Middle District of Florida

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell has sentenced Cordell Jones to ten years and one month in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. As part of his sentence, the Court also entered a money judgment in the amount of $1,469,435, the proceeds of the charged criminal conduct. Jones pleaded guilty on November 5, 2014.

According to court documents, Jones conspired with several others to defraud the IRS by filing false and fraudulent income tax returns using the names and Social Security numbers of unwitting individuals. Jones obtained the personal identifying information from a relative who had stolen the data from a financial institution where she worked. The conspirators filed 526 fraudulent returns claiming $5,063,954 in refunds and succeeded in obtaining more than $1.4 million from the IRS.

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and the United States Postal Inspection Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bob Mosakowski.

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Male Yahaira Rivera (35, Orlando) with sixteen counts of embezzlement from a federally insured credit union and one count of money laundering. If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison for each embezzlement count and up to 10 years’ imprisonment for money laundering.

According to the indictment, Rivera was an employee of Fairwinds Credit Union. Between October 2010 and August 2011 she allegedly stole $258,000 from the credit union. Funds were taken on sixteen separate occasions in amounts ranging from $2,000 to $40,000. Rivera used more than $44,000 as a partial payment for a Porsche.

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

This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg.

Orlando, FL – Senior U.S. District Judge John Antoon, II today sentenced Donald Ray Babb (58, Merritt Island) and Ralph Victor Ruth (61, Melbourne) to ten years and one month in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The Court also ordered the forfeiture of their interest in the following properties: 422 Waterside Drive, Merritt Island, FL; 3502 Tipperary Drive, Merritt Island, FL; 3661 Turtle Mound Road, Melbourne, FL; 312 Sycamore Circle, Warne, NC; and 3498 NC Highway 60, Murphy, NC, which were traceable to proceeds of the offense. As part of their sentence, the Court also entered a money judgment in the amount of $18,731,125.58, the proceeds of the conspiracy, and ordered restitution in the amount of $9,728,968.48. Both pleaded guilty on November 12, 2014.

According to court documents, between June 2006 and December 2013, Babb and Ruth orchestrated a scheme in Brevard County that ultimately defrauded approximately 181 investors out of $18.7 million. Doing business as Southeast Mutual Insurance and Investment, LLC, Capstar Industries, LLC, and First Merchant Capital, LLC, Babb and Ruth falsely represented their businesses as licensed financial institutions whose deposits were insured by the FDIC. Using these entities, they advertised risk-free Certificates of Deposit (CDs) investment opportunities that yielded high rates of return. However, neither Babb nor Ruth ever purchased a CD for an investor. Instead, they used the money to make payments to earlier investors in the scheme, and to purchase real estate and other luxury items for themselves.

This case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, the Florida Office of Financial Regulation, and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Haas.

Orlando, Florida – United States District Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr. has sentenced Joseph Witchard (56, Orlando) to 27 years and 7 months in federal prison for mail fraud, filing false claims against the United States, theft of government property, and aggravated identity theft. The Court also ordered him to pay restitution in the amount of $145,673.83 to his victims. A federal jury found Witchard guilty on November 4, 2014.

According to evidence presented at trial, Witchard orchestrated two mail fraud schemes, one to steal retirement funds and life insurance proceeds, and another to file fraudulent tax returns. During both schemes, he used identities that had been stolen from a variety of sources. The personal identifying information of more than 60 victims was found during a search of Witchard’s residence in February 2010. Witchard, and others, negotiated the retirement, life insurance, and tax refund checks at local businesses, including car dealerships.

IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge James D. Robnett said, “Individuals who commit refund fraud and identity theft of this magnitude and with this degree of dishonesty and deceit, deserve to be punished to the fullest extent of the law. Mr. Witchard has been victimizing the citizens of Florida and the United States for decades as shown by his previous convictions for tax related crimes. IRS Criminal Investigation, along with our law enforcement partners and the United States Attorney's Office, remain vigilant in identifying, investigating and prosecuting these types of individuals.”

This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, IRS - Criminal Investigation, and the United States Secret Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney E. Jackson Boggs, Jr.

Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan has sentenced Ronald Boike (51, Orange Park) to three years and four months in federal prison for possessing child pornography. He pleaded guilty on September 10, 2014.

According to the plea agreement, Boike was involved in an online relationship with a minor for at least two years. Boike sent sexually explicit pictures of himself to the minor in order to coax her to produce and send him pornographic pictures and videos of herself. During ongoing conversations with the minor, Boike saved pornographic pictures and videos of the minor on his family’s computer. His wife learned of his relationship with the minor after discovering the videos on the family’s computer. Boike’s wife subsequently filed a complaint with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Malisa Chokshi.

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

Orlando, FL – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the return of an indictment charging Ronnie Travis Hall, III (27, Charlotte, NC) with transportation of a minor with the intent that she engage in prostitution. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison.

According to court documents, on or about April 9, 2014, Hall knowingly transported a minor victim from Georgia to Florida with the intent that she engage in prostitution. For approximately two months, Hall allegedly forced the minor to work as a prostitute by having her walk the streets and by advertising her services on the Internet. During this time, he transported the minor victim from Charlotte, to Atlanta, and ultimately to Orlando. Hall kept all of the money earned by the victim and used it for himself and the victim’s expenses.

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

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph M. Schuster.

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

Orlando, FL – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the return of an indictment charging Ronnie Travis Hall, III (27, Charlotte, NC) with transportation of a minor with the intent that she engage in prostitution. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison.

According to court documents, on or about April 9, 2014, Hall knowingly transported a minor victim from Georgia to Florida with the intent that she engage in prostitution. For approximately two months, Hall allegedly forced the minor to work as a prostitute by having her walk the streets and by advertising her services on the Internet. During this time, he transported the minor victim from Charlotte, to Atlanta, and ultimately to Orlando. Hall kept all of the money earned by the victim and used it for himself and the victim’s expenses.

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 This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph M. Schuster.

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

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington today sentenced Jude Thaddeus Danahy (35, Buffalo, NY) to 14 years in federal prison for attempted enticement of a child for sexual activity. The Court also ordered him to forfeit the equipment he had used to commit the offense. Danahy pleaded guilty on August 27, 2014.

According to court documents, between June 2013 and July 2014, Danahy communicated via email and text messages with an undercover agent that he believed was the mother of an 11-year-old girl. Danahy responded to an online advertisement and expressed in graphic detail his desire to engage in sexual acts with the “child.” He repeatedly sent graphic messages to the “mom” and attempted to persuade and induce the “child’s” assent by sending her a princess dress. Danahy also repeatedly solicited pornographic images of the “child,” and he mailed the “mom” a digital camera so that she could send him images. Danahy was arrested on July 1, 2014.

