Middle District of Florida
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Occupational Therapist Impersonator Sentenced to Prison for Mail Fraud and Identity TheftRead the Press Release
Orlando, FL - U.S. District Judge Roy Dalton sentenced James Lewis, a/k/a James Lee Lewis, (44, Kissimmee) today to five years and five months in federal prison for mail fraud and aggravated identity theft. Lewis pleaded guilty on December 18, 2012.
According to court documents, in March 2009, Lewis fraudulently obtained a temporary occupational therapist (OT) license from the Florida Department of Health. To obtain the temporary license, Lewis used a false name and Social Security Number, and fabricated his education credentials. Between March 2009 and July 2011, Lewis worked as an OT at various health care facilities in Central Florida and New Mexico, and received his wages using Electronic Funds Transfers. On January 17, 2013, Lewis’ bond was revoked after the government discovered that he had again applied to work as an occupational therapist in Central Florida, using fraudulent information.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Florida Department of Health’s Division of Medical Quality Assurance, Orlando Unlicensed Activity Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Haas.
St. Johns County Man Convicted in Methamphetamine CaseRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, FL - Yesterday, a federal jury found Frank Higginbotham (36, Hastings) guilty of one count of conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine and one count of distribution of methamphetamine. For the conspiracy offense, Higginbotham faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years, up to life in federal prison. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison for the distribution charge. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for June 3, 2013. Higginbotham was indicted on August 2, 2012.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Higginbotham manufactured and sold methamphetamine at various locations in St. Johns County. During the conspiracy, methamphetamine users gave Higginbotham boxes of medication containing pseudoephedrine in exchange for methamphetamine. Pseudoephedrine, which is an ingredient in many cold and allergy medications, is the primary ingredient needed to manufacture methamphetamine. On February 13, 2012, Higginbotham sold methamphetamine to an undercover Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Arnold B. Corsmeier.
Title Insurance Company President Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida - Senior U.S. District Judge G. Kendall Sharp sentenced Douglas Wayne Bartle, III, also known as Ridgely Douglas Bartle and Douglas Wayne Bartle, Jr., (49, Winter Park) to 20 months in federal prison for wire fraud. The court also ordered Bartle to pay $862,770.12 in restitution to his victim. Bartle pleaded guilty on November 27, 2012.
According to court documents, in 2004 Bartle and others opened a title insurance company named Vision Title. Vision Title had offices in various counties throughout Florida. The offices were formed as Florida limited liability companies (Vision LLCs). In 2009, to cover living and other personal expenses, Bartle embezzled money from Vision Title’s escrow account. To ensure that Vision Title’s insurance underwriters were unaware of the theft, Bartle used a computer in Orange County, Florida, to access the Internet and obtain bank statements on computer servers in North Carolina. Bartle then altered those bank statements and provided copies to Vision Title’s insurance underwriters. These fraudulent bank statements prevented the insurance underwriters from detecting the fraud and caused the insurance underwriters to allow Vision Title to stay in business. As Vision Title continued to operate, Bartle was able to steal more money. Because of Bartle’s actions, Vision Title had insufficient funds to cover claims that could have been made on title insurance issued by Vision Title. When law enforcement detected the fraud, Vison Title offices throughout Florida were immediately shut down. Vision Title employees lost their jobs with no advance notice. In total, Bartle embezzled approximately $1.1 million.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Florida Department of Insurance Fraud. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Vincent A. Citro.
Three Individuals Sentenced in Orlando Federal Court for Scheme to Cash Fraudulent Refund ChecksRead the Press Release
Orlando, FL - U.S. District Judge Charlene E. Honeywell sentenced three individuals for their roles in a conspiracy to defraud the government. Eliseo Dela Rosa (38, Orlando) was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison, Ana Torres (27, Kissimmee) was sentenced to two years' probation and Ada Lopez (39, Orlando) was sentenced to six months' home confinement as a condition of four years of probation. All three pleaded guilty on November 16, 2012.
According to court documents, the Internal Revenue Service discovered that Dela Rosa and others fraudulently received IRS refunds and stimulus checks. They then cashed or deposited the checks at Bank of America. Torres and Lopez worked as bank tellers at Bank of America. Between May 2007 and July 2008, Dela Rosa took several Treasury checks to Lopez and Torres. Lopez and Torres would either cash or deposit the checks into another individual's Bank of America checking account. The women would then give the money to Dela Rosa or one of his runners who dropped off the checks for him.
Lopez cashed checks for Dela Rosa and received payment for each check she cashed. All checks already had been endorsed before Lopez received them. If a check was not endorsed, Lopez would give the check back to Dela Rosa who would bring the check back later. Lopez cashed about $244,000 in checks.
Between May 2, 2007, and September 11, 2007, Torres also deposited Treasury checks received from Dela Rosa or his runners. She cashed a total of approximately $46,000 in checks. Torres withdrew her fee for cashing the checks and gave the remainder of the proceeds to Dela Rosa.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tanya Davis Wilson.
St. Petersburg Store Owner and Clerk Indicted for Food Stamp FraudRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida - United States Attorney Robert E. O'Neill announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Mehdi Babul (58) and Isam Nasser (30) with one count each of conspiracy to defraud the United States and to commit wire fraud, five counts of wire fraud, and five counts of food stamp fraud. If convicted of the conspiracy charge, Babul and Nasser each face a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. For each wire fraud count, they face a maximum penalty of twenty years in federal prison. And, if convicted, they each face up to one year in federal prison for each of the food stamp fraud charges.
According to the indictment, Babul owned and operated Hungry Baba, LLC, a convenience store located in St. Petersburg. Isam Nasser was a clerk at Hungry Baba. During the time frame of the alleged conspiracy, Hungry Baba was a participant in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program. From November 2008 through April 2010, Babul, Nasser, and others allegedly conspired and schemed to cheat SNAP by purchasing SNAP benefits from Hungry Baba customers. They exchange the benefits for cash, minus a fee of approximately 50% of the total amount charged to the individual recipient’s SNAP account. This is an illegal practice known as “discounting” or “cash-back.”
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, the United States Department of Agriculture, Office of the Inspector General, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the St. Petersburg Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew J. Mueller.
Port Orange Man Sentenced to More Than 7 Years for Receiving Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida -U.S. District Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell sentenced Wilfred Reginald Breuer (50, Port Orange) to 7 years and six months in federal prison for receipt and possession of child pornography. The court also ordered Breuer to forfeit the computer he used to receive the child pornography and to serve a ten year term of supervised release following his incarceration. Breuer pleaded guilty on November 28, 2012.
According to court documents, Breuer received child pornography using a Peer to Peer shared directory. Breuer admitted to downloading child pornography images and videos for more than five years. A forensic examination of Breuer’s computer discovered 1,456 images and 343 movies of involving the sexual exploitation of prepubescent children.
The 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. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov and click on the tab "other resources."
This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Myrna Amelia Mesa.
Jamaica Citizen Sentenced to for Possessing A Firearm as an Illegal AlienRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida - U.S. District Judge John Antoon, II, sentenced Omar O'Neill Lewis last week to 57 months in federal prison for possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. He pleaded guilty to the charge on August 13, 2012.
According to court documents, an Orange County Sheriff’s deputy observed Lewis attempting to conceal a handgun under a parked car in a parking lot. The handgun was recovered and identified as a FN Herstal 5.7 mm. The gun was loaded with a round in the chamber and 16 rounds in the magazine. Lewis was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon. At the time of his arrest, Lewis identified himself to deputies using a fictitious name. He also produced an illegally obtained Florida identification card and Florida driver's license. Through a search warrant for the collection of DNA samples, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s laboratory in Orlando confirmed the DNA collected from the firearm matched DNA collected from Lewis.
Lewis was later identified as a national and citizen of Jamaica. On April 3, 2001, an immigration judge had ordered Lewis removed from the United States. He was physically removed from the United States on June 28, 2001. Lewis reentered the United States on or about July 25, 2005, without the permission of the Attorney General or Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. He was physically removed again on February 23, 2006. Lewis made other attempts to enter the United States using fictitious identities. On October 5, 2009, in the Southern District of Florida, Lewis was sentenced to 46 months’ imprisonment for illegal re-entry. On May 25, 2010, he was sentenced to 19 months’ imprisonment for false impersonation of a United States citizen.
This case was investigated by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Myrna Amelia Mesa.
