Middle District of Florida
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
United States Forfeits $304,050 and A G-35 Infiniti as Drug ProceedsRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida, – U.S. District Judge John E. Steele last week forfeited $304,050.00 in United States Currency and a G-35 Infiniti to the United States, as traceable proceeds of illegal drug activity.
According to court documents, the $304,050 was found hidden within the tires of a salvaged G-35 Infiniti that was being transported on Interstate 75. The currency, mostly $20 bills, was bundled inside the tires, in heat-sealed packaging. The Infiniti, which was also equipped with a hidden after-market GPS transponder, allowing it to be remotely monitored, had been loaded onto a car-hauler in New Jersey. The car was scheduled to be delivered to an address in Miami, which Homeland Security Investigations special agents later determined to be non-existent.
The United States commenced a civil forfeiture action against the property, alleging that it was the proceeds of drug trafficking. An individual (Johnny A. Melo) came forward to contest the forfeiture, asserting that the seized money was the proceeds of his Miami-based business, “Images Windows and Doors,” not drug proceeds. Following his conviction in the Southern District of Florida for a federal narcotics offense, aggravated identity theft and related criminal offenses, he abruptly abandoned his claim.
In the Middle District of Florida, enforcement of asset forfeiture laws is an integral part of our law enforcement mission. Taking the profit out of crime is important in disrupting and dismantling illegal enterprises, deterring crime, funding law enforcement efforts, and restoring property to victims. In fiscal year 2013, more than $46.2 million in criminal and civil forfeitures was deposited into the Department of Justice and Department of Treasury Assets Forfeiture Funds as a result of forfeitures completed in the Middle District of Florida.
“This case is yet another example of the outstanding work done by both our law enforcement partners and the attorneys in our Asset Recovery and Victims Rights Division,” said Acting U.S. Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III.
This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with support from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of General Counsel, and the Florida Department of Transportation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David G. Lazarus and Bonnie Glober.
Tampa Woman Sentenced in Stolen Identity Income Tax Relief SchemeRead the Press Release
TAMPA, FL - U.S. District Judge James S. Moody, Jr. today sentenced Beverly McFadden (23, Tampa) to six years and nine months in federal prison for her role in a stolen identity income tax refund scheme. As part of the sentence, the Court also entered a money judgment in the amount of $351,431.44.
On September 24, 2013, McFadden pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and to steal government funds, and to one count of aggravated identity theft.
According to court documents, McFadden, who maintained an account with Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union, conspired with a teller (Louren Velez) to cash 47 fraudulently obtained income tax refund checks, totaling more than $350,000, through that financial institution. McFadden also recruited Larry Walker, another account holder, to assist in the scheme.
On April 23, 2013, Walker pleaded guilty for his role in the conspiracy and was sentenced to time served, six months’ home detention, and a 3-year term of supervised release. Velez was charged by information on June 28, 2013.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and the Tampa Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bob Mosakowski.
Second Individual Convicted in False Claims ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Susan C. Bucklew today sentenced Earl Rojelio Blanchett, Jr. (37, Tampa) to 10 years and 4 months in federal prison for tax fraud charges, including charges of aggravated identity theft. As part of his sentence, the Court also entered a money judgment in the amount of $22,500.
Blanchett pleaded guilty to all fourteen counts of the indictment on October 29, 2013.
According to court documents and statements made at the sentencing hearing, in June and July 2013, Blanchett sold seven United States Treasury checks, with a face value of over $77,000, at a discounted price, to undercover law enforcement agents. These Treasury checks were issued as a result of tax returns filed in the names individuals who were victims of identity theft. The victims either did not authorize the filing of those returns, the issuance and cashing of the resulting Treasury checks, and/or confirmed that the Treasury checks were fraudulently and falsely endorsed in their names. Personal identifying information related to some of the stolen identities was found in a search of Blanchett’s residence, where he lived with his girlfriend. Inside the residence, agents also found thousands of other individuals’ personal identifying information in computers, ledgers and notebooks, along with notes about the filing of tax returns, debit cards, passwords, and user names. The information totaled over $7 million, with nearly $3 million confirmed by the IRS.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and Tampa Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelley C. Howard-Allen.
Second Individual Convicted in False Claims ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida, – Acting United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Marcus Dwayne Robertson (45) was found guilty yesterday of conspiring to defraud the Internal Revenue Service. This is Robertson’s second conviction in this District. On August 23, 2011, he was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and charged for being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Robertson pleaded guilty to that crime on January 5, 2012. He was then indicted, on March 14, 2012, for conspiring to defraud the IRS. A bench trial ensued in December 2013, in which he was convicted for that offense. Robertson faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for both convictions. His sentencing hearing has been scheduled for April 14, 2014, before Senior U.S. District Judge Gregory A. Presnell.
According to court documents and evidence presented at Robertson’s trial and the sentencing of a co-conspirator (Jonathan Paul Jimenez), the FBI was investigating an international terrorism matter regarding the operation of a travel facilitation network by Robertson and others that sends individuals overseas to commit violent jihad. In November 2010, Jimenez relocated from New York to Central Florida, where he began training with Robertson in the skills necessary to participate in violent jihad overseas. The training included martial arts, firearm and knife training, reading the Quran, and learning Arabic. During Jimenez’s training, Robertson stressed that Jimenez needed to focus on the religious aspects of his training, prior to perfecting the skills needed to commit violent acts.
In late May and early June of 2011, Jimenez, with the assistance of Robertson and others, began making preparations for his overseas travel. Robertson assisted Jimenez with getting his photographs for his visa application and his vaccinations. On June 17, 2011, Jimenez departed Central Florida and traveled to New York by airplane, where he expected to get his visa and then travel overseas.
During the course of the investigation, the FBI obtained evidence about the nature of Robertson’s training of Jimenez and the plan for Jimenez to travel overseas to engage in violent jihad. As part of the investigation, the FBI obtained consensually recorded conversations with Jimenez and others, in which Jimenez stated his goals. When interviewed by the FBI on September 22, 2011, Jimenez lied about making those statements.
In order to have funds available for him when he was overseas, Robertson, Jimenez, and another individual conspired to submit a false 2010 tax return for Jimenez, in which Jimenez falsely claimed three of Robertson’s children as his dependents and falsely represented that he lived with each of the three children for all of the year 2010. As a result of those false representations, Jimenez obtained a refund from the IRS in the amount of $5,587.
On August 28, 2012, Jimenez pleaded guilty to making a false statement to a federal agency in a matter involving international terrorism and conspiring to defraud the IRS. On April 18, 2013, he was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, ordered to serve a 3-year term of supervision following his release, and to pay $5,587 in restitution.
These cases were investigated by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation. They are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg.
Mortgage Broker Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Commit Mortgage FraudRead the Press Release
TAMPA, FL – Acting United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Michelle Carducci (37, Tampa) today pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud affecting a financial institution and making false statements to a federal agency. She faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to court documents, in 2001, Carducci moved from Ohio to Florida and, in 2002, became a Florida-licensed mortgage broker. Subsequently, she entered into a conspiracy with a Florida-licensed real estate agent and a primarily Pinellas County-based developer. The real estate agent was recruiting buyers to purchase houses that were being “flipped” by the developer, through a series of companies. Buyers were falsely told that these deals would require no money from them. Instead, to hide the fact that the seller (the developer) was really providing closing funds (down payments) to otherwise unqualified buyers, Carducci, among other things, inflated the buyers’ assets on their loan-related documents.
Carducci’s role in the conspiracy is estimated to have caused losses between $400,000 and $1,000,000, for transactions that she handled in 2005 and 2006.This case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas N. Palermo.
Hawthorne Man with History of Mental Illness Indicted on Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – Acting United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the arrest and charging of David Harris Dunaway (58, Hawthorne) for being an individual adjudicated as mentally defective and having been committed to a mental institution, in possession of a firearm and ammunition. If convicted, Dunaway faces a maximum penalty of ten years in federal prison.
Dunaway was indicted on December 18, 2013.
According to the indictment, on or about October 9, 2013, Dunaway knowingly possessed a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol and 50 rounds of ammunition. In 1992, he was found not guilty of homicide, by reason of insanity. Subsequently, Dunaway was involuntarily committed to a mental institution for five years. When arrested, in Alachua County, Florida, Dunaway had 37 guns and more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition in his vehicle.
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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carlton C. Gammons.
This is another case prosecuted as a part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” program - a nationwide, gun-violence reduction strategy. Acting 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 improve the quality of life in communities where law enforcement efforts are focused.
Former Operator of Rehabilitation Therapy Clinic Pleads Guilty for Role in Medicare Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A south Florida woman who had been the president of CORF National Development Inc. has pleaded guilty for her involvement in a Medicare fraud scheme involving physical and occupational therapy services.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney A. Lee Bentley III of the Middle District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Paul Wysopal of the FBI’s Tampa Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Christopher Dennis of the U.S. Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) made the announcement.
Milagros Cruz, 42, pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida to conspiring to commit health care fraud. She faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison when she is sentenced.
According to court documents, Cruz conspired with others to execute a health care fraud scheme involving the submission of claims for reimbursement to Medicare for rehabilitation therapy services that were not legitimately prescribed by physicians and not legitimately provided to Medicare beneficiaries. Cruz, as president of CORF National Development, located in Doral, Fla., paid cash kickbacks to Medicare beneficiaries who came to CORF National Development in exchange for using the beneficiaries’ identifying information in the fraud scheme. Cruz would combine the Medicare beneficiaries’ identifying information with other billing information and provide the information to other conspirators. These conspirators then converted the information into reimbursement claims submitted to Medicare in the name of a completely different clinic known as Renew Therapy Centers of Port St. Lucie LLC. From January through August 2008, Cruz’s clinic received approximately $90,950 from Renew Therapy in connection with the fraud scheme.
This case is being investigated by the FBI and HHS-OIG and was brought as part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, under the supervision of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida. This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Christopher J. Hunter of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.
Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, now operating in nine cities across the country, has charged more than 1,700 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for more than $5.5 billion. In addition, the HHS Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.
