.S.C. §3372. Sea turtle eggs are protected under the Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. §1538. At sentencing, Coleman faces up to five years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine and up to three years of supervised release.

According to the Information and other court documents, on July 3, 2013, Loggerhead Marine Life Center beach/sea turtle surveyors discovered disturbed sea turtle nests in the area of the beach crossover at 840 Ocean Drive in Juno Beach. Nearby, a trail of six sea turtle eggs were found in the sand. Probing marks were visible in the disturbed nests.

Juno Beach Police officers responded. At the beach crossover near 840 Ocean Drive, officers found a wooden stick that appeared to have been used to probe the turtle nests, as well as three canvas bags. A blue bag with the name Celtic Tours was discovered and found to contain 213 sea turtle eggs. DNA analysis of this bag concluded that the DNA profile previously obtained from Kenneth C. Coleman matched the DNA on the bag.

Experts at the Loggerhead Marine Life Center, including biologist and sea turtle expert Kelly Martin, found that one of the nests disturbed on July 3, 2013 was a Green Sea Turtle nest (endangered species), and the other three were Loggerhead Sea Turtle nests (threatened species), both species are protected under Federal Law. The total of 219 sea turtle eggs were reburied in an attempt to allow them to continue to mature and to hatch.

On July 4, 2013, four more sea turtle nests were found to have been disturbed and to be missing turtle eggs: three Loggerhead Sea Turtle nests and one Green Sea Turtle nest. These were in the area of the beach crossover near 70 Celestial Way in Juno Beach, not far from the disturbed nests from the day before. Also near that location, Juno Beach police officers discovered a backpack which contained 97 sea turtle eggs. These eggs were reburied as well. Coleman was later contacted on the beach near where these nests were disturbed. Officers detained him on suspicion of sea turtle egg poaching at which point Coleman spontaneously stated, “I don’t know nothing about no turtle eggs.”

Biologist Kelly Martin examined the eggs and confirmed that the 219 eggs found on July 13, 2013 and the 97 eggs found on July 4, 2013 were in fact sea turtle eggs. Because sea turtle eggs are illegal contraband, it is very difficult to establish a precise market value for the eggs. However, based upon research done by the Fish and Wildlife Service, the retail black market value of the sea turtle eggs in this area is estimated to be approximately $3.00 per egg, and in some cases as much as $5.00 per egg. For the 316 sea turtle eggs found in this case, the total value is estimated to be between $948 and $1,580. This value is therefore more than $350.00.

Coleman was previously charged and pled guilty to violating the Lacey Act by transporting endangered sea turtle eggs in 2010 in Case No. 10-80124-CR-Ryskamp. He was sentenced to 30 months in prison in that case.

U.S. Attorney Ferrer commended the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the Juno Beach Police Department and the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission for their work in the case. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Jorgensen.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announce that defendant Joel Steinger, a/k/a “Joel Steiner,” (“Steinger”) pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Robert N. Scola, Jr. to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §1349, as a result of his scheme to defraud investors in Mutual Benefits Corporation (“MBC”), which marketed viatical and life settlements.

Steinger is the final defendant to be convicted out of 13 charged as a result of the MBC scheme, which defrauded approximately 30,000 victims. As the de facto head of MBC, Steinger, along with conspirators Steven Steiner, a/k/a Steven Steinger, Michael McNerney, and Anthony M. Livoti, Jr., Esq., along with others, raised more than $1.25 billion from investors before being shut down by federal regulators in May 2004. By the time charges were filed in December, 2009, investor losses were estimated to amount to more than $800 million. Steinger is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Scola, Jr. on June 6, 2014.

According to the evidence presented in a related trial and summarized during Steinger’s guilty plea, from approximately 1994 to May 2004, MBC purchased life insurance policies from persons suffering from AIDS, the chronically ill, and elderly persons. Having purchased the life insurance policies, MBC sold fractionalized interests in insurance policy death benefits, known as “viatical settlements,” to approximately 30,000 investors. MBC solicited the investments through an international network of sales agents. In promotional materials, MBC told investors that its viatical settlements offered a fixed rate of return with low risk, and that investors’ principal and returns were paid by the insurance companies. Under Steinger’s direction, MBC misrepresented various important facts relating to its viatical settlements, including, for example, the estimated life expectancies of the insured persons, the supposedly independent role of doctors determining those life expectancies, MBC’s fraudulent methods used to acquire life insurance policies, the risks associated with certain policies, the payment of premiums, and the source of funds used to pay investors.

Steinger, already a convicted felon at the time of the MBC fraud, hid behind a figurehead company president to conceal a criminal and disciplinary history that otherwise would have prevented the company from obtaining a license to conduct business in Florida and elsewhere.

Evidence supporting his guilty plea also established that new investor money was used to pay premiums on life insurance policies purchased by earlier investors and to pay investors who requested their money back. In essence, the evidence demonstrated that Steinger and his co-conspirators were operating a Ponzi-like scheme, using new investor money to pay for earlier investor obligations, and that money from new investors was continuously required to prevent the MBC Ponzi-scheme from collapsing, which, ultimately, it did.

