Middle District of Florida

Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that a federal jury in Miami has found Keenan Johnson (36, Tamarac) guilty of three counts of perjury for false testimony he gave under oath during an evidentiary hearing in a criminal case before Chief Judge Cecilia Altonaga of the United States District Court in Miami on April 4, 2022. Johnson faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison on each count. His sentencing hearing is set for October 3, 2025, in Miami. Johnson was indicted on July 31, 2024.

According to testimony and evidence presented during the five-day trial, Johnson, who was a homicide detective with the Miami-Dade Police Department, lied under oath on several occasions during a hearing on a motion to suppress evidence. When confronted by a witness regarding a telephone number he had given to the witness, Johnson denied the number was his, denied that he had spoken to the witness over the telephone, denied he had received text messages from the witness, and denied he had used the number on police flyers.

At the conclusion of the suppression hearing, the judge asked the prosecutor to get to the bottom of the discrepancies regarding the use of the telephone number. Records obtained by investigators after the hearing ultimately showed that Johnson had the phone number for more than four years, had contact with the suppression hearing witness, had used the phone number the night before the suppression hearing for a more than 10-minute call, and had deleted the number after the suppression hearing.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Miami and the Miami-Dade County Office of the Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney E. Jackson Boggs Jr. of the Middle District of Florida. Boggs was appointed as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida for this case.

Jacksonville, Florida – Chief U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard has sentenced Andrew Allen Blakney (35, Seattle, WA) to 15 years in federal prison for possession of child sexual abuse images. Blakney pleaded guilty on March 4, 2025.

According to court documents, in October 2024, Blakney, a registered sex offender from Washington, absconded from community control causing an escape warrant to be issued. Blakney traveled by bus to Jacksonville to meet a child he had met online. While in Florida, Blakney engaged in sexual activity with the child. The Florida Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force’s Jacksonville Office located Blakney and arrested him on his outstanding warrants. 

Following his arrest, when the child was located with Blakney, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) began an investigation into Blakney. A search warrant was obtained for Blakney’s phone revealing that it contained child sexual abuse materials. 

This case was investigated by the Florida Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force Jacksonville Office, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the United States Marshals Service, and Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Washington.

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

Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the return of an indictment charging fourteen Polk County residents with narcotics trafficking and firearms-related charges. If convicted, Curtis Charles Tinsley (47, Lakeland), Tyler Anthony Devaney (32, Winter Haven), Alvin Antonio Barnes III (47, Lakeland), Tonyo Cortez Evans (39, Lakeland), Lamar Anthony Hamilton (43, Lakeland), Albert Lewis III (48, Lakeland), Tyrese Leon Pratt (39, Lakeland), Antonio Groover (32, Dundee), Kenji Antwana Miller (38, Lakeland), Melvin Sharon Murray (48, Lakeland), Robert James Johnson IV (32, Lakeland), Steven Wayne Gay (55, Lakeland), Tiffany Elaine Creach (43, Lakeland), and Sabrina Marie Taylor (40, Dover) each face a maximum sentence of life in federal prison.    

According to the indictment, the charged individuals conspired to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, cocaine, and ecstasy. Devaney, Barnes, Hamilton, Pratt, and Groover are also charged for possessing firearms or ammunition as convicted felons. Devaney, Pratt, and Hamilton are each charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking offense. The indictment also alleges that Tinsley, Devaney, Barnes, Evans, Hamilton, Groover, Miller, Murray, and Gay committed the alleged offenses after convictions for either serious drug or violent felonies.

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

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Lakeland Police Department, and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David J. Pardo.

This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

This case is also part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).

Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell today sentenced Andrew Roger Torres (47, Fort Myers) to 5 years in federal prison for possessing and accessing with intent to view images depicting the sexual abuse of children. Torres pleaded guilty on August 20, 2024.

According to court documents, from February 3 through August 24, 2023, Torres possessed and accessed with intent to view images of child sexual abuse that he had searched for using social media applications and the internet.

In December 2022 and February 2023, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received two cybertips from electronic service providers reporting that Torres had uploaded videos that depicted child sexual abuse material from his cellphone.

When law enforcement executed a search warrant at Torres’s home, they seized two cellphones. Torres agreed to speak with officers and advised that he had used a social media account to collect child sex abuse material. Torres said that he primarily downloaded the files online to his cellphone, viewed the files, and then deleted them. The subsequent forensic examination of Torres’s cellphones revealed images of child sexual abuse material.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Fort Myers Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, which includes the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Yolande G. Viacava.