“It is especially egregious when a person in a position of authority, like this corrections officer, attempts to victimize our children,” said Susan L. McCormick, special agent in charge of HSI Tampa. “HSI will continue to aggressively pursue criminals who prey on the most vulnerable members of our communities.”

This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Amanda C. Kaiser.

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.

Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge John E. Steele has sentenced Ernest Freeman, Jr. to three years and six months in federal prison for theft of government money and aggravated identity theft. He was also ordered to serve a three-year term of supervision following his release from prison. In addition, the Court entered a special assessment in the amount of $2,200, due immediately, and imposed a fine of $7,500. Restitution is yet to be determined. A federal jury found him guilty on October 27, 2014.

According to testimony and other evidence presented at trial, between September 2011 and March 2012, Freeman signed and deposited 11 federal income tax refund checks into his business account at Fifth Third Bank, of which he was the sole beneficiary. The checks were issued in the names of others who had not given Freeman authority to cash the checks. In total, he stole more than $100,000 belonging to the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Yolande G. Viacava.

Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Kevin Charles Kaszynski (49, Fort Myers) today pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to the plea agreement, while going through boxes that had been stored in a leased storage unit, Kaszynski’s estranged wife found a computer hard drive among other items belonging to her husband. On August 27, 2013, she accessed the hard drive and opened a file that depicted a prepubescent girl in a sexual pose. The hard drive was turned over to law enforcement for further investigation. On September 5, 2013, agents obtained a search warrant for the hard drive and discovered more than 7,000 images and 400 videos depicting child pornography. On January 27, 2014, agents obtained a search warrant for Kaszynski’s computer and found 300 images and 15 videos depicting child pornography.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, with the participation of the Fort Myers Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Yolande G. Viacava.

It 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 United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Orlando, FL – Senior United States District Judge John Antoon, II has sentenced Joe E. Clinton, Jr. (23, Orlando) to 17 years in federal prison for aiding and abetting the attempted robbery of a Walgreen’s store, the robbery of a CVS store, and using and carrying a firearm during those violent crimes. Clinton pleaded guilty on March 24, 2014.

According to court documents and evidence presented during the trial of Clinton’s co-conspirator, Jacques Maddox, on the night of September 2, 2013, Clinton and Maddox went to the Walgreen’s store on South Kirkman Road near Universal Studios. After surveilling the store for hours, they walked into the store for the final time around 11:00 p.m. Maddox acted as a lookout near the center of the store, while Clinton forced the store manager inside an office at gunpoint. Clinton demanded that the manager open the store’s safe, threatening to shoot him if he failed to do so. When the manager refused to comply with Clinton’s demands, Clinton pistol whipped him, striking him several times in the head and shoulders. Clinton then ran out of the office, met up with Maddox in the middle of the store, and pulled his gun on other employees and store customers as he and Maddox fled the scene.

On the night of September 10, 2013, Clinton walked into the CVS store located at 1201 East Colonial Drive, in Orlando. He took a beverage from the cooler and brought it to the front counter. As the clerk tried to ring up the purchase, Clinton pulled out his handgun, pointed it at the clerk, and demanded that she open the register. The clerk gave Clinton all of the cash from the register; he then fled from the store.
Clinton admitted to committing a series of additional armed commercial robberies in Central Florida before being captured by police in Dothan, Alabama, on October 1, 2013.

On July 9, 2014, a federal jury found Maddox guilty of aiding and abetting the attempted Walgreen’s robbery. He was subsequently sentenced to six years and six months in federal prison.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Orlando Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph M. Schuster.

Ocala, Florida – Senior U.S. District Judge Wm. Terrell Hodges has sentenced Charles Michael Curry, Jr. (50, Ocala) to 30 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He pleaded guilty to the charge in November 2014.

According to court documents, on August 9, 2014, United States Forest Service officers responded to the Ocala National Forest based on complaints that individuals had been illegally manufacturing methamphetamine there. Upon arrival, officers found a campsite occupied by Curry and two other individuals. Curry initially fled from the officers, but was quickly apprehended. Subsequently, he directed the officers to his makeshift methamphetamine laboratory, where they found approximately 155 grams of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine. Curry ultimately admitted that he had been manufacturing the methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it. Officers also recovered drug paraphernalia in the immediate area.

This case was investigated by the United States Forest Service and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Bodnar, Jr.

Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Jeffrey Ihm (47, Naples) with multiple counts of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Each wire fraud count carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. In addition, he faces a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment for each aggravated identity theft offense, to be served consecutively to any wire fraud conviction. The indictment also notifies Ihm that the United States is seeking a money judgment against him in the amount of $1,064,664.74, and intends to forfeit the house located at 3343 Pacific Drive, Naples, Florida, which are both alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the fraud.

According to the indictment, Ihm assumed the identities of and posed as three different Roper Industries, Inc. executives. He then generated false and fraudulent emails and other documents in the names of Roper Industries, Inc. and Kynetic Technologies, LLC to defraud Wells Fargo Bank, causing the bank to wire him $1,064,664.74 to which he was not entitled.

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

This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Economic Crimes Unit of the Collier County Sherriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David G. Lazarus and Dale R. Campion.

Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton. Jr. today sentenced Matthew C. Graziotti (43, Edgewater) to 210 years in federal prison for producing, distributing, and possessing child pornography. The Court also ordered him to serve a lifetime of supervision following his release from prison and to forfeit the electronic devices that he had used to commit the crimes. Graziotti pleaded guilty on October 30, 2014.

According to court documents, Graziotti distributed 141 images and 6 videos depicting the sexual abuse and exploitation of children to an undercover FBI agent. During the execution of a search warrant, agents located thousands of child pornography images on Graziotti’s computer involving children under the age of 12. One computer folder, named “personally known,” contained sexually explicit photographs and videos of 29 children that Graziotti had sexually abused when they were under the age of 12. Graziotti stored the sexually explicit images that he produced in subfolders bearing each child’s name. He produced these images from 2010 through 2014. During this period, Graziotti taught elementary school in South Daytona and was the director of the school’s summer day camp program. He also coached youth sports.

“Together with our law enforcement partners, the FBI will remain vigilant to ensure our children are protected,” stated Michelle S. Klimt, Special Agent in Charge, FBI – Jacksonville Division. “Let this sentence be a clear message to others involved in this horrendous crime that exploits the most innocent among us. The FBI is committed to locating and removing sexual predators from kids’ lives through the U.S. justice system.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Karen L. Gable.

