Middle District of Florida
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Former President of Galiano Career Academy Sentenced for Theft of Federal Funds, Obstruction of A Federal Audit, and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
Orlando, FL – U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton today sentenced Michael Gagliano (50, Sanford) to four years in federal prison for theft of government property, obstruction of a federal audit, and aggravated identity theft. As part of his sentence, the court also ordered restitution and entered a money judgment in the amount of $2,105,761.00, the proceeds of the charged criminal conduct. Gagliano pleaded guilty on August 16, 2013.
According to court documents, Galiano Career Academy, Inc. (GCA), located in Altamonte Springs, was a for-profit trade school, offering career programs such as Medical Assistant, Medical Billing and Coding, Pharmacy Technician, Travel Counselor, and Travel and Tourism Specialist. Gagliano was GCA’s President and School Director. GCA was approved by the United States Department of Education (DOE) to administer Federal Student Assistance (FSA) programs, including the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFEL) and the Federal Pell Grant program, which offered assistance to eligible students participating in post-secondary education at eligible institutions. GCA also received financial assistance for job training from Workforce Central Florida (WCF), a permanent placement agency, that helps employers connect with central Florida job seekers.
Gagliano used Columbus Academy, a high school “diploma mill” owned and operated by his wife, to make students eligible for FSA when they otherwise would not have been qualified. The GCA students who “graduated” from Columbus Academy were not eligible to receive the federal funds since these students did not receive a real high school education. From July 2007 through July 2010, 176 ineligible students who were enrolled at GCA, through Columbus Academy, received $1,221,878.00 in Direct Student Loan funds and $715,708.00 in Pell grant funds. Additionally, GCA received federal funds from the United States Department of Labor and WCF for ineligible students who attended GCA. As a result, GCA unlawfully received $168,175.00 in funds for unqualified students.
On July 13, 2009, the DOE Office of Federal Student Aid conducted a program review of GCA. The review was conducted to assess GCA’s administration of the financial aid programs in which it participated. During the program review, Gagliano tampered with student records and placed a recording device in the auditor’s room to secretly monitor their conversations. The investigation also revealed that GCA/Gagliano electronically submitted the name and social security number of a student to the DOE in order to obtain loan funds on the student’s behalf, well after the student stopped attending GCA. Gagliano falsified the student’s attendance records to indicate that she was in attendance at GCA.
This case was investigated by U.S. Department of Education, Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Haas.
Federal Jury Finds Sarasota Convicted Felon Guilty of Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that a federal jury today found Tory Lenard James (32, Sarasota) guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm. James faces a maximum penalty of ten years in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 16, 2014.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, on July 25, 2013, members of the Sarasota Police Department executed a search warrant at James’s residence. Inside the home, law enforcement officers found a loaded .22 caliber pistol.
At the time of the incident, James was a convicted felon. His prior felonies include robbery and multiple drug charges. As a convicted felon, James is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Sarasota Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Carlton C. Gammons and Shauna Hale.
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 Julie Leon, 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 a part of ATF’s Frontline strategy to reduce violent crime and improving the quality of life in communities where law enforcement efforts are focused.
Jacksonville Man Pleads Guilty to Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Sean-Michael Smith (25, Jacksonville) today pleaded guilty to distribution of child pornography. Smith faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years, up to 20 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. Smith was indicted on August 8, 2013.
According to court records, on July 3, 2013, a St. Johns County detective was actively investigating computer users who were distributing child pornography via a peer-to-peer file sharing network over the Internet. On that same date, the detective was able to successfully download three videos depicting minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct from an Internet Protocol (IP) address registered to Sean-Michael Smith. Based on this information, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) obtained a search warrant for Smith’s residence. When the warrant was executed, on August 2, 2013, Smith admitted to previously downloading and viewing child pornography, including one of the videos downloaded by the detective on July 3, 2013. Smith also stated that he had been viewing child pornography for 10 years, and admitted that whenever the file sharing program on his computer was active, any content in the shared folder would be available for downloading by other users on the file sharing network.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Florida Department of Law Enforcement and St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diidri W. Robinson.
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 (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.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Tax Return Preparer Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Stolen Identity Refund Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Richard A. Lazzara today sentenced Kenyon Lamont Williams to 15 years in federal prison for a stolen identity refund fraud conspiracy. As part of his sentence, the court also entered a money judgment in the amount of $1,575,304.49, the proceeds of this tax fraud conspiracy. In addition, the court ordered Williams to pay $1,013,285.00 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.
Williams was found guilty after a jury trial on November 1, 2013.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Williams worked in San Diego, California as a certified tax return preparer. Between 2007 and 2010, he worked for a national company as a part-time seasonal tax preparer. Around the beginning of 2011, Williams opened his own tax preparation service, which he operated out of his residence.
On January 25, 2012, Williams called his friend and fellow tax return preparer, Alesia Spivey, who lived in Tampa. Spivey and Williams discussed the 2012 tax season and Williams's desire to maximize the refund amounts for his clients. During this conversation, Williams solicited information from Spivey regarding methods to increase refunds. Spivey and Carlista Hawls, another co-conspirator, explained to Williams that individuals in Tampa were using a particular interest income scheme to file bogus tax returns with the IRS. Spivey advised Williams on how to fill out the tax returns to employ this interest income scheme. Between January 25 and July 19, 2012, Williams prepared and filed 168 fraudulent tax returns for tax year 2011, using bogus interest income figures provided by Spivey and Hawls. In addition, during this time period, Williams filed several hundred more tax returns from San Diego, employing other fraudulent claims to obtain refunds from the IRS.
On March 2, 2012, Spivey and Hawls flew to San Diego to meet with Williams. During the trip, Williams provided Spivey and Hawls with a list of names, dates of birth, and social security numbers for purposes of preparing and filing fraudulent tax returns in Tampa. Most of the individuals on the list were homeless, unemployed, or incarcerated. Williams also gave Spivey and Hawls a stack of U.S. Navy blood donor records so they could use the identities of servicemen and servicewomen to file bogus tax returns. Spivey and Hawls used the first list to file fraudulent tax returns with the IRS, but Spivey refused to use the list of military personnel because her son was in the U.S. Marine Corp.
Williams was arrested in January 2013, and released on bond with various conditions, including that he could not prepare or file tax returns for any third parties. Within two weeks of his release, Williams began filing tax returns for the 2013 tax season. By April, he had filed 381 tax returns, most of which were fraudulent. Upon discovery, the court revoked Williams’s bond and he remained detained pending trial.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Simon Gaugush and Adam Saltzman.
St. Petersburg Man Sentenced to 8 Years for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Richard A. Lazzara today sentenced Barry Anthony McGill (30) to 8 years in federal prison for possession of child pornography. The court also ordered McGill to forfeit two computers traceable to the offense. McGill pleaded guilty on November 26, 2013.
According to court documents, an undercover agent downloaded multiple files depicting child pornography from McGill, in August 2013. On October 1, 2013, federal agents executed a search warrant at McGill’s residence. During an interview with agents, McGill confessed to downloading images of child pornography and making them available for others via the Internet. Agents also seized McGill’s computers and found that they contained images of child pornography.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the St. Petersburg Police Department, the Largo Police Department, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph W. Swanson.
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 (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.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Computer Networking Expert Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison for Receipt and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Orlando, FL – U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr. sentenced Juan Gonzalez (60, Palm Bay) earlier this week to 8 years in federal prison for receipt and possession of child pornography. As part of his sentence, he was also ordered to serve a 10-year term of supervision, following his incarceration. Gonzalez pleaded guilty on July 8, 2013.
According to court documents, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) began investigating an Internet Protocol (IP) address that was located at a home in Palm Bay, Florida, where images of child pornography were available for download via a peer-to-peer file sharing program. HSI agents then executed a search warrant at the Palm Bay residence. However, after searching the residence and speaking to the home’s occupant, the agents learned that the occupant’s former neighbor, Juan Gonzalez, had been using the occupant’s wireless signal to download and view child pornography, without the occupant’s permission.
Further investigation identified numerous IP addresses, through different Internet service providers, that Gonzalez used to download and view child pornography. Employing his knowledge of computers, Gonzalez used Internet service providers that allowed him to direct his Internet traffic through Virtual Private Network services to obtain IP addresses, which may geo-locate to a different part of the country or the world. On December 13, 2013, agents connected to Gonzalez’s assigned IP address at his new home in Palm Bay and found dozens of files indicative of child pornography. During an interview with agents, Gonzalez admitted to having a large amount of child pornography on his computers. He also stated that he had been viewing child pornography for more than ten years. A forensic analysis of Gonzalez’s computers and electronic equipment revealed 174 movies and more than 1,200 still images of child pornography.
This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph M. Schuster.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 the 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Customer Service Representative Sentenced for Issuing Fraudulently Obtained Florida Driver LicensesRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Charlene Honeywell yesterday sentenced Walter Brown (42, Kissimmee) to 2 years and 1 day in prison and 25 hours of community service for aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to produce fraudulently-obtained driver licenses. Brown pleaded guilty on December 13, 2013.
According to court documents, Brown was a Customer Service Representative in the Office of the Osceola County Tax Collector. Brown’s primary duty was to issue driver licenses and identification cards. Court documents show that, in his capacity, he issued more than 250 Florida Driver Licenses and identification cards to individuals who may not have been legally entitled to the documents. In some instances, Brown issued fraudulent driver licenses and identification cards in multiple identities, to the same person. For each fraudulently-issued piece of identification, Brown made an estimated $300 - $700.