Co-defendant Steiner was also a founding principal of MBC, was actively involved in MBC’s marketing and promotional activities, and encouraged investors to buy MBC’s investments. On September 3, 2013, Steiner pled guilty to charges in the same case. Steiner was also found guilty by a federal jury in a related case, United States v. Steven Steiner, No. 11-20578-CR-Williams in connection with money laundering and obstruction of justice related to the use and concealment of more than $15 million dollars in proceeds derived from the MBC fraud. Steiner was sentenced to a total of 15 years in prison.

Co-defendant McNerney, an attorney licensed by the State of Florida, assisted MBC with the marketing of its fraudulent investment by meeting with investors in his Fort Lauderdale law offices and encouraging them to purchase MBC investments. McNerney pled guilty in this case and was sentenced to five years in prison for his criminal conduct.

Co-defendant Livoti, Jr. was convicted for his role in the MBC fraud on December 4, 2013 after a jury trial. Livoti’s sentencing is set for April 1, 2014 before U.S. District Judge Robert N. Scola, Jr.

United States Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer stated, “I am pleased to announce the guilty plea of Joel Steinger, who led one of the largest investment schemes in South Florida’s history. For a decade, Steinger and his co-defendants victimized approximately 30,000 people and stole nearly one billion dollars. I commend the prosecutors and agents who have worked so hard on this important matter.”

“Joel Steinger used Mutual Benefits Corp to bilk hundreds of millions of dollars from trusting investors,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge George L. Piro. “Now, with Joel Steinger's guilty plea, the FBI is pleased that all 13 defendants charged in the MBC scheme have all been convicted.”

Steinger is the thirteenth defendant convicted as a result of the MBC fraud.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI and the Miami Regional Office of the Securities and Exchange Commission, which previously brought a civil action against MBC and its principals. The MBC case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Rochlin.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, announce that George Brown, 50, of Hollywood, was sentenced to 30 months in prison, one year of supervised release, and ordered to forfeit $13,000. Brown previously pled guilty in January 2014 to a one-count information charging him with accepting bribes in connection with programs receiving federal funds, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 666. The defendant was given until May 13, 2014 to surrender to the United States Bureau of Prisons.

According to documents filed in Court, Brown was the Roadway Lighting Coordinator for the Department of Public Works (Public Works) in Miami-Dade County. In this capacity, Brown was responsible for, among other things, overseeing the installation and/or maintenance of more than 24,000 street lights in the county’s roadway system. In 2011, a lighting contractor offered to provide Brown with “rewards” in exchange for Public Works’ purchase of the contractor’s lighting products. Brown agreed and subsequently accepted more than $13,000 in bribes from the contractor in 2011 and 2012. The bribes included appliances, computer equipment, and other merchandise, all paid for by the contractor. Among the merchandise that Brown received from the contractor was a 2.5 ton air conditioning unit, a Samsung stainless steel refrigerator, and a KitchenAid built-in single electric convection oven. The merchandise was either shipped directly to Brown’s home address or picked up by Brown at the contractor’s business in Miami.

During the investigation, the contractor began to cooperate with law enforcement and recorded the conversations with Brown. In one recorded conversation, Brown assured the contractor that no one else knew about their arrangement. In another recorded conversation, the two discussed delivery to Brown of certain merchandise costing approximately $2,600 in exchange for Brown’s assistance on a Public Works’ project on 27th Avenue in Miami.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey N. Kaplan.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, and Jose A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), announce that defendant Marquis Onigirin Moye, 24, of Pompano Beach, was sentenced for his participation in a stolen identity tax refund scheme. Moye was sentenced to 54 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Moye previously pled guilty to one count of possession of fifteen or more unauthorized access devices, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1029(a)(3), and one count of aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028A.

Co-defendants Tiffany Shenae Cooper, 33, of Deerfield Beach, and Angela Dione Rosier, 41, of Coral Springs, were sentenced on February 28, 2014. Cooper was sentenced to 57 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Rosier was sentenced to 49 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. The court also ordered both defendants to pay $129,390.06 in restitution to the IRS and the medical services provider whose database had been breached. Cooper previously pled guilty to one count of possession of fifteen or more unauthorized access devices, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1029(a)(3), and one count of aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028A. Rosier previously pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit access device fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1029(b)(2).

Co-defendant Michael Ali Bryant, Sr., 41, of Lauderdale Lakes, previously pled guilty to one count of possession of fifteen or more unauthorized access devices, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1029(a)(3), and one count of aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028A. Bryant’s sentencing is scheduled for April 11, 2014. At sentencing, the defendant faces a maximum of ten years in prison for the possession of unauthorized access devices charge, and a mandatory term of two years in prison, consecutive to any other term in prison, for the aggravated identity theft charge.

Michael Bryant's wife and co-defendant Latina Rashawn Bryant, 43, of Lauderdale Lakes, previously pled guilty to one count of using an unauthorized access device, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1029(a)(2), and one count of aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028A. Sentencing is scheduled for April 10, 2014.