Brunswick Couple Indicted and Arrested on Identity Theft and Fraud ChargesRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, FL - U.S. Attorney Robert E. O’Neill announces the return of a multi-count indictment charging Estella D. Wright and Dorian D. Wright, both of Brunswick, Georgia, with conspiracy to defraud the government and theft of public money. Estella Wright is also charged with seven counts of aggravated identity theft. The Wrights were both arrested today in Brunswick. If convicted, Estella D. Wright faces a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in federal prison for the conspiracy charge, and for each of the seven theft of public money charges. She faces two consecutive years’ imprisonment for the seven aggravated identity theft counts. If convicted, Dorian Wright faces up to 10 years’ in federal prison for the conspiracy charge and each of the two theft public money charges.
According to the indictment, between March 2007 and April 2010, the Wrights conspired with an inmate in the custody of the Florida Department of Corrections to defraud the Internal Revenue Service through the filing of false federal income tax returns. The alleged conspiracy involved using the names, forged signatures and social security numbers of others. The indictment further alleges that Estella Wright obtained the names and social security numbers through her employment at a temporary staffing agency.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.
The case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Kelly S. Karase is handling the prosecution of this case.
Orlando Man Sentenced to 30 Months in Federal Prison for Selling Counterfeit DVDsRead the Press Release
Orlando, FL - U.S. District Judge G. Kendall Sharp today sentenced Dale Anthony Borders (38, Orlando) to two years and six months in federal prison for trafficking in counterfeit DVDs bearing the trademarks of Beachbody, LLC, Disney Enterprises, Inc., and Zumba Fitness, LLC. Borders pleaded guilty on November 29, 2012.
According to court documents, between March 26, 2009, and August 26, 2011, Borders used his company, 5A Novelty, to import counterfeit DVDs bearing counterfeit Disney, Zumba, and Beachbody trademarks into the United States. During that time, according to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Protection (CBP), approximately 80 parcels containing counterfeit items had been shipped to Borders.
In March 2011, Beachbody served Borders and 5A Novelty notice that 5A Novelty was not a designated or approved retailer or distributor of Beachbody products. Beachbody also advised 5A Novelty of the copyright laws that prevent the unauthorized use of trademarks. Beachbody and eBay shut down the 5A Novelty website three times. Each time, Borders reestablished the website.
On August 18, 2011, CBP officers in Cleveland, Ohio, seized one box of counterfeit Beachbody exercise DVD boxed sets addressed to Borders' Orlando residence. Agents subsequently interviewed Borders at his residence, at which time Borders gave agents counterfeit Beachbody and Zumba exercise DVDs. Borders told the agents that he did not have any more DVDs or counterfeit items and did not have any pending orders. However, on August 29, 2011, during an inspection by a special agent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations at the Orlando DHL distribution hub, two boxes of counterfeit Beachbody and Zumba exercise DVD boxed sets (60 units), intended for Borders, were seized. The shipping invoice listed the shipment as "Teaching Materials" and "Learning Materials."
This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Haas.
Lakeland Resident Sentenced to Prison for Firearms PossessionRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL - U.S. District Court Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington today sentenced Jonathan Oner (28, Lakeland) to a term of 6 years and eight months in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and felony possession of marijuana. Oner pleaded guilty to the offenses on November 16, 2012.
According to testimony and evidence presented at the plea hearing and sentencing, Oner was arrested by Lakeland Police officers in the early morning hours of July 15, 2012 after the officers responded to a shots fired call at a Lakeland apartment building. When the officers arrived at that location, they observed Oner, who began fleeing from them. Upon pursuing and catching Oner, the police found him to be in possession of a Llama 9mm pistol, loaded with 8 rounds of ammunition and a quantity of marijuana. Previously, Oner been convicted of a number of felony offenses and had not had his right to possess a firearm restored. As such, he was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), with assistance from the Lakeland Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jay Hoffer.
It is another case prosecuted as a part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” program - a nationwide, gun-violence reduction strategy. United States Attorney Robert E. O’Neill, along with Julie Torres, 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.
Honduran National Sentenced to Federal Prison for PerjuryRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida - U.S. District Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington today sentenced Jimmy Samir Mendoza-Valle (20, Honduras) to 15 months in federal prison for obstruction of justice and perjury charges. Mendoza-Valle pleaded guilty on November 30, 2012.
According to court documents, in June 2012, Mendoza-Valle was one of fourteen defendants in a federal drug-trafficking conspiracy case in the Middle District of Florida. A week prior to trial, Mendoza-Valle filed a motion to dismiss the indictment. The principal contention of his motion was that Mendoza-Valle was actually a minor and, accordingly, the United States should dismiss the indictment.
During the hearing on the motion before U.S. District Judge James S. Moody, Jr., on June 4, 2012, Mendoza-Valle lied under oath and claimed that he had been born on December 10, 1994, and that he was 17 years old. During the hearing, his counsel also offered into evidence a copy of a Honduran birth certificate of Mendoza-Valle, purportedly filed in 1993, reflecting a birth date of December 10, 1994. Subsequent evidence, including a legitimate birth certificate introduced by the United States on June 5, 2012, showed that Mendoza-Valle’s true date of birth was December 10, 1992, and that he was in fact 19 years old on June 4, 2012. At the conclusion of the hearing, Judge Moody ruled that the birth certificate offered by the government was Mendoza-Valle’s true birth certificate.
Mendoza-Valle has since admitted that he lied as to his true age and submitted a false birth certificate to the court during the hearing on June 4, 2012. By attempting to portray himself as a juvenile during that hearing, he admits to erroneously and falsely attempting to influence the hearing in an effort to get the charges against him dismissed.
This case was investigated by the Panama Express Strike Force, an OCDETF funded operation targeting maritime smuggling. Participating agencies include the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the United States Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS), the Joint Interagency Task Force - South (JIATFS), and the United States Marshals Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Jackson and former Special Assistant United States Attorney Austin Shutt.
Brooksville Man Sentenced to More Than Eight Years in Prison for Running Fraudulent Home Inspection BusinessRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL - U.S. District Judge James S. Moody today sentenced Dean Counce (42, Brooksville) president and founder of American Mortgage Field Services, LLC (AMFS), to 8 years and one month in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The court also ordered Counce to forfeit his interest in real estate and jewelry, which are traceable to proceeds of the offense. In addition, the court entered a money judgment in the amount of $12,774,102, which are the proceeds of the conspiracy. Counce pleaded guilty on September 14, 2012.
According to the plea agreement, Counce owned American Mortgage Field Services, LLC (AMFS). AMFS performed preservation and inspection work for homes in various phases of foreclosure, including homes that were owned by government entities such as Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). The government entities paid servicing lenders, such as Bank of America, to protect and maintain their properties. Beginning in or around 2007, in order to protect the investments and to prevent unnecessary deterioration that may result from neglect or vandalism, some of these servicing lenders retained Counce’s company to conduct periodic inspection of government-owned or insured properties.
Each month, the servicing lenders would send Counce and AMFS a list of properties that required inspection. Counce performed some inspections personally and, as the business grew, he hired others to assist and eventually take over the inspection process. These inspections required Counce and other AMFS employees to visit a property, fill out an inspection report, and take photographs. Counce and others then compiled these inspection reports and transmitted them electronically to the servicing lender. The servicing lenders then paid Counce and AMFS a fee per inspection.
As the real estate market declined in Florida and throughout the country, Counce and AMFS began to receive an increasing number of requests for inspections on properties in foreclosure, the mortgages for most or all of which were owned or insured by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or FHA. The requests far exceeded Counce’s or AMFS’s capacity to deliver. As a result, Counce and other AMFS employees began fabricating inspection reports.
In total, between 2007 and 2009, Bank of America remitted $4,490,398.87 to Mid-Florida Home Securing (later known as AMFS) and, between 2009 and 2012, Bank of America paid AMFS $19,044,973.06 for inspections, a large percentage of which were never actually performed. As a result of this fraud, Counce and AMFS managed to keep overhead and expenses low and profits high, resulting in net profits to Counce of up to $1 million in a single month. Based on employee reports of fabrication rates, the government estimates the loss in this case to be approximately $12,774,102.
This case was investigated by the Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General, Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of the Inspector General, and the United States Secret Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mandy Riedel.
Suwannee County Man Indicted on Federal Charge of Failure to Register as Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida - United States Attorney Robert E. O'Neill announced today the return of an indictment charging Denny Junior Jenkins (41, Live Oak) with failing to register as sex offender in the State of Florida after traveling from South Carolina. Jenkins faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. An arraignment and detention hearing are scheduled for February 22, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. before United States Magistrate Judge Monte C. Richardson.
