Middle District of Florida
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Federal Inmate Pleads Guilty to Possessing with the Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Edwin Tollinchi-Rodriguez (40, Indiana) has pleaded guilty to one count of possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Tollinchi-Rodriguez faces a minimum term of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to the plea agreement, Tollinchi-Rodriguez is an inmate at the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex in Sumter County. On September 5, 2024, a Federal Bureau of Prisons correctional officer conducted a pat-down search of Tollinchi-Rodriguez and discovered a wrapped-up package containing a white coagulated substance. The white substance was analyzed by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) laboratory and an analyst determined the substance to be methamphetamine hydrochloride. Given that the substance was 99% pure, Tollinchi-Rodriguez was in possession of approximately 236.6 grams of methamphetamine.
Tollinchi-Rodriguez told DEA agents that he was asked to collect some prohibited items from a shower at the prison for $500 and deliver the items to another housing unit at the prison the following day. On September 5, 2024, he collected the items, which included the methamphetamine. Tollinchi-Rodriguez also described how the amount of methamphetamine that ordinarily would fit in the lid of a lip balm container typically sells for $400 inside the prison.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk Watson.
Convicted Felon Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possessing Firearm During Police ChaseRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell has sentenced Christopher George Montgomery (30, Port Saint Lucie) to four years and nine months in federal prison for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. The court also ordered Montgomery to forfeit the firearm and ammunition possessed during the offense. Montgomery pleaded guilty on June 17, 2025.
According to court documents, Montgomery was subject to a county-wide “be on the lookout” announcement for offenses he allegedly committed previously. His vehicle was located in Desoto County and fled Arcadia Police Department Officers. After Montgomery’s vehicle got stuck on an embankment, he fled on foot but was ultimately arrested. Officers retraced Montgomery’s flight path and located a chamber-loaded Glock pistol in a drainage culvert along the path where Montgomery had fled. Officers also found a loaded Glock extended magazine in Montgomery’s vehicle.
Montgomery is a convicted felon, and as a result, is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Arcadia Police Department, the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Morgan.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Mexican National Pleads Guilty to Illegally Transporting Undocumented AlienRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Yuridia Rosas-Luna (35, Mexico) has pleaded guilty to being paid to transport undocumented aliens to further their illegal presence in the United States for financial gain. Rosas-Luna faces up to 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
According to court documents and court proceedings, on May 21, 2024, a deputy from the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office stopped a vehicle for driving recklessly. Rosas-Luna was driving the car, which contained three passengers. Rosas-Luna and the passengers were unable to provide the deputy with any identification. As part of their investigation, deputies conducted a search of the sedan and the passengers. During the search, deputies located Mexican identification cards on all three passengers. Rosas-Luna told the deputies she was taking one of the passengers to see “family,” and later changed her story, stating she picked up her “friend” in Nassau County to take him to the hospital in Tampa. Rosas-Luna also told deputies she knew the passengers were from Mexico.
Agents with U.S. Customs and Border Protection determined that the three passengers were illegally present in the United States and were citizens of Mexico. One of the passengers had illegally entered the United States and was removed to Mexico eight days earlier, on May 13, 2024. During later questioning, Rosas-Luna told agents that she was going to receive $1,500 to transport one of the aliens from Kingsland, Georgia to Riverview, Florida.
This case was investigated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Elisibeth Adams and Ashley Washington.
Lee County Couple Arrested After Committing Five Armed Robberies in Counties Along I-75Read the Press Release
Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the filing of a criminal complaint charging Taleah Williams (21, North Fort Myers) and Javion Ward (21, Fort Myers) with Hobbs Act robbery. If convicted, each faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
According to the complaint, Williams and Ward conspired to commit numerous armed robberies the week of September 15, 2025, in Hillsborough, Sumter, Manatee, and Sarasota counties, all in close proximity to I-75. For each robbery, Williams or Ward entered the stores armed with a firearm and demanded money from the clerk.
The complaint alleges that Williams devised a plan to rob stores near I-75. She provided the vehicle and the firearm that they would use. On September 16, 2025, Ward and Williams drove to a convenience store in Tampa. Ward entered the store, brandished a pistol, and demanded money, obtaining about $600.
In the early morning of September 17, 2025, Williams and Ward drove to a gas station in Lake Panasoffkee, where Williams attempted to rob the store using the same firearm, before she ultimately left without taking any money.
In the morning of September 19, 2025, Williams drove Ward to four more stores – in Gibsonton, Ellenton, Nokomis, and North Port – where each time Ward entered with a firearm and demanded money. In Gibsonton, Ward jumped over the counter to attempt to access the safe. In Ellenton, he threated to pistol whip the employee if they did not move faster.
A few hours after the last of the robberies, Williams posted photos on social media of Williams and Ward, with Ward holding cash in both hands.
Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Williams’s residence the morning of September 20, 2025, recovering items matching the clothing Williams and Ward had worn.
These arrests were the result of an investigation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Tampa Police Department, the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, the North Port Police Department, the Fort Myers Police Department, and the Venice Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael R. Kenneth.
A complaint is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
St. Augustine Man Pleads Guilty to Tax FraudRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Robert George Morgen, Jr. has pleaded guilty to willfully making a false tax return. Morgen faces up to three years in federal prison. He has also agreed to pay $280,910 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). His sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to court documents, in March 2019, Morgen submitted a false tax return for the 2017 tax year. Morgen knew that when he signed his tax return that his gross receipts and income were higher than reported. Due to multiple years of false reporting, Morgen owes the IRS $280,910 in back taxes.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John Cannizzaro.
Six-Time Deported Guatemalan National Indicted for Illegal Reentry into the United StatesRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the return of an indictment charging Jose Godinez-Mendoza (39, Guatemala) with illegal reentry into the United States by a previously deported alien. If convicted, Godinez-Mendoza faces up to two years in federal prison and subsequent deportation and removal from the United States.
According to court documents, Godinez-Mendoza was previously removed from the United States on six separate occasions from December 29, 2011, through his most recent deportation on December 28, 2018. Godinez-Mendoza has never applied to U.S. immigration authorities for permission to lawfully reenter the United States.
On September 7, 2025, Godinez-Mendoza was found voluntarily back in the United States in the St. Augustine area, where he was encountered during a traffic stop by a deputy with the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office. On September 11, 2025, he was arrested by federal agents and detained pending trial in this case.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the United States Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect communities from the perpetrators of violent crime and human trafficking.
Sex Offender Sentenced to Ten Years for Possession of Child Sex Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Michael Alan Schumaker (57, Port Richey) to 10 years in federal prison for possession of child sex abuse material (CSAM). Schumaker pleaded guilty on May 16, 2025.
According to court documents, in 2021, law enforcement received a cyber tip about a user uploading images of CSAM to a social media platform. The investigation led to Schumaker, a registered sexual offender. Law enforcement located more than 25 images and 23 videos of CSAM on Schumaker’s cellphone. Schumaker admitted to viewing the CSAM.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Courtney Derry.
This is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify, rescue, and seek justice for child victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Ponte Vedra Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Traffic Firearms and Controlled SubstancesRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Braden Huston Hobbs (27, Ponte Vedra) has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to traffic firearms, making a materially false statement to a licensed firearms dealer, and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, including 500 grams or more of cocaine. Hobbs faces up to 15 years in federal prison for the conspiracy offense, up to 10 years’ imprisonment for the false statement offense, and a minimum of 5 years, up to 40 years, in federal prison for the drug offense. His sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.
According to court documents and court proceedings, law enforcement began investigating Hobbs after learning that several firearms purchased by him were recovered during unrelated law enforcement investigations. These firearms were recovered in the homes of drug distributors and a convicted felon. Additionally, during a series of controlled purchases conducted in the summer of 2024, agents purchased 11 firearms from two co-conspirators, Alton Wayne Cope III and Jayden Lance Cope, who were also prosecuted. Hobbs was the original purchaser of multiple firearms purchased from the Copes. Cellphone records later showed that Jayden Cope regularly purchased firearms from Hobbs.
Further investigation revealed that between March 2022 and June 2024, Hobbs had purchased at least 120 firearms from three different federally licensed firearms dealers in Jacksonville, with 67 of those firearms being purchased between January and June 2024. Hobbs then sold those firearms to others. On multiple occasions, Hobbs advertised firearms for sale to potential customers before acquiring the firearms from the federally licensed firearms dealer.
Customers typically paid Hobbs in cash or traded drugs in exchange for the firearms. Hobbs was aware that some of his customers intended to resell the firearms, were drug users, or were drug distributors. Hobbs also asked his co-conspirators to assist him in finding buyers for the firearms and the co-conspirators advertised Hobbs’s firearms for sale. Hobbs told people that he “deal[s]” in firearms. Although he engaged in the business of dealing firearms, Hobbs was not a federally licensed firearms dealer, as required by federal law.
When Hobbs purchased the firearms from the federally licensed firearms dealers, he indicated on the required ATF Form 4473 that he was the actual buyer or transferee of the firearms. In addition, Hobbs indicated that he was not a user of or addicted to controlled substances. Both statements were false as Hobbs intended to sell the firearms and therefore was not the actual buyer or transferee of them. Further, he was a habitual user of controlled substances.
In addition, Hobbs distributed controlled substances, including over 500 grams of cocaine and Adderall. Hobbs routinely advertised controlled substances for sale and coordinated narcotics transactions. Hobbs often sold the controlled substances to the same individuals to whom he was selling firearms. On June 26, 2024, Hobbs was arrested by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office for driving under the influence and trafficking in cocaine. During a search of Hobbs’s car, officers seized more than 200 grams of cocaine and 17 grams of Adderall, as well as various items used to package and distribute controlled substances.