According to court documents, a confidential source (CS) initially approached Michael Bryant and inquired about purchasing narcotics. Bryant told the CS that he did not have any narcotics but that he did have personal identity information (PII) that he was willing to sell to the CS. The CS made a controlled purchase of ten pages (each page containing approximately 20 to 25 names) of PII. Bryant instructed the CS on how to commit tax fraud using the PII, and provided the CS with specific instructions on what information to enter into the web pages of the internet-based tax services to obtain a tax refund. An examination of the PII revealed that it was from a medical services provider.

Rosier was an employee of the medical services provider. Cooper spoke to Rosier to obtain user names and passwords for current employees of the medical services provider. Cooper admitted to illegally logging on to the medical services provider’s computer network and downloading PII for the purpose of committing various types of fraud. She was assisted in her activities by Rosier and co-defendant Moye.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI and IRS-CI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia R. Wood.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Jose A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and Ric. L. Bradshaw, Sheriff, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, announce that Eltonya Wiley, 40, of Lady Lake, pled guilty for her participation in a wide-ranging identity theft scheme. Wiley was the last of six defendants to plead guilty in the case. As part of her guilty plea, Wiley admitted that she made unauthorized use of medical patients’ Social Security numbers in connection with ongoing identity theft. The government alleged, and Wiley agreed that at least 92 patients of Villages Endocopy near The Villages in Central Florida had their identities stolen by virtue of Wiley’s conduct while she was an employee at that medical facility.

Specifically, Wiley pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. ' 1349 (Count 1), three counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. ' 1343 (Counts 4, 6, and 12), and one count of aggravated identity theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. ' 1028A (Count 35). At sentencing, she faces a maximum of twenty years in prison for each count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and wire fraud; and, a mandatory term of two years in prison for the aggravated identity theft charge, to run consecutively to any other sentence.

Sentencing is scheduled for June 6, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. before U.S. District Judge Kenneth Marra in West Palm Beach.

The scheme involved, in part, stealing the identities of patients at a medical facility in central Florida. Those identities were then used to file fraudulent federal income tax returns in the patients’ names seeking fraudulent refunds, and obtaining fraudulent credit cards which were then used to make fraudulent purchases.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of IRS-CI and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Carlton.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, José A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and Alysa D. Erichs, Special Agent In Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), ,announce that Cliffort Variste, 34, of Miami, was convicted by a federal jury of one count of access device fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1029(a)(2), and five counts of aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028A(a)(1). The trial was held before U.S. District Court Judge Kathleen M. Williams. Sentencing is scheduled for June 5, 2014. Variste faces a maximum sentence of ten years in prison for the access device charge, and a mandatory term of two years in prison for each aggravated identity theft charge, at least one of which must be served consecutive to any other term in prison.

According to the indictment and evidence presented at trial, Variste obtained an IRS Electronic Filing Identification Number (“EFIN”) and used it to file approximately 52 fraudulent tax returns, many filed with stolen identities. Variste used these returns to obtain fraudulent income tax refunds, which he had deposited on to prepaid debit cards which he controlled. Variste then made numerous withdrawals and purchases on the debit cards for his own personal gain. All of the fraudulent debit cards were issued in the names of real people whose identities were stolen as part of the tax fraud.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of IRS-CI and HSI. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Frank Maderal and Vanessa Snyder.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Paula Reid, Special Agent in Charge, United States Secret Service, Miami Field Office, and Ronald J. Verrochio, Inspector in Charge, United States Postal Inspection Service, Miami Division, announce that defendant Robert Harry Bacon, 34, of West Newbury, MA entered a guilty plea to Counts 1 and 2 of the indictment charging him with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud; and mail fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1349 and 1341.

Defendant Bacon faces up to 20 years in prison on each of the two counts to which he pled guilty, plus up to $250,000 in fines and mandatory restitution as to each charge.

According to the indictment and other documents filed in the case, between September 2008 and August 2009, the defendants operated boiler rooms that collected advance fees from distressed homeowners purportedly in exchange for obtaining loan modifications for the homeowners which were, with few exceptions, never provided.

The indictment alleges that defendant Vitulano was the organizer and operator of FHA All Day.com, Inc. and two other companies, Housing Assistance Law Center, Inc. and Safety Financial Corp., which operated the boiler rooms in Boca Raton and later in Deerfield Beach. According to the indictment and the factual proffer submitted in support of the guilty plea, defendant Bacon was an operations manager who wrote and edited sales scripts, while the other eight defendants served as team managers of four to eight telemarketers who made thousands of phone calls to homeowners behind on their mortgage payments.

As alleged in the indictment, the defendants made false statements to the homeowners including telling homeowners they had already been approved or pre-approved for a loan modification that would save the homeowner a specific amount off their mortgage payment, reducing the interest rate and often the principal balance on the mortgage loan. The defendants, according to the indictment, routinely told customers that they had been approved by an “underwriter” and that they had a team of “expert attorneys” who would finalize the loan modifications.