The Osceola County Tax Collector’s Office reported Brown to law enforcement after internal controls revealed suspicious activity involving his issuance of Florida State Driver Licenses and identification cards. The Tax Collector’s Office cooperated fully in the investigation and Brown was terminated from his employment.
"Identity and document fraud poses a significant threat to our country's national security. This individual fraudulently issued identity documents to hundreds of individuals with no regard for the people whose identities were compromised," said Susan McCormick, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations Tampa, which oversees the agency's Orlando office that conducted this investigation. "Thanks to cooperation from the Osceola County Tax Collector's Office, we were able to dismantle this scheme."
This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Department of State‘s Bureau of Diplomatic Security Services, and the Florida Highway Patrol’s Bureau of Criminal Investigations and Intelligence. It was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Myrna Amelia Mesa.
Tampa Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possessing Destructive ExplosivesRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Kovachevich today sentenced James Lee Minyard (42, Tampa) to 30 months in federal prison for possessing destructive explosives. Minyard pleaded guilty on December 12, 2013.
He was originally indicted on August 14, 2013.
According to court documents, pursuant to a search of Minyard’s residence, law enforcement found multiple explosive devices and chemicals commonly used for explosive devices, including a powerful and destructive explosive named Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP). The search also uncovered a homemade remote control used to detonate explosive devices. During an interview with law enforcement, Minyard admitted to knowingly possessing these explosive devices and to manufacturing TATP. Three of the explosive devices found were firearms (destructive devices) that contained TATP, and were designed to be used as weapons.
This case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Tampa Police Department, with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer L. Peresie.
This case is also a part of ATF’s Frontline strategy - a comprehensive violent crime impact strategy that consolidates limited federal law enforcement resources and focuses ATF’s mission by deconflicting cases and coordinating all law enforcement efforts in critical communities.
More Than $10 Million to Be Returned to Victims of Traders International Return Network FraudRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that the U.S. Department of Justice has authorized the return of $10,129,254.56 to victims of the Traders International Return Network (TIRN) fraud. Operators of TIRN deceived investors by making claims that investments in TIRN, as advertised on www.MyTirn.com, would yield exceptionally high returns not achievable anywhere in the legitimate business world. These claims were made via the Internet and at business opportunity meetings. Specifically, investors were told they could receive between 9% and 22% in returns on their investment, per month. While TIRN advertised on its website that investments were made in the FOREX market, the buying and selling of commodities, the purchase of gold mines in Africa, and the buying and selling of real estate, such investments were not actually made on behalf of TIRN's investors.
TIRN investors were not actually told where their money was being invested. TIRN's website merely indicated that it “pool[ed] investor funds” for the investments and that "professional money managers" managed such investments. However, federal law requires that entities or individuals be licensed and registered in order to serve as a pool operator for the purpose of purchasing commodities. Neither TIRN nor any of its operators held any type of investment license with the National Futures Association or the Commodities and Futures Trading Commission.
In total, TIRN collected more than $15 million from more than 500 investors (both domestic and international). TIRN’s operators misappropriated some of those investors' funds for their own personal benefit. They used the money to purchase vehicles, buy homes, pay off home mortgages, and also sent money to accounts that they controlled both in the United States and overseas.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office completed the criminal forfeiture against more than $10 million worth of assets obtained through the TIRN fraud. Three individuals were prosecuted for their roles in this scheme. David Merrick, Japheth Paramanandam, and Nathan Betances all received prison sentences (8 years, 5 years and 5 years, respectively) as a result of their roles in the fraud.
“The enforcement of asset forfeiture laws is an integral part of our law enforcement mission,” said U.S. Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III. “By recovering the ill-gotten gains of criminals, and returning them to victims, we hope to send a clear message to the public – that we will use every tool available to disrupt and dismantle criminal activities, and take the profit out of crime.”
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service. The forfeitures were handled by Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Andrejko.
Victims of this scheme were notified throughout the criminal process, and as a result, had an opportunity to share in the forfeiture proceeds. Official decisions and remission distributions have already occurred. The Department of Justice is no longer accepting petitions for remission.
Jacksonville Man Indicted by Federal Grand Jury for Receiving Child Pornography over the InternetRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Shaun Andrew Copenhaver (28, Jacksonville) was indicted by a federal grand jury yesterday on three counts of receiving child pornography over the Internet. He faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years, up to 20 years in federal prison on each of the three counts. Copenhaver was arrested pursuant to a criminal complaint on February 6, 2014. On February 10, 2014, he was ordered detained pending the resolution of the case. His arraignment is scheduled for February 19, 2014, at 2:00 p.m., before United States Magistrate Judge Monte C. Richardson.
According to the criminal complaint, on February 6, 2014, agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office executed a federal search warrant at Copenhaver's residence, after conducting an undercover online investigation. Copenhaver was at the residence and was interviewed by agents. During the interview, Copenhaver indicated that he used a particular file sharing program and certain search terms to search for and download child pornography videos “many times,” and that he had saved child pornography to his hard drive on his desktop computer. He stated that the hard drive was encrypted with a password, and that he knew child pornography would be discovered on the drive. An onsite examination of one of Copenhaver's computer disk drives revealed that it contained 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 until, and unless, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. 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 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.usdoj.gov/psc.
Woman Pleads Guilty to Bank Robbery Spree in Marion and Pinellas CountiesRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Renita Mount Rayner (53, St. Petersburg) today pleaded guilty to three counts of robbery of a federally-insured financial institution, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. She faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled. Rayner was indicted on December 18, 2013.
According to facts presented at the hearing today, Rayner entered an Ocala branch of Alarion Bank, on November 12, 2013, and handed a teller a note that read, “Have gun. Will use it. Give me all the money.” Rayner then opened her purse and pointed to a handgun that was inside. After obtaining $1,940, Rayner dropped her demand note after a brief struggle with the teller. Rayner then fled the bank in a red Honda automobile.
Detectives subsequently identified Rayner’s thumbprint on the recovered demand note. They also confirmed that Rayner’s car matched the description of the getaway vehicle. Days after the robbery, Rayner was arrested on unrelated charges in the Tampa area. At the time of her arrest, she had $1,602 in cash still inside of her purse.
Subsequent investigation showed that Rayner had committed at least two other robberies in the previous three months. On August 7, 2013, she had walked into a Grow Financial Credit Union branch in St. Petersburg. During that robbery, Rayner produced a note that read, “Give me all your money, do not give a dye pack.” After obtaining $3,348, Rayner fled the credit union in the same red getaway car. When surveillance images of the robbery were released to the media, however, one of Rayner’s long-time friends recognized her as the robber and contacted authorities.
On September 5, 2013, Rayner also robbed a Dunedin branch of BB&T bank. In that incident, she handed a note to a bank employee that read, “Give me all your money, I have a gun and I am not afraid to use it.” After taking $2,740, Rayner fled the bank and threw away a wig and sunglasses that she had used as a disguise during the robbery. Investigators ultimately recovered the demand note and the disguise in a nearby trash can. One of Rayner’s fingerprints was located on a lens of the sunglasses. Her DNA was later confirmed on the discarded wig.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, City of St. Petersburg Police Department, and the State Attorney’s Offices for Marion and Pinellas Counties. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Bodnar, Jr.
Michigan Man Indicted for Embezzling More Than $2.3 Million from Vineyards Development Corp. in NaplesRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida –United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Alfred W. Lenz (68, Montague, Michigan) with three counts of wire fraud. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count. The indictment also notifies Lenz that the United States intends to forfeit a house in Montague, Michigan, and the contents of a Charles Schwab Retirement Account, which are alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offenses. In addition, the United States is seeking a money judgment in the amount of $2,380,465.11, the proceeds of the wire fraud scheme.
According to the indictment, Lenz was the Controller for the Vineyards Development Corporation (VDC) in Naples, Florida, from March 31, 2005 until April 27, 2012. Between January 11, 2007 and December 9, 2010, while employed as VDC Controller, Lenz allegedly embezzled $2,380,465.11 from VDC. He used the money to buy real estate and for other personal expenses. Lenz used his position to hide eighty-seven $24,000 check payments, totaling $2,088,000, to an account which he controlled. Lenz made false entries in the VDC books and concealed the true nature of these check payments. He also caused seven wire transfers, totaling $292,465.11, to be sent from VDC’s bank account, into a bank account that he controlled.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, Economic Crimes Unit, with assistance from the Office of the State Attorney, Twentieth Judicial Circuit. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David G. Lazarus.
(Download Factual Basis )
Tampa Felon Convicted of Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that a federal jury yesterday found Antouin L. Barker (43) guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Barker faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment, up to a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. His sentencing hearing is scheduled on May 15, 2014. Barker was indicted on May 1, 2013.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, on February 12, 2013, after sunset, Barker was riding his bicycle against traffic and without lighting equipment on 127th Avenue East, in Tampa. When stopped by members of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office for the traffic infractions, Barker repeatedly put his hands in his pockets, despite repeated warnings not to do so. Barker verbally consented to a search, but ultimately put his hands back in his pockets and turned away from the deputies. Fearing for their safety, deputies removed Barker’s hands from his pockets, and patted him down. During the search, a small .22 caliber revolver was found in Barker’s right front shorts’ pocket. The gun was loaded with one live round, and four spent bullets.