In related court proceedings, Alton Wayne Cope III was sentenced to 4 years and 3 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and conspiring to deal firearms without a license. Jayden Lance Cope has pleaded guilty to conspiring to deal firearms without a license. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 2025.
This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, the United States Secret Service, the North Florida HIDTA Tri-County Narcotics Task Force with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Elisibeth Adams.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods.
North Fort Myers Man Sentenced to More Than Six Years for Offenses Related to Possessing and Accessing Child Sexual Abuse Images and VideosRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber today sentenced Patrick William Cotton (48, North Fort Myers) to six years and six months in federal prison for possessing and accessing with intent to view images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children. Cotton was also sentenced to a term of life of supervised release and ordered to register as a sex offender. Cotton pleaded guilty on June 17, 2025.
According to court documents, from February 14 through November 6, 2024, Cotton knowingly possessed and accessed with intent to view images and videos of child sexual abuse that he had searched for using social media applications and the internet.
In February 2024, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received a cybertip from an electronic service provider reporting that Cotton had uploaded videos that depicted child sexual abuse material (CSAM) from his cellphone. The FBI then executed a search warrant for Cotton’s social media account which revealed videos and images depicting children being sexually abused.
In November 2024, the FBI executed a search warrant at Cotton’s residence and seized Cotton’s two cellphones. After Cotton agreed to speak with agents, he advised that he had accessed his social media account using his cellphone and collected CSAM. Cotton said that he had received links to CSAM in different groups he participated in using his social media account. Cotton also admitted that he had paid an individual to send him CSAM on another social media application.
The subsequent forensic examination of Cotton’s cellphones revealed CSAM.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Fort Myers Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, which includes the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Yolande G. Viacava.
This is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Kissimmee Claims Adjuster Found Guilty of Wire Fraud Against His Employer After Jury TrialRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that a federal jury has found James Octavias Tobias Owens (34, Kissimmee) guilty of 10 counts of wire fraud. Owens faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 9, 2025. Owens was indicted on March 19, 2025.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, between March 2021 and February 2022, Owens defrauded his employer, a regional insurance company, out of more than $580,000. Owens, who worked as a claims adjuster at the company, would reopen claims files that had already been settled and paid out. He would upload “comparative estimates” that he created to the claim files to make it look like additional work had been done. Owens would then cause checks to be issued on the claims to a shell company that he controlled that was disguised as a construction and roofing company. After the checks were issued, Owens would cash the checks at Orlando-area ATMs. He then used the proceeds for his own personal benefit, including to purchase designer clothing, jewelry, hotel rooms, vehicle accessories, and other luxury items.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Chauncey A. Bratt and Special Assistant United States Attorney Bianca Bansal.
Former Palatka Housing Authority Employee Pleads Guilty to Theft of Federal FundsRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Thomas B. Hoffman (45, Florahome) has pleaded guilty to theft of federal funds. Hoffman faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison, as well as forfeiture in the amount of $155,706 and restitution to the victim. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to the plea agreement, Hoffman was an employee of the Palatka Housing Authority (PHA), which received federal funds from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to administer public housing programs in Palatka and neighboring municipalities. Hoffman was responsible for information technology and accounts payable. During an audit of vendors in 2025, PHA identified an unapproved company called “Data Max,” which had received approximately 48 fraudulently issued payments from PHA’s general account between July 2023 and February 2025, totaling $155,706. A federal investigation determined that Hoffman owned and controlled Data Max and its corporate bank account, and that Hoffman had caused the fraudulent payments to be issued. The investigation showed that Hoffman used the funds for his personal benefit. Bank surveillance footage obtained by investigators showed Hoffman cashing PHA checks issued to Data Max on numerous occasions.
Hoffman agreed to forfeit $155,706, the proceeds of the theft of federal funds, as well as pay restitution.
“Thomas Hoffman took advantage of the position of trust he held to oversee federal funds intended to provide housing for our most vulnerable community members by stealing over $155,000 and converting it to his own personal use. By creating a fictitious vendor that he owned, he also took away the opportunity for other actual hard-working companies to compete for contracts and provide services to the Palatka Housing Authority,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Bozena Schrank with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Inspector General (OIG). “HUD OIG will continue to work with its law enforcement partners to diligently pursue and hold accountable individuals who take advantage of their positions of trust to defraud HUD programs and our low-income housing communities.”
This case was investigated by HUD – Office of the Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David B. Mesrobian.
Orlando Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Transporting Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Wendy W. Berger has sentenced Matthew Anthony Inman (40, Orlando) to 20 years in federal prison, the statutory maximum, for transportation of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Inman pleaded guilty on June 5, 2025.
According to court documents, between August and October 2024, Inman received, downloaded, and saved several videos of CSAM to his phone. These videos depicted adult males raping young boys. In October 2024, Inman traveled to Las Vegas and began talking online with an undercover law enforcement officer who was posing as the father of a 9-year-old boy. During this conversation, in which Inman used an encrypted messaging service to evade law enforcement, Inman explained that he sought to sodomize the purported child. He asked the undercover officer for pictures and videos of the child, and in return, sent seven CSAM videos to the undercover officer, saying “hope you like” and that he had “lots of videos if you want to watch.”
Through its investigation, the FBI identified Inman as the user of the messaging service and obtained a search warrant for Inman’s electronic devices and residence. During the execution of the search warrant, Inman attempted to delete the evidence from his phone and hide in the attic of his house.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Richard Varadan.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Jacksonville Man Indicted for Attempting to Entice A 13-Year-Old Child to Engage in Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Orlin Eli Gonzalez (26, Jacksonville) has been arrested and indicted for using his cellphone and the internet to attempt to entice a 13-year-old child to engage in sexual activity. If convicted, Gonzalez faces a minimum penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison and a potential lifetime term of supervised release. Gonzalez was arrested on September 4, 2025, and has been ordered detained pending the resolution of this case.
According to court documents, from August 28 through September 4, 2025, an FBI agent (UC) in Jacksonville was conducting an undercover operation on an online social media application to identify adults who were seeking to make online contact with and engage in sexual activity with children. The UC was posing as a 13-year-old child. The UC and app user “Orlean” exchanged several private online messages on the app as well as by text messaging. After the UC advised app user “Orlean” that the “child” was only 13 years old, he asked the “child” about “her” sexual experience and if “she” liked performing a particular sexual act. App user “Orlean” requested that the “child” send him nude photos, and texted, “I wanna see you naked” and asked the “child” if “she” wanted to have sex. Further investigation by the FBI identified app user “Orlean” as Gonzalez.
On September 4, 2025, Gonzalez and the “child” exchanged more text messages. Gonzalez confirmed that he intended to meet the “child” for sexual activity at “her” residence in Jacksonville and asked the “child” to provide “her” address. That same afternoon, Gonzalez was observed as he rode a bicycle toward the agreed-upon location. Upon his arrival, Gonzalez was arrested by FBI agents.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.
It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify, rescue, and seek justice for child victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Jacksonville Child Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to Using the Internet to Access Child Sexual Abuse MaterialsRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Matthew Eric Baumgardner (49, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to using the internet to access child sexual abuse materials (CSAM). Baumgardner faces a minimum penalty of 10 years, up to 20 years, in federal prison and a potential lifetime term of supervised release. Baumgardner is a registered child sex offender who was convicted in 2017 of possessing photographs depicting the sexual performance by a child, traveling to meet a minor for unlawful activity, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device. Baumgardner was arrested on this federal charge on July 28, 2025. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 12, 2025.
According to court documents, law enforcement received a notification from a company that owns a social messaging application that files containing CSAM were uploaded using the app between May 6 and June 5, 2024. Subsequent investigation revealed that these files were uploaded from an account that was associated with Baumgardner.
In April 2025, a warrant was issued for Baumgardner’s arrest based upon his violation of his sex offender probation. On that same day, a detective with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office contacted Baumgardner. During an interview, Baumgardner admitted that the email address and phone number associated with the app uploads of CSAM were his and that he had used the app in the past. Baumgardner also admitted to accessing visual depictions of children being sexually abused, stating that none of the child victims were personally known by him.
Subsequent forensic examination of Baumgardner’s cellphone revealed at least 67 photos depicting young children being sexually abused, including sadistic sexual abuse and bondage.
This case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.
It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify, rescue, and seek justice for child victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Pinellas Park Man Sentenced to Nine Years for Receiving Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge William F. Jung has sentenced Samuel Rinehart (58, Pinellas Park) to 9 years in federal prison, followed by 20 years of supervised release, for receipt and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Rinehart will also be required to register as a sex offender and pay $27,000 in restitution. The court ordered Rinehart to forfeit approximately 50 electronic devices and 2 plastic sex dolls, which are traceable to proceeds of the offense. Rinehart pleaded guilty on May 29, 2025.
According to court documents, Rinehart used file-sharing software to download and possess more than 600 images and videos of CSAM, which included depictions of young children and sado-masochistic abuse towards children.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Abigail K. King.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Pine Hills Man Sentenced to Six Years in Federal Prison for Possessing Firearm as Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton has sentenced Ellie Edward Dulaire (27, Orlando) to six years in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Dulaire is currently serving a sentence in the Florida Department of Corrections. His federal sentence will commence on October 9, 2026, when the state sentence is scheduled to end. The court also ordered Dulaire to forfeit a Smith & Wesson firearm and ammunition, which were used in the offense. Dulaire pleaded guilty on June 24, 2025.