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

Orlando, Florida - The United States has settled a lawsuit brought by three whistleblowers that alleges a central Florida based dermatology practice knowingly billed the government millions of dollars for procedures that lacked basic indicia of medical necessity and, in some cases, had been performed by unlicensed, uncredentialed, and unsupervised employees. The qui tam complaint, filed by three former employees of the clinic, alleges that the defendants – a dermatology practice and its owner – violated the False Claims Act (FCA) by knowingly submitting false claims to the government for payment.

The government announced today that it has reached a settlement with the defendant, Associates in Dermatology, and the physician who owned the practice, Dr. Michael Steppie. In reaching this settlement, the parties resolved allegations that, from January 1, 2009, until October 2013, Dr. Steppie operated a dermatology practice that had an unlicensed medical assistant performing radiation therapy without proper supervision. The whistleblowers, in many instances, alleged that the medical assistant lacked the basic knowledge to perform the tests she was performing. In addition, the allegations included that the clinic performed unnecessary destructions of skin lesions and that these destructions lacked proper documentation. Associates in Dermatology and Dr. Steppie agreed to pay the United States $3 million dollars to resolve these allegations.

"The United States Attorney's Office is committed to taking the necessary steps to protect Medicare, TRICARE, and other federal health care programs from fraud," said A. Lee Bentley, III, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida. "By bringing FCA cases such as this, we recover funds obtained through fraud and deter others from attempting similar schemes."

"This case underscores how important it is for health care providers to properly document the services they bill to Medicare," stated Acting Special Agent in Charge Derrick Jackson of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General. "We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect the integrity of federal health care programs."

This lawsuit was originally filed under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by Katherine Brown, Amber Bradshaw, and Vanessa Santos, former employees at the clinic. Under those provisions, a private party, known as a relator, can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of the recovery. The three relators will receive more than $500,000 as part of today’s settlement.

This matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud and marks another achievement for the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT) initiative, which was announced in May 2009 by the Attorney General and the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The partnership between the two departments has focused efforts to reduce and prevent Medicare and Medicaid financial fraud through enhanced cooperation. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Since January 2009, the Justice Department has recovered more than $23.4 billion through False Claims Act cases, with more than $14.9 billion of that amount recovered in cases involving fraud against federal health care programs.

This case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Defense Criminal Investigative Services, the Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General and Office of Counsel to Inspector General, and the Defense Health Agency Program Integrity Office. It was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Jason Mehta.

The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability. The lawsuit against the defendants was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida and is captioned United States ex rel. Brown et al v. Associates in Dermatology, Michael Steppie, and William Steele.

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the return of an indictment charging Demetrius Wright with four counts of theft of government funds, two counts of aggravated identity theft, and one count of conspiracy to commit aggravated identity theft and theft of government funds. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of ten years in federal prison for each of the theft charges, two years for each aggravated identity theft charge, and up to five years’ imprisonment for the conspiracy offense. The indictment also notifies Wright that the United States is seeking a money judgment in the amount of $165,317.00, the proceeds of the criminal conduct.

According to the indictment, between February 2012 and December 2014, Wright engaged in a conspiracy with others to file fraudulent federal income tax returns on behalf of taxpayers who had no knowledge of the scheme. As a result of the numerous fraudulently filed tax returns, the Internal Revenue Service paid a total of $165,317.00 into various bank accounts to which Wright had access.

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

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and the Tampa Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jay L. Hoffer.

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the return of an indictment charging Demetrius Wright with four counts of theft of government funds, two counts of aggravated identity theft, and one count of conspiracy to commit aggravated identity theft and theft of government funds. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of ten years in federal prison for each of the theft charges, two years for each aggravated identity theft charge, and up to five years’ imprisonment for the conspiracy offense. The indictment also notifies Wright that the United States is seeking a money judgment in the amount of $165,317.00, the proceeds of the criminal conduct.

According to the indictment, between February 2012 and December 2014, Wright engaged in a conspiracy with others to file fraudulent federal income tax returns on behalf of taxpayers who had no knowledge of the scheme. As a result of the numerous fraudulently filed tax returns, the Internal Revenue Service paid a total of $165,317.00 into various bank accounts to which Wright had access.

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

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and the Tampa Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jay L. Hoffer.

Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that a federal jury has found Ronald F. Croteau guilty of ten counts of filing false tax claims and one count of obstructing or impeding the administration of the Internal Revenue laws. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison for each false claims count, and up to three years’ imprisonment for the obstruction offense. Croteau is being detained pending his sentencing hearing, which has been scheduled for April 20, 2015.

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Croteau belonged to a sovereign citizen, anti-government group; claimed to be a member of the Little Shell Pembina Band of North Dakota; and deemed himself to be an ambassador of the Kingdom of Heaven. Between September 2008 and May 2010, Croteau filed ten false and fraudulent income tax returns claiming refunds ranging from $46,701 to $957,670. These tax returns were false and fraudulent in that they claimed federal tax withholdings from fraudulent 1099-OID forms purportedly issued to Croteau by financial institutions. However, witnesses from the various financial institutions testified that the institutions did not create these forms and, in fact, had not withheld any federal income taxes for Croteau.

After being informed by the IRS that his income tax returns were frivolous, Croteau continued to file fraudulent income tax returns. In addition, he obstructed the administration of the Internal Revenue laws by filing false liens against IRS employees, submitting fraudulent instruments to the IRS in an attempt to discharge his tax liabilities, and recording false documents with the Lee County Clerk of Court.

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey F. Michelland.

Ocala, Florida – Senior United States District Judge Wm. Terrell Hodges has sentenced Pedro Luis Infantes (47, Ocala) and his son, Luis Rafael Infantes (21, Elizabethtown, KY), to 21 months in federal prison for theft of government property. Both pleaded guilty last year.

According to their plea agreements, on July 11, 2014, Pedro Infantes and his son unwittingly met with a confidential source who was working in cooperation with law enforcement. The father and son approached the source about finding a buyer for stolen military equipment, as they believed that the source had connections to Mexican drug trafficking organizations. The father told the source that he had been removing serial numbers from the items so that they could not be traced. Ultimately, they negotiated a sale price of $153,500 for 17 military-grade, thermal-imaging monoculars, rifle cleaning kits, and other stolen military equipment.

When Pedro Infantes later attempted to complete the transaction, he was arrested and interviewed by the FBI. He then provided false statements to agents about how he had acquired the military items and how the serial numbers on the items had been removed, telling the agents that he had purchased the equipment in that condition at assorted gun shows. In reality, Luis Infantes, an active-duty soldier for the United States Army, had stolen the equipment from the Fort Knox military installation. A subsequent search of a storage unit rented by the father revealed additional stolen military equipment, including an aviation helmet, boxes of batteries, firearm accessories, and tactical gear.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Bodnar, Jr.