To learn more about the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Team (HEAT), go to: www.stopmedicarefraud.gov.
Two Jacksonville Men Indicted in Human Trafficking CrimesRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – Acting United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the return by a grand jury of two indictments charging individuals in Jacksonville, Florida with human trafficking offenses. The first indictment charges Clive Sephas Nelson (23, Jacksonville) with the commercial sex trafficking of a minor female, between on or about November 29, 2013 through on or about December 15, 2013, in the Middle District of Florida. Nelson was indicted on January 15, 2014. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.
The second alleges that, between in or about December 2012 through on or about May 31, 2013, in the Middle District of Florida, Erick George Brooks (29, Jacksonville) committed commercial sex trafficking of an adult female through force, threats of force, fraud, and coercion. The indictment against Brooks was returned on November 14, 2013. He was arrested on December 4, 2013 and is awaiting a trial, currently scheduled for February 3, 2014. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison.
Both cases resulted from investigations conducted by a joint human trafficking task force comprised of investigators from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. Both offenses are charged under the Federal Human Trafficking Statute, 18 U.S.C. § 1591, part of the Trafficking and Violence Protection Act passed by the United States Congress, in 2000.
On December 31, 2013, President Obama issued a proclamation declaring the month of January 2014 as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. In that proclamation, the President noted, “As we work to dismantle trafficking networks and help survivors rebuild their lives, we must also address the underlying forces that push so many into bondage. We must develop economies that create legitimate jobs, build a global sense of justice that says no child should ever be exploited, and empower our daughters and sons with the same chances to pursue their dreams.”
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.
These cases were investigated by the FBI and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. They will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mac D. Heavener, III.
Nassau County Man Arrested on Federal Charges of Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – Acting United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the arrest and charge by criminal complaint of John Dewey Todd (60, Fernandina Beach) for producing and attempting to produce child pornography. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years, up to 30 years in federal prison.
According to the complaint, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations and Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at the residence of Todd on November 15, 2013, in Fernandina Beach, Florida. During the execution of the warrant, Todd voluntarily spoke with law enforcement and admitted to collecting child pornography for the past “couple years.” Todd explained that he saves his child pornography on two computers, discs, thumb drives and external hard drives. Law enforcement seized electronic media during their search and a preliminary examination of some of the seized materials revealed that they contained at least 12,000 files of child pornography.
During a forensic examination of one thumb drive seized during the search, law enforcement recovered three videos of suspected child pornography. Two of the videos depict Todd adjusting a video camera that appears to be concealed in a plant or planter, focused on a bathtub. Two minor, prepubescent females are recorded with their genitalia displayed.
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.
The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, with the assistance from the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelly S. Karase.
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. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov and click on the tab "other resources."
Former U.S. Secret Service Agent Indicted for Stealing and Using Counterfeit Currency and Making False StatementsRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – Acting United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Anthony Eugene Preissig (47, St. Johns County) with stealing counterfeit currency from the United States Secret Service (USSS), passing it at a gas station, and later making false statements about his crimes. If convicted on all counts, Preissig faces a maximum penalty of up to 35 years in federal prison.
According to the indictment, Preissig was a USSS Special Agent assigned to investigate violations of federal criminal laws. Using his position, he stole counterfeit United States currency that the Marion County Sheriff’s Office had seized and submitted to the USSS - Jacksonville office. Preissig then took a counterfeit $100 bill and tried to use it at a gas station in St. Johns County. When confronted, he lied to law enforcement agents about his crimes. Preissig retired from the USSS in 2012.
David Nieland, Special Agent in Charge of the Miami Field Office, Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General, said, “Whenever a law enforcement officer engages in illegal activity, it erodes the public trust. Such actions by few can tarnish the badges of the many who serve to protect America each day. Corruption remains a top priority of the DHS OIG and we remain committed to holding those who violate the public’s trust accountable for their illegal actions.”
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 Department of Homeland Security’s Office of the Inspector General, the United States Secret Service’s Inspections Division, and the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Vincent A. Citro.
Oldsmar Man Sentenced to Prison for Oxycodone DistributionRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven today sentenced Rick Higgins (33, Oldsmar) to two years and nine months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute Oxycodone. In addition, he was ordered to serve a 3-year term of supervision, following his incarceration. As part of the sentence, the court also entered a money judgment in the amount of $239,000, the proceeds of his Oxycodone distribution.
Higgins pleaded guilty on October 16, 2013.
According to court documents, over a period of two to three years, Higgins used the U.S. mail to send packages of Oxycodone to a co-conspirator in the Boston, Massachusetts area. Higgins received payments of over $239,000 from cash bank deposits made in Massachusetts, into accounts that he controlled.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelley C. Howard-Allen.
Child Pornographer Sentenced to 25 Years for Sexually Exploiting MinorsRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell today sentenced Daniel Heffield (30, Orlando, Florida) to 25 years in federal prison for producing and possessing child pornography. The Court also ordered Heffield to serve a life term of supervised release, following his incarceration, and to register as a sex offender. As part of the sentence, Heffield was also ordered to forfeit his interest in the computers and camera that he used to commit the offenses.
Heffield pleaded guilty on August 29, 2013.
According to court documents, Heffield produced and attempted to produce between 25 and 30 sexually explicit videos of at least nine prepubescent and pubescent girls, while they used the bathroom at his home. Heffield had built a device to secure a camera in the bathroom vanity drawer, opposite the toilet. The victims took piano lessons from Heffield’s mother, at Heffield’s house, and were surreptitiously recorded when they used the bathroom during their lessons. Heffield posted the videos of what he considered to be the best shots of the children’s naked genitalia, on the Internet. Homeland Security Investigations special agents located one of the videos during a child pornography investigation in Maine, and subsequently were able to identify a six year-old child.
In an unrelated investigation, agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) discovered that Heffield was a prolific distributer of child pornography, after they downloaded compressed files containing thousands of images depicting the sexual exploitation of prepubescent and pubescent girls that Heffield had posted to a newsgroup. In April 2013, agents executed a search warrant at Heffield’s home and located over 1300 images of child pornography that Heffield had stored on three different hard drives. Heffield admitted to producing, distributing and possessing child pornography, and said that he had been viewing child pornography for about the past fifteen years. Heffield said that he uploaded child pornography to a newsgroup and encouraged and taught others to do the same because it was a faster and easier way to obtain child pornography.
"The exploitation of children is one of the most heinous crimes we investigate," said Susan McCormick, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations Tampa. "Innocent, unsuspecting children are violated, and their images are traded online for eternity. Our special agents take crimes against children very seriously, and we ensure that child pornographers are sentenced to the fullest extent of the law."
FBI Special Agent in Charge Paul Wysopal said, “The facts of this case gives you a glimpse into the mind of a child predator, and the lengths to which such an individual will go in order to take advantage of our children. It is an ugly reminder to parents that these predators will exploit children while hiding in the shadows of restrooms and the Internet. It is our job as law enforcement officers to drag them out of the shadows and we will continue to do so.”“Investigations such as this require the ongoing cooperation of our law enforcement partners, as was demonstrated in this case,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Lee Bentley. “Partnerships like these allow us to bring the proper resources to bear against these egregious crimes.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Karen L. Gable.
It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by 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. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov and click on the tab "other resources."
Orlando Rapper "Fella" Convicted of Armed Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
Orlando, FL – Acting United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that a federal jury today found Dewarren Antoine Lewis, a/k/a “Fella” (28, Orlando), 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. Lewis faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in federal prison on the bank robbery convictions, followed by a mandatory minimum consecutive penalty of 32 years in federal prison on the firearms convictions. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 4, 2013.
Lewis was indicted on September 4, 2013.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, on January 9, 2013, Lewis robbed the Wells Fargo Bank in Orlando, at gunpoint, before fleeing with over $9,000. On March 20, 2013, he robbed the Regions Bank in Orlando. As he did in the Wells Fargo robbery, Lewis rushed into the bank, covered from head to toe, wearing a stocking over his face. He then pointed his gun at bank employees, forcing his way behind the teller line, filling his bag with the bank’s money. After fleeing the bank, a witness saw Lewis take off his disguise and drive away from the scene of the crime. Lewis then led police on a high speed chase through the streets of Orlando, before bailing out of his car and running away on foot. When finally apprehended by Orange County deputies, Lewis was carrying a bag filled with over $23,000, which he had just stolen from the Regions Bank.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph M. Schuster.
Local Man Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison on Multiple Tax Fraud ChargesRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge James D. Whittemore yesterday sentenced Anthony Simms (37, formerly of Riverview) to 8 years’ imprisonment, after being convicted on seven counts of passing forged Treasury checks, seven counts of theft of government property, and seven counts of aggravated identity theft. The Court also entered a forfeiture money judgment and restitution in the amount of nearly $64,000, representing the proceeds from the seven cashed checks.
Simms pleaded guilty on October 15, 2013.According to court documents, from November 9, 2011 through January 25, 2012, Simms deposited 57 third-party tax refund Treasury checks and 8 tax refund cashier’s checks into his business account at SunTrust Bank, through various ATMs located in the Tampa area. Simms was the sole signatory on the business account and the only one who used the ATM card for these deposits. He was not authorized or entitled to deposit or cash these checks and knew that the signatures of the payees on the back of the checks were forged. The payees on the Treasury checks did not know or have any dealings with Simms or his business, and did not authorize any checks, in their names, to be deposited into his account. Some payees on the Treasury checks were deceased. The total amount of money deposited into Simms’s account through these 65 tax refund checks totaled $449,689. Simms also opened other business accounts at two other local banks and attempted to deposit over $15,000 of Treasury checks into those accounts.
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Assistant United States Attorney Kelley C. Howard-Allen.
Deleon Springs Man Sentenced to 7 Years for Armed Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida –Senior U.S. District Judge Gregory A. Presnell yesterday sentenced Robert Gordon Shaw (37, Deleon Springs) to 7 years in federal prison for armed bank robbery. Shaw pleaded guilty on August 1, 2013.