According to court documents, on January 23, 2022, Dulaire was observed at the Florida Gun Show by a deputy from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. The deputy recognized Dulaire from a prior case and knew that he was wanted on an arrest warrant from Lake County. After making contact with Dulaire, deputies located a Smith & Wesson M&P Shield firearm inside his vehicle. The firearm was reported stolen out of Pasco County in 2021. Dulaire is a nine-time convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing firearms.
This case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael P. Felicetta and Courtney Richardson-Jones.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Indiana Repeat Sex Offender Sentenced to 40 Years in Federal Prison for Producing Child Sexual Abuse ImagesRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Wendy W. Berger today sentenced Jerry Michael Moore (42, Indiana) to 40 years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for production and attempted production of child sexual abuse materials after previously being convicted of a child sex offense. Moore pleaded guilty on June 12, 2025.
According to court documents, on January 30, 2025, at the Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) Cruise Terminal, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers searched Moore as he returned to the United States from a cruise, because Moore had previously been convicted of sexual misconduct with a minor in 2007 in Indiana. During the examination of Moore, officers learned that Moore had a cellphone with him. A manual review of Moore’s cellphone revealed multiple surreptitious video files of what appeared to be a minor female child to whom Moore had access stored within a “hidden” folder of the photo gallery. A special agent with Homeland Security Investigations later responded to the JAXPORT Cruise Terminal and confirmed the child sexual abuse materials on the device.
Moore agreed to speak with law enforcement and admitted to using multiple hidden cameras, including his cellphone, to secretly record the child to whom he had access. Moore used a hidden camera to record the child through a crawl space of a residence to access the inside of a shower through the wall. Further examination of Moore’s cellphone revealed additional surreptitious recordings of the child.
This case was investigated by United States Customs and Border Protection Officers and Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Washington.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Foreign Fighter Convicted in April 2018 Double Homicide and Armed Robbery of Florida CoupleRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that a federal jury has found Craig Austin Lang (35, Kyiv, Ukraine) guilty of conspiracy to commit robbery and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, robbery interfering with commerce, discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence which resulted in death, conspiring to kill persons in a foreign country, and a violation of the Neutrality Act. Lang faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 27, 2026. Lang was indicted on December 4, 2019.
According to testimony presented at trial, on April 10, 2018, two individuals, S.L., Jr. and D.L., were found dead in Estero, Florida from multiple gunshot wounds to the head and body. Further investigation revealed that the couple had traveled to Estero from Brooksville to complete the purchase of several firearms from an individual that had listed them for sale on a website known as Armslist. As a result of the investigation, Lang was identified as one of two individuals that was believed to have murdered the couple during the course of an armed robbery to steal $3,000 that the couple had intended to use to purchase the firearms.
Lang, who had previously fought in Ukraine, pursued a plan to fight the Venezuelan government and committed the robbery of S.L., Jr. and D.L. to obtain money to fund travel to Venezuela. Lang’s co-defendant, Alex Zwiefelhofer, was previously convicted of the same offenses and sentenced to consecutive life-sentences.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jesus M. Casas and Benjamin S. Winter.
Apopka Man Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Keith Oelerich (62, Apopka) has pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. Oelerich faces a minimum penalty of 2 years, up to 20 years, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to the plea agreement, in December 2018, Oelerich, the owner of Empire Sheds and More, LLC (Empire Sheds), a portable storage shed company, entered into an agreement with a loan financing company. Under the agreement, Empire Sheds submitted to the loan financing company rent-to-own contracts between Empire Sheds and its customers for the rental and purchase of sheds. The loan financing company paid Empire Sheds the purchase price of the sheds, and Empire Sheds’ customers were required to pay the loan financing company regular monthly rental payments for the sheds under the terms of the rent-to-own agreements.
Between December 2018 and September 2023, Oelerich used other individuals’ personal identifiable information to create 1,043 false and fraudulent rent-to-own agreements and submitted those false and fraudulent agreements to the loan financing company. As a result, the loan financing company paid Oelerich a total of $17,964,680, the purchase prices of the sheds referenced in the agreements. Oelerich has agreed to forfeit $17,964,680, the proceeds he obtained as a result of his offenses.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Chauncey Bratt and Diane Hu.
Three Orange County Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for Fentanyl and Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Wendy W. Berger has sentenced Ronald E. Hubbard, Jr. (38, Apopka) to 13 years and 4 months in federal prison and Douglas E. Arnett, Jr. (33, Orlando) to 9 years in federal prison for conspiring to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine. Bradley D. Burch (35, Apopka) was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for his role in the drug conspiracy and for possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. All three pleaded guilty in May 2025.
According to the plea agreements and court documents, throughout 2023, undercover agents conducted multiple controlled purchases of powder fentanyl, counterfeit fentanyl pills, and methamphetamine from Burch. For at least some of those transactions, Hubbard, Arnett, or both supplied the drugs to Burch to sell to the undercover agents. Over the course of the conspiracy, the group distributed nearly 2 kilograms of methamphetamine and over 350 grams of fentanyl or fentanyl analog mixtures. Additionally, during some of these transactions, Burch had a firearm nearby or in his waistband.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Apopka Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Megan Testerman.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Texas Man Sentenced to Ten Years in Prison for Enticing A Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity and Receiving Child Sex Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge William F. Jung has sentenced James Anthony Davila (21, Texas) to 10 years in federal prison for enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity and receiving child sex abuse material. Davila will also be required to register as a sex offender. Davila pleaded guilty on June 6, 2025.
According to court documents, Davila met a 12-year-old girl online while playing a video game. The two continued to communicate and exchanged sexually explicit photos. Davila later drove from Texas to Florida to pick up the child and engage in sexual acts with her.
This case was investigated by the Tampa Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Midway (Florida) Police Department and Johnson County (Texas) Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ross Roberts.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Tampa Man Indicted for Producing and Possessing Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the return of an indictment charging Michael Antwohn Wilson (38, Tampa) with producing and possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). If convicted on all counts, Wilson faces a maximum penalty of 80 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Wilson that the United States intends to forfeit a camera, cellphone and SD cards, which are alleged to have been used in the commission of the offense.
According to the indictment, on April 27 and February 23, 2023, Wilson produced and attempted to produce CSAM in the Middle District of Florida. From an unknown date until June 26, 2025, Wilson possessed CSAM, including material depicting minors under the age of 12.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by Tampa Police Department, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, and the FBI. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ilyssa M. Spergel.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Plant City Drug Dealer Who Imported Glock Switches from China Convicted of Drug Distribution, Possessing Machinegun, and Other Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that a federal jury has found Phillip Michael Valeriani (42, Plant City) guilty of possessing cocaine and marijuana with the intent to distribute it. Valeriani was also adjudicated guilty prior to trial for possessing a machinegun, a silencer, and a firearm as a convicted felon. He faces a maximum penalty on all counts of 75 years in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 10, 2025.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Valeriani used a fictitious name to order 63 Glock Switch components from China concealed inside a toy car box, which were seized at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. A search of Valeriani’s Plant City residence revealed a machinegun, a silencer, a rifle, and dozens of firearms components. Also found inside the house were distribution quantities of marijuana and crack cocaine as well as FBI and DEA raid jackets.
Testimony at trial also revealed that Valeriani was a prolific marijuana and cocaine trafficker. In February 2024, at the same Plant City residence, drug traffickers robbed Valeriani and stole distribution quantities of marijuana, $4,000 in cash, and firearms. On May 12, 2024, Valeriani flew into the Tampa International Airport from Medford, Oregon with 64 pounds of marijuana inside three suitcases. Authorities also seized 112 grams of cocaine during a prior traffic stop for which Valeriani took responsibility.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Plant City Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Tampa International Airport Police Department, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David W.A. Chee and Adam W. McCall.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Lakeland Man Sentenced to Two Years’ Imprisonment for Bank FraudRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Virginia Hernadez Covington has sentenced Abraham Othman Yacoub (27, Lakeland) to two years in federal prison for bank fraud. The court ordered that this term of imprisonment must run consecutively to Yacoub’s current federal prison sentence for bringing a firearm into Tampa International Airport. As part of his sentence, the court also entered an order of forfeiture in the amount of $181,540.51, the total loss to the victim financial institutions. Yacoub pleaded guilty on May 5, 2025.
According to court documents, from at least January 2021 until approximately February 2023, Yacoub defrauded several financial institutions in the Tampa area. Yacoub made dozens of fraudulent deposits and withdrawals on behalf of his companies, Visionary Auto Body LLC and Visionary Auto Care LLC. Yacoub deposited the same previously deposited checks into business banking accounts that he controlled at different financial institutions, knowing that the checks had previously been deposited and paid, causing the victim banks to credit his accounts for the amounts of the checks. Yacoub then withdrew, transferred, or otherwise spent the funds credited to his accounts from these previously deposited checks before the financial institution realized that the check had previously been deposited.
Yacoub also drafted fraudulent business checks from closed business bank accounts in the name of Visionary Auto Body and Visionary Auto Care, knowing that those accounts had been closed and, therefore, that there were no funds remaining to cover the amount of the check he had drafted. Yacoub withdrew, transferred, or otherwise spent the funds credited by the bank based on these fraudulent checks, or attempted to do so, before the financial institution realized that the account on which the check had been drafted was closed and did not contain any funds to cover the amount of the check.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Karyna Valdes.
Honduran National Pleads Guilty to Aggravated Identity Theft and Related Fraud ChargesRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Juan Ariel Molina-Salles (35, Honduras) today pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft, false representation of a Social Security number, and false claim of United States citizenship for employment purposes. Molina-Salles faces a minimum penalty of 2 years in federal prison, consecutive to any other prison term, and a maximum term of 12 years’ imprisonment.