Ocala, Florida – Senior U.S. District Judge Wm. Terrell Hodges has sentenced Clive Felix Ure (58) to 12 months in federal prison for falsifying the airworthiness of a propeller that he had sold to the owner of a private plane. He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $67,772.14. Ure pleaded guilty on July 10, 2014.

According to court documents, Ure held Federal Aviation Administration licenses as an aircraft mechanic and a private pilot. In September 2012, he agreed to sell a propeller, which he had listed on eBay, to the owner of a private plane in Oregon. During negotiations regarding the sale, Ure represented that the propeller had been overhauled and that it had not been used since the overhaul.

In fact, an FAA-certified propeller repair station had told Ure that the propeller was not airworthy and could not be overhauled for use on an airplane. At the time Ure sold the propeller, it not been overhauled. To “prove” that the propeller had been overhauled, Ure sent the buyer a log book in which there was a false entry for the overhaul. He also stamped a false serial number on the propeller because the true serial number had been obliterated by the propeller repair station, at the direction of the FAA.

In addition, as part of his plea agreement, Ure agreed to pay restitution to another private plane owner and to a flight training school, both of whom had engaged Ure to overhaul aircraft engines. When he overhauled the engines, Ure used parts that had not been approved by the FAA, some of which were unairworthy. The engines subsequently had to be closely inspected and overhauled again, at significant expense. The court ordered Ure to pay restitution in the amount of $49,136.86 to the private plane owner and in the amount of $18,635.28 to the flight training school.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General and the Federal Aviation Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Arnold B. Corsmeier.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan has sentenced Kevin Robert Leblanc (52, Tampa) to four years in federal prison for failing to register as sex offender after absconding from supervision in Florida and traveling to Arizona. He was also ordered to serve a 15-year term of supervised release. Leblanc has been in custody for violating the conditions of his federal supervised release since his arrest in August 2014.

According to court documents, on July 29, 1999, Leblanc was convicted of committing two child sex offenses in Massachusetts. Subsequently, he traveled to Florida, failed to register as a sex offender, and was prosecuted for failure to register. Leblanc pleaded guilty to this charge and, on August 25, 2011, was sentenced to three years in federal prison, and a 15-year term of supervision.

On April 4, 2014, Leblanc was released from federal prison, established a residence in Tampa, and commenced his term of supervised release. On July 25, 2014, he absconded from federal supervision. In doing so, he failed to update his sex offender registration status with Florida authorities, as required by law. Leblanc was arrested near Flagstaff, Arizona, on August 15, 2014, by the U.S. Marshals Service. When interviewed, he acknowledged knowing that he was required to register as a sex offender, that he did not notify Florida authorities that he was leaving the state, and that he failed to notify authorities because he “got fed up” with being supervised.

The Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act is part of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006. The Adam Walsh Act provides for the use of federal law enforcement resources, including the United States Marshals Service, to assist state and local authorities in locating and apprehending non-compliant sex offenders.

This case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys D. Rodney Brown and Kelly S. Karase.

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.

Fort Myers, Florida - United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that an indictment has been returned against Daniel Edward Palmer (37, Port Charlotte), charging him with one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.

According to the indictment, Palmer distributed child pornography images and videos to an undercover FBI Task Force Agent over an Internet peer-to-peer network between the dates of March 30, 2014 and July 8, 2014. A federal search warrant was subsequently executed at Palmer’s residence and all computer-related items were seized. A forensic analysis of the evidence revealed over 300 images and videos of child pornography. Palmer is a registered sex offender stemming from a 2009 conviction for possessing child pornography.

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 - Ft. Myers Office and the Charlotte County Sherriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tama Koss Caldarone.

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.

Fort Myers, Florida - United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that an indictment has been returned against Daniel Edward Palmer (37, Port Charlotte), charging him with one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.

According to the indictment, Palmer distributed child pornography images and videos to an undercover FBI Task Force Agent over an Internet peer-to-peer network between the dates of March 30, 2014 and July 8, 2014. A federal search warrant was subsequently executed at Palmer’s residence and all computer-related items were seized. A forensic analysis of the evidence revealed over 300 images and videos of child pornography. Palmer is a registered sex offender stemming from a 2009 conviction for possessing child pornography.

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 - Ft. Myers Office and the Charlotte County Sherriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tama Koss Caldarone.

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

Orlando, Florida – Senior U.S. District Judge Gregory A. Presnell today sentenced Fortune Tyrone Hill (34, Daytona Beach) to 15 years in federal prison for possessing with intent to distribute over 100 grams of cocaine base, commonly known as “crack” cocaine. He was sentenced as a career offender because he has at least two prior felony convictions. Hill was found guilty on October 15, 2014, following a bench trial.

According to court documents and evidence presented during trial, on May 20, 2014, officers from the Daytona Beach Police Department responded to a 911 call at an apartment complex, where an individual reported that her vehicle license tag had been stolen. When officers arrived at the complex, Hill attempted to flee and struck one of the officers. He was eventually arrested. Plastic bags containing a total of more than 100 grams of “crack” cocaine, two digital scales, and $1,020 were recovered during a search of Hill. Officers also recovered an additional $1,630 from his rental car.

This case was investigated by the Daytona Beach Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew C. Searle.

Orlando, Florida – Senior U.S. District Judge Gregory A. Presnell today sentenced Fortune Tyrone Hill (34, Daytona Beach) to 15 years in federal prison for possessing with intent to distribute over 100 grams of cocaine base, commonly known as “crack” cocaine. He was sentenced as a career offender because he has at least two prior felony convictions. Hill was found guilty on October 15, 2014, following a bench trial.

According to court documents and evidence presented during trial, on May 20, 2014, officers from the Daytona Beach Police Department responded to a 911 call at an apartment complex, where an individual reported that her vehicle license tag had been stolen. When officers arrived at the complex, Hill attempted to flee and struck one of the officers. He was eventually arrested. Plastic bags containing a total of more than 100 grams of “crack” cocaine, two digital scales, and $1,020 were recovered during a search of Hill. Officers also recovered an additional $1,630 from his rental car.

This case was investigated by the Daytona Beach Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew C. Searle.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan has sentenced Kevin Robert Leblanc (52, Tampa) to four years in federal prison for failing to register as sex offender after absconding from supervision in Florida and traveling to Arizona. He was also ordered to serve a 15-year term of supervised release. Leblanc has been in custody for violating the conditions of his federal supervised release since his arrest in August 2014.