According to the indictment, on September 4, 1992, Jenkins was convicted of committing two sex offenses in Florida. Subsequent to his conviction, between March 2012 and September 2012, Jenkins traveled from South Carolina to Florida, where he has since resided. Jenkins allegedly failed to register as a sex offender as required by the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.
The Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act is part of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006. The Adam Walsh Act also provides for the use of federal law enforcement resources, including the U.S. Marshals Service, to assist the states in locating and apprehending non-compliant sex offenders. This case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by 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."
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.
Tampa Woman Pleads Guilty to Providing Information for Tax FraudRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida - United States Attorney Robert E. O'Neill announces that Ieshia Jordan (27, Tampa) pleaded guilty today to conspiracy and wrongful disclosure of health information. Jordan faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison for the conspiracy charge and up to 10 years in prison on the wrongful disclosure of health information charge.According to the plea agreement, Jordan stole identifying information of individuals, including names and social security numbers, from her former employer, Intermedix Corporation. Intermedix is a medical billing company that assists fire departments and emergency medical service providers across the county in billing for their medical services.
In September 2012, during the execution of search warrants at several locations, records from Intermedix were found. Intermedix traced the records back to Jordan. When interviewed by law enforcement, Jordan admitted that she accessed the records at her work place, without authorization, in order to generate the information needed to file fraudulent tax returns and obtain tax refunds. Jordan said she then gave the records to others to sell and use to file fraudulent tax returns. Jordan also stated she was paid for her role in the scheme.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, the Tampa Police Department, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sara C. Sweeney and Amanda L. Riedel.
Tampa Couple Arrested for Tax FraudRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida - United States Attorney Robert E. O'Neill announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Jermell C. Hickman and Ebonie Hampton, both of Tampa, with one count of conspiracy, four counts of wire fraud, twelve counts of filing false claims, ten counts of theft of government property, and ten counts of aggravated identity theft. If convicted on all counts, each face a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison on the conspiracy charge, up to 20 years in prison for each wire fraud charge, up to 5 years imprisonment for each charge of filing false claims, and up to 10 years in prison for each offense of theft of government property, all of which to be followed by up to 2 years imprisonment for each count of aggravated identity theft. The Indictment also notifies both individuals that the United States is seeking a money judgment in the amount of $288,607.25, the proceeds of their scheme to defraud.
According to the indictment, Hickman and Hampton engaged in a conspiracy with each other, from at least as early as January 2012 through October 2012, to file fraudulent tax returns using stolen identity information of other individuals in order to obtain tax refunds.
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 Sara C. Sweeney.
Polk County Man Sentenced to More Than 5 Years in Federal Prison for Tax FraudRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida - U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday today sentenced Jermaine Lee Lippett to 5 years and five months in federal prison for conspiracy, theft of government funds, and aggravated identity theft. Lippett was also ordered to forfeit $96,805.12 and to pay restitution to the Internal Revenue Service in the amount of $96,553.12. Lippett pleaded guilty on November 2, 2012.
According to court documents, Lippett orchestrated a scheme to convert the proceeds of fraudulently-acquired federal tax refund checks through legitimate accounts held at the MidFlorida Federal Credit Union. Lippett, acting in complicity with several account holders and a credit union teller, caused fraudulent tax refund checks to be negotiated through legitimate accounts. He then shared the proceeds with the teller and account holders.
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert Monk.
Jury Convicts St. Petersburg Career Offender on Gun and Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL - U.S. Attorney Robert E. O'Neill announces that a federal jury yesterday found Michael M. Rucker (34, St. Petersburg), a/k/a Bryan Houston, a/k/a Idris Williams guilty of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school. Because of his criminal history, Rucker faces a maximum penalty of 70 years in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 6, 2013.
Rucker was indicted on June 28, 2012. According to evidence presented at trial, on May 15, 2012, the St. Petersburg Police Department Vice and Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant at Rucker's residence located at 1806 9th Avenue South in St. Petersburg. During the execution of the search warrant, officers located two fully loaded handguns in Rucker's bedroom, crack cocaine under a couch, marijuana, and tools of the drug trade commonly used to make and sell crack cocaine. The residence is located within 1,000 feet of both a middle school and daycare center. As a previously convicted felon, Rucker is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the St. Petersburg Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Josephine W. Thomas.
It is another case prosecuted as a part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” program - a nationwide, gun-violence reduction strategy led by ATF. United States Attorney Robert E. O’Neill, along with Julie Torres, 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.
Cocoa Man Sentenced to 27 Years in Federal Prison for Soliciting A Minor for Sex and the Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida - U.S. District Chief Judge Anne C. Conway today sentenced Phillip Beyel (28, Cocoa) to 27 years in federal prison for soliciting a minor to have sex and production of child pornography. The court also ordered Beyel to forfeit an Apple iPhone, which he used to facilitate the offenses. Beyel pleaded guilty on September 25, 2012.
According to court documents, on December 31, 2011, Beyel sent a text message from his iPhone, to the minor victim’s iPhone, soliciting the minor victim to engage in sex. After sending the text message, Beyel went to the minor victim’s home, from where they then went to a nearby hotel. Once inside the hotel room, Beyel had sex with the minor and also produced a video of himself engaging in sex with the minor.
On January 1, 2012, during a controlled telephone call between the minor victim and Beyel, they discussed the sexual activity which had taken place on December 31, 2011. During that call, Beyel told the minor victim that if the minor had to go to the doctor, not to say that the injury was caused by the two of them having sex.
A forensic examination of Beyel’s iPhone recovered several videos and photographs depicting sexual acts between Beyel and the minor victim, including the one made on December 31, 2011.
“Homeland Security Investigations and our law enforcement partners are determined to find and arrest individuals who prey on minors,” said Susan McCormick, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations Tampa, which oversees the agency’s Cocoa Beach office that investigated this case. “Child exploitation is one of the most heinous crimes we investigate, and I assure you, we will make sure these predators are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
This case was investigated by the Brevard County Sheriff's Office and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carlos A. Perez-Irizarry.
It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
Clearwater Man Sentenced to 2 Years in Federal Prison for Immigration Document FraudRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida - U.S. District Judge James S. Moody, Jr. today sentenced Mario Cabrera (34, Clearwater) to 24 months in federal prison for immigration document fraud. The court also ordered him to forfeit electronics and computer equipment, which were used to commit the offense. Cabrera pleaded guilty on November 26, 2012.“When Homeland Security Investigations special agents executed a search warrant at Mr. Cabrera’s residence, they uncovered more than 100 fraudulent documents, “ said Susan McCormick, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations Tampa. “Mr. Cabrera was providing these documents to people trying to evade the legal immigration process. These individuals could be threats to public safety, or even worse, national security.”
According to court documents, Cabrera sold counterfeit documents, including driver's licenses, social security cards, and permanent resident alien cards to a confidential informant on multiple occasions.
This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sara C. Sweeney.
Riverview Woman Pleads Guilty to Tax Fraud Conspiracy and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida - United States Attorney Robert E. O'Neill announces that Carlista Hawls pleaded guilty today to one count of conspiracy to defraud the Internal Revenue Service, wire fraud, and theft of government funds and one count of aggravated identity theft. Hawls faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison for the conspiracy charge and a consecutive 2-year mandatory minimum term of imprisonment for the aggravated identity theft charge.
According to the plea agreement, between January and August 2012, Hawls engaged in a scheme with other individuals to file false income tax returns with the IRS. The returns were filed in order to obtain fraudulent refunds to which the conspirators were not owed. The conspirators used the personal information of others to electronically file approximately 217 false and fraudulent federal income tax returns. In many cases, the individuals whose information appeared on these fraudulent filed returns did not know that Hawls and her co-conspirators were filing the returns on their behalf. In total, these 217 fraudulent returns claimed approximately $1,554,493.00 in bogus tax refunds. Ultimately, the IRS paid out $551,472.90 in refunds to the conspirators.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Simon Gaugush.
U.S. Attorney Adds Four Federal Prosecutors to Orlando OfficeRead the Press Release
Orlando, FL - U.S. Attorney Robert E. O’Neill announced today that his office has added four new attorneys to its Orlando office. With cumulative responsibilities for federal criminal prosecutions, affirmative and civil defense, appellate, and forfeiture proceedings, the Middle District of Florida includes a geographical area encompassing thirty-five of Florida’s sixty-seven counties. Until recently, approximately 114 attorneys and 129 support staff occupied five offices (Tampa, Orlando, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, and Ocala) covering approximately one-half of the state’s population. Still, the MDFL has kept pace with similarly busy districts for the past several years, with fewer attorneys than some of its respective counterparts.