According to court documents, on April 19, 2013, Shaw conspired with another individual (Matthew Anthony Cosimini) to rob a Regions Bank in Sanford, Florida. During the course of the robbery, they displayed a fake explosive detonation device, passed a note to a bank teller demanding money, and indicated that an explosive had been placed inside the bank. While committing the offense, Shaw and Cosimini also possessed a semiautomatic pistol with ammunition.
After Shaw passed the demand note and displayed the detonation device, the bank teller handed Shaw approximately $14,098 in bank funds. Shaw and Cosimini fled in a stolen vehicle as responding officers from the Sanford Police Department pursued them. During the pursuit, Shaw caused damage to both a police vehicle and a civilian's vehicle. Police officers apprehended Shaw and Cosimini approximately one mile from the bank and recovered the semiautomatic handgun and fake detonation device from the stolen vehicle.
Further investigation revealed that the detonation device was a hoax and that there were no explosives inside the bank. The investigation also determined that Cosimini and Shaw had planned to rob the bank together.
Cosimini pleaded guilty to his role in the offense on August 29, 2013. He was sentenced on November 25, 2013, to 6 ½ years in federal prison.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Sanford Police Department and the Seminole County Sheriff's Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew C. Searle.
Government Intervenes in Lawsuits Against Health Management Associates Inc. Hospital Chain Alleging Unnecessary Inpatient Admissions and Payment of KickbacksRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - The government has intervened in eight False Claims Act lawsuits against Health Management Associates Inc. (HMA) alleging that HMA billed federal health care programs for medically unnecessary inpatient admissions from the emergency departments at HMA hospitals and paid remuneration to physicians in exchange for patient referrals, the Justice Department announced today. The government also has joined in the allegations in one of these lawsuits that Gary Newsome, HMA’s former CEO, directed HMA’s corporate practice of pressuring emergency department physicians and hospital administrators to raise inpatient admission rates, regardless of medical necessity. HMA operates 71 hospitals in 15 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and West Virginia.
“The Department of Justice is committed to ensuring that health care providers who attempt to misuse federal health care programs for their own profit are held accountable,” said Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Civil Division Stuart F. Delery. “Schemes such as this one can contribute significantly to the rising cost of delivering health care and create needless patient risk.”
The lawsuits allege that HMA’s corporate officers, at the direction of Newsome, exerted significant pressure on doctors in the emergency department to admit patients who could have been placed in observation, treated as outpatients or discharged, and that this resulted in the submission of inflated or false claims to federal health care programs. One lawsuit also alleges that patients were improperly admitted for scheduled surgical procedures that should have been done on an outpatient basis. The complaints further allege that HMA paid kickbacks, either in the form of bonuses or awarded contracts, to physician groups staffing HMA emergency rooms to induce the physicians to admit patients unnecessarily.
In addition, the lawsuits allege that HMA paid kickbacks to other physician groups to induce referrals. For example, HMA allegedly provided improper remuneration, both through the provision of free office space and staffing and through direct payments, to Primary Care Associates, a physician practice group in Port Charlotte, Fla., in exchange for referrals to two HMA hospitals in Florida. HMA also allegedly paid kickbacks to physicians in Lancaster, Pa., by paying inflated prices for physician-owned assets, providing sham medical directorship contracts and selling assets to physicians for below fair market value.
The Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits offering, paying, soliciting or receiving remuneration to induce referrals of items or services covered by Medicare, Medicaid and other federally funded programs. The Stark Statute prohibits a hospital from submitting claims for patient referrals made by a physician with whom the hospital has an improper financial arrangement. Both the Anti-Kickback Statute and Stark Statute are intended to ensure that a physician’s medical judgment is not compromised by improper financial incentives and is instead based on the best interests of the patient.
“This intervention decision marks the culmination of a lengthy and comprehensive investigation into a variety of serious fraud allegations against one of our district’s largest health care providers,” said Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida A. Lee Bentley III. “We hope that this case will serve as a reminder to our provider community that this office is fully engaged in the struggle against misconduct of this kind.”
“Improper hospital admissions cost the government millions of dollars in unnecessary fees and subject patients to excessive treatment and needless risk, driving up the cost of health care,” said U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina Anne M. Tompkins. “The government will pursue aggressively providers that boost their profits at the expense of Medicare and other government programs.”
“Unlawful financial relationships between hospitals and physicians solely to increase referrals are, unfortunately, a common practice that corrupts the health care system,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida Wifredo A. Ferrer. “The system also suffers a direct financial hit when hospitals fraudulently increase admissions where they are not indicated, solely to benefit hospitals’ bottom line. We will not relent in our efforts to combat these kinds of fraudulent schemes and recover funds for the Medicare program.”
“HMA’s submission of claims to Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE for unnecessary inpatient stays is a serious matter that threatens the integrity of our entire health care system, and the end result is that those who need health care cannot afford it,” said U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia Michael J. Moore. “The Middle District of Georgia is committed to fighting health care fraud.”
“Investigations such as these are a very high priority for the FBI because of the potential impact to the nation’s health care system and to the public,” said FBI Assistant Director Ron Hosko. “Because of the priority nature of these cases as well as their complexity, we have created a centralized team to provide nationwide support to our field offices called the Major Provider Response Team. The FBI is committed to working with our partners in these types of investigations and appreciates the public’s involvement in the process.”
The lawsuits were filed under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the False Claims Act, which permit private parties to sue on behalf of the government when they believe that defendants submitted false claims for government funds and to receive a share of any recovery. The False Claims Act also permits the government to intervene in such lawsuits, as it has done in these cases. The eight lawsuits are pending in the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida, Middle District of Georgia, Northern District of Illinois, Western District of North Carolina, Eastern District of Pennsylvania and District of South Carolina.
The government’s intervention in these matters illustrates its emphasis on combating health care fraud and marks another achievement for the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT) initiative, which was announced in May 2009 by Attorney General Eric Holder and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. The partnership between the two departments has focused efforts to reduce and prevent Medicare and Medicaid financial fraud through enhanced cooperation. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Since January 2009, the Justice Department has recovered a total of more than $17 billion through False Claims Act cases, with more than $12.2 billion of that amount recovered in cases involving fraud against federal health care programs.
These matters were investigated by the Commercial Litigation Branch of the Justice Department’s Civil Division; the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida, Middle District of Georgia, Northern District of Illinois, Western District of North Carolina, Middle and Eastern Districts of Pennsylvania and District of South Carolina; the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The cases are captioned United States ex rel. Brummer v. Health Mgmt. Assocs. Inc., et al.,3-09-cv-135 (CDL)(M.D. Ga.); United States ex rel. Williams v. Health Mgmt. Assocs. Inc. et al., 3:12-cv-151(M.D. Ga.); United States ex rel. Plantz v. Health Mgmt. Assocs. Inc., et al., 13C-1212(N.D. Ill.); United States ex rel. Miller v. Health Mgmt. Assocs. Inc., et al., 10-3007 (E.D. Pa.); United States ex rel. Mason v. Health Mgmt. Assocs. Inc., et al., 3:10-CV-472-GCM (W.D.N.C.); United States ex rel. Nurkin v. Health Mgmt. Assocs. Inc., et al., 2:11-cv-14-FtM-29DNF (M.D. Fla.); United States ex rel. Jacqueline Meyer & Cowling v. Health Mgmt. Assocs. Inc., et al.; 0:11-cv-01713-JFA (D.S.C.) and United States ex rel. Paul Meyer v. Health Mgmt. Assocs. Inc., et al.,11-62445 cv-Williams (S.D. Fla.).
The claims asserted against HMA and Newsome are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Former Lee County Commissioner "Tammy" Hall Sentenced for Stealing from Her Campaign FundRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell today sentenced former Lee County Commissioner Tammara Ann Hall (53, Cape Coral) to six months in federal prison on her conviction for wire fraud. She was also ordered to serve a 3-year term of supervised release, following her release from prison. Special conditions of supervision include a 90-day term of home confinement, and 250 hours of community service. The court also ordered a money judgment in the amount of $33,756, and for Hall to pay restitution in the same amount. Hall was ordered to report to the Federal Bureau of Prisons on or before February 14, 2014. A separate restitution hearing will be held on March 14, 2014.
Hall pleaded guilty to the charge on October 3, 2013.
According to court documents, Hall was a Lee County Commissioner running for re-election in the November 2010 General Election. From November 2009 to November 2010, Hall diverted and embezzled approximately $33,756 that was contributed by donors, to the Tammy Hall campaign fund. Hall used the money for personal expenditures unrelated to the campaign. She completed Florida Department of State campaign fund quarterly reports and failed to disclose that she had diverted campaign contributions to pay for personal expenses. Hall falsely represented the nature of the expenditures, or omitted certain donor campaign contribution checks from the quarterly reports. Hall stole from her campaign fund by electronically transferring funds from the campaign bank account, into to her personal bank account at Wachovia Bank, by writing checks from the campaign bank account and depositing the checks into her personal bank account, and by depositing certain campaign contribution checks from donors directly into her personal bank account.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey F. Michelland.
Florida Corrections Officer and Wife Sentenced for Tax Fraud and ObstructionRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell last month sentenced Kenneth Pointon (52) and Margaret Pointon (55), both of Orlando, to federal prison for making a false refund claim to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the amount of $509,420. Kenneth Pointon, who was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison, was also sentenced for obstructing the due administration of the Internal Revenue laws. Margaret Pointon was sentenced to 13 months in federal prison. Both were also ordered to serve a 3-year term of supervised release, following their release from prison, and to pay $485,355 in restitution. Kenneth Pointon was a corrections officer at the Central Florida Reception Center at the time of the offense, which occurred in 2009.
Kenneth Pointon and Margaret Pointon were found guilty by a jury on October 3, 2013, following a three-day trial.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, in 2008, Kenneth and Margaret Pointon participated in a scheme in which taxpayers report exaggerated amounts of taxable income and withholdings on their Forms 1040 and other documents, causing the IRS to issue improper refunds.