According to court documents, on July 29, 1999, Leblanc was convicted of committing two child sex offenses in Massachusetts. Subsequently, he traveled to Florida, failed to register as a sex offender, and was prosecuted for failure to register. Leblanc pleaded guilty to this charge and, on August 25, 2011, was sentenced to three years in federal prison, and a 15-year term of supervision.

On April 4, 2014, Leblanc was released from federal prison, established a residence in Tampa, and commenced his term of supervised release. On July 25, 2014, he absconded from federal supervision. In doing so, he failed to update his sex offender registration status with Florida authorities, as required by law. Leblanc was arrested near Flagstaff, Arizona, on August 15, 2014, by the U.S. Marshals Service. When interviewed, he acknowledged knowing that he was required to register as a sex offender, that he did not notify Florida authorities that he was leaving the state, and that he failed to notify authorities because he “got fed up” with being supervised.

The Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act is part of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006. The Adam Walsh Act provides for the use of federal law enforcement resources, including the United States Marshals Service, to assist state and local authorities in locating and apprehending non-compliant sex offenders.

This case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys D. Rodney Brown and Kelly S. Karase.

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

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge James D. Whittemore today sentenced Nicholas Darwin Yancey (30, Melbourne) to 10 years in federal prison for attempted child enticement. The Court also ordered him to forfeit two cellphones and a computer that he had used to commit the offenses. Yancey pleaded guilty on October 2, 2014.

According to court documents, on February 10, 2014, Yancey, a Staff Sergeant on active duty in the U.S. Air Force, posted an advertisement on Craigslist soliciting individuals for “texting/sexting.” An undercover law enforcement officer with the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations, posing as a 14-year-old child, responded to the ad. Yancey and the “child” communicated over the Internet for months, during which time Yancey told the “child” that he wanted to engage in sexual intercourse with her and solicited nude photographs of her. He also stated that he had a crush on her, and invited her to a sleepover at a hotel on MacDill Air Force Base.

On June 26, 2014, the undercover officer observed several additional postings from Yancey on Craigslist. The officer responded to one of the advertisements posing as a second “child.” Yancey and the second “child” communicated using an Internet messaging application. Yancey told the second “child” that he wanted to engage in sexual intercourse with her, and possibly one of her friends. He arranged to meet the second “child” for sex on July 3, 2014, but later attempted to change the meeting. When the second “child” declined, Yancey informed her that he would simply go down the list, referring to his ability to find another person to meet. On June 27, 2014, Yancey contacted the first “child” and arranged to meet her later that week for sex. On June 29, 2014, he traveled to the Ballast Point area in Tampa, where they had arranged to meet, and was arrested.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Amanda Kaiser.

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

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge James D. Whittemore today sentenced Nicholas Darwin Yancey (30, Melbourne) to 10 years in federal prison for attempted child enticement. The Court also ordered him to forfeit two cellphones and a computer that he had used to commit the offenses. Yancey pleaded guilty on October 2, 2014.

According to court documents, on February 10, 2014, Yancey, a Staff Sergeant on active duty in the U.S. Air Force, posted an advertisement on Craigslist soliciting individuals for “texting/sexting.” An undercover law enforcement officer with the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations, posing as a 14-year-old child, responded to the ad. Yancey and the “child” communicated over the Internet for months, during which time Yancey told the “child” that he wanted to engage in sexual intercourse with her and solicited nude photographs of her. He also stated that he had a crush on her, and invited her to a sleepover at a hotel on MacDill Air Force Base.

On June 26, 2014, the undercover officer observed several additional postings from Yancey on Craigslist. The officer responded to one of the advertisements posing as a second “child.” Yancey and the second “child” communicated using an Internet messaging application. Yancey told the second “child” that he wanted to engage in sexual intercourse with her, and possibly one of her friends. He arranged to meet the second “child” for sex on July 3, 2014, but later attempted to change the meeting. When the second “child” declined, Yancey informed her that he would simply go down the list, referring to his ability to find another person to meet. On June 27, 2014, Yancey contacted the first “child” and arranged to meet her later that week for sex. On June 29, 2014, he traveled to the Ballast Point area in Tampa, where they had arranged to meet, and was arrested.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Amanda Kaiser.

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

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the return of an indictment charging Kency Aime (29, Biscayne Bay) with one count of access device (credit card) fraud and nine counts of identity theft. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison for the fraud count, and up to 5 years in prison for each identity theft count.

According to the indictment, Aime possessed 34 stolen MasterCard and Visa debit cards, as well as the Social Security numbers of nine 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 United States Secret Service and the Florida Highway Patrol. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the return of an indictment charging Kency Aime (29, Biscayne Bay) with one count of access device (credit card) fraud and nine counts of identity theft. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison for the fraud count, and up to 5 years in prison for each identity theft count.

According to the indictment, Aime possessed 34 stolen MasterCard and Visa debit cards, as well as the Social Security numbers of nine 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 United States Secret Service and the Florida Highway Patrol. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein.

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Kovachevich has sentenced Kewarren Lamar Jones (44, Sarasota) to 20 years and 5 months in federal prison for distributing 28 grams or more of crack cocaine and a related violation of his federal supervised release. As part of his sentence, the Court also entered a money judgment in the amount of $7,500, the proceeds of his criminal conduct. Jones pleaded guilty on October 9, 2014.

According to the plea agreement, during the summer of 2013, Jones sold ounce quantities of crack cocaine to a confidential informant on three separate occasions. At the time of these transactions, Jones was on supervised release for a prior federal firearm offense.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Sarasota Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carlton C. Gammons.

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Kovachevich has sentenced Kewarren Lamar Jones (44, Sarasota) to 20 years and 5 months in federal prison for distributing 28 grams or more of crack cocaine and a related violation of his federal supervised release. As part of his sentence, the Court also entered a money judgment in the amount of $7,500, the proceeds of his criminal conduct. Jones pleaded guilty on October 9, 2014.

According to the plea agreement, during the summer of 2013, Jones sold ounce quantities of crack cocaine to a confidential informant on three separate occasions. At the time of these transactions, Jones was on supervised release for a prior federal firearm offense.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Sarasota Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carlton C. Gammons.

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Susan C. Bucklew today sentenced Steven Phelps (40, Sarasota) to 15 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. He pleaded guilty on October 24, 2014.

According to court documents, On June 27, 2014, detectives from the Sarasota Police Department executed a search warrant at Phelps’s home. During the search, 28 individually wrapped baggies of cocaine, an electronic scale, and a Davis Industries .32 caliber pistol were recovered. At the time of the search, Phelps was a convicted felon, and therefore prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.