According to court documents, Archer Western-de Moya Group Joint Venture II (Joint Venture) is enrolled in E-Verify, a web-based system through which employers electronically confirm the employment eligibility of their employees. Molina-Salles is an illegal alien from Honduras with no lawful status in the United States. On February 16, 2022, Molina-Salles applied for employment with the Joint Venture in Pinellas County and filled out an I-9 form for use in the E-Verify system. On that form, Molina-Salles falsely identified himself as a United States citizen. He used another person’s means of identification (V.V.R.) to defeat the E-Verify system.
Molina-Salles provided no documents or other proof that he was trained or qualified to operate a front-end loader or other heavy construction equipment. On the evening of September 22, 2022, Molina-Salles was working at the Joint Venture’s highway construction site in Pinellas County under the stolen identity V.V.R. That night, while operating a front-end loader, Molina-Salles struck and killed Deputy Michael Hartwick of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO).
On September 23, 2022, Molina-Salles was arrested in connection with Deputy Hartwick’s death and interviewed by PCSO detectives. Molina-Salles explained to investigators that he was from Honduras and had been in the United States for approximately eight months and confirmed his identity was not V.V.R, but rather Juan Ariel Molina-Salles. Molinas-Salles stated he had come to the United States illegally and was undocumented, having come through Mexico to the United States by entering in Texas. He admitted to using the stolen identity to gain employment with Archer Western.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Department of Transportation – Office of Inspector General, the Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General, the United States Border Patrol, the Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher F. Murray.
Brevard County Multi-Convicted Felon Charged with Illegally Possessing A FirearmRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the return of an indictment charging Tyriq Quentel Coger (26, Melbourne) with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. If convicted, Coger faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Coger that the United States intends to forfeit the firearm and ammunition used in the offense.
According to court documents, on August 27, 2025, a traffic stop was conducted on a vehicle driven by Coger for driving with no lights on. Coger then switched seats with the front seat passenger and was observed making stealthy movements. After a backseat passenger admitted to a firearm being in the glove compartment, a probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted. During the search of the glove compartment, the backseat passenger’s firearm was located along with a loaded Glock pistol equipped with a machinegun conversion device.
At the time, Coger had multiple prior felony convictions, including aggravated battery, possession of a firearm by a delinquent, battery by person in prison or jail facility, and fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer. As a previously convicted felon, Coger is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Rockledge Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Megan Testerman.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods.
Guatemalan National Arrested for Illegal Reentry and Failure to Register as A Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the return of an indictment charging Jairon Micael Juarez-Gomez (36, Guatemala) with illegal reentry by a previously deported alien and failure to register as a sex offender. If convicted, Juarez-Gomez faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison.
According to the indictment, Juarez-Gomez was convicted of a felony offense—sexual battery with a child aged 12-18 years—on November 30, 2020. Following his conviction, Juarez-Gomez was required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). He was subsequently deported, excluded, and removed from the United States to Guatemala on December 29, 2020. Juarez-Gomez was found to be voluntarily back in the United States on August 8, 2025. He had not received the consent of the Attorney General or the Secretary of Homeland Security to reapply for admission to this country. Juarez-Gomez also had knowingly failed to register as a sex offender upon his return, as required by SORNA.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), the United States Marshals Service, the Mount Dora Police Department, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk Watson.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Armed Felons Sentenced to Five Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Gregory A. Presnell has sentenced Tywon Lavar Hill, Jr. (23, Orlando) and Anjadon Javon Allen (24, Orlando) each to five years in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The court also ordered Hill and Allen to forfeit three Glock firearms and ammunition, which were used in the offense. Allen pleaded guilty on May 28, 2025, and Hill pleaded guilty on June 20, 2025.
According to court documents, on May 28, 2024, deputies with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office - Gang Enforcement Unit (OCSO-GEU) stopped a sedan driven by Hill. Allen was a passenger in the vehicle, along with a third individual who was wanted on a warrant for state racketeering charges. After the sedan was blocked by police vehicles, Hill and Allen fled on foot. Allen was quickly apprehended. Hill escaped through a retail store’s emergency exit. The third individual complied and was arrested without incident. Inside the sedan, deputies located cocaine, MDMA and methamphetamine, along with two Glock firearms. DNA testing later revealed that Hill and Allen had each left their DNA on the firearms. At the time, both Hill and Allen had prior felony convictions and are therefore prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law.
On August 2, 2024, OCSO-GEU deputies were looking to arrest Hill and Allen and found them together at an apartment in Mount Dora. Hill was taken into custody and Allen retreated into the apartment. Allen was later arrested when a resident of the apartment allowed deputies to enter. Another Glock firearm was recovered from inside the vehicle that Hill and Allen were observed using. That firearm also contained DNA belonging to Hill and Allen.
This case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office - Gang Enforcement Unit. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael P. Felicetta and Courtney Richardson-Jones.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Mexican National Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for Illegal Reentry by Deported AlienRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Gregory A. Presnell has sentenced Pedro Lucas-Cruz (31, Mexico) to 30 months in federal prison for illegal reentry by a deported alien. Lucas-Cruz pled guilty to the offense on June 30, 2025.
According to court documents, Lucas-Cruz had been previously convicted of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill and felony battery on or about February 12, 2015. He was previously deported and removed from the United States on September 21, 2017, and reentered thereafter. Lucas-Cruz was convicted of illegal reentry by a deported alien on March 11, 2021, and was again deported and removed from the United States on February 4, 2022. Sometime thereafter, Lucas-Cruz again illegally reentered the United States and was found in the Middle District of Florida on January 6, 2025.
This case was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick M. Flanigan.
Federal Investigation of Orlando Smoke Shop Charges Five Men with Drug Trafficking and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida– United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the return of an indictment charging five individuals with drug trafficking and firearms offenses stemming from an investigation into Smoke Break Productions, an Orlando Smoke Shop, that operated as a drug and gun marketplace. The indictment alleges the following federal charges:
Charge
Offense Dates
Defendants
Maximum Penalties
Drug Trafficking Conspiracy11/14/24–07/23/25
Angel Luis Carrasquillo
(42, Orlando)
Rogelio Vidal, Jr.
(30, Orlando)
Andrew Abbott
(35, Brooksville)
20 years (each)
Possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon01/16/25
Angel Luis Carrasquillo
15 years
Drug Trafficking04/07/25
Angel Luis Carrasquillo
Rogelio Vidal, Jr.
20 years (each)
Using or Carrying a firearm in a Drug Trafficking Crime04/07/25
Angel Luis Carrasquillo
5 years to life
Drug Trafficking06/06/25
Angel Luis Carrasquillo
Andrew Abbott
20 years
(each)
Possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon02/26/25–03/07/25
Jahmil Lally
(29, Orlando)
15 years
Possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon11/21/24–08/01/25
Christopher Alonnzo
(23, Orlando)
15 years
According to court documents, Carrasquillo operated Smoke Break Productions, an Orlando area Smoke Shop that functioned as a drug and gun marketplace. At Smoke Break, Carrasquillo and his co-defendants distributed narcotics and firearms to various individuals.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Noah P. Dorman.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods.
Tampa Man Sentenced for Money Laundering Conspiracy and Operating an Unlicensed Money Transmitting BusinessRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Pratikbhai Patel (32, Tampa) to three years and five months in federal prison for conspiring to commit money laundering and for operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. As part of his sentence, Patel also agreed to pay more than $650,000 in restitution and forfeiture obligations. Patel previously pled guilty in two different cases. The first was on March 26, 2025, for conspiring to commit money laundering; the second on April 23, 2025, for operating an unlicensed money transmitting business.
According to court documents, from July through October 2018, Patel acted as a “runner” for an overseas call center scheme where conspirators falsely identified themselves as law enforcement officers and threatened victims with imminent arrest, lawsuit, or other economic consequences unless the victims made immediate payments to other conspirators. Patel received wired funds from victims in his business account, quickly withdrew the money before the victims disputed the wire transfer, then turned over the fraud proceeds to another conspirator.
In a second case, from about September 2020 to February 2023, Patel used business accounts in the names of “Tampa Smoke Shop LLC” and “Mamba Distro LLC” to make same-day cash deposits that were then transferred to other entities with no known business purpose. In total, he completed 235 wire transfers in this manner to 115 unique counterparties in exchange for a fee between 1% and 1.5% of the wired funds. Patel was never licensed with the State of Florida to operate a money transmitting business.
“The defendant preyed on vulnerable victims to satisfy his greed,” said Special Agent in Charge Ron Loecker, IRS Criminal Investigation Tampa Field Office. “This prosecution should serve as a warning to those intent on exploiting others through financial crimes. IRS-CI will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to investigate complex fraud and money laundering schemes to protect our communities.”
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Suzanne Huyler and Dan Baeza.
This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multiagency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Ocoee Man Sentenced to 3 Years in Federal Prison for Operating Fraudulent Tax Preparation BusinessRead the Press Release
Orlando, FL – U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton has sentenced James Fednor Meristin to three years in federal prison for conspiracy to defraud the United States. The Court also ordered Meristin to pay $2,338,675 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service. Meristin pled guilty on May 6, 2025.
According to court documents, Meristin and other co-conspirators operated a tax preparation business, Kings and Queens Multi Services, between 2019 and 2023, which prepared and filed false and fraudulent tax returns for its clients. These fraudulent returns were designed to maximize client refunds by, among other things, claiming COVID-related sick and family leave credits for which the taxpayer was not entitled. Because of the excessive returns generated for their clients, Meristin and his co-conspirators were able to charge and receive exorbitant fees for their tax preparation services, including as high as $20,000 per return. Meristin also admitted to deficiencies and fraudulent items in his own tax returns.