The Middle District of Florida is one of 94 federal districts across the country. The MDFL (second in population only to the Central District of California) and is one of the busiest districts in the country, consistently ranking within the top three categories for the number of civil case filings and prosecutions involving the exploitation of children (Project Safe Childhood). Impacted by a nationwide hiring freeze and normal attrition, the office has had to do more with less. Finally, to restore the district’s staffing deficit, a Department of Justice waiver allowed for the hiring of additional personnel in FY 2013.
“The caseload doesn’t stop,” said U.S. Attorney Robert O’Neill. “We have had to make some internal adjustments in order to keep pace with the increasing flow of work. During that time, our staff really stepped up to make sure that the public continued to be served. Our district is very diverse in the types of cases that we litigate. Now, with the addition of new personnel, we will be able to continue the great work throughout the district and address those cases more aggressively and effectively.”
On February 11, 2013, U.S. Chief District Judge Anne C. Conway administered the oath of office in Orlando to Shawn P. Napier, Joseph M. Schuster, Andrew C. Searle, and James D. Mandolfo.
Shawn P. Napier is assigned to the Criminal Division. Prior to joining the office, he served as a Senior Assistant Attorney General in the Office of the Ohio Attorney General. Mr. Napier graduated magna cum laude from Capital University Law School, in Columbus, Ohio, where he obtained his Juris Doctorate. He is a graduate of the University of Central Florida where he obtained Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.
Joseph M. Schuster - He is assigned to the Criminal Division. Prior to becoming an Assistant United States Attorney, Mr. Schuster practiced as an associate with the law firm of Dechert LLP, in New York City, specializing in White Collar and Securities Litigation. He graduated with honors from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in fine Arts Dramatic Writing. He obtained a Master of Arts Degree, with honors, in History of International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Thereafter, he obtained his Juris Doctorate from the Georgetown University Law Center, in Washington, DC, as a Dean’s Scholar.
Andrew C. Searle is assigned to the Criminal Division. Mr. Searle served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Trial Division of the New York County District Attorney’s Office in New York, prior to joining the office. He graduated from the University of Florida, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in Finance. He obtained his Juris Doctor degree from Temple University, Beasley School of Law, in Philadelphia.
James D. Mandolfo is assigned to the Criminal Division. Before joining the office, Mr. Mandolfo practiced law with the firm of Hunton & Williams LLP, in Miami, where he represented clients in a wide array of complex securities and commercial litigation. He obtained his Juris Doctor degree, cum laude, from Fordham University School of Law, New York, NY and is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University, where he graduated with Highest Distinction and ranked first in the Political Science Department.
U.S. Attorney Adds Five Federal Prosecutors to Tampa OfficeRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL - U.S. Attorney Robert E. O’Neill announced today that his office has added five new attorneys to its Tampa office. With cumulative responsibilities for federal criminal prosecutions, affirmative and civil defense, appellate, and forfeiture proceedings, the Middle District of Florida includes a geographical area encompassing thirty-five of Florida’s sixty-seven counties. Until recently, approximately 114 attorneys and 129 support staff occupied five offices (Tampa, Orlando, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, and Ocala) covering approximately one-half of the state’s population. Still, the MDFL has kept pace with similarly busy districts for the past several years, with fewer attorneys than some of its respective counterparts.
The Middle District of Florida is one of 94 federal districts across the country. The MDFL (second in population only to the Central District of California) is one of the busiest districts in the country, consistently ranking within the top three categories for the number of civil case filings and prosecutions involving the exploitation of children (Project Safe Childhood). Impacted by a nationwide hiring freeze and normal attrition, the office has had to do more with less. Finally, to restore the district’s staffing deficit, a Department of Justice waiver allowed for the hiring of additional personnel in FY 2013.
“The caseload doesn’t stop,” said U.S. Attorney Robert O’Neill. “We have had to make some internal adjustments in order to keep pace with the increasing flow of work. During that time, our staff really stepped up to make sure that the public continued to be served. Our district is very diverse in the types of cases that we litigate. Now, with the addition of new personnel, we will be able to continue the great work throughout the district and address those cases more aggressively and effectively.”On February 5, 2013, U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday administered the oath of office in Tampa to Josephine W. Thomas, Natalie Hirt Adams, Suzanne C. Nebesky, Patrick D. Scruggs, and Michael Kenneth.
Josephine W. Thomas is currently assigned to the General Crimes Section in the Criminal Division in Tampa. She has served in the Middle District since October 5, 2009, after coming to the office on a detail from the Department of Justice Honors Program. Ms. Thomas is a graduate of Stetson University School of Law in Gulfport, from where she obtained her Juris Doctorate. She is also a graduate of North Carolina State University, from where she obtained a degree in Textile Chemistry and graduated cum laude.
Natalie Hirt Adams is assigned to the Asset Forfeiture Section, within the Asset Recovery and Victims Rights’ Division, in Tampa. Ms. Adams previously practiced law at the law firm of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr, LLP, in Washington, D.C., where she was a Senior Associate. She attended Duke University School of Law, where she obtained her Juris Doctorate, cum laude. Ms. Adams is a graduate of Northwestern University in Evanston Illinois, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science and Theater, magna cum laude.
Suzanne C. Nebesky is currently assigned to the Financial Litigation Unit within the Asset Recovery and Victims Rights’ Division, in Tampa. Prior to joining the office, Ms. Nebesky was a litigation associate at the law firm of McRae & Metcalf, P.A., in Tampa. She attended the United States Naval Academy, in Annapolis, Maryland from 1997-1998. She is a graduate of the Honors College at the College of Charleston, in Charleston, South Carolina, where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Corporate Communications, cum laude. Suzanne graduated from the University Of Florida Levin College Of Law, cum laude.
Patrick D. Scruggs is assigned to the Narcotics Section in Tampa. His previous practice includes working in the Trial Division and the Prescription Drug Investigation Unit of the New York County District Attorney’s Office in New York City. Mr. Scruggs obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Foreign Service, with an International Politics Major, from Georgetown University, School of Foreign Service, from where he graduated magna cum laude, in December. He obtained his Juris Doctor degree from Boston College Law School in Newton, Massachusetts.
Michael Kenneth serves in the Civil Division in Tampa. Mr. Kenneth worked as an associate in the law firm of Troutman Sanders in Washington, D.C., where he represented clients in a wide assortment of complex fraud, torts, and commercial litigation cases. He obtained his Juris Doctorate from Harvard Law School. Mr. Kenneth graduated from Yale University, cum laude with honors, where he obtained a B.A. in Ethics, Politics, and Economics.
Orlando Man Arrested in Million Dollar Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Orlando, FL - United States Attorney Robert E. O'Neill announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Gurudeo "Buddy" Persaud (47, Orlando) with one count of mail fraud and four counts of wire fraud. If convicted, Persaud faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count.
According to the indictment, Persaud formed White Elephant Trading Company, LLC in 2007. White Elephant was a private equity fund that purportedly invested in securities on the national markets. Persaud solicited investors by telling them that he would generate profits using his trading skills and that he would make all trading decisions. Persaud guaranteed investors rates of return of 6% to 18% that were payable in a short period of time. However, Persaud used a trading strategy that was based on lunar cycles and the gravitational pull between the moon and the Earth. Furthermore, Persaud did not invest all of the money that he received from investors, but instead used money from later investors to pay earlier investors and used significant portions of the money for his own personal use. Persaud defrauded investors out of approximately $1,000,000.
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 David Haas.
Orlando Armed Career Criminal Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Orlando, FL - United States Chief District Judge Anne Conway sentenced Rodney U. Berry (43, Orlando) today to 15 years in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Berry pleaded guilty to the charge on September 6, 2012.
According to court documents, on May 21, 2012, Berry met with a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Alcohol (ATF) undercover agent (UC) in the parking lot of Boardwalk Bowling Alley on East Colonial Drive in Orlando. Berry met with the UC and handed the UC a Smith & Wesson handgun in exchange for 50 Roxicodone pills. Berry was subsequently apprehended.
Berry has ten prior felony convictions. As a previously convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing either firearms or ammunition under federal law. According to court documents, his previous convictions include assault with a dangerous weapon, grand theft of a motor vehicle, fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer, distribution of cocaine, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. These prior felony convictions qualified Berry as an Armed Career Criminal.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher LaForgia.