The indictment further alleges that the defendants targeted homeowners across the country that were facing foreclosure, falsely telling them that the company would stop the foreclosure process and that homeowners could stop making mortgage payments while they waited for the company to finalize their loan modifications. FHA All Day, as alleged in the indictment, moved its offices and changed the corporate name several times to avoid law enforcement scrutiny and to hamper consumer complaints. Through the use of these and other false representations, the defendants, according to the indictment, induced over 2,000 distressed homeowners to pay up front fees totaling more than seven million dollars to the defendants.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren Jorgensen and Ellen Cohen.

An indictment is only an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Tracy Dunn, Acting Special Agent in Charge, NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement, and Edward Grace, Deputy Assistant Director, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, announce that Richard Perrin, 80, of Romulus, Michigan, was sentenced today for conspiring with others to commit certain offenses against the United States, that is: transport, sell, receive, acquire, and purchase fish and wildlife, that is marine invertebrates, Sea Fans (Gorgonia flabellum and Gorgonia ventalina), ornamental tropical fish, sharks, and alligators (Alligator mississippiensis), with a fair market value in excess of $350.00, knowing the wildlife was taken, possessed, transported, sold, and intended to be sold in violation of the laws and regulations of the State of Florida, in violation of Title 16, United States Code, Sections 3372(a)(2)(A), 3372(a)(4), and 3373(d)(1) and (2), all in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371.

U.S. District Judge Jose E. Martinez, who had previously accepted Perrin’s guilty plea, after granting a government motion for a downward departure in the case, based on Perrin’s extensive cooperation and assistance in the investigation and prosecution of others, imposed a sentence of a three year term of probation, a criminal fine of $15,000, and forfeiture of the vehicle used in the commission of the Lacey Act violations. Perrin’s co-defendant, Joseph Franko, 35, also of Romulus, is awaiting sentence in Key West on April 14, 2014, at 10:00 a.m.

According to the indictment and joint factual statements submitted to the Court, during the period extending from December 2008 through approximately December 2011, Perrin and Franko engaged in a conspiracy to purchase, harvest, and transport marine life and reptiles from Florida to Michigan for sale through a business known as Tropicorium, Inc. Perrin was the owner Tropicorium, engaged in the day-to-day management and operation of the corporation, while Franko was an employee. Tropicorium was organized in 1993 under the laws of Michigan with its principal place of business in Romulus. Tropicorium was engaged in the purchase and retail sale of marine life and reptiles, including sharks, marine invertebrates, Sea Fans (Gorgonia flabellum and Gorgonia ventalina), ornamental tropical fish, and alligators.

The defendants admitted that they failed to acquire or possess the licenses required by Florida Statute for the marine life they harvested during multiple trips to the Florida Keys. Additionally, the sea fans taken by the defendants and sold in Michigan are prohibited from being harvested from the waters of the State of Florida or the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. According to the factual statements, Perrin and Franko also made stops while en route to and from the Keys in the area of Big Cypress National Preserve, where they illegally poached juvenile alligators to sell through Tropicorium. Unknown to the defendants, on one occasion they actually sold a baby alligator and illegal sea fans from a Florida harvesting trip to an undercover Special Agent of the Fish & Wildlife Service. The two defendants also utilized a facility on Grassy Key as a maintenance base for their harvested marine life until they were ready to ship or transport the specimens to Michigan for sale.

Mr. Ferrer commended the joint investigative efforts of the NOAA Office of Law Enforcement and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement. Mr. Ferrer also thanked the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Watts-FitzGerald and Antonia Barnes.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Hugo J. Barrera, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Miami Field Office, and Deryl Loar, Indian River County Sheriff, announce the arrest of Glenn Thomas Carvajal, 34, of Vero Beach. Carvajal made his initial appearance in federal court yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Frank J. Lynch Jr. in Ft. Pierce. After a detention hearing, Carvajal was detained, pending trial, as a risk of flight and danger to the community.

More specifically, the complaint charges the defendant with interfering with commerce by threats or violence (robbery), in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1951(a), and possessing and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A). If convicted of interfering with commerce by threats or violence (robbery), the defendant faces a possible statutory maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison. If convicted of possessing and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, the defendant faces a consecutive seven year term in prison.

According to the allegations in the criminal complaint, on October 10, 2013, Carvajal entered the Game Stop store located in Vero Beach. Carvajal handed the employee a hand written note, which read “I have a gun, please empty the register as soon as possible” and showed the employee a black semi-automatic handgun. Carvajal took hundreds of dollars’ worth of inventory and property from the employee. Before Carvajal exited the store, he warned the employee that he had someone monitoring the phones, to wait 15 minutes before calling the police and threatened that if the employee failed to comply, he knew who he was, where he lived, and would kill or hurt him or one of his family members. Investigators have confirmed that Carvajal was previously employed by Game Stop as a manager.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of ATF and the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carmen Lineberger.

A complaint is only an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Jose A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and Ric L. Bradshaw, Sheriff, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, announce that Kawana Brown, 36, of West Palm Beach, pled guilty for her participation in a wide-ranging identity theft scheme.

Specifically, Brown pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. ' 1349 (Count 1), three counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. ' 1343 (Counts 2, 8, and 13), and two counts of aggravated identity theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. ' 1028A (Counts 25 and 38).