“Filing false tax returns is stealing from the U.S. government,” said Special Agent in Charge Ron Loecker, IRS Criminal Investigation Tampa Field Office. “Whether it is the taxpayer or tax preparer defrauding the government, IRS Criminal Investigation special agents will continue pursing and holding accountable individuals who violate our tax system.”
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert D. Sowell.
Kosovo National Pleads Guilty to Operating an Online Criminal MarketplaceRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Liridon Masurica (33, Gjilan, Kosovo), also known as “@blackdb,” has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit access device fraud. Masurica faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to the plea agreement, Masurica was the lead administrator of BlackDB.cc—an online criminal marketplace in operation from 2018 until 2025. The marketplace illegally offered for sale compromised account and server credentials, credit card information, and other personally identifiable information of individuals primarily located in the United States, including those located within the Middle District of Florida. Once purchased, cybercriminals used the items purchased on BlackDB.cc to facilitate a wide range of illegal activity, including tax fraud, credit card fraud, and identity theft.
Masurica, a citizen and resident of Kosovo, was taken into custody by authorities in Kosovo on December 12, 2024, and later extradited to the United States pursuant to the extradition treaty between the United States and the Republic of Kosovo. His sentencing date has not yet been set.
This case was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in cooperation with Kosovo Police’s Cybercrime Investigation Directorate. The FBI’s Legal Attaché Office in Sofia, Bulgaria and the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of Masurica. Special Prosecution of the Republic of Kosova and Kosovo Police’s Cybercrime Investigation Directorate also provided substantial assistance in Masurica’s arrest. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carlton C. Gammons.
Company Insider Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Fraudulently Obtaining Laboratory Research Products for Illegal Export to ChinaRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven today sentenced Gregory Muñoz (47, Minneola) to 18 months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. As part of his sentence, the court also entered an order of forfeiture in the amount of $100,000, the proceeds of the wire fraud. Muñoz pleaded guilty on May 9, 2024.
Muñoz’s co-conspirator, Pen Yu, pleaded guilty in May 2024 and was sentenced to three years and seven months in prison, later reduced to two years and six months in prison. Another co-conspirator, Jonathan Thyng, pleaded guilty in July 2024 and was sentenced to probation.
According to court documents, beginning in at least July 2016 and continuing through at least May 2023, Yu ordered biochemical products from MilliporeSigma, a subsidiary of multinational science and technology company Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, with help from Muñoz, a MilliporeSigma salesperson, by falsely representing that Yu was affiliated with a biology research lab at a Florida university. This fictitious affiliation led MilliporeSigma to provide Yu millions of dollars’ worth of discounts and other benefits, such as free overnight shipping, not available to the public. Yu gave Muñoz thousands of dollars in gift cards for facilitating these fraudulent discounted orders. When the products arrived at the university stockroom, a stockroom employee diverted the products to Yu, who repackaged them and shipped them to China. To avoid scrutiny, Yu made false statements about the value and contents of these shipments in export documents.
This scheme continued until MilliporeSigma compliance personnel identified certain orders as suspicious, prompting the company to retain outside counsel who voluntarily disclosed the misconduct to the Department of Justice’s National Security Division one week later. MilliporeSigma made the disclosure well before its counsel had completed their investigation and understood the full nature and extent of the scheme. MilliporeSigma offered exceptional cooperation to the prosecution team, including by proactively identifying and producing documents to the Department that established probable cause to search residences and electronic devices of culpable individuals. MilliporeSigma’s cooperation allowed investigators to quickly identify the individuals responsible for the scheme, including Yu, Muñoz, and Thyng, and secure their felony guilty pleas.
This case was investigated by the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security, and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Marcet for the Middle District of Florida prosecuted the cases.
New Horizons Computer Learning Center in Jacksonville and Owner Resolve GI Bill AllegationsRead the Press Release
Tampa, Fla. – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces today that a New Horizons Computer Learning Center franchise and its owner, Coastal Corporate Training, Inc., have agreed to pay $500,000 to resolve allegations that the school overcharged the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) by failing to support tuition waivers provided to VA-supported students, by false certifying compliance with a statutory ban on incentive compensation tied to student enrollment, and by falsely certifying compliance with a rule governing veteran enrollment.
The Post - 9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2008 (“GI Bill”) financially supports service members, veterans, and their eligible dependents who attend an education or training program at an educational institution. The longer a person serves in the military, the greater the benefits available under the GI Bill. If a school offers to waive tuition for a student receiving less than 100-percent assistance, that tuition waiver must be reported to the VA and the student’s portion reduced accordingly. Additionally, federal law prohibits participating schools from paying any commission, bonus, or other incentive payment based directly or indirectly on securing student enrollments.
Finally, a federal regulation imposes the “85/15” rule, which prohibits the VA from approving enrollment in any course for an eligible veteran not already enrolled for any period during which more than 85% of the enrolled students have all or part of their tuition paid for by the educational institution or the VA.
The United States alleged that, between 2015 and 2020, Coastal Corporate Training, Inc., which owned the New Horizons Computer Learning Center – Jacksonville franchise, failed to deduct tuition waivers from the tuition billed to the VA for students receiving less than 100-percent assistance under the GI Bill, falsely certified compliance with Title 38 by paying commissions, bonuses, or other incentive payments to enrollment representatives, and falsely certified compliance with the 85/15 rule for courses that included VA-funded students.
“The Post - 9/11 GI Bill provides a hard-earned benefit to our nations’ veterans, equipping them with the education and training of their choice for civilian careers after they have completed their military service,” said United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe. “My office will continue to ensure that the GI Bill funds are used as intended – to benefit American veterans.”
“This settlement demonstrates that violations of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits regulations will not be tolerated,” said Special Agent in Charge David Spilker with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Southeast Field Office. “The VA OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect the integrity of VA’s education benefits program.”
This resolution results from a coordinated effort by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - Office of Inspector General. Senior Litigation Counsel Mamie V. Wise handled the investigation and prosecution of the case.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only. No determination of liability has occurred.
Jacksonville Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Agreeing to Launder over $250,000Read the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard has sentenced Mauricio Chahine (53, Jacksonville) to four years and two months in federal prison for engaging in money laundering. The court also ordered Chahine to forfeit $12,000 in proceeds from his money laundering enterprise. Chahine pleaded guilty on April 30, 2025.
According to court documents and evidence presented at Chahine’s sentencing hearing, a confidential source notified the Drug Enforcement Administration that Chahine was a money launderer with the ability to launder funds from the United States to other countries. Prompted by this information, an undercover federal agent contacted Chahine and asked to meet in person. Chahine agreed. During a meeting in March 2024, a pair of undercover agents played the role of cocaine traffickers and told Chahine that they needed help moving money around. Without hesitating, Chahine said he needed to know how much money, where it was going, and how fast they needed it at the destination. When one of the agents asked if Chahine knew what they did, Chahine replied that he did not care. The agent then told Chahine that he sells some of the “white stuff,” referring to cocaine. Chahine responded that he did not want to know. The undercover agent explained that due to his work, he had large amounts of bulk currency in different places. Chahine reiterated that all he needed to know was where the money was going and how they wanted it, including “big bills or small bills,” and identified his fee as 12% for amounts over $200,000 and 15% for amounts under $200,000.
Chahine suggested that he had been in the business since 1999 and advertised his abilities to launder money in various states and countries, including Brazil, the Netherlands, Lebanon, Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, China, France, and Spain. Chahine suggested that they may need to create invoices to make it appear as though they were buying or selling merchandise. He also explained how he had multiple businesses and offered to move money through his bank accounts. During the meeting, Chahine mentioned that he would not deposit currency he received all at once; instead, he would split it up and deposit the money in increments like $5,000 per day.
A series of meetings followed between Chahine and additional undercover agents during which Chahine accepted money to launder. Over the course of five transactions, Chahine accepted $217,975 in cash and $50,000 in fake currency. He divided and deposited the money into seven different corporate accounts at various banks before being wired back to an undercover government account in different increments. On different occasions, Chahine asked an undercover agent to supply him with a fake invoice to make it appear as if they were engaged in legitimate business.
Chahine has been in custody since November 12, 2024, when he was arrested and detained by the court as a flight risk.
“Drug traffickers often rely on others to launder the profits from their drug running,” said Special Agent in Charge Ronald Loecker, IRS Criminal Investigation Tampa Field Office. “IRS Criminal Investigation will continue to devote our financial expertise to identify, investigate and bring to justice those who engage in sophisticated money laundering techniques that facilitate the distribution of narcotics and the concealment of proceeds.”
This case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kelly S. Milliron and Michael J. Coolican.
This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Twelve People Charged for Their Roles in International Alien Smuggling, Asylum Fraud, and Money Laundering ConspiraciesRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL — Twelve people have been charged in a superseding indictment for their roles in an international conspiracy involving alien smuggling, asylum fraud, and money laundering schemes that brought thousands of aliens illegally into the United States for profit.
According to court documents, the defendants operated a prolific alien smuggling operation (ASO) that facilitated the unlawful entry of Cuban nationals into the United States by preparing visa applications, laundering millions of dollars in payment, and exploiting the immigration process.
“This Department of Justice is investigating and prosecuting human smuggling more aggressively than ever before, and Joint Task Force Alpha is the tip of the spear,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “We will not rest until those who profit from the suffering of vulnerable people — including many unaccompanied children — face severe, comprehensive justice.”
“This indictment exposes a criminal organization that smuggled people into the United States on a massive scale, and then fraudulently secured immigration benefits for them,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Posing as a legitimate immigration service, the defendants used social media promotions and false legal filings to attract new clients and perpetuate their fraud. The Criminal Division and our law enforcement partners will continue to dismantle these schemes, protect vulnerable people from exploitation, and safeguard the integrity of the U.S. immigration system.”