This case was jointly investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and Explosives and the Sarasota Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carlton C. Gammons.

This is another case prosecuted as a part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program - a nationwide, gun-violence reduction strategy. United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III, along with Regina Lombardo, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, is coordinating the Project Safe Neighborhoods effort here in the Middle District of Florida in cooperation with federal, state, and local law enforcement officials. It is also another example of ATF’s Frontline Strategy to impact violent crime within our communities.

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Susan C. Bucklew today sentenced Steven Phelps (40, Sarasota) to 15 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. He pleaded guilty on October 24, 2014.

According to court documents, On June 27, 2014, detectives from the Sarasota Police Department executed a search warrant at Phelps’s home. During the search, 28 individually wrapped baggies of cocaine, an electronic scale, and a Davis Industries .32 caliber pistol were recovered. At the time of the search, Phelps was a convicted felon, and therefore prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.

This case was jointly investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and Explosives and the Sarasota Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carlton C. Gammons.

This is another case prosecuted as a part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program - a nationwide, gun-violence reduction strategy. United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III, along with Regina Lombardo, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, is coordinating the Project Safe Neighborhoods effort here in the Middle District of Florida in cooperation with federal, state, and local law enforcement officials. It is also another example of ATF’s Frontline Strategy to impact violent crime within our communities.

Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Susan C. Bucklew today sentenced Antwon Scott (39, Largo) to 15 years in federal prison for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The Court also ordered Scott to forfeit the firearm and ammunition involved in the offense. He pleaded guilty on October 31, 2014.

According to court documents, on April 11, 2014, officers from the Largo Police Department conducted a traffic stop of Scott for driving with a suspended license. Inside the car, Scott had a distribution amount of marijuana. During a subsequent search of Scott’s residence, officers found a firearm, ammunition, and narcotics. Scott has an extensive criminal history, including convictions for fleeing and eluding law enforcement, sales of narcotics, and aggravated assault. As a previously convicted felon, he was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Largo Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Josephine W. Thomas.

Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Susan C. Bucklew today sentenced Antwon Scott (39, Largo) to 15 years in federal prison for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The Court also ordered Scott to forfeit the firearm and ammunition involved in the offense. He pleaded guilty on October 31, 2014.

According to court documents, on April 11, 2014, officers from the Largo Police Department conducted a traffic stop of Scott for driving with a suspended license. Inside the car, Scott had a distribution amount of marijuana. During a subsequent search of Scott’s residence, officers found a firearm, ammunition, and narcotics. Scott has an extensive criminal history, including convictions for fleeing and eluding law enforcement, sales of narcotics, and aggravated assault. As a previously convicted felon, he was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Largo Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Josephine W. Thomas.

Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell has sentenced Nicholas Quinton Hanson (23, Lakeland) to five years and ten months in federal prison for being a convicted felon in possession of ammunition. He pleaded guilty on October 1, 2014.

According to court documents, on May 10, 2014, law enforcement officers responded to a shooting at a Chevron gas station in Lakeland. Surveillance video from the gas station captured the shooting, and the individuals involved. That night, numerous individuals, including Hanson, arrived at the gas station in multiple vehicles and congregated around the gas pumps. After conversing for a short time, and as the individuals returned to their vehicles, gunfire erupted from a nearby location. The shots were aimed at Hanson and the others. Hanson returned fire from the rear passenger window of his vehicle and fled the scene. Although the firearm Hanson had used was not located, five of his shell casings were recovered from the scene. Hanson has a lengthy criminal history, including convictions for burglary, grand theft, and retaliation against a witness. As a previously convicted felon, he was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Lakeland Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Josephine W. Thomas.

This is another case prosecuted as a part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program - a nationwide, gun-violence reduction strategy. United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III, along with Regina Lombardo, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, is coordinating the Project Safe Neighborhoods effort here in the Middle District of Florida in cooperation with federal, state, and local law enforcement officials. It is also another example of ATF’s Frontline Strategy to impact violent crime within our communities.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announced today that Christopher Shawn Warnock (43, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography over the Internet. He faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years, up to 20 years, in federal prison, and a potential life term of supervised release. The plea also requires Warnock to forfeit his computer media and register as a sex offender. Warnock has been in federal custody since his arrest on December 17, 2014. A sentencing hearing has not yet been set.

According to court documents, on October 30, 2014, an agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Newark, New Jersey began an online undercover investigation to identify individuals who were using the Internet to trade and distribute images and videos depicting child pornography. The agent made online contact with Warnock and was able to download at least 24 videos of child pornography from Warnock’s computer. Further investigation traced the computer to Warnock’s residence in Jacksonville.

On December 17, 2014, law enforcement executed a federal search warrant at Warnock’s residence and seized his computer. Warnock told the agents, among other things, that he searches for child pornography online using certain key terms, and that he enjoys watching others having sex with children. Forensic analyses of Warnock’s computer revealed that it contained at least 13 videos depicting the sexual abuse of very young children. Logs of online conversations, in which Warnock had indicated his desire to exchange videos of child pornography with other Internet users, were also recovered.

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

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

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announced today that Christopher Shawn Warnock (43, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography over the Internet. He faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years, up to 20 years, in federal prison, and a potential life term of supervised release. The plea also requires Warnock to forfeit his computer media and register as a sex offender. Warnock has been in federal custody since his arrest on December 17, 2014. A sentencing hearing has not yet been set.

According to court documents, on October 30, 2014, an agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Newark, New Jersey began an online undercover investigation to identify individuals who were using the Internet to trade and distribute images and videos depicting child pornography. The agent made online contact with Warnock and was able to download at least 24 videos of child pornography from Warnock’s computer. Further investigation traced the computer to Warnock’s residence in Jacksonville.

On December 17, 2014, law enforcement executed a federal search warrant at Warnock’s residence and seized his computer. Warnock told the agents, among other things, that he searches for child pornography online using certain key terms, and that he enjoys watching others having sex with children. Forensic analyses of Warnock’s computer revealed that it contained at least 13 videos depicting the sexual abuse of very young children. Logs of online conversations, in which Warnock had indicated his desire to exchange videos of child pornography with other Internet users, were also recovered.

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

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

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Keith A. Greenwood (49, Winter Garden) today pleaded guilty to wire fraud. He faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 20, 2015.