At the time of the incident, Barker was a previously convicted felon. His prior felonies include drug charges, aggravated battery, grand theft, and burglary. As a previously convicted felon, Barker is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.> This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark E. Bini.
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 Julie Leon, 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 a part of ATF’s Frontline strategy to reduce violent crime and improving the quality of life in communities where law enforcement efforts are focused.
Orlando Man Pleads Guilty to Impersonating A DEA Agent and Unlawful Possession of A FirearmRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that William Benjamin Mejias (41, Orlando) today pleaded guilty to impersonating a Drug Enforcement Administration agent and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Mejias faces a maximum penalty of thirteen years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to the plea agreement and court documents, Mejias appeared at nightclubs in Orlando dressed in clothes that identified him as an agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Mejias wore authentic-looking DEA badges, carried a firearm and reportedly told several people that he was a DEA agent. He also posted photos of himself on social media websites wearing DEA clothes, a DEA badge, and a firearm. In September 2013, local police officers conducted a traffic stop on Mejias and he displayed a DEA badge and credentials to get out of the ticket. During a later search of Mejias’s residence, agents found a loaded semi-automatic firearm.
Mejias was convicted of three separate felony burglaries in 1994, 1995, and 1996, and was therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bruce S. Ambrose.
Middleburg Man Pleads Guilty to Making False Statements to the FAA and Illegally Piloting an AircraftRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Reginald Wayne Sibley, Jr. (39, Middleburg) today pleaded guilty to making false statements and representations to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and illegally piloting an aircraft in air transportation. Sibley faces a maximum penalty of eight years in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 12, 2014.
According to the plea agreement, Sibley was certified by the FAA to serve as a pilot in command of Lear Jet aircraft only. As part of the FAA certification process, Sibley was required to undergo annual medical examinations to determine his medical fitness as a pilot. On June 1, 2009, Sibley stated on his FAA airmen medical certificate application form that he did not have a criminal history, when in fact, he had at least three criminal convictions. An investigation also revealed that, on October 8, 2009, Sibley was the pilot in command of a Gulfstream aircraft that departed from the Orlando Executive Airport and landed at an airport in California. After landing, Sibley claimed, to an FAA representative, that he was “rated” to fly the Gulfstream aircraft that he was piloting. The FAA informed Sibley that it had no record of his “rating” for this kind of aircraft and recommended that Sibley not continue to fly the aircraft to his next destination. Sibley disregarded the FAA and proceeded to board passengers onto the aircraft and fly to another location, in California. The investigation confirmed that Sibley was not authorized or “rated” to fly the Gulfstream aircraft, which he operated on October 8, 2013.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew C. Searle.
(Download Factual Basis )
Lakeland Man Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking and Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida– United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Michael Gallon (48, Lakeland) pleaded guilty last week to sex trafficking of a minor by force, fraud or coercion and distribution of child pornography. He faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
According to the plea agreement, Gallon was a “pimp” who was operating in the state of Florida and southeastern United States. He recruited adult and minor aged females to join his “dance team.” Gallon then transported the females to bachelor parties and house parties that he arranged. The females danced and performed acts of prostitution at the parties. Gallon set up “VIP” rooms at each of the parties, where he would encourage the females to engage in commercial sex acts. Gallon charged the women to use the “VIP” rooms; he also kept most of the money the women earned. Law enforcement has identified at least twelve minor-aged victims of Gallon’s crime.
This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Lakeland Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacie B. Harris.
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 (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.projectsafechildhood.gov.
St. Augustine Sex Offender Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for International Transportation of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States District Judge Marcia Morales Howard today sentenced Charles Lee Gorish (67, St. Augustine) to 15 years in federal prison for transporting images and videos of child pornography from Florida to Canada. He was also ordered to serve a 10-year term of supervision, following his incarceration, and to register as a sex offender. Gorish pleaded guilty on October 23, 2013. He has been in custody since his arrest in St. Augustine, on September 7, 2012.
According to court documents, Gorish used a fake name to send a package, via FedEx from St. Augustine, to an individual in Ontario, Canada. The package was intercepted by Canadian law enforcement officers. It contained, among other things, two micro SD media cards containing more than 600 images and videos depicting child pornography, and thousands of images of child erotica. Canadian officials notified the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office (SJCSO), the Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations regarding the seizure of this package. Further investigation revealed that Gorish is a registered sex offender. He was convicted in Hillsborough County, Florida on February 24, 1992 of three counts of lewd and lascivious conduct on a minor child.
On September 7, 2012, FBI agents and SJCSO personnel executed a federal search warrant at Gorish's residence in St. Augustine. During an interview, Gorish admitted that he downloaded the files depicting the sexually explicit images of young boys on the SD cards from the Internet, over a period of years. Gorish was subsequently arrested.
This case was investigated by the Canadian Border Services Agency, Ottawa Police Services, the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.
It is another 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.usdoj.gov/psc.
Bradenton Felon Charged in Firearm and Drug CrimesRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Brandon Taylor (24, Bradenton). The five-count indictment charges Taylor with two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and three counts of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine base. If convicted, Taylor faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison for each narcotics offense and up to 10 years’ imprisonment for each firearms offense. The indictment also notifies Taylor that the United States intends to forfeit the firearms and ammunition, along with any narcotics proceeds traceable to the offenses.
According to his indictment, Taylor distributed cocaine base on August 16, 2013, August 23, 2013, and September 9, 2013. He is also charged with possessing an Armscor .45 caliber pistol and 8 rounds of.45 caliber ammunition on August 23, 2013, and 11 rounds of .45 caliber ammunition on September 9, 2013.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was jointly investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam M. Saltzman.
It 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 Julie Leon, 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.
This case is also a part of ATF’s Frontline Strategy to reduce crime in our communities. Frontline is a comprehensive violent crime impact strategy that consolidates limited federal law enforcement resources and focuses ATF’s mission by deconflicting cases and coordinating all law enforcement efforts in critical communities.
Hillsborough County Man Charged in Federal Court for Transportation and Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL –United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the return by a grand jury of an indictment charging Jonathan Newhall (28, Brandon) with transportation and receipt of child pornography. If convicted, Newhall faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years, up to a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count.
According to the indictment, between May 2013 and January 2014, Newhall transported and received child pornography over the Internet. On January 10, 2014, a federal search warrant was executed at Newhall’s residence. Numerous images and videos of child pornography were found in his e-mail account, on his iPhone, and on his computer.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, and the Tampa Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer L. Peresie.
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 the 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Apopka Man Convicted of Armed Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
Orlando, FL – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that a federal jury today found Dale Matthews Clar (46, Apopka) guilty of two counts of bank robbery with assault and two counts of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Clar faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in federal prison for the bank robbery convictions, followed by a mandatory minimum consecutive penalty of 32 years’ imprisonment on the firearms offenses. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 28, 2013.
Clar was indicted on September 25, 2013.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, on January 4, 2013, April 3, 2013, and September 6, 2013, Clar robbed the Chase Bank in Apopka, at gunpoint. He stole a total of approximately $18,000 during the three robberies. During each robbery, Clar rushed into the bank wearing a full ski mask. He pointed his gun at bank employees and customers and demanded cash from the tellers. When Clar fled the bank, he covered his license plate to avoid being caught.
On September 6, 2013, he covered his license plate with a temporary registration tag associated with his vehicle. He also attempted to further avoid suspicion, by placing a Domino’s Pizza delivery sign on the top of his car. Police located Clar and arrested him near his home. A subsequent search of Clar’s vehicle revealed Clar’s disguise, a Glock 9mm handgun, and thousands of dollars in cash that he had just stolen from the bank.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Apopka Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph M. Schuster.
Leader of Colombian Drug Trafficking Organization Pleads Guilty to Cocaine Importation ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Jose Samir Renteria-Cuero, a/k/a Jose Morfi (51, Cali, Colombia, South America) today pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to distribute five (5) kilograms or more of cocaine, on board a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. Renteria-Cuero faces a mandatory minimum penalty of ten years in federal prison, up to a maximum term of life imprisonment.
According to the plea agreement, Renteria-Cuero was involved in maritime cocaine smuggling operations from the 1980s until at least 2009. He started out as a mechanic, servicing go-fast vessels (GFVs) and participating in GFV smuggling operations. Eventually, he acquired GFVs and self-propelled semi-submersible (SPSS) vessels and recruited mariners to participate in maritime cocaine smuggling operations. Renteria-Cuero worked with others to transport and store cocaine in Colombia, construct and repair GFVs and SPSS vessels, and dispatched those stateless vessels from Colombia. Renteria-Cuero provided maritime cocaine transportation services aboard stateless vessels that were used to smuggle cocaine from Colombia to Mexico, via the Pacific Ocean, in international waters, knowing and intending that the cocaine would ultimately be imported unlawfully into the United States. Many of these ventures involved at least 1,000 kilograms of cocaine.
Renteria-Cuero was arrested in Cali, Colombia in March 2012, and subsequently extradited to the United States, first arriving at a place in the Middle District of Florida.
This case was investigated by the Panama Express South Strike Force, a standing Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation comprised of agents and analysts from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Coast Guard Investigative Service, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and U.S. Southern Command's Joint Interagency Task Force South. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s drug supply. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher F. Murray.
Kissimmee Man Pleads Guilty to over $1 Million in Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Walter Medlin (70, Kissimmee) pleaded guilty today to tax evasion. He faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison. His sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.