The Pointons followed this scheme by falsely reporting $827,646 in taxable interest, and $788,094 in inflated tax withholdings, on their 2008 Form 1040. In reality, the Pointons did not earn any taxable interest in 2008 and only earned $65,342 in taxable income.
In response to their fraudulent tax forms, the IRS issued a refund check in the amount of $509,420 to the Pointons. In May 2009, the Pointons received the check and deposited it into a newly-created bank account in Dunedin, Florida. Within a span of five months, they made numerous transfers between bank accounts. The IRS Collection Division was able to recover only $24,060 of the refund received by the Pointons, resulting in a loss of $485,355 to taxpayers.
During the time period in which the IRS Collection Division was attempting to recover the refund, Kenneth Pointon sent several frivolous and obstructive documents to the IRS, in order to settle his tax liability and avoid liens and levies.
This case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney E. Jackson Boggs Jr.
Clearwater Man Sentenced to More Than 10 Years in Prison for Drug DistributionRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington has sentenced Keire Terrell Harvey (24, Clearwater) to 10 years and 10 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of crack cocaine.
Harvey pleaded guilty on October 15, 2013.
According to court documents, from June 2, 2013 to July 19, 2013, Harvey sold crack cocaine to an undercover Largo Police Department Detective, on five occasions. On July 29, 2013, Harvey was arrested when he showed up to a location, in Largo, to make another sale of crack cocaine to the undercover detective. At the time of his arrest Harvey was in possession of 32.8 grams of crack cocaine, which he intended to sell.
This case was investigated by the Largo Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez.
Tampa Woman Sentenced to More Than Seven Years in Fraudulent Tax Return and Identity Theft SchemeRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – Acting United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that U.S. District Judge Richard A. Lazzara today sentenced Jameshia Mack (27, Tampa) to 75 months in federal prison for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft for filing fraudulent tax returns using stolen personal identifying information. The court also sentenced Mack to an additional 14 months in federal prison, to run consecutive to the 75 month sentence, for committing these crimes while on supervised release from a previous federal sentence for aggravated identity theft in the Western District of Kentucky, for a total sentence of imprisonment of 7 years, 5 months. As part of her sentence, the court entered a money judgment in the amount of $100,135 against Mack, representing the proceeds she received from the scheme, and ordered her to pay restitution in that amount to the Internal Revenue Service.
Mack pleaded guilty on October 17, 2013. According to court documents, Mack, who is from Tampa, was on federal supervised release in 2011 after serving a prison term for bank fraud and aggravated identity theft in the Western District of Kentucky. After returning to the Tampa area, she defrauded the IRS by filing false and fraudulent income tax returns in her own and other persons’ names, and directed that the returns be put onto prepaid debit cards. Mack then withdrew cash from the debit cards or spent the funds on retail purchases, a luxury automobile, and casino transactions. When the Tampa Police Department encountered Mack during a traffic stop, she had stacks of cash along with multiple credit cards and prepaid debit cards in other peoples’ names.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and the Tampa Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Josephine W. Thomas.
U.S. Attorney's Office Recovers More Than $366 Million on Behalf of U.S. Taxpayers in FY 2013Read the Press Release
Tampa, FL – Acting U.S. Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announced today that the Middle District of Florida (MDFL) collected over $366 million in Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 in criminal, civil, and forfeiture actions. Almost $30 million was recovered in criminal actions, most of which will be distributed to crime victims. Approximately $290 million was collected in civil actions, including in excess of $96 million as a result of approximately nine major civil fraud settlements arising from cases filed in the MDFL. The amounts recovered in civil lawsuits over and above $96 million resulted from recoveries in cases involving other judicial districts, most notably a major nationwide discriminatory lending case brought by the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.
Additionally, the office collected $46.2 million in criminal and civil forfeitures Forfeited assets are deposited into the Departments of Justice and Treasury Assets Forfeiture Funds and are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes. For instance, approximately $3.1 million in forfeited funds was used to compensate crime victims and more than $20 million is in the process of being returned to victims this year. In addition, approximately $3.5 million in forfeited funds was shared with state and local law enforcement agencies, and property valued at more than $55,000 was retained by federal law enforcement agencies for official use.
“Recovering monies from convicted criminals and others defrauding the government is critical to our mission,” said Acting U.S. Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III. “Working alongside our law enforcement partners and other federal, state, and local agencies, our efforts ensure not only that criminals and others committing fraud are held fully accountable for their offenses, but also that we help victims recover from their losses to the extent possible. In addition, a huge portion of the recovered funds is used to replenish public resources.”
Attorney General Eric Holder announced on Thursday that the Justice Department collected $8.1 billion in civil and criminal actions in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013. The more than $8 billion in collections in FY 2013 represents nearly three times the appropriated $2.76 billion budget for the 94 U.S. Attorney’s offices and the main litigating divisions in that same period.
“The department’s enforcement actions help to not only ensure justice is served, but also deliver a valuable return to the American people,” said Attorney General Holder. “It is critical that Congress provide the resources necessary to match the department’s mounting caseload. As these figures show, supporting our federal prosecutors is a sound investment.” The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the Department’s Crime Victims’ Fund, which distributes the funds to state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.
The largest civil collections were from affirmative civil enforcement cases, in which the United States recovered government money lost to fraud or other misconduct or collected fines imposed on individuals and/or corporations for violations of federal health, safety, civil rights or environmental laws. In addition, civil debts were collected on behalf of several federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Internal Revenue Service, Small Business Administration and Department of Education.
The Middle District of Florida has historically had one of the busiest whistleblower case dockets in the country, and in FY2013 placed third among the 94 judicial districts in qui tam cases filed under the False Claims Act. The significant FY 2013 recoveries in the Civil Division's affirmative enforcement program were driven in large measure by a national discriminatory lending case and settlements in cases filed by private whistleblowers involving fraud against federal healthcare programs (see case highlights for details).
For further information, view the United States Attorneys' Annual Statistical Reports on the internet at http://www.justice.gov/usao/resources/annual-statistical-reports. See highlighted cases below from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida.
Middle District of Florida Affirmative Case Highlights
Wells Fargo lending settlement
In the past fiscal year, the MDFL partnered with the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division in a major national discriminatory lending case against a large institutional lender, Wells Fargo Bank. The investigation, spearheaded by the Civil Rights Division, found that Wells Fargo discriminated against African American and Hispanic borrowers by charging higher fees and interest rates than non-Hispanic white borrowers, in the wholesale and retail markets. These practices were without regard to the credit applicants’ creditworthiness or objective criteria related to risk. Wells Fargo was found to have discriminated against 30,000 borrowers from 2004 and 2009, eventually settling the claims against it, in return for $175 million.
United States ex rel Freedman v. SuarezHoyos, et al.
The MDFL intervened in this civil qui tam case, in which a physician whistleblower alleged that a local pathology lab and a dermatologist violated the federal anti-kickback statutes through an arrangement in which the pathologist agreed to provide the dermatologist with an opportunity to bill Medicare and other federal health programs for work that the dermatologist did not perform. This arrangement was designed to induce referrals of Medicare business from the dermatologist to the pathology lab. In investigating this claim, the MDFL uncovered other significant schemes by the dermatologist, including upcoded claims for dermatology services and billing Medicare for expensive surgical services that he did not perform. In an earlier settlement, the pathologist defendant agreed to settle the civil kickback claims against him, in return for $1 million. In FY2013, the MDFL settled all of its claims against the dermatologist for an additional $26.2 million. It is believed to be the largest settlement with an individual physician in the history of the False Claims Act.
United States ex rel. Myers v. Shands Healthcare, et al.
The MDFL intervened, in part, in this civil qui tam case filed by an officer of a health care consulting firm against the Shands hospital chain in North Florida. The whistleblower alleged that from 2003 through 2008, six of the system’s hospitals submitted claims for reimbursement of inpatient hospital services, when those claims should have been for outpatient services. In August, 2013, we announced a settlement that paid $26 million to resolve these civil claims. Of this amount, $25,170,440 was paid to Medicare and other federal payors, while $829,600 went to the Florida Medicaid program. At the time that it was announced, the Shands settlement was the largest on record to address allegations of this kind.
United States ex rel. Ferrare v. Morton Plant Mease Healthcare, et al.
The qui tam case was filed by a former director of case management for Morton Plant Hospital. She alleged that the Morton Plant chain of hospitals used a written billing protocol to require its hospitals to bill certain interventional cardiology procedures on an inpatient basis, regardless of whether the patients’ condition justified those claims. In November 2012, the MDFL settled the civil claims in the case against the chain of hospitals for $10.1 million.
United States ex rel. Ferner v. Stallings, et al.
This was a procurement fraud case filed by a whistleblower who alleged that a government contractor, SAIC, used fraud to deceive the General Services Administration to steer federal consulting services contracts to it. The whistleblower – a former military officer – alleged that a private individual had misrepresented himself to be a senior government executive with the Department of Defense, in order to bypass competitive bidding and win government contracts for SAIC. The MDFL intervened in the case and settled all claims for $5.75 million.
United States ex rel. Numbers et al. v. Hernando Pasco Hospice Inc., et al.
This qui tam case was filed by two former employees of a non-profit hospice company based in Hernando County. They alleged that the hospice provider had submitted false claims to Medicare and Medicaid for reimbursement of hospice services to patients who did not qualify for the services. After a lengthy investigation, the MDFL intervened and settled the claims based upon the provider’s ability to pay, for $1,000,000, payable in installments over time plus interest.
Mortgage Investors Corp. consent decree
The MDFL assisted the Federal Trade Commission in its effort to confront violations by a St. Petersburg based residential lending firm of federal Do Not Call statutes. The FTC found that the firm had targeted veterans with a campaign of home mortgage telemarketing calls, contacting 5.4 million homes in violation of federal law. The FTC imposed a record civil penalty of $7.5 million under the Do Not Call statute.