Sentencing is scheduled for May 30, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. before U.S. District Judge Kenneth Marra. At sentencing, the defendant faces a maximum of twenty years in prison for each count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and wire fraud, and a mandatory term of two years in prison for the aggravated identity theft charge, to run consecutively to any other sentence.

The scheme involved, in part, stealing the identities of patients at a medical facility in central Florida. Those identities were then used to file fraudulent federal income tax returns in the patients’ names seeking fraudulent refunds, and obtaining fraudulent credit cards which were then used to make fraudulent purchases.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of IRS-CI and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Carlton.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Angela Althea Peart was sentenced in connection with her role in a fraudulent international lottery scheme that targeted U.S. citizens, the Justice Department announced. Peart was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge K. Michael Moore for the Southern District of Florida in Miami to serve 33 months in prison and 5 years supervised release. A hearing on restitution has been scheduled for June 5, 2014.

Peart’s prosecution is part of the Department of Justice’s effort, working with federal and local law enforcement, to combat international lottery fraud schemes preying on American citizens. According to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Americans have lost tens of millions of dollars to fraudulent foreign lotteries.

“As international fraudsters focus their criminal schemes on Americans, we will do all we can to prosecute and deter such criminal activity,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida Wifredo A. Ferrer. “Now more than ever, the public needs to be mindful of these schemes to avoid falling prey to them. So long as criminals continue to line their pockets with the money of our nation’s seniors, we will be there to prosecute them and bring them to justice.”

“International lottery fraud aimed at stealing from elderly victims cannot, and will not, be tolerated by the Department of Justice,” said Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Civil Division Stuart F. Delery. “We will seek to hold accountable those who participate in illegal lottery schemes, including those in the U.S. who facilitate schemes directed from abroad.”

A federal grand jury in Miami returned an indictment against Peart and co-conspirator Charmaine Anne King on Oct. 31, 2013. Judge Moore adopted a report and recommendation accepting Peart’s guilty plea on Feb. 4, 2014. Co-defendant King was convicted by a federal jury in Miami on Feb. 5, 2014, of one count of conspiracy, three counts of mail fraud and two counts of wire fraud. King’s sentencing is scheduled for April 17, 2014.

As part of her guilty plea, Peart admitted that beginning in or around March 2012 and continuing through, in or around November 2013, she was a member of a conspiracy to fraudulently enrich herself by keeping victims’ money for her own benefit without paying any lottery winnings. Peart acknowledged that a co-conspirator, believed to be located in Canada, mailed letters to elderly victims in the United States falsely informing the victims that they had won more than a million dollars in a lottery. These letters purported to be from an actual sweepstakes company in the United States.

Peart also admitted that as part of the conspiracy, victims were told that they must make a payment of several thousand dollars in order to collect their purported lottery winnings. The victims were told to send their payments to Peart and others. Peart acknowledged that she received victims’ funds, kept 10 percent of the money received from victims and then sent the rest to another member of the conspiracy. Victims never received any lottery winnings.

Assistant Attorney General Delery commended the investigative efforts of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Marshals Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Director Jeffrey Steger and Trial Attorney Kathryn Drenning with the Department of Justice’s Civil Division, Consumer Protection Branch.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and José A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), announce that Eddy Marin, 52, of Davie, was sentenced today in West Palm Beach by U.S. District Judge Kenneth A. Marra to ten months in prison, followed by one year of supervised release. Issues regarding the forfeiture of certain funds obtained by the defendant through his criminal activity was continued to a later date. Marin pled guilty on October 18, 2013 to conspiracy to obstruct justice, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1512(k).

According to the factual statement admitted by the defendant in connection with his guilty plea, former Ft. Lauderdale attorney Scott W. Rothstein, who was the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the law firm of Rothstein, Rosenfeldt and Adler, P.A. (RRA), used the funds obtained from the operation of a Ponzi scheme to purchase tens of millions of dollars of real estate, vehicles, vessels, business interests, luxury watches, jewelry and sports memorabilia for himself, his wife, Kimberly Rothstein, and others. As part of his plea agreement, Scott W. Rothstein agreed to forfeit to the government all assets acquired with funds derived through the aforesaid Ponzi scheme. On November 9, 2009, agents of IRS-CI went to the Rothstein residence, where Kimberly Rothstein assisted the agents in retrieving what was believed to be all of the available cash, jewelry and luxury watches which had previously been purchased by Scott W. Rothstein with proceeds derived from the Ponzi scheme. In fact, before, during and after the aforesaid seizure by federal agents on November 9, 2009, Kimberly Rothstein, Stacie Weisman, and others knowingly took action to conceal certain items of jewelry, valued in excess of one million dollars for the purpose of preventing the government from exercising its authority to take such property into its lawful custody and control. Thereafter, Kimberly Rothstein and Stacie Weisman sold and attempted to sell a portion of this jewelry to and through various persons, including the defendant Eddy Marin.