Medlin was charged on November 10, 2013.
According to court documents, Medlin received more than $7.5 million in income from the sale of an interest in a landfill. Rather than report that income on his tax return, he attempted to evade his taxes by using several limited partnerships to conduct transactions for his benefit. As the result of a prior United States Tax Court ruling, Medlin knew that he could not use nominees, such as the limited partnerships, to evade his taxes in this manner. To further conceal the offense, Medlin failed to file a tax return, but submitted requests for extensions in which he falsely represented that he did not owe any taxes. The total amount of the attempted tax evasion was over $1.1 million. As part of his plea agreement, Medlin has agreed to file his tax return and pay his taxes, including penalties, and interest.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service -- Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg.
Jacksonville Man Charged in Tax Return FraudRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the arrest and return by a grand jury of a thirty-five-count indictment charging Thomas Bandzul with tax fraud. Specifically, Bandzul is charged with nineteen counts of assisting in preparing a false tax return, thirteen counts of wire fraud, two counts of filing a false tax return and one count of aggravated identity theft. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 3 years in federal prison for each count of assisting in preparing a false tax return and each count of filing a false return. On each wire fraud count he faces up to twenty years in federal prison. He also faces two years in prison for the aggravated identity theft charge, to be served consecutive to the wire fraud sentence. The indictment also notifies Bandzul that the United States intends to forfeit any assets, which are alleged to be traceable proceeds of the offenses. Bandzul made his initial appearance before United States Magistrate Judge Joel B. Toomey this afternoon. He was released on a $25,000 bond.
According to the indictment, between January 2008 and May 2011, Bandzul was a tax return preparer in Duval and St. Johns counties. As such, he allegedly knowingly and willfully made false claims for deductions and credits on behalf of his clients, which resulted in additional IRS tax refunds. The indictment alleges that, as part of a scheme, Bandzul would prepare and furnish one tax return to his taxpayer client, but then would make false and fraudulent claims on separate tax returns that he actually filed electronically with the IRS. By prearrangement, Bandzul was to be paid a specified fee by his clients out of the anticipated IRS refunds. Bandzul allegedly caused the additional higher tax refunds to be paid to him, through a bank clearinghouse, as additional tax preparation fees, without his clients’ knowledge or consent. In order to avoid detection by the IRS, Bandzul allegedly used various identities beside his own to electronically file tax returns. The tax loss from this scheme is alleged to be in excess of $100,000.
Additionally, the indictment alleges that Bandzul committed tax fraud on his individual tax returns by claiming a total income of $14,945 on his amended 2008 tax return, when he was paid $208,967 in fees, and by claiming $9,536 in total income on his 2009 tax return when he was paid $335,452 in fees. Finally, according to the indictment, Bandzul committed aggravated identity theft by using a client’s name and Social Security Number to electronically file a fraudulent tax return as a tax return preparer and commit wire fraud.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dale R. Campion.
Baker County Man Sentenced to 32 Months in Federal Prison for Failing to Register as Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard today sentenced Ray Charles Gasaway (48, Glen St. Mary) to 32 months in federal prison for failing to register as a sex offender in the state of Florida after relocating from the state of Tennessee. Gasaway was also ordered to serve a 10-year term of supervised release and to register as a sex offender. Gasaway pleaded guilty on October 21, 2013, and has been in custody since his arrest on May 1, 2013, in Glen St. Mary.
According to court documents, on March 12, 1996, Gasaway was convicted of committing sexual battery and rape in Davidson County, Tennessee. Subsequent to his conviction, between June 2012 and May 2013, he relocated from Tennessee and established a residence in Florida. On May 1, 2013, an officer with the Baker County Sheriff=s Office responded to a residence in Glen St. Mary, in response to an anonymous tip that an unregistered male sexual offender named “Ray” was living at that residence. The officer made contact with Gasaway, who falsely identified himself as "Ray Galloway." Gasaway subsequently admitted that his real name was Ray Charles Gasaway, and that he had moved to Baker County from Tennessee about a year ago, and had not registered as a sexual offender in Florida. Gasaway was arrested. Records checks confirmed that Gasaway had failed to register as a sex offender with Florida authorities.
The Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act is part of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006. The Adam Walsh Act also provides for the use of federal law enforcement resources, including the U.S. Marshals Service, to assist the states in locating and apprehending non-compliant sex offenders. This case was investigated by the Baker County Sheriff’s Office, the United States Marshals Service, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It was 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 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.usdoj.gov/psc for more information about internet safety education.
Mother and Son Sentenced in Celebrity Credit Card Account Takeover SchemeRead the Press Release
Orlando, FL – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that U.S. District Judge John Antoon, II yesterday sentenced Luis Flores, Jr. (19, Lake Mary) to three and a half years in federal prison for credit card fraud and aggravated identity theft. The court also ordered Flores to forfeit computers, electronic equipment, and cellular telephones, which were traceable to and facilitated the offenses of conviction. As part of his sentence, the court also entered a money judgment in the amount of $16,082, the proceeds of the charged criminal conduct. Flores pleaded guilty on October 23, 2013. Flores’ mother, Kyah Green (41), was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to make restitution in the amount of $16,082. Green lied to federal agents to cover up the fraud committed by Flores. She pleaded guilty on October 22, 2013.
According to court documents, in March 2013, Flores was terminated from his job at a call center for diverting a co-worker’s electronically deposited paycheck to a bank account controlled by Flores. Immediately after his termination, Flores began a scheme to take over the credit card accounts of celebrities. He was successful in obtaining $71,251.99 in fraudulent wire transfers from those accounts into a bank account controlled by him. From March 2013 through at least July 2013, these account takeovers by Flores resulted in numerous credit cards being delivered to Flores’ and Green’s house in the names of other persons.
In late March 2013, Flores was arrested on state charges for electronically diverting his co-worker’s paycheck. On May 19, 2013, Flores made bail on the state charge and immediately restarted his attempts to take over the credit card accounts of celebrities and, later, law enforcement officials.
In June 2013, federal agents executed a search warrant at the home of Flores and Green. During the execution of the search warrant, Green lied to agents and denied any knowledge of Flores’ bank account, in which Flores received the $71,251.99 in fraudulent wire transfers. In fact, while Flores was still in jail on his state charges, Green had used that bank account to make purchases and ATM withdrawals totaling about $16,082, including thousands of dollars of electronic equipment, designer merchandise, and other consumer goods.
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel C. Irick.
Fort Myers Man Charged with Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the filing of a criminal complaint charging Kevin Charles Kaszynski (48, Fort Myers) with possession of child pornography. If convicted, Kaszynski faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.
According to the criminal complaint, from on or about April 2009 through June 2012, Kaszynski possessed child pornography. While going through boxes that had been stored in a leased storage unit, Kaszynski’s wife found a computer hard drive among other items belonging to her husband. On August 27, 2013, Kaszynski’s wife accessed the hard drive and opened a file which 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 external hard drive. A forensic analysis of the external drive revealed more than 7,000 images and more than 400 videos depicting child pornography.
A criminal complaint is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with assistance from the Fort Myers Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Yolande G. Viacava.
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 (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.projectsafechildhood.gov.Fort Myers Couple Pleads Guilty to Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that North Fort Myers residents Alan Robert Johnson (35) and Jennifer A. Sparks (39) pleaded guilty earlier this week to production of child pornography. Johnson faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 25 years, up to a maximum penalty of 50 years in federal prison. Sparks faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years, up to a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
According to the plea agreement, on or about May 12, 2012, in Lee County, Johnson and his girlfriend Jennifer Sparks knowingly used a 4 year-old girl to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing child pornography. On June 4, 2012, a private citizen turned the cellular telephone that Johnson and Sparks had used to produce the child pornography over law enforcement. The cell phone had been found in a shopping cart at a Lee County Wal-Mart, on or about June 2, 2012.
Further investigation revealed that Johnson was a registered sex offender. A subsequent search warrant was obtained for his residence, and another cellular phone was located in the bedroom shared by Sparks and Johnson. That cellular phone also contained sexually explicit images of the minor.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes the Cape Coral Police Department and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Yolande G. Viacava.
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 (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.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Apopka Man Sentenced to 7 Years in Federal Prison for $3 Million FraudRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – Senior U.S. District Judge Gregory A. Presnell sentenced Salvatore Ciccarello, Jr. (31, Apopka) to 7 years in federal prison for wire fraud. Ciccarello was also ordered to serve 3 years of supervised release and to pay more than $3 million in restitution to his victims.
On October 10, 2013, Ciccarello was convicted by a federal jury of 15 counts of wire fraud.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Ciccarello’s companies (Workalition, Inc. and Workalition of America, LLC) entered into a “factoring” arrangement with AGR Advisors, Inc. "Factoring" is a financial transaction by which a business sells its invoices to a third party (called a factor) at a discount. The factor provides financing to the seller of the invoice in the form of a cash advance, often 70% to 85% of the amount of the invoice. Once an invoice has been factored, the business will arrange to have the client pay the factor directly.
From May 2011 until December 2011, Ciccarello submitted a series of factoring invoices falsely representing that Ciccarello’s companies were owed millions of dollars for providing temporary and permanent staffing for several businesses. In fact, Ciccarello’s companies were not owed that money, and many of the employees identified on the invoices were fictitious. To deceive AGR into funding the invoices, Ciccarello forged documents and directed his employees to keep a second set of books, to forge documents, and to prepare invoices that included the fictitious employees. As a result of his scheme, Ciccarello defrauded AGR out of more than $3 million.