According to the plea agreement, in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) began providing disaster assistance to individuals whose primary residences had been damaged by the hurricane. In November 2012, days after Hurricane Sandy struck New York City, Greenwood submitted an application for disaster assistance. In his paperwork, he falsely represented to FEMA that a property in Brooklyn, New York was his primary residence. The Brooklyn property was a building that Greenwood owned and rented to tenants. His true primary residence was in Winter Garden, Florida. Because his primary residence was not impacted by the hurricane, Greenwood was not entitled to the $17,385.73 in disaster assistance payments that FEMA awarded him based on his misrepresentations. On January 10, 2013, as part of an attempt to obtain another $5,000 in disaster assistance from FEMA, Greenwood faxed fake work receipts to FEMA that purported to be for repair work performed on the Brooklyn property. Ultimately, Greenwood admitted to investigators that he intentionally had told FEMA that the Brooklyn property was his primary residence, when he knew that his primary residence was in Florida.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General, with assistance from the FEMA Fraud Prevention and Investigation Branch. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew C. Searle.

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Mary Scriven today sentenced Mario Manzur Reyes (31, Tampa) and Santos Rene Herrera-Cruz (50, Tampa) for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Reyes was sentenced to five years and ten months in federal prison. Herrera-Cruz was sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment. Both pleaded guilty in September 2014.

According to court documents, Reyes oversaw the delivery of more than 16 pounds of highly pure methamphetamine from Laredo, Texas to the Tampa area. The methamphetamine had a street value of at least $250,000. Reyes, who was affiliated with a drug cartel operating out of Michoacán, Mexico, arranged for the drugs to be picked up on March 10, 2014, by one of his customers at a truck stop on U.S. 301. The customer, in turn, hired Herrera-Cruz to take possession of the shipment for him.

“Trafficking methamphetamine is a serious offense and a danger to our communities,” said Susan L. McCormick, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations Tampa. “HSI, together with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners, is committed to combating the menace posed by illegal substances.”

This case was investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick Scruggs.

Orlando, FL – Chief U.S. District Judge Anne C. Conway today sentenced Joseph Cotto-Diaz (31, Orlando) to 13 years and 5 months in federal prison for aiding and abetting a credit union robbery with assault, and aiding and abetting the use and carrying of a firearm during that robbery. As part of his sentence, Cotto-Diaz was also ordered to pay restitution to his victims.

Cotto-Diaz pleaded guilty on October 1, 2014.

According to testimony and court documents, on the morning of January 25, 2012, Cotto-Diaz and three co-conspirators, including Raulier Rivas Lopez (29, Orlando), robbed the American Eagle Credit Union located at 7007 SeaWorld Drive, in Orlando. Cotto-Diaz, Lopez, and another co-conspirator, all wearing masks, entered the credit union and demanded money from the employees. Lopez pointed an AK-47-style rifle at the employees as Cotto-Diaz pepper-sprayed them. Approximately $7,000 was taken during the robbery.

After fleeing the credit union in a stolen van, the men drove to a nearby hotel parking lot and abandoned the vehicle. They then ran through a pre-cut hole in a chain-link fence, and met another co-conspirator who was waiting in a getaway car.

Lopez pleaded guilty on June 10, 2014, and was sentenced on September 11, 2014, to 14 years in federal prison.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph M. Schuster.

Jacksonville, Florida – Senior U.S. District Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger has sentenced Mark Steven Szekely (54, Ponte Vedra) to nine years in federal prison for wire fraud. The Court also entered a money judgment in the amount of $454,972.65, the traceable proceeds of the offense, and ordered him to pay restitution to his victims in the same amount. Szekely pleaded guilty on October 14, 2014.

According to court documents and testimony presented during the sentencing hearing, Szekely conducted a scheme to defraud others in which he swindled at least 17 individuals out of $454,972.65. Among the victims were his friends, members of his church, his children’s teachers, and a 17-year-old high school student who had saved money from babysitting. As part of his scheme, Szekely represented that he was an accomplished author with connections to entertainment lawyers in New York City that could assist the victims with copyrighting, publishing, and/or producing their works into Broadway plays or films. In reality, Szekely had no such connections, and instead, fraudulently created a list of fictitious lawyers and other professionals. In addition, several of the victims were defrauded into investing in “annuities” tied to a book Szekely had written and was allegedly being produced into a movie. Court testimony established that Szekely had not worked for approximately 12 years and had supported himself and his family with the proceeds of his fraud.

This case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark B. Devereaux.

Orlando, Florida – Chief U.S. District Judge Anne C. Conway today sentenced Brian John McRee, Sr. (51, Jacksonville) to 25 years in federal prison for attempting to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity and for possessing child pornography. The Court also ordered him to serve a lifetime of supervision following his release from prison and to forfeit the electronic devices that he had used to commit the crimes. McRee pleaded guilty on August 28, 2014.

According to court documents, McRee attempted to entice a 14-year-old girl to engage in sexual activity. Unbeknownst to him, the “girl” was a law enforcement officer acting in an undercover capacity. McRee initially met the “girl” on a website known to be frequented by individuals who discuss incest and pedophilia. During the next six weeks, McRee communicated with the “girl” over the Internet, engaging her in sexual conversation and grooming her for sex. On May 17, 2014, he travelled to a prearranged location to meet the “girl” for sex and was subsequently arrested. He had in his possession numerous sexual aids, including condoms, alcohol for the child, erectile dysfunction medicine, and a digital camera. He also brought with him a laptop and three thumb drives containing a total of 300 images and 5 videos depicting the sexual abuse and exploitation of young girls. McRee admitted that he had travelled to have sex with the child and that he had downloaded child pornography from the Internet. He also admitted that he had recently been chatting about sex online with a 10-year-old.

McRee previously worked as a law enforcement officer for several sheriff’s offices from 1982 through 1999.

“Our children are our nation’s most important resource,” said Susan L. McCormick, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations, Tampa. “And HSI remains committed to protecting our children against predators.”

This case was investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Karen L. Gable.

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, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that a federal jury has found Orlando residents Shawn Lamonte Robinson (42) and Corey Jamaal Woodard (37) guilty of conspiracy to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, and aiding and abetting an attempt to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. The jury also convicted Woodard of possessing firearms in furtherance of those drug trafficking crimes. Each faces a mandatory minimum term of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison on the cocaine conspiracy conviction. Woodard faces a mandatory consecutive 5 years, up to life, on the firearms conviction. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 21, 2015.

Robinson and Woodard were charged in a superseding indictment on October 15, 2014.

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Robinson and Woodard had a long standing relationship from at least 2008 through mid-September 2014, during which they worked together to obtain large quantities of cocaine in the Ocala and Orlando areas. During this period, they purchased and sold multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine to large-scale cocaine dealers in the Ocala area. They also distributed the drugs in the Orlando area.