Middle District of Florida Asset Forfeiture Case Highlights
United States v. $20,000,000 (Jacksonville Division)
As part of the Non-Prosecution Agreement (NPA) entered into between the United States and Lender Processing Services (LPS), the United States completed a civil forfeiture of $20 million, which it alleged was derived from the mail fraud and wire fraud scheme perpetrated through DocX involving the preparation and filing of an estimated one million mortgage documents with false and misleading signatures and notarizations. DocX was at relevant times, a wholly-owned subsidiary of LPS. LPS, without admitting or denying the allegations regarding DocX’s proceeds, consented to the civil forfeiture of the $20 million.
United States v. Louis Fernandez, III, et al. (Tampa Division)
Defendants Louis Fernandez, III, Louis Fernandez, Jr., Marco Beltran, Kimberly Curtis, and Christopher Switlyk pleaded guilty to conspiracy to illegally distribute and dispense controlled substances. The defendants, operated pain clinics and pharmacies, for the purpose of unlawfully distributing and dispensing controlled substances, primarily Oxycodone, a prescription painkiller sold generically or under a variety of brand names, including Roxicodone, Roxicet, Oxycontin, Percocet, and Endocet. Defendants Beltran and Switlyk also pleaded guilty to engaging in unlawful monetary transactions. As part of their plea agreements, the defendants consented to the forfeiture of more than $2.5 million in drug proceeds seized from them as well as a Rolex watch, car, and real property that had been purchased with drug proceeds. Additionally, in fiscal year 2011, the government forfeited more than $3.6 million in drug proceeds that had been seized from the defendants during execution of search warrants.
United States v. Dennis Devlin (Orlando Division)
In July 2011, Dennis Brian Devlin, of Daytona Beach, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for sexually exploiting a minor. As part of Devlin’s sentence, the court ordered Devlin to forfeit his interest in the Desert Inn because it was used to facilitate the crimes for which he was convicted. The titled owner of the Desert Inn, Deslin Hotels, Inc., filed a claim to contest the forfeiture of the hotel because it alleged that Devlin did not have an interest in the hotel. In September 2013, after months of litigation, a settlement was reached wherein Deslin Hotels, Inc. agreed to the forfeiture of $1,552,588.62, representing Devlin’s interest in the proceeds obtained from the recent sale of the Desert Inn.
United States v. $1,820,008.93 (Ft. Myers Division)
The United States civilly forfeited approximately $1.8 million in proceeds of online gambling, which is illegal in the state of Florida, for violations of wire fraud. The funds were seized as they were being wire transferred through Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas. Deutsche Bank’s policy was not to accept wire transfers that were related to online gambling of any sort whether legal or illegal. Indeed, the bank had created a filter for key words in wire transfers in order to identify and prevent the receipt and/or transmission of wires related to online gambling. As alleged in the amended complaint, Chargestream, a company wiring gambling winnings to gamblers in the United States, created a series of letter and number identifiers in their wires in order to disguise the nature of the wires and to evade bank filters.
Tax Return Preparer Charged in 43-Count Tax Fraud IndictmentRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – Acting United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the return by a grand jury of an indictment charging Fuada Delic (31, Jacksonville) with tax fraud. Delic, who owned a tax preparation business (“Delica’s Tax Service”), is charged with 2 counts of filing fraudulent tax returns, on her own behalf, and 41 counts of filing fraudulent tax returns on behalf of her business customers. If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 3 years’ imprisonment per count.
According to the indictment, on or about April 14, 2009 and September 28, 2010, Delic filed personal tax returns in which she underreported the income that she received from the tax preparation business. The indictment also alleges that Delic filed tax returns for customers in which she falsely claimed, among other things, that they had incurred educational expenses, tax credits, and charitable contributions for which they were entitled to tax deductions. The filed returns span the 2008, 2009, and 2010 tax years.
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 Arnold B. Corsmeier.
Second Conspirator Pleads Guilty in $2 Million Credit Card Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – Acting United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Sirrico Lewis (42, Orlando) today pleaded guilty to access device fraud. He faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison and a 3-year term of supervised release, following his incarceration. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to court documents, Lewis and others engaged in a scheme to defraud several Central Florida area Sam’s Clubs and Wal-Mart stores through the fraudulent acquisition and use of duplicate Sam’s Club credit cards. To facilitate the scheme, a conspirator would manufacture counterfeit identification documents of existing Sam’s Club customers. Lewis and others obtained those counterfeit documents, took them to various Sam’s Clubs, and used them to obtain duplicate credit cards on existing accounts.
They then used those credit cards to make fraudulent purchases at area Sam’s Club and Wal-Mart stores, or turned the cards over to another conspirator who either made fraudulent purchases or got another person to do so. The fraudulently purchased items would then be sold, with the proceeds from those sales being divided amongst the conspirators. The total amount of actual loss suffered by the victims of this scheme is over $2 million. Of that amount, Lewis was involved in over $750,000 worth of fraudulent transactions.
Lewis is the second individual to plead guilty in this case. On October 30, 2012, Reginald Holley (36, Winter Garden) pleaded guilty to access device fraud. On January 14, 2013, he was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison. A third co-conspirator, Brenda Shoukry, (63, of Orlando) has been charged with the same offense, by criminal complaint. A criminal complaint is merely a charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
These cases were investigated by the United States Secret Service. They are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg.
Largo Woman Sentenced to 4 Years in Prison for Tax and Student Loan FraudRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Virginia Covington today sentenced Katherine Rumph-Smith (44, Largo) to four years in federal prison for defrauding student financial aid and filing false claims with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The Court also ordered Rumph-Smith to make restitution to the IRS, in the amount of $110,971, and to the Federal Stafford Loan Program, in the amount of $22,350.
Rumph-Smith pleaded guilty on October 10, 2013.
According to court documents, Rumph-Smith had previously procured several student loans with outstanding balances, then had the balances discharged due to a disability. In order to obtain further student loans, she submitted physician forms, with the physician’s signature forged by her, saying that her condition had improved, and agreeing to repay her prior loan balances. Rumph-Smith then applied for additional student loans to attend Walden University, which she did not attend, and obtained over $27,000 in loans, from which a total of $22,350 was disbursed to her.
In connection with the IRS, Rumph-Smith created four fictitious Florida corporations and then filed corporate tax returns claiming over $500,000 in refundable tax credits on behalf of the corporations. Also, she opened bank accounts in the names of the corporations, where refunds from the fraudulent corporate tax returns were directly deposited. She used these funds for personal expenses and admitted that these corporations were created solely for the purpose of filing false corporate tax returns and were not operational in any manner whatsoever.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Department of Education – Office of Inspector General. It was being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kelley C. Howard-Allen and Sara Sweeney.
Former Desoto County, FLA., Sheriff's Deputies Indicted for Civil Rights and Obstruction Violations Regarding the Assault of an InmateRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A federal grand jury in Fort Myers, Fla., indicted former Desoto County Sheriff’s Office deputies Steven Rizza and Jonathan Mause today for charges related to the violation of the civil rights of an inmate who was assaulted by Rizza at the Desoto County Jail and the ensuing obstruction of the investigation into that offense.
The six-count indictment charges Rizza with one count of violating the civil rights of another, and charges both Rizza and Mause with one count of falsifying records in a federal investigation, one count of obstruction of justice and one count of perjury to a grand jury. Additionally, the indictment charges Mause with one count of making a false statement to a federal investigator.
The indictment alleges that on May 25, 2013, Rizza assaulted an inmate at the Desoto County Jail. Further, according to the indictment, on May 26 and 27, Rizza and Mause falsified an incident about the assault by changing the incident report to conceal Rizza’s conduct. The indictment also alleges that Rizza subsequently made false statements about the May 25 incident to a Desoto County Sheriff’s Office investigator and to a federal grand jury. According to the indictment, Mause made false statements about the May 25 incident to a federal grand jury and a federal investigator.
If convicted, Rizza could face a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years on the civil rights violation count. Both Rizza and Mause could each face a statutory maximum of 20 years for the obstruction of justice and falsification of records counts and a maximum of five years for the perjury count. Further, Mause could face a maximum of five years for the count of making a false statement to a federal investigator.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement are investigating this case with the assistance of the Desoto County Sheriff’s Office. Chief Assistant U.S. Attorney Jesus M. Casas of the Middle District of Florida and Trial Attorney Douglas Kern of the Civil Rights Division are prosecuting this case.
An indictment is merely an accusation, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Fort Myers Man Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison for Bank Fraud and Investor FraudRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge John E. Steele yesterday sentenced Gregory Wayne Eagle (63, Cape Coral) to six years in federal prison for bank fraud, mail fraud, and wire fraud. Eagle pleaded guilty on March 14, 2013.
According to court documents, Eagle was president and director of Eagle Realty of
Southwest Florida, Inc. In June 1990, Eagle created a Trust Agreement for approximately 101 acres of unimproved land, in Cape Coral. A portion of this land bordered on Pine Island Road. Eagle was the trustee of this Pine Island 101 Land Trust and was also one of its beneficiaries, along with 52 named combined interest holders or beneficiaries. Eagle mortgaged the trust property without the knowledge of the other beneficiaries. He did so by submitting fraudulently altered trust agreements to multiple banks naming him, or an entity which he controlled, as the sole beneficiary.Eagle also executed a number of loan documents, in which he falsely claimed to be the sole beneficiary, and that he had authorization to mortgage the property. In the first mortgage loan, in 2002, Eagle received $2 million from Florida Community Bank. He paid off that loan in 2006, with a mortgage loan from First National Bank of Pennsylvania. The 2006 loan was for an amount exceeding $17 million. Eagle used most of the proceeds of the second loan for his own personal use, mainly to fund other projects. He defaulted on the First National Bank of Pennsylvania mortgage loan, causing the bank to initiate foreclosure proceedings, in October 2009, leaving an unpaid principal balance of $17.03 million. The beneficiaries of the Pine Island 101 Land Trust have not received compensation for their initial payments as interest holders, yearly payments, nor for the increase in the value of the Trust property from the time of its inception.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey F. Michelland.