It is another case prosecuted as a part of the Department of Justice's "Project Safe Neighborhoods" program - a nationwide, gun-violence reduction strategy led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). United States Attorney Robert E. O'Neill, along with Julie Torres, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Tampa Field Division, is coordinating the Project Safe Neighborhoods effort here in the Middle District of Florida in cooperation with federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
Jacksonville Man Convicted of Orchestrating A Scheme to Defraud, Attempting to Murder A Witness, and Murder for HireRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida - A federal jury yesterday found Paul S. Kruse (59, Jacksonville) guilty of conspiracy, wire fraud, attempting to murder a government witness, and murder-for-hire. Kruse faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on the conspiracy conviction, 20 years for each wire fraud conviction, 30 years for attempting to kill a government witness, and 10 years for his murder-for-hire plot. Kruse's sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 19, 2013.
Kruse was initially indicted in April 2012. A second superseding indictment was filed on November 1, 2012.
According to the evidence presented at trial, beginning in 2010, Kruse and his brother conspired to recruit and defraud a number of clients to whom they provided financial advisory services. Although Kruse and his brother had been licensed financial advisors for decades, at the time of the scheme, both were unlicensed. As part of the scheme, Kruse established a sham investment firm called "Yorkshire Financial Services." Along with his brother, they convinced their clients, a number of which were retirees, to move their individual retirement accounts ("IRAs") to Yorkshire. Kruse and his brother deceptively told clients that Yorkshire had been in business for more than 30 years, had a staff of experienced securities traders, and traded in a combination of stocks, bonds, and currencies appropriate for IRAs. In reality, Kruse did not invest the investors' funds. Rather, he spent the investors' money on luxury cars, home improvements, personal items, and made hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash withdrawals.
In early 2011, Kruse hired a personal assistant who witnessed Kruse's conduct, which included forging investor signatures, not engaging in investment activity, and lavish spending of investors' money. While Kruse was out of town, the assistant took the documents from the Yorkshire scam to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In early 2012, Kruse approached the FBI and provided a voluntary written confession of his guilt in running an investment fraud scheme.
After Kruse's confession, his co-conspirator brother committed suicide. Kruse was subsequently held in custody on pre-trial detention. While in jail, Kruse hired hitmen to murder his former personal assistant. The assistant was scheduled to be a government witness. Kruse stated that he wanted the former assistant killed to prevent her from testifying, and to avenge his brother's death. Kruse also hired the hitmen to rob and kill two former business partners, whom Kruse contended had cheated him. Unbeknownst to Kruse, the hitmen were undercover federal agents.
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark B. Devereaux and Trial Attorney Ryan Rohlfsen, with the U.S. Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Fraud Section in Washington, D.C.
Former University Community Hospital Employee Pleads Guilty to Tax Fraud and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida - United States Attorney Robert E. O'Neill announces that Tanya Cullens today pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the Internal Revenue Service, wire fraud, theft of government funds, and one count of aggravated identity theft. She faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison for the tax fraud conspiracy and a consecutive 2-year mandatory minimum term of imprisonment for the aggravated identity theft charge.
According to the plea agreement, in 2012, Cullens was a member of the cleaning staff at University Community Hospital. On January 17, 2012, Cullens stole a patient list from the hospital. The list contained the names, dates of birth, and social security numbers of 48 patients who had been treated at University Community Hospital.
Shortly after stealing the patient list from the hospital, Cullens provided the list to her friend and co-conspirator, who used the list to file fraudulent tax returns with the IRS. None of the individuals whose personal information appeared on the fraudulently filed tax returns knew that the conspirators were filing the returns on their behalf. In total, ten fraudulent tax returns were filed by the conspirators, totaling approximately $79,204 in bogus tax refunds. Ultimately, the IRS paid out $44,080.00 in refunds to the conspirators.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Simon Gaugush.
Fort Myers Man Sentenced to More Than 2 ½ Years in Prison for Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, FL - U.S. District Judge John E. Steele today sentenced Peter Jensen to 31 months in federal prison for tax evasion. The court also ordered him to pay restitution to the Internal Revenue Service in the amount of $2,155,133.88. Jensen pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion on October 23, 2012.
According to court documents, for the years 2003 through 2009, Jensen attempted to evade paying federal income tax, in the amount of approximately $1.8 million. Jensen attempted to evade paying the taxes by placing real properties in the names of others, and utilizing the bank account of another individual, rather than depositing money he earned in a bank account from which the money could have been seized by the IRS.
"Today's sentencing again emphasizes that the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue their aggressive pursuit of those who use fraudulent methods in an attempt to corrupt our Nation's tax system." said James D. Robnett, Special Agent in Charge, IRS-Criminal Investigation, Tampa Field Office. "Honest taxpayers have been reassured today that no one is above the law, especially when the integrity of tax administration is at stake."
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert Barclift.
St. Petersburg Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Possession and Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL - U.S. District Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington sentenced Andrew Dennis Kromer (34, St. Petersburg) yesterday to 10 years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for distribution and possession of child pornography. The court also ordered Kromer to forfeit laptop computers and hard drives that he used to facilitate the offenses. Kromer pleaded guilty on November 13, 2012.
According to court documents, Kromer used a social networking website to share and receive numerous images of pre-pubescent boys engaging in explicit sexual activity. Based upon the investigation into the origin of these photographs, the Federal Bureau of Investigation obtained and executed a federal search warrant at Kromer's residence in St. Petersburg. During the search, agents located and seized a laptop computer belonging to Kromer. A detailed forensic analysis showed that Kromer possessed more than 59,000 images of child pornography. The forensic review also revealed that Kromer was regularly trading images with other individuals over the Internet of children engaging in sadistic and masochistic activity.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Josephine W. Thomas.
It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
South Carolina Physician Charged with Attempting to Entice A Minor for Sex over the InternetRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida - United States Attorney Robert E. O'Neill announces the return of an indictment charging Dr. John Francis Williams (66, Blythewood, S.C.) with attempting to entice a minor for sexual activity through use of the Internet. If convicted, Williams faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years, up to life in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Williams that the United States intends to forfeit a residence located at 1822 Wiley Post Trail in Port Orange, Florida.
According to the indictment, between October 11, 2012, and continuing through October 12, 2012, Williams used the Internet to attempt to persuade, induce, and entice a minor to engage in a sexual activity. Williams allegedly communicated with the minor over the Internet from the Port Orange home, and also offered to bring the minor there to engage in sexual activity.
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), the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, as part of “Operation Broadband.” Operation Broadband utilized undercover agents to monitor various social networking websites to identify adults interested in engaging in sexual activity with minors. This case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel W. Eckhart.
It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
Guatemalan Drug Smuggler Extradited to TampaRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida - United States Attorney Robert E. O'Neill announces the extradition from Guatemala of Alma Lucrecia Hernandez-Preciado, a/k/a "La Tia," (40, Tecun Uman, Guatemala). Extradition to Tampa was sought following the return of an indictment, on September 22, 2011, charging Hernandez-Preciado with violations of the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act. Hernandez-Preciado was arrested in Guatemala on October 10, 2011. If convicted, Hernandez-Preciado faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison.
According to the indictment, Hernandez-Preciado participated in a conspiracy with others, including persons who were on board a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Hernandez-Preciado is also charged with aiding and abetting others, including persons who were on board a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, with respect to the possession with the intent to distribute five (5) kilograms or more of cocaine. The charges relate to Hernandez-Preciado's role in organizing the maritime smuggling of cocaine shipments, including a drug smuggling venture where the crew of a go-fast boat was interdicted by the United States Coast Guard off the coast of Guatemala on May 18, 2011, and 347 kilograms of cocaine were seized.
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 Panama Express Strike Force, an OCDETF funded operation targeting maritime smuggling. Participating agencies include the Drug Enforcement Administration (DA), including DEA's Guatemala City Country Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the United States Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS), the Joint Interagency Task Force - South (JIATFS) and the United States Marshals Service, with assistance from the government of Guatemala and Guatemalan law enforcement agencies. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew Jackson and W. Stephen Muldrow.