On June 19, 2014, Drug Enforcement Administration agents and local law enforcement officers working with the North Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force seized $69,880 in cash and three loaded firearms from Woodard as he traveled to a cocaine deal. During the execution of a series of federal search warrants in Orlando, agents subsequently seized eight additional firearms, body armor, $294,700 in cash, and jewelry.

This case is another prosecution in the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Operation Wind Sock. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the North Florida HIDTA, which is comprised of narcotics agents from the Ocala Police Department and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney A. Tysen Duva.

Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that a federal jury has found Orlando residents Shawn Lamonte Robinson (42) and Corey Jamaal Woodard (37) guilty of conspiracy to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, and aiding and abetting an attempt to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. The jury also convicted Woodard of possessing firearms in furtherance of those drug trafficking crimes. Each faces a mandatory minimum term of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison on the cocaine conspiracy conviction. Woodard faces a mandatory consecutive 5 years, up to life, on the firearms conviction. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 21, 2015.

Robinson and Woodard were charged in a superseding indictment on October 15, 2014.

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Robinson and Woodard had a long standing relationship from at least 2008 through mid-September 2014, during which they worked together to obtain large quantities of cocaine in the Ocala and Orlando areas. During this period, they purchased and sold multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine to large-scale cocaine dealers in the Ocala area. They also distributed the drugs in the Orlando area.

On June 19, 2014, Drug Enforcement Administration agents and local law enforcement officers working with the North Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force seized $69,880 in cash and three loaded firearms from Woodard as he traveled to a cocaine deal. During the execution of a series of federal search warrants in Orlando, agents subsequently seized eight additional firearms, body armor, $294,700 in cash, and jewelry.

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit has affirmed the convictions and sentences of United Kingdom citizens Paul R. Gunter (65, Odessa, Florida; originally of London) and Simon Andrew Odoni (57, Hertfordshire, UK) for their respective roles in an international investment fraud and money laundering scheme. In April 2013, a jury found Gunter and Odoni guilty of three counts of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering, as well as nineteen counts of mail and wire fraud, and fourteen counts of money laundering. In July 2013, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida sentenced Gunter to 25 years in federal prison and Odoni to 13 years, 4 months in federal prison.

According to the evidence and testimony presented at trial, from at least July 2004 through at least March 13, 2008, Gunter, Odoni, and others engaged in a sophisticated investment fraud and money laundering scheme in which worthless stock in hijacked dormant, publicly-traded companies in the United States was sold to victim-investors, primarily in the United Kingdom. The scheme used boiler room telemarketers, mostly in Spain, who employed high pressure and misleading sales techniques. The victim-investors wired more than $127 million to Gunter's bank accounts in the Middle District of Florida. The conspirators bilked victim-investors out of another $10 million via a FOREX currency trading scheme, which also utilized the boiler rooms in Spain. Gunter, Odoni, and their co-conspirators used the victim-investors' funds to perpetuate the fraudulent scheme and for their own personal enrichment. Victim-investors' funds were used to buy, among other things, an airplane, two vessels, vehicles, including a Ferrari, and real property in the Caribbean islands, England, and Florida.

On appeal, Gunter argued that the district court should have suppressed certain computer evidence and granted his motion for a mistrial. Odoni argued that the district court had lacked personal jurisdiction over him, that the evidence had been insufficient to convict him, that the district court had erred in denying his motion for a new trial, and that his sentence was unreasonable. The United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit rejected each of these arguments, affirming the district court’s denial of Gunter’s and Odoni’s various motions, finding that the evidence of Odoni’s guilt was “overwhelming,” and concluding that Odoni’s sentence was reasonable. In affirming the denial of Gunter’s suppression motion, the Court found that Gunter had no reasonable expectation of privacy in his computer files when U.S. officials examined them because those files had already been reviewed by British officials during an independent criminal investigation in the United Kingdom.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Tampa, Florida, as well as the U.S. Secret Service, Tampa, Florida and Newark, New Jersey Field Offices. The government also received assistance from several other authorities, including the City of London Police, the UK's Serious Fraud Office and Norfolk Constabulary, the Spanish National Police, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Ontario Securities Commission, and the British Columbia Securities Commission. The case was prosecuted in the district court by Assistant United States Attorneys Rachelle DesVaux Bedke and Kelley Howard-Allen. The appeal was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Linda Julin McNamara and by Trial Attorney Jenny Ellickson of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Criminal Appellate Section.

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge James D. Whittemore has sentenced Nova A. Montgomery to three years in federal prison for tax evasion and failure to file a tax return. The Court also ordered her to serve a three-year term of supervision following her incarceration, pay a $10,000 fine, and pay $338,308 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service for taxes owed during the years of the offenses.

A federal jury found Montgomery guilty on October 10, 2014.

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Montgomery was self-employed as a distributor for a multi-level marketing company that sold nutritional and other products. Between 2002 and 2012, she received commissions and other income exceeding $2.7 million. Montgomery set up a complex corporate structure that made it appear that virtually none of the income she received from the commissions and sales went to her personally. Further, on February 12, 2009, in the midst of an IRS audit, Montgomery filed false and fraudulent federal income tax returns claiming that she had no income for 2002 through 2006. In addition, she failed to file personal income tax returns for 2008 through 2012.

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark E. Bini.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announced today that Charles Eugene Mears (56, Orange Park) has pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography over the Internet. He faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years, up to 20 years, in federal prison and a potential life term of supervision. A sentencing hearing has not yet been set.

According to court documents, a Florida Department of Law Enforcement agent in Jacksonville began an undercover investigation to identify individuals in northeast Florida that had access to and/or were trading images and videos of child pornography over the Internet. The agent identified a computer that was hosting images of child pornography using a peer-to-peer file sharing program, and was able to download several of the files. Further investigation traced the host computer to Mears’s residence.

Agents subsequently executed a federal search warrant at Mears=s residence and seized several computers and other electronic media. Forensic analyses of Mears’s laptop revealed that it contained at least 211 videos depicting child pornography, including at least one video depicting the sexual abuse of a toddler.

This case was investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.

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

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Nicholas Mitko Clark (22, Yulee) has pleaded guilty to transporting child pornography. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years, up to 20 years, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to the plea agreement, in April 2013, Clark used an instant messaging service to chat with an individual in Canada, with whom he exchanged child pornography. During the chat, Clark requested that the individual send him child pornography and advised that he likes children between the ages of and 8 and 13. After receiving an image depicting a young child, Clark responded that he already had that file and requested another one. Clark and the individual proceeded to exchange additional files of child pornography. Through their investigation, law enforcement agents obtained Clark’s cellphone and recovered several additional images of child pornography.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations and the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, with assistance from the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelly S. Karase.

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.