The factual statement further alleges that, in connection with civil proceedings instituted by the Trustee in bankruptcy for RRA, the defendant took steps to obstruct justice by concealing the true location of certain items of jewelry in order to prevent their availability for use in those proceedings. Marin further admitted that he committed perjury during a deposition in connection with those proceedings.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of IRS-CI and the FBI. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lawrence D. LaVecchio, Paul F. Schwartz, Jeffrey N. Kaplan, and Evelyn B. Sheehan.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, José A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and Paula Reid, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Secret Service, announce that Louis A. Francois, 44, of Margate, pled guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343, and one count of aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028A(a)(1). Sentencing is scheduled for June 5, 2014 at 11:30 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks.

According to court documents, Francois owned and operated a tax preparation business called A&I Multi Services (A&I) located in Oakland Park. Francois stole personal identifying information (PII) of various individuals, including their names, dates of birth, social security numbers, and addresses, for the purpose of filing fraudulent U.S. income tax returns claiming tax refunds in those individuals’ names. Subsequently, Francois printed out the refund checks payable to the persons whose PII was used at A&I. The checks were in the amount of the fraudulently obtained tax refunds minus Francois’ “tax preparation” fees and other fees. The “tax preparation” fees were deposited into Francois’ bank account. Francois went to a check cashing store located next door to A&I with the fraudulently obtained tax refund checks and fraudulent Florida driver's licenses matching the stolen identities on the checks and cashed them.

From July 2010 through June 2011, the total amount of U.S. Treasury checks cashed by Francois and the total amount of fraudulent refunds requested by Francois is approximately $355,000. The number of victims involved is greater than ten, but fewer than fifty.

Francois faces a maximum sentence of twenty years in prison for the wire fraud charge, and a mandatory term of two years in prison, consecutive to any other term in prison, for the aggravated identity theft charge.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of IRS-CI and the Secret Service. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alicia E. Shick.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Jose A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Paula Reid, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Secret Service (USSS), Miami Field Office, and Scott Israel, Sheriff, Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO), announce that Alex Dontfred, 29, David Tilus, 27, Sherika Rowe, 20, Fritznel Etienne, 24, and Latonya Ware, 27, all of Lauderhill, were sentenced for their participation in a stolen identity tax refund scheme and an access device fraud scheme that resulted in the submission of over $137,000 in fraudulent tax refund claims and over $49,000 in unauthorized access device purchases.

Dontfred was sentenced yesterday to 46 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay forfeiture of $49,561.88 and restitution in the amount of $45,711.10. Tilus was sentenced on March 10, 2014 to 70 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $188,322 in restitution. Rowe was sentenced on March 13, 2014 to 45 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a money judgment of $136,538 and restitution in the amount of $136,535. Etienne was sentenced on March 14, 2014 to 34 months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a money judgment of $11,204 and restitution in the amount of $3,844.81. Latonya Ware was sentenced on March 10, 2014 to 34 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a money judgment of $136,535 and restitution in the amount of $136,535.

Dontfred previously pled guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit access device fraud and access device fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1029(b)(2) and 1029(a)(2), respectively. Tilus previously pled guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1349, 1343, 1029(b)(2) and 1028A(a)(1), respectively. Rowe previously pled guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349, 1343 and 1029A(a)(1), respectively. Etienne previously pled guilty to one count each of access device fraud and aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1029(a)(2) and 1028A(a)(1), respectively. Latonya Ware previously pled guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349 and 1029A(a)(1), respectively.

According to court documents, Andrew Ware, David Tilus, Latonya Ware and Sherika Rowe obtained the personal identifying information (PII) of numerous identity theft victims, including their names, dates of birth, and social security numbers. Latonya Ware stole patients' names and social security numbers from a medical office where she worked, and gave the PII to Tilus and her cousin, Andrew Ware. Rowe electronically filed fraudulent tax returns utilizing the victims’ names and social security numbers, and the fraudulent refunds from these returns were loaded onto prepaid debit cards that Tilus and Andrew Ware used to purchase gift cards and other merchandise from retail stores. Fraudulent refunds claimed by Andrew Ware, Tilus, Latonya Ware and Rowe from the stolen identities totaled approximately $137,132.

Court documents state that Andrew Ware, David Tilus, Jaqwayn Henry, Alex Dontfred and Fritznel Etienne utilized victims’ access devices, without their authorization, to purchase merchandise totaling at least $1,000 in a single year. These defendants obtained credit card numbers from various victims and used these stolen access devices to purchase merchandise, gift cards and prepaid debit cards for later use. The total amount of fraudulent charges made or attempted to be made by Andrew Ware, Tilus, Henry, and Dontfred utilizing the stolen credit cards is $49,561.88. From approximately January 20, 2012 through January 22, 2012, the total amount of fraudulent charges made or attempted to be made by Etienne utilizing a stolen credit card number is $11,942.23.

Co-defendant Andrew Ware, 27, of Lauderhill, previously pled guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1349, 1343, 1029(b)(2) and 1028A(a)(1), respectively. The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on April 18, 2014.

Co-defendant Jaqwayn Henry, 23, of Lauderhill, is a fugitive. The indictment was dismissed against Latanya Ware.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of IRS-CI, the USSS, and BSO. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alicia Shick and Harry Wallace.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, David Pharo, Resident Agent in Charge, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and Major Alfredo Escanio, Commander of South Region Bravo, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, announced that Jose E. Souto, 71, of Coral Gables, pled guilty and was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams for his involvement in the illegal possession of thirty-four specimens of migratory birds, protected by federal law and regulation, in violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), Title 16, United States Code, Sections 703 and 707(a), and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2.