Former Global Mobility Coordinator Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Employer and Tax Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida - United States Attorney Robert E. O'Neill announces that Alesia Ann Spivey (46, Brandon) today pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud against her former employer, Jabil Circuit, Inc. (“Jabil Circuit”), and one count of conspiracy to defraud the Internal Revenue Service and theft of government funds. Spivey faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison for both offenses.According to the plea agreement, in 2010 and 2011, Spivey was employed in Jabil Circuit’s Global Mobility Group as a Global Mobility Coordinator and a Regional Relocation Program Administrator, in their St. Petersburg corporate offices. Her job responsibilities in these positions included working with Jabil Circuit’s relocation manager, Weichert Relocation Resources, Inc. (“Weichert”), to assist Jabil Circuit’s employees with work-related changes in residence. Beginning around August 2010, and continuing through in or about October 2011, Spivey conspired with various individuals to defraud Jabil Circuit by requesting relocation benefits for non-existent employees. Spivey recruited various co-conspirators to pose as Jabil Circuit employees. These conspirators, opened, maintained, and otherwise made their bank accounts available to receive fraudulently-obtained relocation benefits. To facilitate this aspect of the fraud, Spivey and other conspirators purchased “throw-away” mobile telephones, on which they received telephone calls from Weichert, to communicate about the particular relocation benefits packages being offered and to determine which bank to send any lump sum cash payments. In general, once a lump sum payment was made, the conspirators divided up the fraud proceeds between themselves. Ultimately, the conspirators defrauded Jabil Circuit out of $318,764.98 in relocation benefits and fees paid to furnish those benefits.
In a completely separate fraud scheme, between January and August 2012, Spivey engaged in a scheme with other individuals to file false income tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service in order to obtain fraudulent refunds to which the conspirators were not entitled. The conspirators carried out this tax fraud conspiracy by obtaining the means of identification of various persons, including the names, dates of birth, and social security numbers of such persons. The means of identification were then used by the conspirators to prepare and electronically file approximately 217 false and fraudulent federal income tax returns. In many cases, the individuals whose identities appeared on these fraudulent returns did not know Spivey and the other conspirators were filing tax returns on their behalf. In total, these 217 fraudulent returns claimed approximately $1,554,493.00 in bogus tax refunds. Ultimately, the IRS paid out $551,472.90 in refunds to the conspirators.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Simon Gaugush.
Two Suwanee Correctional Institute Inmates Indicted for Making Hoax Anthrax ThreatsRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, FL - United States Attorney Robert E. O'Neill announces the return by a grand jury of two separate indictments charging Randy C. Johnson (22) and Johnell Ford (21), both inmates of the Florida Department of Corrections, with sending hoax anthrax letters to sitting judges. If convicted, they each face a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. The federal prison sentences may run consecutive to sentences they are currently serving in state custody.
According to the indictment charging Johnson, in January 2012, Johnson allegedly sent an envelope containing a threatening letter and a substance purporting to be anthrax to a sitting United States Magistrate Judge in Tampa. According to the indictment charging Ford, in August 2012, Ford allegedly sent a threatening letter and a substance purporting to be anthrax to a sitting Florida circuit judge in Tampa. Both individuals were inmates of the Suwannee Correctional Institute at the time of making the hoax threats.
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 Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Florida Highway Patrol, and the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. They will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mac D. Heavener, III.
Three Jacksonville Brothers Convicted of Marriage FraudRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, FL - A federal jury today found Mowafak “Mike” Shahla (43), Antoun “Tony” Chahla (42), and Fadi Chahla (40), who are brothers, guilty of participating in a conspiracy to enter into marriages for the purpose of evading U.S. immigration laws, making false statements to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and unlawfully attempting to procure naturalization and citizenship. They each face a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison for the conspiracy charge and up to 10 years in federal prison for each of the other offenses. The sentencing hearings have not yet been scheduled.
They were indicted on April 26, 2011.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, the brothers are Syrian citizens who recruited three U.S. citizens, two sisters and their sister-in-law, to enter into fraudulent marriages. The men entered into the marriages to become legal permanent residents and then citizens of the United States. Mowafak Shahla married in 1999, Antoun Chahla in 2002, and Fadi Chahla in 2005. The three women the brothers married previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit marriage fraud, agreed to cooperate with the investigation, and were each sentenced to two years’ probation.
Shahla, Antoun Chahla, and Fadi Chahla made cash payments to the women, including monthly payments. During part of the conspiracy, payments totaling $3,000 were made to one of the women in exchange for her agreeing to travel to Syria on two occasions. The first trip to Syria was to become engaged to Fadi Chahla, and the second trip was to enter into a fraudulent marriage with him.
Subsequently, Shahla, Antoun Chahla, and Fadi Chahla each made false statements in their applications for legal immigration status and citizenship. They also lied to immigration officers when they were interviewed about their fraudulent marriages. Prior to the interviews with the immigration officer, the couples met to discuss the details of their purported marriages and rehearse the stories they would tell the immigration officer.
Through their fraudulent actions, Shahla, Antoun Chahla, and Fadi Chahla became legal permanent residents of the United States, but the conspiracy was discovered by law enforcement authorities before their citizenship applications were processed. They are now subject to deportation based on their convictions.
This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Federal Air Marshal Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Arnold B. Corsmeier.
St. Petersburg Convicted Felon Arrested with Cache of WeaponsRead the Press Release
TAMPA, FL - United States Attorney Robert E. O'Neill announces the arrest of Jason Deon Thomas (31, St. Petersburg) on charges of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession of a machinegun, possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana, and other firearms offenses. If convicted, Thomas faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison on the drug charges and 10 years in federal prison on each of the gun charges.
According to the complaint, the St. Petersburg Police Department, along with agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, executed a search warrant at Thomas' residence on February 7, 2013. In the residence law enforcement located twenty-nine firearms, including six assault rifles, five shotguns, seventeen handguns, a machinegun, a silencer, four bullet proof vests, and numerous rounds of assorted ammunition. Law enforcement also recovered marijuana, cocaine, an unknown quantity of prescription drugs, an a large quantity of cash. Thomas has previously been convicted of felony drug trafficking offenses and thus, does not have a right to possess or use firearms or ammunition. The details of the charges and arrest are set forth in the criminal complaint.
An complaint is merely a charge that probable cause exists that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the St. Petersburg Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Josephine W. Thomas.
It is another case prosecuted as a part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” program - a nationwide, gun-violence reduction strategy led by ATF. United States Attorney Robert E. O’Neill, along with Julie Torres, 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.
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Army Member Stationed at MacDill Pleads Guilty to Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL - United States Attorney Robert E. O'Neill announces that Thomas Meyer (42, Riverview) pleaded guilty today to production of child pornography. Meyer faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years, up to a maximum of 30 years in federal prison.
According to court documents, Meyer is a member of the United States Army and is stationed at MacDill Air Force base. Between October 2011 and January 2012, Meyer used Yahoo! Messenger to have sexually explicit online chats with a female minor in Pennsylvania, and another individual he thought was a 13-year-old female, but who was actually an undercover detective in Kentucky. Per Meyer's request, the minor female from Pennsylvania sent three pornographic photographs to Meyer's Yahoo! account. Meyer sent the undercover detective images of child and adult pornography, as well as an explicit video of himself. He attempted to persuade the undercover detective to send him sexually explicit pictures of herself.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the MacDill Air Force Base Office of Special Investigations (OSI), the Largo Police Department, the Kenton County (Kentucky) Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer L. Peresie.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
Title of the news release goes hereRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida - U.S. Attorney Robert E. O'Neill announces that a federal jury found Christopher Castillo (28, Melbourne) guilty yesterday of threatening to kill the President of the United States. Castillo faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 26, 2013, before United States District Judge John Antoon, II. Castillo was indicted on December 12, 2012, after a criminal complaint was issued on November 13, 2012.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Castillo made a threat against the President on a social networking site. In November 2012, Castillo posted the following on Facebook, "that's the last straw, if he gets re-elected I'm going to hunt him down and kill him watch the life disappear from his eyes." After someone informed Castillo that threatening the President was a federal offense, Castillo posted, "I wouldn't call it a threat but more of a promise, let them come after me...Be more than happy to take a few of them with me."
A witness reported the threat to the United States Secret Service, and law enforcement officers subsequently interviewed Castillo at his home. During the interview, Castillo admitted making the statements. He also stated that he meant it because of his "severe anger" toward the President because of the President's views on healthcare. When asked what he would do if the President were standing in front of him, Castillo made an explicit statement about slapping and beating the President. Castillo also told agents that he would call the President a terrorist. During the trial, Castillo testified that he was just angry and did not really mean that he would kill the President.
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn P. Napier.
Fourteen Individuals Indicted in Marijuana Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL - United States Attorney Robert E. O'Neill announces today the unsealing of a federal indictment charging 14 individuals with conspiring to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana. Law enforcement teams in Florida, Texas, Arkansas, and Mississippi made the arrests earlier today in this joint law enforcement investigation, dubbed Operation Wooly Swamp. If convicted, each individual faces a maximum penalty of 10 years, up to life in federal prison.
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, Drug Enforcement Administration (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force 2), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, and the Clearwater Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James C. Preston, Jr.