United States Government Settles False Claims Act Allegations Against Florida Vein Clinic and Its OwnerRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A Florida-based physician, Dr. Ravi Sharma, has agreed to pay $400,000 to resolve allegations that he and his clinics violated the False Claims Act by knowingly billing Medicare for vein injections and physician office visits performed by unqualified personnel, the Justice Department announced today.
“Vein injections and other invasive procedures should be performed by appropriately qualified personnel,” said Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Civil Division Stuart F. Delery. “We will not tolerate those who put patients’ health at risk for their personal gain and convenience.”
The government alleged that, between 2009 and 2010, Sharma owned and operated a clinic in the Tampa area called Premier Vein Centers. Beginning in 2009, Sharma allegedly sent text messages to his office manager instructing her to perform varicose vein injections on patients when he was not in the office. The government further alleged that, when Sharma was in the office, he performed unnecessary vein injections and unnecessary ultrasound imaging procedures associated with those vein injections.
Sharma also owned and operated, between 2009 and 2010, a weight loss clinic in the Tampa area called Life’s New Image. Allegedly, unqualified personnel met with patients of the clinic, but Sharma billed those visits as physician office visits using his own Medicare provider number. Sharma closed Premier Vein Centers and Life’s New Image in 2010.
“We are pleased to announce this very favorable resolution of our claims against this provider,” said Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida A. Lee Bentley III. “Again, it demonstrates our commitment to civil health care fraud enforcement in our district.”
The allegations covered by the settlement were originally raised in a lawsuit filed by Patti Lovell, the former office manager for Sharma, under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the False Claims Act, which permit private parties to sue on behalf of the government for the submission of false claims and to receive a share of any recovery. Lovell will receive $72,000.
As part of the settlement, Sharma entered into a three-year Integrity Agreement with the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services. The agreement requires Sharma to attend training courses provided by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and provides for an independent external review of his federal health care program coding and billing procedures.
This settlement illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud and marks another achievement for the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT) initiative, which was announced in May 2009 by Attorney General Eric Holder and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. The partnership between the two departments has focused efforts to reduce and prevent Medicare and Medicaid financial fraud through enhanced cooperation. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Since January 2009, the Justice Department has recovered a total of more than $17 billion through False Claims Act cases, with more than $12.2 billion of that amount recovered in cases involving fraud against federal health care programs.
The investigation of this matter reflects a coordinated effort among the Commercial Litigation Branch of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.
The lawsuit is captioned U.S. ex rel. Lovell v. Ravi Sharma, M.D. and Premier Vein Centers, 12-CV-133 (M.D. Fla.). The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Tampa Man Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Theft of Government FundsRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Susan C. Bucklew today sentenced Rodney Andre McCray (31, Tampa) to 18 months in federal prison for theft of government funds. As part of his sentence, the court also ordered McCray to pay $78,728.00 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service, and entered a money judgment in the amount of $3,500.00, the proceeds of the theft personally received by McCray.
McCray pleaded guilty on October 8, 2013.
According to court documents, during the summer of 2012, McCray and another person agreed that McCray would receive fraudulently acquired income tax refund deposits in a bank account opened in McCray’s name. McCray then opened a Bank of America bank account for the purpose of receiving the "drop money," or the fraudulent income tax return deposits. McCray was the only authorized signatory on the bank accounts.
Thereafter, fraudulent Form 1040 U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns ("1040 Returns") were filed with the IRS, directing that any refunds from the returns be deposited into McCray's Bank of America checking account. The 1040 Returns were false and fraudulent, in that the returns: (1) included false information, such as false interest and dividends earned information and related false withholding information; and (2) were filed in the name and on behalf of individuals who did not sign, authorize, or in any way give permission for the returns to be filed. In many cases, the fraudulent 1040 Returns were filed on behalf of deceased persons. In those instances, the 1040 Returns were filed together, with a form stating that McCray was authorized to receive refunds on behalf of the deceased filers, which was also false.
As a result of this scheme, McCray was complicit in converting approximately fifteen fraudulently-acquired U.S. Treasury refunds through his Bank of America account, resulting in a total loss of approximately $78,728.00 to the U.S. Treasury.This case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jay G. Trezevant.
Postal Carrier Arrested for Theft of Government PropertyRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – Acting United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the arrest of Orville Dwight Hylton (40, Riverview), on a federal complaint, charging him with theft of government property. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment for each offense.
According to the complaint, Hylton, a United States Postal Service mail carrier, attempted to sell nearly $20,000 worth of fraudulently obtained United States Treasury checks, in other peoples’ names, for a discounted amount. The addresses on the fraudulent tax refund checks were located in the same postal zip code, where Hylton delivered the United States mail
This case was part of an ongoing joint investigative effort by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Postal Service - Office of the Inspector General, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelley Howard-Allen.
A criminal complaint is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.
Federal Jury Finds Convicted Felon Guilty of Possessing A FirearmRead the Press Release
Orlando, FL - Acting U.S. Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that a federal jury today found Brian K. Hatten (33, Orlando) guilty of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Based on his prior felony convictions, Hatten faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years, up to life in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 28, 2014, before U.S. District Court Judge John Antoon, II.
Hatten was indicted on October 23, 2013.According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Orlando Police Department officers arrested Hatten, after he fled from them, at an intersection west of downtown Orlando. During his flight from officers, Hatten became entangled on a fence and officers found packages of marijuana, a semi-automatic pistol loaded with four rounds of ammunition, and a cell phone in Hatten’s possession. An investigation revealed that Hatten had at least six previous felony convictions, including various drug offenses, robbery, battery on a law enforcement officer, and aggravated assault with a firearm. As such, he was not permitted to possess a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Orlando Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney E. Jackson Boggs Jr.
It is another case prosecuted as a part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” program - a nationwide, gun-violence reduction strategy. Acting 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 - an effective method in reducing violent crime and improving the quality of life in communities where law enforcement efforts are focused.
Executive Director of Local Charity Pleads Guilty to FraudRead the Press Release
TAMPA, FL – Acting United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Lyndon Jones (45, Sarasota) today pleaded guilty to theft of government funds. Jones faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.
According to the plea agreement, Jones served as executive director of ManUp of Greater Sarasota, which ran a summer youth program to assist Sarasota community youth in the development of good leadership and professional skills. From at least as early as June 19, 2009, and continuing through on or about September 29, 2011, Jones stole at least $76,707.12 in federal funds from a Community Development Block Grant, which he used for his own benefit. He stole the funds by fraudulently submitting duplicate billing for the hours worked by the students. One set of billing was submitted to the grant administrator, and a second set was submitted to the students’ employers (e.g., the Sarasota Manatee Airport and Sarasota Memorial Hospital). Both paid Jones, for him to make payment to the students. However, Jones kept the second set of payments for himself. In addition, the airport paid the students at a rate of $14.00 per hour. But Jones actually remitted an amount equal to $8.00 an hour to the students, keeping the difference for himself.
This case was investigated by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of the Inspector General (OIG). It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas N. Palermo.
Tampa Man Sentenced to 23 Years in Prison on Drugs and Weapons ChargesRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge James S. Moody, Jr. today sentenced Charlie Vernon, Jr. (Tampa, 54) to 23 years in federal prison for possessing with the intent to distribute more than an ounce of crack cocaine and being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. He was also ordered to forfeit various firearms and ammunition, which are traceable to the offenses.
Charlie Vernon, Jr. was found guilty by a jury on October 10, 2013.
According to court documents, the Tampa Police Department (TPD) executed a search warrant at Vernon’s residence on February 1, 2013, and recovered two ounces of crack cocaine, various quantities of powder cocaine, marijuana, and paraphernalia used to package and distribute those drugs, including scales, baggies, crack pipes, and cutting instruments. In addition to locating those items in Vernon’s bedroom, TPD also found four firearms and over 800 rounds of ammunition fitting those firearms. Prior to February 1, 2013, Vernon had previously been convicted of three felonies for drug trafficking offenses. As such, he was prohibited from possessing any firearms or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) and the Tampa Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew Jackson and Natalie Adams.
It is another case prosecuted as a part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” program - a nationwide, gun-violence reduction strategy. Acting 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 - an effective method in reducing violent crime and improving the quality of life in communities where law enforcement efforts are focused.
Oklahoma Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Sexually Exploiting A MinorRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr. today sentenced Jonathan Daniel Adleta (26, Glenpool, Oklahoma) to life in federal prison for conspiring to transport and transporting a minor in interstate commerce, with intent to engage in sexual activity.
Jonathan Adleta was found guilty by a federal jury on September 12, 2013.
According to the evidence presented at trial, Jonathan Adleta conspired with his ex-wife, Sarah Adleta, to transport a three year-old child, with the intent of sexually abusing the child. On December 23, 2012, Sarah Adleta flew with the child from Orlando, Florida to Oklahoma, where Jonathan Adleta lived. Jonathan Adleta sexually abused the child during the child’s week-long stay at his home. Both before and after the trip, Sarah Adleta also sexually abused the child and sent pictures of the abuse to Jonathan Adleta and others.
Sarah Adleta (29, Oviedo, Florida) pleaded guilty to producing child pornography, and on October 28, 2013, Judge Dalton sentenced her to 54 years in federal prison, followed by a life term of supervised release.
“The sexual exploitation of children will not be tolerated at any level. We will continue to aggressively investigate those who choose to victimize innocence,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Paul Wysopal.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Karen L. Gable.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by 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 Man Sentenced to 7 Years' Imprisonment for Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge John E. Steele today sentenced Charles Allen Nave, III (39, Fort Myers) to seven years in federal prison for distributing child pornography. The court also ordered him to forfeit a Dell Precision laptop and a 2 GB SD card, which were used in the facilitation of the offense.
Charles Allen Nave, III was found guilty on September 17, 2013.
According to court documents, on January 31, 2013, Nave knowingly distributed child pornography over the Internet, to an undercover agent that he met in an online chat room. Nave sent the undercover agent four emails, along with images of child pornography as attachments. Subsequent to the execution of a search warrant, Nave was found to possess in excess of 300 images and 20 videos of child pornography.