“The defendants in this case conspired with others to deliberately violate our nation’s immigration laws while personally seeking to enrich themselves,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida. “Because of the interagency coordination and diligence of our dedicated law enforcement agencies, their crimes have been thwarted. We will continue working with our partners to protect our national borders.”
“This superseding indictment exposes the depth of a multi-year conspiracy of alien smuggling, asylum fraud, and money laundering that preyed on vulnerable individuals and weakened public trust in the immigration system,” said Acting Director Todd M. Lyons of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). “This highlights the critical role ICE has in dismantling these criminal networks, combating immigration fraud, and ensuring criminals who abuse our systems are held accountable. We are absolute in our resolve to protect the integrity of our immigration system and safeguard our national security.
“It is because of the unfettered Department of Justice support we charge criminals with every available statute to provide consequences to those that erode the moral fabric of our society,” said Chief Jeffrey J. Dinise of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Miami Sector. “The message is clear, the United States is closed to illegal immigration and terrorist organizations, and those that make an attempt, will be met with fierce consequences. We are committed to protecting our Florida communities and safeguarding our nation.”
“Through diligent investigation, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and our partners exposed a multi-national, multi-year, multimillion dollar criminal conspiracy operated by aliens that attempted to undermine our immigration system and flood our country with illegal aliens — none of whom had any intention of following our laws,” said USCIS Director Joseph Edlow. “This criminal organization operated a front for fake asylum claims, churning out frivolous applications around the country. To criminals who seek to exploit our immigration system: we will find you, shut down your schemes, and you will face justice.”
The superseding indictment charges:
- Lazaro Alain Cabrera-Rodriguez, 27, unlawfully residing in Hialeah, FL;
- Yuniel Lima-Santos, 30, of Tampa, FL;
- Liannys Yaiselys Vega-Perez, 26, unlawfully residing in Lebanon, TN;
- Marianny Lucia Lopez-Torres, 25, residing in Cuba, (formerly Hialeah, FL);
- Frandy Aragon-Diaz, 33, of Cuba, (formerly unlawfully residing in Tampa, FL);
- Erik Ventura-Castro, 23, residing in Hialeah, FL;
- Miguel Alejandro Martinez Vasconcelos, 30, of Tampa, FL;
- Walbis Pozo-Dutel, 30, residing in Katy, TX ;
- Emanuel Martinez Gonzalez, 28, unlawfully residing in Hialeah, FL;
- Luis Emmanuel Escalona-Marrero, 31, of Tampa, FL;
- Layra Libertad Treto Santos, 31, of Tampa, FL; and
- Gisleivy Peralta Consuegra, 40, of Tampa, FL.
According to the superseding indictment:
- All defendants except Gisleivy Peralta Consuegra are charged with conspiracy to commit alien smuggling for financial gain.
- Yuniel Lima-Santos and Frandy Aragon-Diaz are also charged with alien smuggling for financial gain.
- Yuniel Lima-Santos, Liannys Yaiselys Vega-Perez, Frandy Aragon-Diaz, Layra Libertad Treto Santos, and Gisleivy Peralta Consuerga are charged with conspiracy to commit asylum fraud.
- Lazaro Alain Cabrera-Rodriguez, Yuniel Lima-Santos, Liannys Yaiselys Vega-Perez, Frandy Aragon-Diaz, Erik Ventura-Castro, Miguel Alejandro Martinez Vasconcelos, Luis Emmanuel Escalona-Marrero, and Layra Libertad Treto Santos are charged with conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.
From January 2021 through June 2025, the defendants promoted bogus visa services online, claiming Cuban nationals could secure U.S. entry through false claims of European citizenship. They filed hundreds of fraudulent Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) applications with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, using fake addresses and fabricated documents.
The ASO promoted its services on social media accounts and encrypted messaging platforms, including a WhatsApp group titled, “TRÁMITE DE ESTA Y VISA DE TURISMO A USA PARA CIUDADANOS ESPAÑOLES” (Processing of ESTA and tourist Visas to the USA for Spanish citizens). One promotional video advertised the scheme by showing stacks of passports, airline tickets, and visa approvals.
What began as a small operation grew into a commercial enterprise. The defendants charged clients between $1,500 and $40,000, sometimes even chartering private planes to move groups of aliens. Records show they spent over $2.5 million on flights alone and funneled more than $7 million through payment apps such as Zelle. Based on a financial analysis conducted of 27 known accounts associated with the defendants and their co-conspirators, the alien smuggling organization took in over $18 million during the course of the conspiracy.
The ASO also smuggled unaccompanied minors. In one case, a teenage girl was told to pose as the lifelong friend of an unrelated adult man when crossing the border.
The defendants operated a sham immigration business, ASESORIA Y SERVICIOS MIGRATORIOS LLC, which promised asylum filings, work permits, and residency applications. In reality, the company churned out boilerplate asylum claims without clients’ knowledge or consent and even blocked them from accessing their own USCIS online accounts.
ASESORIA marketed itself on Instagram with flashy ads for immigration services while simultaneously posting videos of aliens being smuggled into the country.
The investigation and superseding indictment were coordinated under Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). JTFA, a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has been elevated and expanded by the Attorney General with a mandate to target cartels and transnational criminal organizations to eliminate human smuggling and trafficking networks operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, and Colombia that impact public safety and the security of our borders. JTFA currently comprises detailees from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along southern and northern borders. Dedicated support is provided by numerous components of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, led by the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and supported by the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, the Office of Enforcement Operations, and the Office of International Affairs (OIA), among others. JTFA also relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and other partners. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 410 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling; more than 355 U.S. convictions; more than 305 significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets.
HSI Tampa, U.S. Border Patrol Miami Sector, and USCIS’s’ Fraud Detection and National Security led U.S. investigative efforts, with substantial assistance from HSI’s Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C. and CBP’s National Targeting Center International Interdiction Task Force. Authorities in the Cayman Islands provided valuable assistance.
Trial Attorney Jenna Reed of the Criminal Division’s HRSP and Assistant U.S. Attorney Courtney Derry for the Middle District of Florida are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods.
An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Note: You can read the Indictment here
Twelve Lakeland-Based Gang Members Charged with Paycheck Protection Program FraudRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the unsealing of 9 indictments charging 12 individuals with wire fraud. If convicted, each faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. The following individuals have been charged:
Name
Age
City of Residence
Jamilah T’Asia Johnson25
Winter Haven
Khalid Preston29
Lakeland
Nickolas Lavonsoa Brantley25
Lakeland
Alexis Lafaye Flournoy34
Lakeland
Quinton Lakeith Owens35
Lakeland
Tinika Sykes35
Lakeland
Richard James Grimes, Jr.39
Lakeland
Kenny White31
Lakeland
Anthony Grant31
Lakeland
Jacquez Howard27
Lakeland
Treasure Johnson28
Lakeland
Letor’e Webster24
Lakeland
According to the indictments, these individuals are members or associates of the Lakeland-based Hood Boys gang. They devised a scheme to defraud the U.S. Small Business Administration by submitting false and fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications. These programs were some of the sources of economic relief provided for by the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. While each claimed to operate a business, that statement in each PPP loan application was false.
Each of the defendants received between $13,854 and $20,416. Instead of repaying the loans, they either applied for the loans to be forgiven (which they were) or defaulted on them. The defendants spent the money on automobile payments and purchases at liquor stores, clothing stores, and gun stores. The total loss to the United States from these applications is approximately $236,000.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Department of Labor - Office of Inspector General. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael J. Buchanan and Jeff Chang.
This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Venezuelan National Sentenced for Unlawful Possession of A Firearm Used in Multiple RobberiesRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – Senior U.S. District Judge John Antoon II has sentenced Alvis Alexander Briceno-Yajures (24, Venezuela) to eight years and nine months in federal prison for unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by an alien illegally or unlawfully in the United States. Briceno-Yajures pleaded guilty on May 8, 2025.
According to court documents, in the early morning hours of July 30, 2024, Briceno-Yajures robbed a victim of her personal possessions at gunpoint in a Daytona Beach motel room. He then dragged the victim by her hair down a flight of stairs and attempted to force her into a vehicle with two of his accomplices. A bystander intervened and helped pull the victim away as Briceno-Yajures discharged the firearm. Within a few hours of that incident, Briceno-Yajures and his accomplices drove to an apartment complex in Holly Hill, where Briceno-Yajures and an accomplice pointed firearms at another victim and her friend as they took the victim’s car. Briceno-Yajures was arrested shortly thereafter by officers from the Daytona Beach Police Department, who recovered a loaded firearm concealed in Briceno-Yajures’ underwear.
This case was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, the Daytona Beach Police Department, and the Holly Hill Police Department. It was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Del Mastro.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Twelve People Charged for Their Roles in International Alien Smuggling, Asylum Fraud, and Money Laundering ConspiraciesRead the Press Release
Twelve people have been charged in a superseding indictment for their roles in an international conspiracy involving alien smuggling, asylum fraud, and money laundering schemes that brought thousands of aliens illegally into the United States for profit.
According to court documents, the defendants operated a prolific alien smuggling operation (ASO) that facilitated the unlawful entry of Cuban nationals into the United States by preparing visa applications, laundering millions of dollars in payment, and exploiting the immigration process.
“This DOJ is investigating and prosecuting human smuggling more aggressively than ever before, and Joint Task Force Alpha is the tip of the spear,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “We will not rest until those who profit from the suffering of vulnerable people — including many unaccompanied children — face severe, comprehensive justice.”