Judge Williams sentenced Souto to the maximum criminal fine under the statute, $15,000, and a one month term of probation. Additionally, pursuant to the plea agreement, Souto must abandon the thirty-four avians, a cage, and a bird trap seized by the government pursuant to a search warrant, and he must also make a donation of $7,500 to the Tropical Audubon Society for the purpose of funding research, education, and monitoring of migratory birds and their habitats in South Florida.

According to the Court documents and a joint factual statement executed by the parties, Souto, at the time a resident of Coconut Grove, was observed by a knowledgeable citizen to possess numerous migratory birds at his residence. Aware that the birds were subject to the protections of the MBTA, the citizen alerted Fish & Wildlife Service Special Agents. A review of federal records revealed that Souto held no valid permits to take and possess any migratory bird as defined in the MBTA and the implementing regulations. A search warrant subsequently executed at the residence located 34 birds, including among other MBTA listed species, thirteen Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis), four Indigo Buntings (Passerina cyanea), nine Painted Buntings (Passerina ciris), one Blue Grosbeak (Guiraca cycaerulea), and three Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks (Pheucticus ludovicianus). These species are among a number of native migratory bird species that have diminished significantly over their range in the Eastern United States in recent years.

In order to protect migratory birds from over-exploitation, the MBTA makes it unlawful at any time, by any means or in any manner, to pursue, hunt, take, capture, kill, attempt to take, capture, or kill, possess, offer for sale, sell, offer to barter, barter, offer to purchase, purchase, deliver for shipment, ship, export, import, cause to be shipped, exported, or imported, deliver for transportation, transport or cause to be transported, carry or cause to be carried, or receive for shipment, transportation, carriage, or export, any migratory bird, any part, nest, or egg of any such bird, or any product, whether or not manufactured, which consists, or is composed in whole or part, of any such bird or any part, nest, or egg thereof, subject to certain exceptions not applicable in this case. The protected species are listed in the Code of Federal Regulations at 50 C.F.R. Part 10.13, and in the absence of valid permits, may not be taken or possessed.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. The case was prosecuted by Certified Legal Intern Natalie Harrison and Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Watts-FitzGerald.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Mark R. Trouville, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Miami Field Division, Amos Rojas, Jr., United States Marshal, U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), Noel Manheimer, Director of Marine Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Dan Alexander, Chief, Boca Raton Police Department, Vince Demasi, Chief, West Palm Beach Police Department, Scott Israel, Sheriff, Broward County Sheriff’s Office (BSO), and Dave Aronberg, State Attorney, Office of the State Attorney for Palm Beach County, announce today that following a two week trial in West Palm Beach, a jury convicted Osvaldo Domingo Ceballo, 44, of Hialeah, and Yumar Oliva, 43, of Miami, of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride and possession with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 21, 2014, before U.S. District Judge Daniel T.K. Hurley. At sentencing, the defendants face a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison up to a maximum of life in prison, a mandatory minimum period of supervised release of five years up to life, a maximum $4 million fine, and a $100 special assessment as to both the conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute charge and the possession with intent to distribute charge.

According to the evidence presented at trial, Taverne Pierre Louis operated a large scale drug trafficking organization responsible for the importation and distribution of hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Haiti and the Bahamas to Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties. Osvaldo Domingo Ceballo and Yumar Oliva facilitated Taverne Pierre Louis’ drug distribution organization by transporting the cocaine. During the course of this investigation, 27 kilograms of cocaine and over 100 grams of cocaine base, commonly referred to as “crack” cocaine, were seized.

This case is the result of the ongoing efforts by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The OCDETF mission is to identify, investigate, and prosecute high level members of drug trafficking enterprises, bringing together the combined expertise and unique abilities of federal, state and local law enforcement.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the DEA, USMS, CBP, Boca Raton Police Department, West Palm Beach Police Department, BSO and the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer C. Nucci.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Jose A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and Ric. L. Bradshaw, Sheriff, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, announce that Jennifer Robinson, 36, of West Palm Beach, and Elton Baker, 29, of Center Hill, pled guilty for their participation in a wide-ranging identity theft scheme.

Specifically, Robinson pled guilty to all counts in a superseding indictment, which included one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. ' 1349, twelve counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. ' 1343, eleven counts of stealing government monies, in violation of 18 U.S.C. ' 641, twelve counts of aggravated identity theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. ' 1028A, and, one count of unauthorized access device fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. ' 1029(a)(2). Elton Baker pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, three counts of wire fraud, and one count of aggravated identity theft. At sentencing, the defendants face a maximum of ten years in prison for each count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, theft of government funds, and unauthorized access device fraud; and, a mandatory term of two years in prison for the aggravated identity theft charge, to run consecutively to any other sentence.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 23, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. before U.S. District Judge Kenneth Marra.