This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with participation from the Sanibel Police Department, the Fort Myers Police Department, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Yolande G. Viacava.
It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by 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.
Convicted Felon with Gun Range Membership and Ammunition Sentenced to Almost 10 YearsRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard today sentenced Maurice Futch (32, Middleburg) to nine years and ten months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of ammunition.
Futch pleaded guilty to the charge on August 28, 2013.
According to court documents, officers with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and special agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) executed a search warrant at Futch’s home in Middleburg, on July 16, 2012. During the search, agents located over 50 rounds of 9mm ammunition, along with a drug scale and other narcotics paraphernalia. Agents also located a picture of Futch shooting a pistol at a local gun range and later discovered that Futch was, in fact, a member of the gun range. Futch had five prior felony convictions and is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, DEA and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Talbot.Armed Marijuana Dealer Sentenced to 5 Years Behind BarsRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard today sentenced Jairus Quaintance (21, Jacksonville) to five years in federal prison for possessing a firearm while selling marijuana.
Quaintance pleaded guilty on August 28, 2013.
According to court documents, Quaintance was selling marijuana from a street corner just north of downtown Jacksonville. An officer with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office made contact with Quaintance and found that he was armed with a loaded 9mm pistol and marijuana packaged for sale.
This case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Talbot.
It is another case prosecuted as a part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” program - a nationwide, gun-violence reduction strategy. Acting 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 - an effective method in reducing violent crime and improving the quality of life in communities where law enforcement efforts are focused.
Miami Woman Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Bank FraudRead the Press Release
Orlando, FL – Acting United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Camorette James (28, Miami) today pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. She faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
James was indicted on March 12, 2012.
According to court documents, James and others engaged in a conspiracy to commit bank fraud and to defraud the Navy Federal Credit Union ("NFCU"). They facilitated the conspiracy by opening fraudulent accounts by telephone, while claiming to be members of the United States Armed Forces, and by using the identification of others without authorization. Following these telephone calls, the conspirators requested account access cards, known as "CuCards," to be mailed to addresses in Central Florida.
As part of the scheme, James deposited worthless checks into the fraudulently opened NFCU accounts, in order to inflate the accounts’ balances. These checks were drawn on accounts in which there were no funds. Along with other conspirators, James then withdrew funds from the fraudulent accounts, before the bank realized that the deposited checks were worthless.
On November 2, 2012, Brittany Jones was sentenced 48 months’ imprisonment for her role in the scheme, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, three counts of bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft. Jones was also ordered to pay $180,034.72 in restitution.
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher LaForgia.
Columbia Man Indicted on Federal Charges of Receiving Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – Acting United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announced today that a federal grand jury, in Jacksonville, has returned an indictment against Samuel Franklin Crews (31, Lake City), charging him with three counts of receiving child pornography over the Internet. Crews faces a mandatory minimum penalty of not less than 5 years, up to 20 years in federal prison on each count, and a potential life term of supervised release. Crews was arrested on December 31, 2013, in Lake City, and has been ordered detained pending his trial in March 2014.
The indictment alleges that between on or about April 28, 2013 through on or about April 30, 2013, in the Middle District of Florida, Crews knowingly received visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, over the Internet.
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 Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Columbia 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."
Jacksonville Man Pleads Guilty to Operating A Fraudulent Investment SchemeRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – Acting United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Anderson Scott Hall, a/k/a Scott Hall (49, Jacksonville) today pleaded guilty to four felony counts of operating a sham investment scheme. Specifically, Hall pleaded guilty to two counts of mail fraud, one count of wire fraud, and one count of money laundering. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment for each count. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to the plea agreement, Hall, a licensed insurance salesman, was the architect of a sham investment scheme, which he operated for more than 10 years, between approximately 1996 through late 2011. During this time, Hall defrauded in excess of 50 victims and received more than $4 million from his victim investors. The investors included residents of the greater Jacksonville, Florida area; Columbus, Georgia; and North Carolina. A significant portion of the victim investors were either active or retired Duval County school teachers and administrators, who invested their retirement funds, including their "DROP" (Deferred Retirement Option Program) money, with Hall.
During the scheme, Hall was employed by various financial companies as an independent agent. His victim pool included current clients and client referrals. As part of this scheme, Hall incorporated a shell company, Abaco Securities International, Ltd. (ASI), in the Turks and Caicos Islands, British West Indies. Hall is listed as the Director of that company, whose only presence in the Turks and Caicos is a post office box.
As reflected in the plea agreement, Hall’s scheme included his solicitation of clients to invest their retirement savings in an investment product, which he described as ASI, promising interest rates sometimes exceeding 12%. Hall directed the victim investors to cause their retirement savings, usually held in IRAs and other investment products, to be transferred from legitimate life insurance companies and investment companies, to his sham business. Generally, Hall would deposit the clients' funds into one of several bank accounts that he maintained at SunTrust. Occasionally, as in a Ponzi scheme whereby older investors are paid money from the funds taken from newer investors, Hall would make partial payments to victim investors.
A forensic analysis of Hall’s SunTrust accounts established that he failed to invest the victim investors' funds as promised. At times, in an effort to conceal and perpetuate his scheme, Hall created sham account documents falsely reflecting that the investors' funds were invested in a legitimate investment product. These sham account statements were provided to the investors to dispel questions regarding their investments. The accounting analysis also revealed that Hall used the investors' funds to pay for personal expenses, purchase commercial property, and to buy luxury automobiles.
This case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Florida Office of Financial Regulation, Bureau of Financial Investigations and the DFS, Division of Insurance Fraud. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Devereaux.
Resident of MacDill Air Force Base Charged with Aggravated Sexual Abuse and Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – Acting United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the return by a grand jury of an indictment charging Erich Clifford Mandell Ramos (27, Tampa) with one count of aggravated sexual abuse, two counts of production of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography. If convicted on all counts, he faces a mandatory minimum term of 30 years’ imprisonment, up to a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. Mandell Ramos has remained in federal custody since his arrest, pursuant to a complaint, on November 21, 2013.
According to the indictment, Mandell Ramos sexually abused a person under twelve years old and created images of the sexual abuse, while on MacDill Air Force Base.
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 Federal Bureau of Investigation. It will be 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.
Genzyme Corp. to Pay $22.38 Million to Resolve False Claims Allegations Related to "Slurry" Used in PatientsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Genzyme Corp. has agreed to pay $22.28 million to resolve allegations that it marketed, and caused false claims to be submitted to federal and state health care programs for use of, a “slurry” version of its Seprafilm adhesion barrier, the Justice Department announced today. Seprafilm is a thin film intended to reduce adhesions after surgery by forming a bio-resorbable barrier between abdominal tissue and organs. Genzyme is a biotechnology corporation based in Cambridge, Mass., and was acquired by Sanofi-Aventis SA in April 2011.
“There will be consequences when medical device companies alter products to increase sales and profits without regard for risks to patient safety,” said Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Civil Division Stuart F. Delery. “Federal health care participants should receive only devices that are medically reasonable and necessary.”
The government alleges that Genzyme sales representatives taught doctors and other staff to cut the Seprafilm sheets into small pieces, add saline and allow the pieces to dissolve until the desired consistency was reached. This mixture was referred to as “slurry.” Genzyme sales representatives traded recipes for slurry, and trained each other in how to create it. The slurry was used in laparoscopic or “key hole” surgeries by inserting a catheter filled with the mixture into the body and squirting it into the abdominal cavity. Seprafilm is FDA-approved for use in open abdominal surgery but not for minimally invasive surgeries, such as laparoscopic or key hole surgery. Allegedly, as a result of this conduct, Genzyme knowingly caused hospitals and other purchasers of Seprafilm to submit false and fraudulent claims to federal health care programs for uses of Seprafilm that were not reimbursable.
“Beneficiaries of federal health care plans, including Medicare recipients and military families, should not be treated with devices that have been improperly altered,” said Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida A. Lee Bentley III. “When companies promote such practices, resulting in the submission of health care claims that cannot legally be reimbursed, they will be made to pay by this office and the Department of Justice.”
“As with drugs, patients need assurance that medical devices are safe and effective,” said Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Daniel R. Levinson. “The government contends that Genzyme marketed an altered, untested device. Taxpayers and patients deserve better.”
The allegations resolved by today’s settlement were originally raised in two lawsuits filed against Genzyme under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the False Claims Act, which allows private citizens with knowledge of false claims to bring civil actions on behalf of the government and to share in any recovery. The whistleblowers, or relators’, share of the settlement has not been determined.
Assistant Attorney General Delery thanked the Office of Chief Counsel for the Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, the Justice Department’s Commercial Litigation Branch, the Defense Health Agency, the Office of Personnel Management, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General for the collaboration that resulted in the settlement. This case was investigated jointly by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Harden of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida and Trial Attorney Charles Biro of the Commercial Litigation Branch of the Justice Department’s Civil Division.
This settlement illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud and marks another achievement for the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT) initiative, which was announced in May 2009 by Attorney General Eric Holder and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. The partnership between the two departments has focused efforts to reduce and prevent Medicare and Medicaid financial fraud through enhanced cooperation. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Since January 2009, the Justice Department has recovered a total of more than $17 billion through False Claims Act cases, with more than $12.2 billion of that amount recovered in cases involving fraud against federal health care programs.The claims settled by this agreement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability. The two lawsuits are captioned United States ex rel. Fuentes, Russo v. Genzyme Corp., No. 09-cv-1245 (M.D. Fla.) and United States ex rel. Kelley v. Genzyme Corp., No. 10-cv-549 (M.D. Fla.).
Former JSO Corrections Officer Indicted for Receipt, Distribution, and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – Acting United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the arrest and unsealing of an indictment charging former Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) Corrections Officer Leon Perry Brooks, Sr. (39, Jacksonville) with two counts of receipt of child pornography, one count of distribution of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography. If convicted on each of the receipt counts and the distribution count, he faces a minimum of 5 years, up to 20 years in federal prison. On the possession of child pornography charge, Brooks faces a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment.