“This indictment exposes a criminal organization that smuggled people into the United States on a massive scale, and then fraudulently secured immigration benefits for them,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Posing as a legitimate immigration service, the defendants used social media promotions and false legal filings to attract new clients and perpetuate their fraud. The Criminal Division and our law enforcement partners will continue to dismantle these schemes, protect vulnerable people from exploitation, and safeguard the integrity of the U.S. immigration system.”
“The defendants in this case conspired with others to deliberately violate our nation’s immigration laws while personally seeking to enrich themselves,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida. “Because of the interagency coordination and diligence of our dedicated law enforcement agencies, their crimes have been thwarted. We will continue working with our partners to protect our national borders.”
“This superseding indictment exposes the depth of a multi-year conspiracy of alien smuggling, asylum fraud, and money laundering that preyed on vulnerable individuals and weakened public trust in the immigration system,” said Acting Director Todd M. Lyons of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). “This highlights the critical role ICE has in dismantling these criminal networks, combating immigration fraud, and ensuring criminals who abuse our systems are held accountable. We are absolute in our resolve to protect the integrity of our immigration system and safeguard our national security.
“It is because of the unfettered Department of Justice support we charge criminals with every available statute to provide consequences to those that erode the moral fabric of our society,” said Chief Jeffrey J. Dinise of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Miami Sector. “The message is clear, the United States is closed to illegal immigration and terrorist organizations, and those that make an attempt, will be met with fierce consequences. We are committed to protecting our Florida communities and safeguarding our nation.”
“Through diligent investigation, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and our partners exposed a multi-national, multi-year, multi-million dollar criminal conspiracy operated by aliens that attempted to undermine our immigration system and flood our country with illegal aliens — none of whom had any intention of following our laws,” said USCIS Director Joseph Edlow. “This criminal organization operated a front for fake asylum claims, churning out frivolous applications around the country. To criminals who seek to exploit our immigration system: we will find you, shut down your schemes, and you will face justice.”
The superseding indictment charges:
- Lazaro Alain Cabrera-Rodriguez, 27, of Hialeah, FL (unlawfully residing in the United States);
- Yuniel Lima-Santos, 30, of Tampa, FL;
- Liannys Yaiselys Vega-Perez, 26, unlawfully residing in Lebanon, TN;
- Marianny Lucia Lopez-Torres, 25, residing in Cuba, (formerly Hialeah, FL);
- Frandy Aragon-Diaz, 33, of Cuba, (formerly unlawfully residing in Tampa, FL);
- Erik Ventura-Castro, 23, residing in Hialeah, FL;
- Miguel Alejandro Martinez Vasconcelos, 30, of Tampa, FL;
- Walbis Pozo-Dutel, 30, residing in Katy, TX ;
- Emanuel Martinez Gonzalez, 28, unlawfully residing in Hialeah, FL;
- Luis Emmanuel Escalona-Marrero, 31, of Tampa, FL;
- Layra Libertad Treto Santos, 31, of Tampa, FL; and
- Gisleivy Peralta Consuegra, 40, of Tampa, FL.
According to the superseding indictment:
- All defendants except Gisleivy Peralta Consuegra are charged with conspiracy to commit alien smuggling for financial gain.
- Yuniel Lima-Santos and Frandy Aragon-Diaz are also charged with alien smuggling for financial gain.
- Yuniel Lima-Santos, Liannys Yaiselys Vega-Perez, Frandy Aragon-Diaz, Layra Libertad Treto Santos, and Gisleivy Peralta Consuerga are charged with conspiracy to commit asylum fraud.
- Lazaro Alain Cabrera-Rodriguez, Yuniel Lima-Santos, Liannys Yaiselys Vega-Perez, Frandy Aragon-Diaz, Erik Ventura-Castro, Miguel Alejandro Martinez Vasconcelos, Luis Emmanuel Escalona-Marrero, and Layra Libertad Treto Santos are charged with conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.
From January 2021 through June 2025, the defendants promoted bogus visa services online, claiming Cuban nationals could secure U.S. entry through false claims of European citizenship. They filed hundreds of fraudulent Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) applications with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, using fake addresses and fabricated documents.
The ASO promoted its services on social media accounts and encrypted messaging platforms, including a WhatsApp group titled, “TRÁMITE DE ESTA Y VISA DE TURISMO A USA PARA CIUDADANOS ESPAÑOLES” (Processing of ESTA and tourist Visas to the USA for Spanish citizens). One promotional video advertised the scheme by showing stacks of passports, airline tickets, and visa approvals.
What began as a small operation grew into a commercial enterprise. The defendants charged clients between $1,500 and $40,000, sometimes even chartering private planes to move groups of aliens. Records show they spent over $2.5 million on flights alone and funneled more than $7 million through payment apps such as Zelle. Based on a financial analysis conducted of 27 known accounts associated with the defendants and their co-conspirators, the alien smuggling organization took in over $18 million during the course of the conspiracy.
The ASO also smuggled unaccompanied minors. In one case, a teenage girl was told to pose as the lifelong friend of an unrelated adult man when crossing the border.
The defendants operated a sham immigration business, ASESORIA Y SERVICIOS MIGRATORIOS LLC, which promised asylum filings, work permits, and residency applications. In reality, the company churned out boilerplate asylum claims without clients’ knowledge or consent and even blocked them from accessing their own USCIS online accounts.
ASESORIA marketed itself on Instagram with flashy ads for immigration services while simultaneously posting videos of aliens being smuggled into the country.
The investigation and superseding indictment were coordinated under Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). JTFA, a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has been elevated and expanded by the Attorney General with a mandate to target cartels and transnational criminal organizations to eliminate human smuggling and trafficking networks operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, and Colombia that impact public safety and the security of our borders. JTFA currently comprises detailees from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along southern and northern borders. Dedicated support is provided by numerous components of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, led by the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and supported by the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, the Office of Enforcement Operations, and the Office of International Affairs (OIA), among others. JTFA also relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and other partners. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 410 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling; more than 355 U.S. convictions; more than 305 significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets.
HSI Tampa, U.S. Border Patrol Miami Sector, and USCIS’s’ Fraud Detection and National Security led U.S. investigative efforts, with substantial assistance from HSI’s Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C. and CBP’s National Targeting Center International Interdiction Task Force. Authorities in the Cayman Islands provided valuable assistance.
Trial Attorney Jenna Reed of the Criminal Division’s HRSP and Assistant U.S. Attorney Courtney Derry for the Middle District of Florida are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods.
An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Note: You can read the Indictment here
The Department of Justice Announces Significant Enforcement and Expansion Efforts to Dismantle Transnational Human Smuggling and Trafficking NetworksRead the Press Release
Today, the Department of Justice announced recent enforcement actions by Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA) to combat human smuggling and trafficking networks that undermine U.S. national security and public safety. In addition to these actions, the Department also announced the expansion of JTFA to districts along our northern and maritime borders to further dismantle cartels and Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) operating in those regions.
“This Department of Justice is investigating and prosecuting human smuggling more aggressively than ever before, and Joint Task Force Alpha is the tip of the spear,” said U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “We will not rest until those who profit from the suffering of vulnerable people — including many unaccompanied children — face severe, comprehensive justice.”
“Joint Task Force Alpha has shown the power of bringing together prosecutors, agents, and international partners to target and dismantle some of the most dangerous criminal networks,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “By elevating and expanding JTFA, we are extending that reach across both our northern and southern borders and sending a clear message to cartels and transnational criminal organizations: the Department of Justice will relentlessly pursue those who endanger human life through smuggling and trafficking activities, and we will not stop until these groups are eliminated.”
Today in the Middle District of Florida, Department officials highlighted major developments in recent days in four significant JTFA prosecutions: first, a superseding indictment in the Middle District of Florida charging defendants allegedly involved in a large alien smuggling ring; second, an indictment in the District of Vermont charging an alleged human smuggler who operated at the northern border; third, the extradition from Guatemala to the Southern District of Texas of three defendants allegedly involved in a human smuggling mass-casualty event and lastly, on Aug. 30, two individuals were arrested in El Paso and two Mexican nationals were charged for their roles in a scheme to smuggle children from Mexico into the United States, sometimes using candy laced with THC to sedate them during smuggling events.
Expanding Joint Task Force Alpha
JTFA’s mission will expand to regions along the country’s Northern border, including U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Northern District of New York and District of Vermont, as well as additional resources along the southern border with prosecutors from the Southern District of Florida. These offices will join forces with the Southern District of California, District of Arizona, District of New Mexico, and Western and Southern Districts of Texas, that already have prosecutors and resources dedicated to JTFA efforts. These offices and personnel are partnered with a whole-of-Department network of expert prosecutors and other support personnel from numerous components of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and elsewhere, led by the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and supported by the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section; the Office of Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT); the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section; the Office of Enforcement Operations; the Office of International Affairs; and other sections within the Criminal Division, National Security Division, and Civil Division.
JTFA will also deepen its partnership with federal law enforcement agencies, adding new partnerships with the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to its existing partnership with the Department of Homeland Security and its components.
Given JTFA’s experience and expertise in handling large-scale smuggling cases, U.S. Attorneys’ Offices will now consult with JTFA on all significant human smuggling and trafficking matters to ensure all available Department resources are utilized for the highest priority cases. This will include prosecutions of those who engage in the abuse and exploitation of unaccompanied alien children, who are brought across the border without a parent or guardian and often fall prey to smuggling, sex trafficking, sexual assault, and forced labor.