Further, in August 2012, Ciccarello signed an agreement with TS Staffing, by which that company agreed to fund four Workalition payrolls. After those payrolls were funded, Ciccarello was supposed to begin paying back some of what he owed. Instead, he sent emails whereby he represented that he had deposited checks into TS Staffing’s account. In response, TS Staffing released more money, only to learn later that Ciccarello had actually put a stop payment on the checks. Ciccarello was able to defraud TS Staffing out of $106,000 through this scheme.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg.
Plant City Woman Sentenced to Prison for Tax FraudRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida - U.S. District Judge Susan C. Bucklew today sentenced Jennifer Meier Hunt to 2 years and 6 months in federal prison for committing stolen identity refund fraud. As part of her sentence, the court also entered a forfeiture money judgment in the amount of $97,238.00, representing the proceeds of the tax fraud.
Hunt pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government property and one count of aggravated identity theft on June 25, 2013.
According to court documents, in April 2011, a confidential informant told agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that certain employees of a Tampa based professional staffing company were filing fraudulent income tax returns using TurboTax.com. Three individuals involved in the conspiracy were then identified by agents, supervisors of the staffing company, and Turbo Tax. On May 19, 2011, federal search warrants were executed at the residences of these three individuals. The investigation subsequently revealed that between February 2, 2011, and May 2, 2011, Hunt used stolen identities to electronically file 75 fraudulent federal income tax returns in order to obtain refunds to which she was not entitled. The value of the refunds that would have resulted from the filed returns totaled approximately $187,687. Although some of the returns were rejected by the Internal Revenue Service, 47 of the fraudulent returns were accepted, resulting in the issuance of $97,238 in tax refunds to debit cards under the control of Hunt. None of the victims of the fraudulently-filed tax returns, which included a number of deceased individuals, had authorized Hunt to open or use a debit card in their name. Neither had anyone authorized the conspirators to file a tax return on his or her behalf.
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney and Senior Litigation Counsel Donald L. Hansen.
Lakeland Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Trafficking in MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge James D. Whittemore yesterday sentenced Ricky Muoio (45) to 20 years in federal prison for distribution of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Muoio was found guilty by a jury on November 6, 2013.
According to court documents, and testimony and evidence presented at trial, on April 11, 2013, a confidential source (CS) working with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) purchased two ounces of methamphetamine for $3,000 from Muoio, at his residence in Lakeland. On April 24, 2013, DEA agents executed a federal search warrant at the residence. In one of the bedrooms, they found and seized a total of approximately 1.5 ounces of methamphetamine, $3,500 in cash and a digital scale.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kathy J.M. Peluso.
Lake County Man Convicted of Federal Firearms OffenseRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that a federal jury yesterday found Lucien Frank Sobolewski (44, Eustis) guilty of possession of a firearm and ammunition by an unlawful user of a controlled substance (marijuana). Sobolewski faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. His sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled. Sobolewski was indicted on March 20, 2013.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, U.S. Forestry officers stopped Sobolewski in the Ocala National Forest on February 6, 2013, for failure to wear a seatbelt. Sobolewski admitted to the officers that he had a .50 caliber handgun and marijuana inside of his truck. Even though Sobolewski was not a law enforcement officer, a search revealed a replica Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) badge mounted inside his wallet. Further investigation revealed that Sobolewski had engaged in a pattern of marijuana use since he was 19 years old. Though Sobolewski had a Florida concealed weapons permit for the firearm, his pattern of marijuana use prohibited him from possessing either firearms or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Forestry Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Bodnar, Jr.
This case is involves ATF’s Frontline model - a three-pronged approach to violent crime reduction through community involvement, criminal enforcement, and sustainable prevention.
Federal Jury Convicts Merritt Island Felon for Possessing A FirearmRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that a federal jury yesterday found Jason Lydell Orr (35, Merritt Island) guilty of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Based on his prior felony convictions, Orr faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years, up to life in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 14, 2014, before Senior U.S. District Judge Gregory A. Presnell. Orr was indicted on September 25, 2013.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, on April 21, 2013, deputies from the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office responded to a neighborhood in Merritt Island after residents reported hearing multiple gun shots. After canvassing the neighborhood and speaking to a 911 caller, deputies observed spent shell casings in the bed of a pickup truck parked in front of Orr’s residence. Deputies knocked on Orr’s front door and Orr eventually came to the door. Further investigation revealed that Orr possessed a loaded Israeli Weapon Industries, model Desert Eagle, .40 caliber pistol inside a Chevy Caprice Classic parked in front of his home. A crime scene technician collected DNA evidence from the firearm. Laboratory analysis confirmed that Orr’s DNA was present on the firearm.
At the time, Orr had at least three prior felony convictions for serious drug offenses and violent felonies. As such, he was not permitted to possess a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew C. Searle.
It 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 Julie Leon, 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.
This case is also a part of ATF’s Frontline strategy to reduce violent crime and improve the quality of life in communities, where law enforcement efforts are focused.
Daytona Beach Tax Preparer Convicted of Tax OffensesRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that a federal jury today found Fane Dacosta (40, Daytona Beach) guilty of twenty-five counts of aiding in the preparation of false tax returns, and three counts of failure to file his personal tax returns. Dacosta faces a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment for each count of aiding in the preparation of false tax returns, and one year in federal prison for each count of failing to file a personal tax return. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 24, 2014.
Dacosta was indicted on April 11, 2013.
According to evidence presented at trial, Dacosta was the owner of a tax return business (More Than Enaf Refund & Affordable Tax Services) in Holly Hill. For the tax years of 2006 through 2009, Dacosta prepared returns for individuals in which he falsified the amounts of deductions and tax credits owed to taxpayers, resulting in those taxpayers receiving undeserved tax refunds. In particular, Dacosta fraudulently claimed education credits for clients who never attended college, and he inflated itemized deductions. In response to the false returns that Dacosta prepared, the Internal Revenue Service issued over $500,000 in undeserved refunds. In addition, Dacosta failed to file his personal tax returns in 2007, 2008, and 2009, despite earning over $100,000, $200,000, and $300,000 in each of those years, respectively.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service -- Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg.
U.S. Postal Service Route Driver Pleads Guilty to Stealing MailRead the Press Release
Orlando, FL – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Carlos M. Rodriguez (25, Apopka) yesterday pleaded guilty to theft of the United States mail. Rodriguez faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to court documents, beginning in October 2013, and continuing until his arrest on November 20, 2013, Rodriguez, who was employed as a contract highway route driver in Central Florida, opened letters and packages entrusted to him for delivery, and often stole or discarded the contents of that mail. During an undercover operation investigating his thefts, Rodriguez failed to properly deliver a parcel placed in the mail, and was approached by agents. During an interview with agents, Rodriguez admitted that he stole mail while driving his route. He further admitted to stealing numerous items and throwing away items that he did not want, after opening the parcels. The items kept by Rodriguez included a laptop computer, a tablet, sunglasses, clothing, food, and alcohol. He also admitted to stealing gift cards, some of which he had on his person at the time. In a written statement, Rodriguez voluntarily said, in part, “The reason I did what I did was to make some extra money and see if I can get some good stuff.”
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel C. Irick.
Jacksonville Restaurant Owner Fined $10,000 for Pattern of Hiring Illegal AliensRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. Magistrate Judge Joel B. Toomey today sentenced Juan Carlos Angel (35) to pay a $10,000 fine for engaging in a pattern of hiring illegal aliens. Angel is the owner of Peppers 5 Mexican Restaurant, on Atlantic Boulevard and other locations, in Jacksonville.
Angel pleaded guilty to the offenses on October 30, 2013.
According to court documents, in June 2013, four employees of the Jacksonville restaurant had been arrested for document fraud following a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) audit of the restaurant’s Form I-9s, or employment eligibility verification forms. After records checks were completed, it was determined that between in or around March 2011 through in and around March 2012, Angel hired employees that were citizens of other countries and were in the United States illegally. Thereafter, Angel was interviewed and admitted to knowingly hiring five illegal aliens not authorized to work in the United States, during those periods.
This case was investigated by the Jacksonville Office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dale Campion.
(Download Factual Basis )
Four Individuals Indicted for Drug Trafficking on the High SeasRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida - U.S. Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announced today that a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Linberto Gallardo-Gonzalez (42); Uriel Julio Tapia (35); Miguel Vasquez-Barrios (37), all of Colombia, South America; and Miguel Angel Sori-Ortiz (41, Dominican Republic), with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, while on board a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States; and aiding and abetting each other and other persons to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, while on board a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. Each faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years, up to a maximum penalty of life in federal prison for each count.
On January 22, 2014, Gallardo-Gonzalez, Tapia, Vasquez-Barrios, and Sori-Ortiz were detained during the interdiction of a go-fast boat traveling at a high rate of speed and carrying 2,500 pounds of cocaine, worth an estimated $37 million wholesale value. The cocaine was seized in a historic multi-national counterdrug operation south of the Dominican Republic. This interdiction marks the first time a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Law Enforcement Detachment Team (LEDET) and helicopter embarked on board a foreign flagged military vessel in support of counterdrug operations. The USCG LEDET team and helicopter were operating aboard the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Wave Knight. The Coast Guard helicopter launched from the RFA Wave Knight when the 25-foot go-fast boat was detected with four individuals and suspicious packages on board, traveling at a high rate of speed. The helicopter crew arrived on scene and attempted to signal the go-fast boat in an effort to stop it. Ultimately, the crew resorted to firing disabling shots to stop the vessel’s engine. During the pursuit, the four individuals on board were observed jettisoning multiple packages overboard. After the vessel was stopped, a USCG LEDET team arrived at the scene and detained the four individuals aboard the boat and retrieved 45 bales of cocaine from the debris field, where the packages had been thrown overboard.