Brooks will make his initial appearance in federal court today, in Jacksonville, at 2:15 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate James R. Klindt.
According to the indictment, the offenses occurred between June 19, 2012, and May 20, 2013, and involve certain named computer files depicting minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
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 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), in conjunction with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diidri Robinson.
It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Click HERE to view indictment.
Brandenton Man Sentenced to 27 Years in Prison for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan today sentenced Estella D. (Washington) Wright and her husband, Dorian D. Wright, to 4 years, 3 months’ and 15 months’ imprisonment, respectively. The sentences were handed down in connection with the couple’s involvement in a tax refund scheme and Estella Wright’s conviction on seven counts of aggravated identity theft. The court also ordered the couple to pay restitution in the amount of $210,737.97, to the Internal Revenue Service, and $1,500.00 to a victim of the identity theft. The couple resides in Brunswick, Georgia.
Both pleaded guilty to the charges on June 26, 2013.
According to court documents, from at least September 2007 through 2008, Estella Wright stole the means of identification from individuals through her employment at a temporary staffing agency. Wright then provided these means of identification to her co-conspirators to fraudulently file tax returns and obtain income tax refunds. The fraudulently filed tax returns caused a total of $816,384.00 to be directly deposited into bank accounts held in either Estella Wright’s or Dorian Wright’s name.
The case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelly S. Karase.
Bradenton Man Sentenced to 27 Years in Prison for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Kovachevich today sentenced Heriberto Pena-Salazar (25, Bradenton) to 27 years in federal prison for production of child pornography. As part of his sentence, he was also ordered to serve a 15-year term of supervised release, following his incarceration, and to register as a sex offender.
Salazar was found guilty on October 2, 2013.
According to court documents, in May 2012 Pena-Salazar persuaded a pre-pubescent female to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of the act. In a video recovered on Pena-Salazar’s cellular phone, his face is visible, as he is seen pulling back the victim’s pants and underwear and performing sexual acts on her. During an interview, he admitted that he abused the child and stated that he did so in order to trade the video for child pornography from others.
A forensic review of the computer laptops and hard drive seized from Pena-Salazar revealed 600 videos and 400 images of child pornography, including files depicting pre-pubescent children and sadomasochistic conduct. Pena-Salazar, a Mexican national, was illegally present in the United States.“The exploitation of children is one of the most heinous crimes we investigate,” said Susan McCormick, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations Tampa. “This case was especially egregious, and as a result, this man will serve nearly 30 years in prison. Let this case serve as a warning to individuals who prey on innocent children – we will find you, arrest you and ensure you are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Enforcement and Removal Operations, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bradenton Police. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer L. Peresie and Amanda C. Kaiser.
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 Man Sentenced to 7 Years in Federal Prison for Tax Refund FraudRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge James D. Whittemore today sentenced Quincy Wimberly (29, Tampa) to seven years in federal prison for theft of government property and aggravated identity theft. Quincy Wimberly pleaded guilty on September 5, 2013.
According to court documents, from at least as early as January of 2011, Wimberly engaged in stolen identity tax refund fraud. He was responsible for over sixty fraudulently filed tax returns and fraudulently obtained tax refunds in excess of $175,000.
Wimberly’s co-conspirators, Nikia Williams and Porscha Williams, were previously sentenced to 6 ½ years and 4 years in prison, respectively, for their roles in the scheme.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Tampa Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sara C. Sweeney and Amanda L. Riedel.
Oviedo Man Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for Tax Fraud and ObstructionRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Gregory A. Presnell yesterday sentenced Daniel M. Metz (54, Oviedo) to 30 months in federal prison for filing false returns and attempting to obstruct justice. He was also ordered to serve a 3-year term of supervision, following his release from prison, and to pay $112,995 in restitution.
Metz was found guilty by a federal jury, on July 18, 2013.
According to court documents, in 2009, Metz's business account was the subject of an Internal Revenue Service civil audit. During the course of the audit, the auditor realized that Metz had not filed personal tax returns for years 2005, 2006, and 2007. After being told about the personal tax returns, Metz prepared the returns and attached false 1099s, which he also had prepared. Metz mailed the returns to the auditor. The auditor suspected that the 1099s were false and requested records from Metz's personal bank accounts. The banks confirmed that the 1099s were false. The personal tax returns were never processed. Had they been processed, Metz would have received approximately $330,344 in refunds from the IRS. Through various means, Metz tried to hinder the IRS' investigation, including filing a lawsuit against the IRS Commissioner and the special agent who was conducting a criminal investigation. That lawsuit was ultimately dismissed.
At the sentencing hearing, the court spoke at length about Metz’s plan to defraud the United States government. The court said that the scheme was long term and “egregious.” It added that Metz had “intentionally filed patently false documents to cheat his way out of paying taxes.”
This case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tanya Davis Wilson.
Orlando Man Sentenced to over 12 Years in Prison for Distribution and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – Chief U.S. District Judge Anne C. Conway today sentenced Jeffrey Alan Barnett (46, Orlando) to 12 years, 11 months in federal prison for distribution and possession of child pornography. The court also ordered Barnett to serve a 10-year term of supervision, following his release from prison, and to register as a sex offender.
Barnett pleaded guilty on August 7, 2013.
According to court documents, Barnett used a peer-to-peer filing sharing program to distribute child pornography to an undercover federal task force agent, on three separate occasions. On March 21, 2013, a federal search warrant was executed at Barnett’s residence. During the execution of that warrant, investigators found a computer located in Barnett’s bedroom that contained child pornography. During an interview, Barnett admitted that the computer belonged to him, that he had been using a peer-to-peer file sharing program to download and trade child pornography, and that he had been trading child pornography for over twenty years. Barnett was arrested on federal charges on March 21, 2013. A forensic examination of his computer found that he possessed over 250 videos of child pornography, including images of sadistic and masochistic conduct.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Seminole County Sheriff's Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg.
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.
Daytona Beach Felon Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Possessing A FirearmRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – Chief U.S. District Judge Anne C. Conway today sentenced Albert Nedd (41) to 15 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Nedd pleaded guilty on September 13, 2013.
According to court documents, on December 8, 2012, Daytona Beach Police Department Officers responded to a complaint concerning a weapon and saw Nedd walking away from the scene and concealing what appeared to be a small handgun in his waistband. The officers commanded Nedd to stop, but he kept walking away. Nedd walked up a staircase attached to a building, placed the handgun at the top of the staircase, and then was stopped by officers once he walked down. Officers found a loaded .38 caliber revolver at the top of staircase. Nedd, a previously convicted felon, is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James D. Mandolfo.
It is another case prosecuted as a part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” program - a nationwide, gun-violence reduction strategy. Acting 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 part of ATF’s Frontline strategy to reduce violent crime and improve the quality of life in communities where law enforcement efforts are focused.
California Women and Florida Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Body-Smuggling Drugs to TampaRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – Acting United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that U.S. District Judge James D. Whittemore this week sentenced Vanessa Cooper (39, El Cajon, California), Canetha Johnson (43, El Cajon, California), and Raul Carbajal (23, Plant City, Florida) to 17, 14 and 15 years in federal prison, respectively, for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine.
Cooper and Johnson were found guilty by a federal jury on September 23, 2013. Carbajal pleaded guilty on September 13, 2013.
According to the evidence and testimony presented at trial, on or about April 1, 2013, Cooper and Johnson, along with co-defendant Selena Blanchard, departed from an airport in San Diego, California, ultimately destined for Tampa, Florida. The purpose of the trip was to deliver approximately two pounds of high-purity methamphetamine to Carbajal. In order to get the drugs through airport security, without detection, each individual smuggled a package inside of her body. The three women arrived in Tampa on April 2, 2013, where they were met by Carbajal. All three women then delivered the packages of methamphetamine to Carbajal. In the same manner, Cooper and Blanchard had delivered methamphetamine from California to Carbajal, in Tampa, on several prior occasions.
Blanchard was found guilty, following a jury trial, on September 23, 2013. A sentencing date has not yet been set.This case was investigated by special agents and local task force agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Jackson.
South Florida Man Pleads Guilty for Role in $10.5 Million Medicare Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A south Florida man has pleaded guilty today for his role in a $10.5 million Medicare fraud scheme involving physical and occupational therapy services.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida A. Lee Bentley III, Special Agent in Charge Paul Wysopal of the FBI’s Tampa Field Office and Special Agent in Charge Christopher Dennis of the U.S. Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) Office of Investigations made the announcement.
Luis Alberto Garcia Perojo, 42, pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida to conspiring to commit health care fraud. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, and his sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.
According to documents filed in the case, Garcia conspired with others to execute a health care fraud scheme through Renew Therapy Center of Port St. Lucie LLC, a comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility that he helped operate. From November 2007 through August 2009, Renew Therapy submitted approximately $10,549,361 in fraudulent claims for reimbursement to Medicare for therapy services that were not legitimately prescribed and not legitimately provided to Medicare beneficiaries. As a result of those fraudulent claims, Medicare deposited approximately $6,248,056 into a Renew Therapy bank account. The fraud proceeds in that account were later disbursed to various entities, including a combined total of $1,847,222 to Ariguanabo Investment Group Inc. and IRE Diagnostic Center Inc. Garcia was President of Ariguanabo Investment Group and had authority over bank accounts for Ariguanabo Investment Group and IRE Diagnostic Center, both of which were shell companies. Garcia and others used this money from Renew Therapy for, among other purposes, paying kickbacks to obtain Medicare beneficiary identifying information that was used in Renew Therapy’s fraudulent reimbursement claims.
This case is being investigated by the FBI and HHS-OIG, and was brought as part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force under the supervision of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida. This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Christopher J. Hunter of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.
Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, now operating in nine cities across the country, has charged more than 1,700 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for more than $5.5 billion. In addition, the HHS Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.
To learn more about the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Team (HEAT), go to: www.stopmedicarefraud.gov.