Joint Task Force Alpha Successes
JTFA’s hallmark achievement in 2025 has been the announcement of the first material support of terrorism charges brought against a CJNG cartel member. On May 16, the Justice Department announced the unsealing of an indictment in the Western District of Texas charging Mexican national Maria Del Rosario Navarro-Sanchez with conspiracy to provide and attempting to provide grenades to CJNG, a designated foreign terrorist organization. Additionally, Navarro-Sanchez is charged with conspiracy to smuggle and transport aliens in the United States, straw purchasing and trafficking in firearms, bulk cash smuggling conspiracy, and conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute. Two other Mexican nationals were also charged with offenses involving alien smuggling, firearms trafficking, and drug trafficking.
Additionally, JTFA has achieved substantial sentences this year, in part due to its focus on prosecuting the most complex smuggling cases involving grave, egregious misconduct. In June 2025, in a JTFA-supported case out of the Western District of Texas, prosecutors obtained sentences of life in prison and 83 years in prison, respectively, for two defendants responsible for a human smuggling conspiracy that resulted in a 2022 mass casualty in San Antonio, Texas where 47 adults and six children died.
Since its founding, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 410 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling; more than 355 U.S. convictions; more than 305 significant prison sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets.
Jamaican National Sentenced to Federal Prison for Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Julie S. Sneed has sentenced Garville Gary Gayle (37, Jamaica) to one year and six months in federal prison for illegal reentry by a deported alien. Gayle pleaded guilty on June 3, 2025.
According to court documents, Gayle is a citizen and national of Jamaica. He was previously deported from the United States on November 19, 2009, and May 26, 2016, following two felony convictions. Prior to his 2009 deportation, Gayle was convicted of possession of marijuana with intent to sell. Prior to his 2016 deportation, he was convicted of illegal reentry. On April 29, 2024, Gayle was found to be voluntarily back in the United States when he was arrested by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office for possession of cocaine. He was subsequently convicted of that offense.
This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO). It was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Del Mastro.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Three Foreign Nationals Indicted for Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the return of indictments charging Francisco Juarez-Hernandez (25, Mexico), Javier Melendez-Serrano (29, Honduras), and Israel Godinez-Carrillo (27, Guatemala) with illegal reentry by a previously deported alien. If convicted, each faces a maximum penalty of two years in federal prison.
According to the indictments, Juarez-Hernandez was found voluntarily present in the United States on August 3, 2025, after having been previously deported on November 10, 2020. Melendez-Serrano was found voluntarily present in the United States on March 7, 2025, after having been previously deported on October 11, 2019. Godinez-Carrillo was found voluntarily present in the United States on August 2, 2025, after having been previously deported on June 25, 2019. None of these individuals had received the consent of the Attorney General or the Secretary of Homeland Security to reapply for admission to the United States.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
The cases are being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. They are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David B. Mesrobian.
These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Brevard County Man Pleads Guilty to Drug and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Cedrick Deon Hawkins (43, Cocoa) has pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Hawkins faces a minimum penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. Sentencing is set for November 12, 2025. Hawkins has agreed to forfeit the firearms and ammunition seized from inside his residence, which were used in the commission of the offenses.
According to the plea agreement, between October 2024 and February 2025, Hawkins sold methamphetamine and fentanyl to a confidential source. In April 2025, a search warrant was executed on Hawkins’s residence in Cocoa. During the search, agents located additional methamphetamine, fentanyl, and drug processing materials. Agents also located five firearms throughout the home, including three rifles and a handgun in the master bedroom closet and a loaded pistol in a kitchen cabinet. Six additional firearms and ammunition were found in a pickup truck parked in the yard of the residence.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Titusville Police Department, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Megan Testerman.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Bradenton Man Sentenced to More Than 15 Years for Coercion and Enticement of A Minor, Receipt and Possession of Child Sex Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven has sentenced James Stephen Ahearn, Jr. (33, Bradenton) to 15 years and 8 months in federal prison for coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity and receipt and possession of child sex abuse material (CSAM). Ahearn pleaded guilty on May 5, 2025.
According to court documents, using the Snapchat application, Ahearn misrepresented himself to be a 19-year-old male and coerced and enticed a 14-year-old victim to engage in sexual activity. Following the execution of search warrants, the FBI located similar sexually explicit messages with additional minor females in Ahearn’s cellphone. The FBI also located images of CSAM requested and received by Ahearn.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Courtney Derry.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Orange County Man Pleads Guilty to Production and Possession of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that David Andrew Ogden (39, Winter Park) has pleaded guilty to five counts of production of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and one count of possession of CSAM. For each production count, Ogden faces a minimum penalty of 15 years, up to 30 years, in federal prison. The possession count carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 13, 2025.
According to court documents, on September 8, 2024, Ogden entered an apartment without permission where three minor children were sleeping. Ogden began touching two of the children and used his cellphone to produce CSAM of them. Following Ogden’s arrest later that night, a search warrant was executed on his cellphone which revealed additional CSAM Ogden had produced in 2022 and 2024 involving two other minor children. Ogden’s phone also contained more than 1,000 AI-generated CSAM images and 10 AI-generated videos, some of which portrayed the abuse of children between the ages of 2 and 6 years old.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Winter Park Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Megan Testerman.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Brevard County Man Sentenced to Nine Years in Federal Prison for Cocaine DistributionRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – Senior U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr. has sentenced Matthew William Smolik (44, Titusville) to nine years in federal prison for distribution of cocaine. As part of his sentence, the court also entered an order of forfeiture in the amount of $10,500, the proceeds of Smolik’s cocaine distribution. Smolik pleaded guilty on March 25, 2025.
According to court documents, between September and November 2024, Smolik sold over half a kilogram of cocaine and a small quantity of fentanyl to a confidential source. In December 2024, search warrants were executed on two residences identified as stash locations for Smolik. During the search, agents located another nearly half kilogram of cocaine and drug processing materials.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Titusville Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Megan Testerman. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Harrington handled the forfeiture.
Palm Harbor Man Sentenced to More Than Six Years in Prison for Receiving Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven has sentenced George Puskas, II (66, Palm Harbor) to six years and six months in federal prison for receiving child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Puskas was also ordered to pay $46,000 in restitution and will be required to register as a sex offender. Puskas pleaded guilty on March 27, 2025.
According to court documents, between December 2022 and August 2023, the FBI used a file-sharing program to connect to one of Puskas’s electronic devices and download from it several files of CSAM. In September 2023, the FBI executed a search warrant at Puskas’ home and seized several electronic devices. A forensic search of those devices revealed hundreds of photos and dozens of videos of CSAM, including images that depicted minors under the age of 12 and sadistic or masochistic conduct.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Largo Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ross Roberts.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Leader of Transnational Criminal Organization Extradited from Jamaica Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Smuggle Firearms to Trinidad and TobagoRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Shem Wayne Alexander (35, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago) has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to smuggle firearms from the United States to Trinidad and Tobago. Alexander faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. Alexander was arrested in Jamaica on November 15, 2024, pursuant to a U.S. provisional arrest request. He was extradited to the United States on December 20, 2024.
According to the plea agreement, Alexander, a national of Trinidad and Tobago, and his co-conspirators unlawfully exported firearms, firearms components (including upper/lower receivers and gun parts kits), and related items from Florida to Trinidad and Tobago between April 2019 and April 2022. On April 21, 2021, members of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and Customs and Excise Division at the Piarco International Airport in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago seized a shipment containing two punching bags. Alexander and his co-conspirators had sent the shipment from the United States to Trinidad and Tobago describing the contents of said shipment as “household items.” In reality, concealed within the two punching bags were approximately eleven 9mm pistols, two .38 caliber special revolvers, a 12 gauge semi-automatic shotgun, three AR-15 barrel foregrips, 19 lower pistol grip assemblies, 11 forearm bolt assemblies, three AR-15-style barrels with forearm grips, 32 AR-15 magazines, one AR-15 drum magazine, 470 rounds of AR-15 ammunition, 34 9mm magazines, three 9mm drum magazines, 284 9mm rounds, fifteen .38 caliber rounds, 36 shells, six magazine couplers, and two shotgun chokes. Alexander and his co-conspirators arranged this shipment without written notice to the shipper as to the contents of the shipment.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, including HSI’s Legal Attaché for the Caribbean, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance provided by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (Transnational Organized Crime Unit and Special Investigations Unit), United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and United States Customs and Border Protection. The Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, the Jamaica Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the Jamaica Constabulary Force provided critical support in the extradition of Alexander. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David W.A. Chee and Adam W. McCall.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious transnational criminal organizations.
(X-ray photo of one of the punching bags showing the firearms and firearm components concealed inside)
(One of the punching bags cut open with a firearm visible and protruding)
(Trinidad and Tobago Police Service opening a punching bag and revealing the hidden firearms components)
(Concealed firearms, firearms components, and ammunition retrieved from the punching bags)
Lakeland Man Sentenced to 11 Years for Distributing Methamphetamine and Possessing A Firearm and Ammunition as A Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Kathryn K. Mizelle has sentenced Moreno Fenelus (44, Lakeland) to 11 years in federal prison for distribution of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. Fenelus pleaded guilty on March 28, 2025.
According to court documents, between January and March 2023, Fenelus sold various narcotics to a confidential source (CS) working for the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. In January 2023, Fenelus sold cocaine and para-fluorofentanyl, an analogue of fentanyl, to the CS. In February 2023, Fenelus sold a mixture of fentanyl and para-fluorofentanyl to the CS, and in March 2023, Fenelus sold methamphetamine to the CS.
In July 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Fenelus’s home and located cocaine, para-fluorofentanyl, six firearms, and various ammunition, which belonged to Fenelus. At that time, Fenelus had been convicted of a prior felony offense. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ross Roberts.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.