OPERATION WOOLY SWAMP Name Age Residence 26 Wimauma, FloridaArmando Martinez-Hernandez
45 Weslaco, Texas Luis Alberto Garcia,
a/k/a Choco, a/k/a Mando, a/k/a Juan
a/k/a Louie, a/k/a Chuey 32 Weslaco, Texas Herman Martinez 23 Wimauma, Florida Ismael Martinez, a/k/a Jose 24 Wimauma, Florida Charles Daniel Law 52 Riverview, Florida Anthony Edward Peters, a/k/a Tony
36 Clearwater, Florida Joseph Fairweather, a/k/a Joey 28 Holiday, Florida Christopher Hart, a/k/a Chris 39 New Port Richey, Florida Paul Jason Pless 37 Gibsonton, Florida Charles Francis Martin, III, a/k/a Chuck 42 Riverview, Florida Cynthia Ford Rico, a/k/a Cindy 56 West Memphis, Arkansas Pamela Ford Walker 54 Oxford, Mississippi David Ray Hobbs 63 Memphis, TennesseePharmacist Sentenced for Illegally Distributing OxycodoneRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida - United States District Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington sentenced Ihab "Steve" Barsoum (42, Lutz) yesterday to 17 years in federal prison for illegally distributing Oxycodone. On August 21, 2012, a federal jury found Barsoum guilty of one count of conspiracy to distribute Oxycodone outside the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose, and five counts of distributing Oxycodone outside the usual course of professional practice. In addition, Barsoum’s DEA registration number, his Florida pharmacy license, $40,000 in cash, and two BMWs were also forfeited.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Barsoum was involved in a conspiracy, from at least 2007, where he dispensed hundreds of Oxycodone pills. The pills were dispensed to customers passing fraudulent prescriptions and sometimes to customers who had no prescriptions at all. Customers came to his pharmacy several times a week, did not show Barsoum any identification, and presented him with prescriptions in various different names at one time.
Starting in 2011, Barsoum sold thousands of pills to a confidential source working with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Barsoum instructed the confidential source on how to write the medical information on prescriptions that Barsoum knew were fraudulent. He also provided the confidential source with the name and DEA registration number of a real doctor to use for the fraudulent prescriptions. Evidence showed that Barsoum fraudulently documented his files to represent that he had verified, with that same doctor, that the prescriptions were valid and the medication could be dispensed.
In all, Barsoum is responsible for distributing more than 50,000 Oxycodone pills without a legitimate medical purpose and outside the usual course of professional practice.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shauna S. Hale.
Vice-President of Car Dealership Sentenced to 6 Years for Money Laundering and Drug Trafficking for the Gulf CartelRead the Press Release
Orlando, FL - U.S. States District Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr. today sentenced Eladio Marroquin-Medina (31, Apopka) to 6 years in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana and conspiracy to engage in money laundering. Medina was the vice-president JM2 Auto Sales, Inc. at 2636 Floral Avenue in Apopka.
Joel Torres, the president of JM2, was previously convicted by a federal jury of three counts of money laundering and eleven counts of Failure to File IRS Form 8300 (a report required for cash purchases over $10,000). Torres’ sentencing is scheduled for February 25, 2013, before United States District Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr.
According to court documents, Medina and Torres laundered narcotics proceeds for the Gulf Cartel, at their car dealership in Apopka. The Gulf Cartel was a drug trafficking organization based out of Mexico. As payment for vehicles, Medina and Torres received money that was derived from narcotics sales. These vehicles were sent back to members of the Cartel in Texas, and were also used by local Cartel members in Florida. At one point during the money laundering conspiracy, from October 26, 2010 to November 16, 2010, one Cartel member brought more than $115,000 in cash into JM2 for the purchase of vehicles.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Apopka Police Department, Orange County Sheriff's Office, and Osceola County Sheriff's Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Christopher LaForgia and Shawn Napier.
Jury Finds Three Fort Myers Area Men Guilty on Federal Bank Robbery ChargesRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida - A federal jury found Michael James Harrell (33, Fort Myers), Matthew Rollins (27, Fort Myers), and Maurice Andre Colbert (28, Fort Myers) guilty of armed bank robbery, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, attempted bank robbery, conspiracy to commit armed bank robbery and conspiracy to use firearms during a crime of violence in relation to a series of bank robberies, in Lee County, during the summer and fall of 2011. Harrell faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 57 years, up to life in federal prison. Both Rollins and Colbert face a mandatory minimum term of 32 years imprisonment, up to life and 7 years imprisonment, up to life, respectively. Sentencing hearings for all three individuals are scheduled for May 2013.
According to the evidence presented at trial, the three men and another co-conspirator conspired to rob area banks with firearms from June 6, 2011 to October 8, 2011. In addition to the conspiracy charges, the jury found Harrell and Rollins guilty of armed robbery and related weapons charges for Wells Fargo Bank and Preferred Community Bank in Lehigh Acres, in August 2011. Harrell and Colbert were also found guilty of the same offenses against Lee County Postal Employees Credit Union in June 2011. All three men were convicted of the attempted robbery of the Wells Fargo Bank in Bonita Springs, on September 14, 2011 and Capital Bank, in Fort Myers, on October 4, 2011. Harrell and Colbert were also convicted for the attempted robbery of Fifth Third Bank in Fort Myers, on October 7, 2011.
This case was the result of a cooperative investigative effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Lee County Sheriff's Office, Fort Myers Police Department, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, Collier County Sheriff's Office, Cape Coral Police Department, Punta Gorda Police Department, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey F. Michelland.
Tampa Man Charged with Multiple Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL - United States Attorney Robert E. O'Neill announces today the filing of a criminal complaint charging Michael Alan Klevene (61, Tampa) with transportation, receipt, and possession of child pornography. If convicted, Klevene faces a mandatory minimum of 5 years, up to 20 years in federal prison for the transportation and receipt charges, and up to 10 years in federal prison on the possession charge.
The complaint alleges that Klevene traded child pornography with others on the Internet and admitted to collecting images and videos depicting child pornography for more than 20 years. On February 1, 2013, a federal search warrant was executed at Klevene's residence in Tampa. Pursuant to the search, law enforcement seized computers, thumb drives, an external hard drive, and other media that Klevene admitted belonged to him. A preview of Klevene's desktop computer and thumb drives revealed that they contained hundreds of images depicting child pornography. During an interview, Klevene told law enforcement that he posted non-pornographic images of children on the Internet in order to obtain more child pornography. A criminal complaint is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the Tampa Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Jennifer L. Peresie.
It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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."
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Woman Indicted in Ocala for Theft of Nearly $1 Million Dollars of Treasury Department FundsRead the Press Release
Ocala, FL - United States Attorney Robert E. O'Neill announces the return by a grand jury of an indictment charging Centerria Shantia Farmer with theft of funds belonging to the U.S. Department of the Treasury. If convicted, Farmer faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Farmer that the United States is seeking a money judgment in the amount of $902,639.78, which represents the proceeds of the theft of government property.
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 and the United States Secret Service. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diidri W. Robinson.
Woman Indicted for Theft of Government PropertyRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida - United States Attorney Robert E. O'Neill announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Kayla Noble with 12 counts of theft of government property. If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 10 ten years in federal prison for each count.
According to the indictment, Noble stole federal income tax refunds that were fraudulently issued in the names of 12 different taxpayers. The total loss to the United States Treasury from the fraudulently obtained income tax refunds was $102,237.
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 Matthew J. Mueller.
Tampa Man Pleads Guilty in Tax Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL - United States Attorney Robert E. O'Neill announces that Larry Lee Northern, Jr. (29, Tampa) has pleaded guilty to theft of government funds and aggravated identity theft. Northern faces a maximum penalty of 12 years in federal prison.
According to the plea agreement, on October 6, 2011, Northern was stopped by law enforcement officers for excessive speeding. During the traffic stop, he was found to be in possession of illegal narcotics and various prepaid debit cards. Specifically, Northern possessed 15 prepaid debit cards in the names of various individuals, as well as multiple Wal-Mart Money Cards, for a total of 32 separate cards. In addition, Northern had internal corporate documents from a local healthcare company. The documents contained the personal identification information of 32 individuals. The individuals were later identified as current or former clients of the healthcare company. Northern also had $15,700.00 in cash.
Subsequent investigation determined that 12 of the 15 prepaid cards were credited with U.S. Treasury income tax refunds. The refunds on the prepaid cards, totaling $93,879.00, were obtained as a result of the filing of fraudulent income tax returns. The fraudulent returns were filed in the names of individuals who reportedly had not given Northern permission to file the returns for them. Of the 17 Wal-Mart Money Cards possessed by Northern, nine of the cards had a total of $65,463.00 loaded onto them. These were also determined to be the proceeds of fraudulently filed income tax returns. Based upon Northern’s possession of the 32 cards and cash, the total loss to the government was $175,042.00.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Amanda C. Kaiser.