The four crewman detained on the go-fast vessel were brought to Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division for prosecution. They appeared before a United States Magistrate Judge to be advised of the charges against them and for a bond hearing. They were detained pending the resolution of the case.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.This case was investigated by OCDETF's Panama Express Strike Force, comprised of agents and analysts from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, United States Coast Guard Investigative Service, and Joint Interagency Task Force South. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez.
The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation's drug supply.
Cali, Colombia Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Importation ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Raul Eraso-Mejia (54, Cali, Colombia, South America) today pleaded guilty to an Information charging him with conspiring with others to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, knowing and intending that such substance would be unlawfully imported into the United States. Eraso-Mejia faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, up to life in federal prison.
According to the plea agreement, from at least 2005 through the end of 2009, Eraso-Mejia conspired with others to smuggle cocaine out of Colombia, by sea, knowing and intending that the cocaine would be ultimately imported into and distributed in the United States. Eraso-Mejia and others invested in cocaine smuggling operations and were part-owners of the cocaine.
For example, in July 2009, Eraso-Mejia was a partial owner of cocaine being smuggled from Colombia's Pacific coast, onboard a stateless self-propelled semi-submersible ("SPSS") vessel. All of the cocaine was intended for importation, by way of Mexico, for subsequent distribution in the United States. After traveling on the high seas and in international waters, co-conspirators onboard the SPSS vessel successfully off loaded the cocaine to co-conspirators embarked in go-fast vessels (GFVs) off the coast of Mexico. Thereafter, the Mexican Navy interdicted the GFVs, and seized 7,507 kilograms of cocaine.
This case was investigated by the Panama Express South Strike Force, a standing Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation, comprised of agents and analysts from the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Coast Guard Investigative Service, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and U.S. Southern Command's Joint Interagency Task Force South. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s drug supply.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher F. Murray.
Sanford Missionary Sentenced to 58 Years for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida –Chief U.S. District Judge Anne C. Conway today sentenced Warren Scott Kennell (45) to 58 years in federal prison for producing child pornography. Kennell previously pleaded guilty to two counts of production of child pornography. During today’s sentencing hearing, Judge Conway said that Kennell had abused his position of trust as a missionary.
According to court documents, on May 31, 2013, Kennell arrived at Orlando International Airport on inbound Copa Airlines Flight #446, from Panama City, Panama. After retrieving his luggage, he was escorted to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) secondary inspection area.
After Kennell was seated, a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agent searched Kennell's belongings and found three thumb drives and one external hard drive. These items were given to computer forensic agents from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) who were present to help with the search. The FDLE agents conducted a forensic preview of the thumb drives and the external hard drive. During an interview with law enforcement officials, Kennell said that he had worked as a missionary in Brazil for the New Tribes Mission, in Sanford, Florida. He also stated that he had been doing missionary work for several years. Kennell told the agents that he had never touched a child in a sexual and/or inappropriate manner, that he had never taken pornographic images of a child, and that there would be no child pornography found on any of the items in his luggage. After Kennell made these statements, FDLE computer forensic agents advised HSI agents that two images of child pornography had been found on Kennell's external hard drive.
When shown the first image, Kennell acknowledged that he was the man in the picture performing a sex act on the prepubescent female. He stated that he believed the girl was about 12 years old at the time the picture was taken. When shown a second image, Kennell admitted that he had taken that picture and that the girl in that image had also been about 12 years of age, at the time. Kennell further admitted that both images had been taken in Brazil while he was on the missionary assignment.
Kennell admitted that he had sexually abused children while in Brazil. He stated that he had taken pornographic pictures of the children, and that the pictures would be found on the external hard drive. The forensic examination of the external hard drive showed more than 940 images of child pornography. The child victims are members of an indigenous tribe in the Amazon, where Kennell was setting up a church. While setting up the church, Kennell befriended these victims and sexually abused them.
“Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Cyber/High-Tech Computer Crime Squads work aggressively to take these dangerous perpetrators off our streets,” said FDLE Orlando Regional Operations Center Special Agent in Charge Danny Banks. “Working together with our federal and local law enforcement partners, we will do everything we can to protect the children victimized by child pornography and other crimes.”
“Kennell represents the worst kind of criminal – one that preys on innocent children,” said Shane Folden, deputy special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations Tampa, which oversees the agency’s Orlando office that investigated this case. “We cannot take back the abuse that these children endured, but this sentence ensures Kennell won’t have the opportunity to abuse another child.”
This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tanya Davis Wilson.
It is another 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 (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.projectsafechildhood.gov.
New York Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Credit Card FraudRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida - Senior U.S. District Judge Gregory A. Presnell yesterday sentenced Werawat Isaraphanich (38, Bronx, New York) to 5 years in federal prison for access device fraud. Isaraphanich was also ordered to serve a 3-year term of supervised release following his incarceration, and to pay more than $323,000 to the victims of his crime. Isaraphanich also agreed to forfeit over $176,000, currently being held in two accounts, which will be returned to the victims as partial payment towards restitution.
Isaraphanich pleaded guilty on September 18, 2013.
According to court documents, Isaraphanich used stolen credit card numbers to purchase tickets from Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, StubHub, and Ticket Master, which he then sold at a discount. To purchase the tickets and other items, Isaraphanich used software that generated a fictitious caller ID, which allowed him to mask the telephone number that he was using when he called to make the purchases. Between April 2010 and June 2013, Isaraphanich made approximately 1,800 calls using fictitious caller IDs, and used more than 100 stolen credit card numbers to make fraudulent purchases of theme park tickets, concert tickets, sporting event tickets, airline tickets, and products from Apple and Macy’s. As part of his scheme, Isaraphanich attempted over $1.1 million in fraudulent credit card transactions, with victims suffering more than $323,000 in actual losses.
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg.
Lakeland DVD Counterfeiter SentencedRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Susan C. Bucklew today sentenced John C. Gaglione, Jr. (49, Lakeland) to 33 months in federal prison for trafficking in counterfeit labels. As part of his sentence, the court entered a money judgment in the amount of $365,000, the proceeds of the charged criminal conduct. Gaglione was also ordered to pay $180,000 in restitution. He pleaded guilty on October 24, 2013.
Gaglione is the last of eight individuals sentenced for his involvement in a global counterfeit motion picture DVD investigation that began in Lakeland, and extended to the People's Republic of China.
According to court documents, in late 2010, Gaglione and co-conspirators began making bulk purchases of counterfeit motion picture DVDs. They purchased the counterfeit DVDs from Jian Huang a/k/a "China Glen," a supplier based in the People’s Republic of China, and his company called "TM Wholesale." Huang was apprehended in April 2012.
After Huang’s apprehension, Gaglione developed and acquired counterfeit DVDs from other sources of supply. After acquiring the counterfeit DVDs, Gaglione sold them to customers in the United States. He sold them online via Ebay, at a family run sports card store called Lakeland Sports and Collectibles, and from a flea market booth in Auburndale.
On August 10, 2012, Jian Huang pleaded guilty to conspiracy and trafficking in counterfeit goods. He was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison on November 2, 2012. The court also ordered Huang to pay restitution to the Motion Picture Association of America (AMPAA@) in the amount of $1,214,333.12. The MPAA is a trade association that represents certain motion picture, home video and television industry companies, including Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.; Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.; Paramount Pictures Corp.; Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp.; Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures; and Universal Studios.
Co-conspirators Alex Lee Lim, Robert Edmond Mattie, James William Ray, Donald Kenneth Brown, Jr., Martin William Grenfell, and Christopher Alexander T. Clark each pleaded guilty to trafficking in counterfeit labels. On November 15, 2012, Lim was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison, and was ordered to pay restitution to the MPAA in the amount of $280,752.67. On November 30, 2012, Ray was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison, and was ordered to pay $261,541.28 in restitution to the MPAA. Ray was also ordered to forfeit $100,005 in cash seized at the time of his arrest. On December 6, 2012, Mattie was sentenced to probation for a term of 5 years, with the first 12 months to be served on home detention. On February 22, 2013, Grenfell was sentenced to 3 years' probation and Brown was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison and was ordered to pay $3,000 in restitution to the MPAA. Clark was sentenced on May 16, 2013, to 36 months’ probation and ordered to pay $6,000 in restitution to the MPAA.
This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Lakeland Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark E. Bini.
Jacksonville Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan sentenced James Daniel Kasper (29, Jacksonville) to 20 years in federal prison for using a child to produce child pornography. Kasper was also ordered to serve a 20-year term of supervised release, following his incarceration, and to register as a sex offender. Kasper has been held in the custody of the United States Marshals Service since his arrest on March 20, 2013, in Jacksonville.
According to court documents, in February 2013, law enforcement officers in Tennessee arrested a registered sex offender on child pornography charges. Further investigation revealed that several hundred emails had been exchanged between this individual and others, many of which contained attached images and videos depicting child pornography. Investigators determined that one of the email accounts belonged to James Daniel Kasper and that Kasper had uploaded images of child pornography over the Internet and sent them to others by email, via a website whose server is outside of the United States.