The scheme involved, in part, stealing the identities of patients at a medical facility in central Florida. Those identities were then used to file fraudulent federal income tax returns in the patients’ names seeking fraudulent refunds, and obtaining fraudulent credit cards which were then used to make fraudulent purchases.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of IRS-CI and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Carlton.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

The owner and operator of a Miami medical clinic, Merfi Corp., was sentenced today to serve 108 months in prison for her participation in multiple health care fraud schemes.

U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer of the Southern District of Florida, Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Special Agent in Charge George L. Piro of the FBI’s Miami Field Office and Acting Special Agent in Charge Brian P. Martens of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) Office of Investigations Miami Office made the announcement.

Isabel Medina, 49, of Miami, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ursula Ungaro of the Southern District of Florida. In addition to her prison term, Medina was also sentenced to serve three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $8,437,393 in restitution.

On Jan. 7, 2014, Medina pleaded guilty before Judge Ungaro to conspiracy to commit health care fraud.

According to court documents, Medina was an owner and operator of Merfi Corp., a Miami medical clinic that employed physicians, physician assistants and other medical professionals who were authorized by law to dispense prescriptions for home health care services. Through Merfi Corp., Medina and her co-conspirators provided fraudulent home health and therapy prescriptions to the owners and operators of Flores Home Health Care Inc. and other home health care agencies, as well as to patient recruiters, in return for kickbacks and bribes.

Flores Home Health and these other home health care agencies purported to provide home health and therapy services to Medicare beneficiaries, but were in fact operated for the purpose of billing Medicare for, among other things, expensive physical therapy and home health care services that were not medically necessary and/or were not provided.

Medina has acknowledged that her involvement in fraudulent schemes at multiple home health care companies resulted in losses to the Medicare program exceeding $20 million.

The case is being investigated by the FBI and HHS-OIG and was brought as part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, under the supervision of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida. This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney A. Brendan Stewart of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.

Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, now operating in nine cities across the country, has charged more than 1,700 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for more than $5.5 billion. In addition, HHS’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.

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

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Several patient recruiters, including a medical clinic owner, were sentenced today for their participation in a health care fraud scheme involving Flores Home Health Care Inc., a defunct home health care company.

U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer of the Southern District of Florida, Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Special Agent in Charge George L. Piro of the FBI’s Miami Field Office and Acting Special Agent in Charge Brian P. Martens of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) Office of Investigations Miami Office made the announcement.

Lerida Labrada, 59; Mayra Flores, 49; and German Martinez, 36, all of Miami, were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ursula Ungaro of the Southern District of Florida to serve 37 months, 24 months, and 24 months in prison, respectively. In addition to their prison terms, all of the defendants were sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay between $200,000 and $400,000 in restitution.

On Jan. 7, 2014, Labrada pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud, and Flores and Martinez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States and receive health care kickbacks.

According to court documents, the defendants worked as patient recruiters for the owners and operators of Flores Home Health, a Miami home health care agency that purported to provide home health and physical therapy services to Medicare beneficiaries. Labrada also owned and operated a Miami medical clinic that provided fraudulent prescriptions to patient recruiters and to the owners and operators of Flores Home Health.

The defendants would recruit patients for Flores Home Health and would solicit and receive kickbacks and bribes from the owners and operators of Flores Home Health in return for allowing the company to bill the Medicare program on behalf of the recruited Medicare patients. These Medicare beneficiaries were billed for home health care and therapy services that were not medically necessary and/or were not provided.

From approximately October 2009 through approximately June 2012, Flores Home Health was paid approximately $8 million by Medicare for fraudulent claims for home health services.

The case is being investigated by the FBI and HHS-OIG and was brought as part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, under the supervision of the Criminal Division's Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida. This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney A. Brendan Stewart of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.

Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, now operating in nine cities across the country, has charged more than 1,700 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for more than $5.5 billion. In addition, HHS’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.

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

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, Brian P. Martens, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Office of Investigations Miami Office, and Amy K. Parker, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Office of Personnel Management, Office of Inspector General, announce that a federal jury found Cecilio Pelaez Delgado, 51, of Miami, guilty of ten counts of health care fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1347, and conspiracy to commit the same, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349. Sentencing is scheduled for June 13, 2014 before U.S. District Judge Robert N. Scola, Jr.

According to the indictment and evidence admitted at trial, Pelaez Delgado was employed by a medical clinic, Viton Therapy Medical Center Inc. (Viton Therapy), a Florida corporation. Viton Therapy was an authorized medical services provider with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBS) and Cigna, and was eligible to receive reimbursement from the private insurance carriers for medical services rendered to policyholders.

The evidence at trial demonstrated that Cecilio Pelaez Delgado, through Viton Therapy and another related clinic, One Solution Therapy, submitted and caused the submission of approximately $2.5 million in false and fraudulent claims for expensive infusion and injection therapies to the two insurance carriers, and was paid over $400,000 of the submitted claims. The evidence further established that the clinics paid kickbacks and bribes to beneficiaries suffering from HIV to ensure that they would attend the clinics.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI, HHS-OIG, and the Office of Personnel Management, Office of Inspector General. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Clark.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.