Tampa Man Arrested and Charged with Making False Statements During His Naturalization ProcessRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL - United States Attorney Robert E. O’Neill announces the arrest and unsealing of a federal indictment charging Georges Jean-Philippe (48, Tampa), a/k/a Benedique Jean-Philippe, with making false statements in connection with his naturalization application. Special agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) arrested Jean-Philippe yesterday at his home in Tampa. United States Magistrate Judge Anthony Porcelli ordered him detained and held without bond.
According to the indictment, Jean-Philippe made false statements in his application for naturalization to become a United States citizen. During his application for citizenship, Jean-Philippe, a citizen of Haiti, falsely withheld information that he had previously been ordered deported from the United States under a different name and thus made false statements as to his ineligibility for naturalization. As a result of those falsehoods, he illegally obtained United States citizenship, in 2008, under a name different from the one he used in his initial dealings with U.S. immigration authorities in 2002.
This case was investigated by ICE HSI. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jay L. Hoffer.
Father and Son Sentenced for Their Roles in Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida - U.S. District Judge Susan C. Bucklew today sentenced John Henley Fowler (64, Ft. Myers) to 5 years and ten months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud. The court also sentenced his son, Jeffrey Robert Fowler (35, Ft. Myers), to 3 years and one month in federal prison on a similar charge. As part of the sentence, the court also ordered the forfeiture of bank accounts, vehicles, real property, computer equipment, a big screen television, iPad and iPhone, which are traceable to proceeds of the fraud scheme. In addition, the court ordered a money judgment in the amount of $3,771,701.88, the proceeds of the fraud scheme. In a related civil forfeiture proceeding, the government had already forfeited more than $2 million in fraudulent proceeds. The U.S. Attorney's Office will seek approval to have these funds distributed to the victims of this crime.
John Fowler pleaded guilty on September 19, 2012. Jeffrey Fowler pleaded guilty on September 18, 2012.
According to court documents, from about December 2010 through November 2011, conspirators developed a plan to use false and fraudulent representations to solicit victim-investors to wire funds into bank accounts, which they controlled, for investment in a purported gold futures program. The investment program was supposedly run by an existing New York-based investment firm called Paulson & Co., Inc. To further the fraud scheme, the Fowlers caused the incorporation of a Florida corporation named Paulson & Co., Inc. (Paulson-Florida), leased office space for the corporation in Ft. Myers, and opened bank accounts in the name of the corporation, all for the purpose of making Paulson-Florida appear to be legitimate. The Fowlers and their co-conspirators fraudulently represented that Paulson-Florida was a branch office of the real Paulson & Co., Inc. In fact, there was no connection whatsoever between the two entities.
The Paulson-Florida bank accounts and other accounts were used to receive more than $4 million in funds from victim-investors, who wanted to invest in the purported gold futures investment program. The Fowlers and their co-conspirators used the funds to perpetuate the fraud scheme for the personal enrichment of themselves, their family members, and friends.
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rachelle DesVaux Bedke.
Former CENTCOM Employee Pleads Guilty to Attempted Sexual Enticement of A ChildRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida - United States Attorney Robert E. O'Neill announces today that Stephen Governale (49, Tampa) pleaded guilty to attempted enticement of a minor to engage in a sexual activity. Governale is facing a mandatory minimum of 10 years, up to life in federal prison. His sentencing hearing has been set for June 13, 2013. Governale was indicted on October 10, 2012.
Governale is a United States Air Force Reserve Lieutenant Colonel, who, at the time of his arrest, was a protocol officer at CENTCOM in Tampa. According to court documents, on September 11, 2012, the Federal Bureau of Investigation was contacted by the parents of a 17-year-old child who was receiving sexually inappropriate messages from Governale. In an interview, the child victim explained meeting Governale through an organization affiliated with the military. The child victim stated that he had gone with Governale to conferences and had stayed in Governale’s hotel room. The victim also said that they had watched pornographic movies in the hotel room and engaged in sexual activity.
On September 21, 2012, as Governale was planning to travel to Central Florida for business, a Task Force Agent with the FBI assumed the child victim’s on-line identity. The agent began to communicate with Governale using FaceBook. In the FaceBook chats, Governale attempted to entice the child victim to engage in sexual activity. Governale arranged to meet the victim at a location in Central Florida. When Governale arrived, he was arrested by the FBI.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. It is being 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. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
Attempted Illegal AK-47 Purchaser Sentenced to 5 YearsRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, FL- U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard yesterday sentenced Antwan Cameron (29, Jacksonville) to 5 years in federal prison for making a false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer. A federal jury found Cameron guilty on October 17, 2012.
According to testimony presented at trial, Cameron attempted to purchase a Century Arms 7.62 x 39mm rifle from Shooters Firearms and Accessories of Jacksonville. Cameron lied on the required ATF paperwork and claimed that he had never been convicted of a domestic violence offense. A background check by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) confirmed that Cameron was a prohibited person and employees at Shooters stopped the sale. Cameron received a higher sentence after Judge Howard found that he obstructed justice by attempting to contact one of the trial jurors through Facebook.
This case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Gun Crime Unit and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. 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 led by ATF. United States Attorney Robert E. O’Neill, along with Julie Torres, 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.
Samurai Sword Wielding Palm Coast Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Receiving Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida - U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard today sentenced Kamil Mezalka (21, Palm Coast) to 10 years in federal prison for receiving child pornography over the Internet. As part of his sentence, Mezalka is also required to serve a 10-year term of supervised release, following his release from prison, and ordered to forfeit his computers and other digital media.
According to court documents, in March 2012, an agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Philadelphia began an Internet undercover investigation to identify persons using a particular file sharing program to obtain and share child pornography. Using a computer, the agent logged into this file sharing program and observed that an individual using a particular screen name was logged into the network. The agent browsed the user’s shared directory and observed that over 4,000 files were being shared therein, many of which contained titles and descriptors indicative of child pornography and the sexual abuse of children. The investigation revealed that during the time frame of these two download sessions, this particular IP address was issued to an account registered to an individual at a residence in Palm Coast, Florida. Subsequent investigation revealed that Kamil Mezalka was an occupant of this residence.
On May 8, 2012, FBI agents executed a federal search warrant at Mezalka’s residence. As agents gained entry to the residence, Mezalka came out of a second floor bedroom, observed the agents, and quickly turned and went back inside the same bedroom and closed the door. Despite repeated commands to come out of the bedroom, Mezalka remained in the bedroom and proceeded to use a samurai sword to attempt to destroy his computers and compact disks. Agents made entry into Mezalka’s bedroom, where he was eventually arrested. During an interview, Mezalka admitted to, among other things, having a file sharing program on his computer which he used to download pornography that included child pornography. He further stated that most of it would be on the laptop computer and that some of the images might be on the desktop computer.
During the search, the agents seized, among other things, a desktop computer and a laptop computer. Both of these computers were damaged by Mezalka’s use of the samurai sword. Subsequent forensic analysis revealed that one hard drive contained over 12,000 images and over 3,000 videos, of which at least 500 images and 100 videos depicted child pornography.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Philadelphia and Jacksonville, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. for more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
Orlando Man Pleads Guilty to Tax Fraud Scheme Involving RefundsRead the Press Release
Orlando, FL - United States Attorney Robert E. O'Neill announces that Salvador Cuevas (Orlando) today pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the government with respect to false claims. Cuevas faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.
Cuevas is part of a fraudulent tax refund scheme using the stolen identities of Puerto Rican residents to obtain paper refund checks. The refunds (Treasury checks) were delivered to various addresses in the Orlando area.
According to the plea agreement, in September 2007, Cuevas opened a checking account at Washington Mutual (now known as JP Morgan Chase). Cuevas was the only signatory on the account. About that same time, he paid another individual $300 to use the individual's address on Venezia Plantation Drive, in Orlando, Florida to receive “mail,” referring to U.S. Treasury checks. ln October 2007, Cuevas began depositing Treasury refund checks into the account. After the checks cleared, large cash withdrawals and/or personal expenditure purchases were made against the account. According to the WAMU bank records, the third-party Treasury checks that were deposited represented 75% of the total credits into the account. Cuevas admitted to depositing the refund checks, which were in the names of other people, into his bank account.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tanya Davis Wilson.