On March 20, 2013, FBI agents and other law enforcement officers executed a federal search warrant at Kasper's apartment located on Sunbeam Road, in Jacksonville. During this search, agents seized a laptop computer and a thumb drive. Meanwhile, two agents contacted Kasper at his place of employment in Jacksonville. When interviewed, Kasper stated, among things, that while babysitting a 9 year-old child, he used his smart phone to produce sexually explicit photos of the minor child. After taking the photos of the child, Kasper uploaded the images over the Internet, onto a particular website and sent them to others via email. Kasper also stated that he used a peer-to-peer file sharing program to search for child pornography on the Internet.
The thumb drive seized at Kasper’s residence contained at least 49 images of child pornography that were produced by him. Evidence from Kasper’s email accounts were introduced during the sentencing hearing. The evidence showed that Kasper had traded images of child pornography, which he produced, over the Internet. In one particular email, Kasper stated that two of the pornographic images that he produced of the victim child were “just a sample of my own work.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.
It is another 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.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
Fleming Island Man Pleads Guilty in Federal Court to Receiving Child Pornography over the InternetRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announced today that Jimmy Laverne Holmes (57, Fleming Island) has pleaded guilty in United States District Court, in Jacksonville, 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. Holmes has been in custody since his arrest on September 24, 2013. At the time of his arrest, Holmes stated that he worked at the Barco-Newton YMCA in Fleming Island, where he taught sports to children. A sentencing hearing has not yet been set.
According to court documents, an agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in Jacksonville, began an investigation to identify individuals in that area that had access to and/or were trading images and videos of child pornography over the Internet. Through his investigation, the agent determined that a host computer in the Jacksonville area, using a particular Internet Protocol (IP) address, was hosting images of child pornography via a particular peer-to-peer file sharing program. The agent made successful connections to the host computer and successfully downloaded several video files directly. The downloaded files contained depictions of child pornography. Further investigation revealed that the subscriber information to the IP address resolved to a particular residence located in Fleming Island, Florida, where Holmes resided.
On September 24, 2013, FBI agents and other law enforcement officers executed the search warrant at Holmes= residence and seized several computers and other items of electronic media. At the residence, Holmes told the agents that he knew child pornography to be both illegal and morally unjustifiable, and was recently downloading and watching child pornography two or three times per week. Holmes further stated that he has tried to cease such activities repeatedly, but has not been able to abstain indefinitely. According to Holmes, he uses child pornography for “personal use” and further noted, “I like to watch it.” Subsequent analysis of Holmes' computer media revealed that it contained a total of 174 videos and 247 images depicting child pornography.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.
It is another 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.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
Tampa Man Pleads Guilty to Coercing and Enticing Minors into ProstitutionRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL –United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Naba Raheem Lewis (34, Tampa) pleaded guilty, last Friday, to coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. Lewis faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
Lewis was charged in an Information on December 13, 2013.
According to the plea agreement, on June 12, 2013, the Tampa Police Department received a 911 call in reference to a room located at the Americas Best Value Inn & Suites. While conducting this investigation, officers made contact with two sixteen year-old minors and a baby. Further investigation determined that Lewis had met one of the minors on an Internet website, in June 2013. Lewis had browsed the website and found the minor’s Internet profile, then utilized the information to send her a private message. Lewis informed the minor that he was reviewing her photographs online and noticed that she had a child. He told her that he knew how she could make money to help care for her child.
Lewis subsequently obtained sexually explicit photos of the minor victim and her friend. Lewis then posted an Internet advertisement listing his telephone number so that he could schedule dates for the minor victims to meet men and have sex with them in exchange for money. To facilitate the crimes, Lewis rented two hotel rooms at the Americas Best Value Inn & Suites. One room was used for Lewis and the minors to sleep, while the other room was designated for prostitution. Lewis took all of the money that the minors earned from prostitution and stashed it in one of the hotel rooms.
This case was investigated by the Tampa Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacie B. Harris.
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 the 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Tampa Bay Man Sentenced to More Than 13 Years in Federal Prison for Product Tampering, Causing the Death of an Unborn ChildRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Richard A. Lazzara today sentenced John Andrew Welden (29) to 13 years and 8 months in federal prison for tampering with a consumer product resulting in bodily injury to the victim (Remee Lee), and for conspiracy to commit mail fraud. Specifically, Judge Lazzara sentenced Welden to 10 years’ imprisonment on the consumer product offense and 44 months in prison on the mail fraud charge, to be served consecutively. The court also ordered Welden to pay restitution in the amount of $28,541, with respect to the injuries suffered by the victim, and to serve a 3-year term of supervised release, following his incarceration.
Welden pleaded guilty on September 9, 2013.
According to court documents, Welden obtained and then tampered with Cytotec pills by removing the identifying information from the pills. On March 29, 2013, Welden gave the pills to Lee, in a pill bottle, with a label falsely describing the pills as Amoxicillin. Subsequently, Welden admitted to law enforcement that he gave the pills to the victim, with the intention of killing her unborn child. Shortly after taking one of the Cytotec pills, on the same date, Lee began experiencing severe cramping and bleeding. Thereafter, her baby died.
Following two days of expert witness testimony on January 8th and 9th, 2014, Judge Lazzara found in favor of the United States and determined that the Cytotec pill taken by Lee, at the direction of Welden, caused her to suffer serious bodily injury and also resulted in the death of her unborn child.
This case was investigated by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys W. Stephen Muldrow and Josephine W. Thomas.
Riverview Woman Pleads Guilty to Stolen Identity Refund FraudRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Ashley C. Guy (30, Riverview) today pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges. She faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on the wire fraud charge and a 2 year consecutive sentence on the aggravated identity theft charge. In her plea agreement, Guy agreed to make full restitution to the Internal Revenue Service and to forfeit $309,895 to the United States, representing the amount of the proceeds obtained as a result of the wire fraud scheme. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
Guy was indicted on October 3, 2013.
According to the plea agreement, Ashley C. Guy a/k/a “Ashley C. Gay” devised and participated in a scheme to defraud the United States out of tax refunds by using stolen identities to electronically file false federal income tax returns. During a search warrant executed at Guy’s residence, federal agents uncovered lists containing more than 200 names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers, as well as at least 15 prepaid debit cards in the names of others. The search also uncovered documents containing information on the filing of false tax returns, $1,500 in U.S. currency from a small safe in Guy’s living room, and $642 in cash from a purse in her master bedroom. In addition, agents found a trash can on the back porch that had been used for burning documents related to the fraud. The agents were able to recover a list of personal identifying information that had not been completely burned.
Between January 2012 and April 2013, approximately 100 false federal income tax returns were filed from Guy’s house, claiming $560,713 in refunds. Additionally, another 112 false returns, claiming $801,011 in refunds, were filed from different locations, but were linked to Guy. The IRS was able to stop many of these fraudulent refund claims. Out of the 212 total returns claiming roughly $1,361,724 in refunds, the IRS was ultimately defrauded into paying $309,895.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and the Tampa Police Department, with assistance from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew J. Mueller and Trial Attorney Jason H. Poole of the Department of Justice, Tax Division.
15th Century Manuscript Repatriated to the Italian GovernmentRead the Press Release
TAMPA, Fla. – The Missal of Ludovico da Romagnano, a 15th century manuscript known as the San Lorenzo, was repatriated to the Italian government Monday by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). It was stolen nearly 25 years ago from the Capitular Archive of the Archdiocese in Turin, Italy.
A. Lee Bentley III, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida, Susan McCormick, special agent in charge of HSI Tampa, , and Adolfo Barattolo, the consul general for the Italian Consulate in Miami, participated in the repatriation ceremony.
In 1990, the Archdiocese in Turin hired a team of professors to inventory the church’s ancient archives in preparation for an upcoming exhibit. After that inventory concluded, the Archdiocese determined 263 parchment pages had been cut from a missal, a breviary and an antiphonary. They were all from the same collection. Additionally, a number of rare books were missing from the archives.
Italian authorities conducted an investigation that resulted in the arrest of two individuals – Pier Luigi Cimma and Franca Gatto. These individuals, husband and wife, were two of the professors who participated in the 1990 inventory, which provided them access to the church’s ancient archives. Cimma and Gatto confessed to the authorities that they had stolen several items, most of which they sold to a bookseller in Turin, Italy. The Monza Nucleo dei Carabinieri Tutela Patrimonio Culturale in Italy, a specialized police unit for cultural property, recovered some of the stolen items from Sotheby’s in London.
In April 2011, an officer from the Carabinieri unit discovered a newspaper article from January 2006 online. That article detailed information on an upcoming exhibition at the Florida International Museum called “Ink and Blood.” The exhibit detailed the development of the Bible. The article touched on an illuminated manuscript promised to the Special Collections Department at the University of South Florida Library. The manuscript was from a 15th century Italian missal, which was not only a religious document, but also a common form of art in the Middle Ages.
The Carabinieri called Professor Constanza Montel Segre as an expert witness in June 2011 to confirm the manuscript featured in this newspaper article was the one stolen from the archives. She confirmed with certainty that the 15th century manuscript was the San Lorenzo, page 212 from the Missal of Ludovico da Romagnano.
In March 2012, HSI Tampa received a mutual legal assistance treaty request from the Italian government for assistance in, among other things, recovering the manuscript. With assistance of the University of South Florida, HSI special agents located the manuscript at a residence in St. Petersburg. The individuals in possession of the manuscript were unaware it had been stolen and exported from Italy in violation of Italian law. They had purchased the manuscript in 1997 from an art dealer in Islamorada, and they provided a receipt for the purchase.
With information taken from the sale receipt, HSI special agents located and interviewed the owners of the Islamorada antique book and map store where the St. Petersburg couple purchased the manuscript. The store owners often traveled to England to attend book auctions and other similar events to obtain items for their store. The item was likely purchased in England – where the Italian government had previously located several other stolen Italian artifacts – and transported back to the United States. The store owners did not know the manuscript was stolen.
Through his attorney, the individual in possession of the manuscript voluntarily surrendered the stolen manuscript to the U.S. government in June 2012.
“International cooperation with our law enforcement partners was essential to the success of our investigation,” said Susan McCormick, special agent in charge of HSI Tampa. “Through our partnership with Italian authorities, we were able to track down and authenticate that the manuscript we located in St. Petersburg was indeed the 15th century San Lorenzo, an important piece of Italy’s cultural heritage.”
“The Washington Office of Homeland Security Investigations informed me that a manuscript stolen from the ancient curial archives in Turin, Italy, was recovered through the University of South Florida, who posted its photo on their website, ultimately leading the Homeland Security investigators to its recovery,” said Adolfo Barattolo, consul general for the Italian Consulate in Miami. “The significance of criminal theft of national treasures goes well beyond its monetary and artistic values, as it is a crime against culture itself, which is of great importance to Italy. Italy has more items on the Unesco World Heritage List than any other country, including historic cities, monuments, works of art, sculptures and landscapes. In this context, I am grateful to Tampa Homeland Security Investigations for recovering the artifact and for their prompt and constant contact and courtesy provided to this consulate general in Miami.”
“Today, the United States returns to Italy a stolen manuscript that, 700 years ago, was beautifully hand painted by an unknown Lombardian monk,” said A. Lee Bentley III, acting U.S. attorney. “In doing so, we have faithfully discharged our duties under our Treaty with the Republic of Italy, knowing that we have protected the interests of our friend and ally and protected a small piece of a historical legacy that belongs to all of us.”
HSI plays a leading role in criminal investigations that involve the illegal importation and distribution of cultural property, including the illicit trafficking of cultural property, especially objects that have been reported lost or stolen. The HSI Office of International Affairs, through its 67 attaché offices in 48 countries, works closely with foreign governments to conduct joint investigations, when possible.
HSI specially trained investigators, assigned to both domestic and international offices, partner with governments, agencies and experts to protect cultural antiquities. They also provide cultural property investigative training to law enforcement partners for crimes involving stolen property and art, and how to best enforce the law to recover these items when they emerge in the marketplace.
Since 2007, more than 7,150 artifacts have been returned to 26 countries, including paintings from France, Germany, Poland and Austria, 15th to 18th century manuscripts from Italy and Peru, as well as cultural artifacts from China, Cambodia and Iraq.
Members of the public who have information about suspected stolen cultural property are urged to call the toll-free HSI tip line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or complete its online tip form.
(Download Factual Basis )
(Photograph )
Car Dealership Owner Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering of Drug Trafficking and Tax Fraud ProceedsRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – Acting United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Samih Abdel Rahman (51, Tampa) today pleaded guilty for his involvement in a money laundering conspiracy. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
Rahman was charged in a superseding indictment on March 14, 2013.
According to the plea agreement, Rahman is the owner/operator of Sam & Sons Auto Sales, Inc. (“Sam & Sons”), a used car dealership, located in Tampa. For a period of years, until about March 2013, Rahman, assisted by others, sold vehicles to customers who paid with cash from narcotics trafficking and/or fraudulently-obtained income tax refund fraud (“SIRF”) checks. Knowing that those payments were the results of illegal activity, Rahman laundered the money by conducting the car sales in a manner that concealed the illicit sources of the money. For instance, he titled the sold vehicles in the names of "straw purchasers" – persons other than the actual buyers and intended users of the vehicles. Rahman also disguised the identities of the true buyers by creating and processing false paperwork for the car sales, including fake Bills of Sale and payment receipts. Upon receiving cash payments of more than $10,000, Rahman further laundered the money by structuring the bank deposits in a way that avoided triggering bank reporting requirements. He also failed to report those transactions, as required under federal law, by a car dealership receiving specific amounts of cash during the sales of vehicles.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Jackson.
Volusia County Man Sentenced to 27 Years in Prison for Receipt and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – Chief U.S. District Judge Anne C. Conway today sentenced Don Osborne (42, Volusia County) to 27 years in federal prison for receipt and possession of child pornography. As part of his sentence, he was also ordered to serve a life term of supervision, following his incarceration.
Osborne pleaded guilty on August 20, 3013.
According to court documents, U.S. Immigration and Custom’s Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) began investigating an Internet Protocol (IP) address that was located at a coffee shop, where images of child pornography were available for download via a peer‑to‑peer file sharing program. HSI special agents were able to download some of these child pornography images directly from Osborne. Further investigation revealed that Osborne often frequented the coffee shop and utilized their wireless Internet. On November 8, 2012, agents personally observed Osborne at the coffee shop, using a computer and a peer‑to‑peer file sharing program. The agents approached Osborne and interviewed him in the coffee shop. Osborne admitted to downloading child pornography, while using the Internet connection at that location. A forensic analysis of Osborne’s computer revealed that it contained over 1,000 images of child pornography.
At the time of this offense, Osborne was a registered sex offender for previous sex offenses in West Virginia and Florida, and was on probation for a previous sex offense in Florida.
“Child predators go to great lengths to view and trade child pornography online, including logging on to any unsecured wireless connection,” said Shane Folden, deputy special agent in charge of HSI Tampa, which oversees the agency’s Cocoa Beach office that conducted this investigation. “Our investigative techniques enabled us to identify this individual, even though he tried to use a public Wi-Fi connection to conceal his identity. I urge other child predators to take note – you cannot hide behind a public IP address.”
This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn P. Napier.
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 the 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Two Members of Altamont Global Partners Sentenced to 9 Years in Federal Prison for $17 Million Investment FraudRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – Chief U.S. District Judge Anne C. Conway today sentenced Philip Leon (68, Altamonte Springs) and John G. Wilkins (54, Chuluota) to 9 years in federal prison, respectively. The sentences were handed down in connection with their roles in a conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud. In addition, Leon and Wilkins were ordered to pay over $17 million in restitution to more than 200 victims, and to forfeit over $4 million in artwork and monies that are being held in various banks and trading accounts, which will be returned as partial payment to victims.
Leon pleaded guilty on November 6, 2013. Wilkins pleaded guilty to the charges against him on August 22, 2013.
According to court documents, Altamont Global Partners, LLC owned or managed a series of investment funds. Leon registered Altamont Global with the Florida Secretary of State in March 2009 and was a managing member of the company. Wilkins joined Altamont Global in 2009, later becoming one of its managing members.
The Matterhorn Fund, LLC was the first fund for which investors were solicited by Altamont Global, with Leon serving as the fund’s manager. To induce individuals to invest, Leon, Wilkins, and others falsely represented that the Matterhorn Fund had a long history of making profits, that Leon was a graduate of Stanford University, that he worked for Salomon Brothers as an institutional investment advisor, and that he had successfully traded worldwide investment vehicles for over three decades. None of those representations were true.
In the first quarter of 2010, the Matterhorn Fund experienced significant trading losses. Rather than accurately reflect those losses on the quarterly statements, Leon and Wilkins decided to falsify the quarterly statements and to falsely claim that the Matterhorn Fund was earning an above-market rate of return. The false rates of returns that were claimed for the Matterhorn Fund were then used to induce individuals to invest in the McKinley Fund. The McKinley Fund also lost money, and Leon and Wilkins decided to falsify the quarterly statements for that fund. The conspirators then used their alleged performance with the Matterhorn and McKinley Funds to solicit investments in two other funds: Midas Management Partners, LLC and Binary Strategy One Fund, LLC. In total, over 200 individuals invested more than $17 million in the four funds owned or managed by Altamont Global.
In June 2012, the National Futures Association (NFA) conducted a surprise examination of Altamont Global. During that examination, the NFA discovered that the quarterly statements were being falsified to hide losses and that the net asset values of the Matterhorn Fund and the McKinley Fund were being inflated to make it appear that trading had been successful.
On July 16, 2012, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission filed a complaint against Leon, Wilkins, and others. The District Court entered an emergency order that same day, freezing the assets of the defendants in that civil case.
These cases were investigated by the United States Secret Service and the State of Florida, Office of Financial Regulation. They were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg.
Orange Park Man Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison for Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, FL – U.S. District Judge Timothy Corrigan yesterday sentenced Randy Michael Jackson (40, Orange Park) to seven years in federal prison for receipt of child pornography. Jackson was indicted on February 20, 2013. He pleaded guilty to the offense on July 15, 013.
According to court documents, in February 2013, special agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) executed a search warrant at Jackson’s home, in Orange Park, and seized his computer. A forensic review of Jackson’s computer revealed that he had downloaded approximately 25,000 images and 500 hundred videos of children, as young as toddlers, engaged in sexually explicit conduct with adults.
This case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Malisa Chokshi.
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 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.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."