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

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the return of an indictment charging five Tampa residents with conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering activity, conspiracy to commit assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering activity, attempted murder, discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, possessing firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon, aggravated identity theft, and possession of 15 or more unauthorized access devices. If convicted, Greg Kendrick (age 29), a/k/a “Cheese,” Corey Davis (age 30), a/k/a “Coe,” Arius Johnson (age 30), a/k/a “Streetz,” Damion Council (age 27), a/k/a “Dane,” Antonio Phillips (age 26), a/k/a “Lil Glockie,” a/k/a “Twin” each face a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. 

According to the indictment, the “Glock Boys,” or “Glockies,” are a violent subset of a West Tampa-based criminal enterprise who engaged in an ongoing feud with the rival Robles Park gang. This conflict fueled a series of retaliatory shootings across Tampa, including a shooting outside a nightclub in the parking lot of the International Plaza Mall in Tampa, and in residential neighborhoods near Walnut Street and Central Avenue. Some of the shootings occurred during broad daylight, and in at least one incident, several innocent bystanders were struck by gunfire. 

Beyond violence, the indictment alleges that the Glock Boys carried out a nationwide identity theft and fraud operation, stealing personal information from numerous victims. Using the fraudulently obtained identities, the conspirators filed hundreds of false unemployment claims in multiple states across the United States. 

This indictment follows the prosecution of members of the Robles Park gang, who throughout 2023, were convicted and sentenced for related violent and fraudulent activity. 

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

This case was investigated by the Tampa Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the U.S. Department of Labor. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey Chang and Diego Novaes.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). 

Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge William F. Jung has sentenced Deanthony Flowers (36, Lakeland) to five years and six months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Flowers pleaded guilty in February 2025.

According to court documents, on July 12, 2023, officers with the Lakeland Police Department pulled over the vehicle Flowers was driving. Flowers was the sole occupant of the automobile. As the officers approached the vehicle, they observed a firearm wedged between the seats. Officers later determined that the firearm, a Glock Model 31, Gen 4 .357 pistol with a loaded magazine, had been reported stolen. At the time, Flowers had multiple prior felony convictions, including failure to register as a career offender, burglary and grand theft, felony battery, attempted robbery, and armed burglary. As a convicted felon he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Lakeland Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman. The forfeiture is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney James Muench.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the return of an indictment charging Eric Strom Holland (55, Cape Coral) with four counts of wire fraud and six counts of distributing and dispensing controlled substances. If convicted, Holland faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count. The indictment also notifies Holland that the United States intends to forfeit any property used in or proceeds traceable to the offense.

According to court documents, Holland recruited unwitting doctors for his unlicensed pain clinic using lies designed to induce them to work for him and to prescribe controlled substances, including oxycodone. These lies included that the pain clinic had a physical location (when in fact all operations during the pertinent periods were purely virtual), that patients were being physically examined by medical practitioners, such as nurse practitioners, before doctors were asked to prescribe, that there were long-term doctors with whom the patients had a standing relationship and that the temporary doctors were just refilling prescriptions as part of an established regimen of care, and that safeguards to prevent against drug abuse, such as urine screens, were being used. Numerous doctors stated that, had they known that the representations made by Holland about the operation of the clinic were false, they would not have prescribed for him. Holland also falsely told doctors that he would pay them for their work. In fact, Holland routinely failed to pay doctors and replaced them with new temporary doctors once they ceased working for him. As a result of Holland’s actions, and in addition to other controlled substances, more than 900 prescriptions were issued for more than 100,000 tablets of oxycodone, with a street value of more than $4 million.

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

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Miami Tactical Diversion Squad. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin S. Winter.

Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington has sentenced Milton Anthony Bradshaw (45, Tampa) to 10 years and 5 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. A federal jury found him guilty in March 2025.

According to evidence presented at trial, in the early morning hours of September 20, 2022, Bradshaw got into an argument with three unknown individuals at the Manchester Apartments in Tampa. As the three individuals walked to their car, Bradshaw grabbed a firearm and proceeded to hide behind a dumpster in the parking lot. As the three individuals drove away, Bradshaw started firing at them.   

Deputies from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office were called to the scene where they recovered a firearm that Bradshaw had left outside of an apartment after the shooting. Bradshaw was identified in surveillance video that captured the argument and the shooting, and DNA recovered from the firearm matched Bradshaw’s. 

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael R. Kenneth and Chelsey Hanson. The forfeiture was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne C. Nebesky.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the return of an indictment charging Michael Devante Curry (30, Tampa) with possessing a firearm or ammunition as a convicted felon. If convicted, Curry faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Curry that the United States intends to forfeit two Glock firearms and assorted ammunition used in the commission of the offense. 

According to the indictment, on June 1, 2025, Curry possessed two Glock firearms and assorted rounds of ammunition. At the time, Curry had multiple prior felony convictions including two prior convictions for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. As a convicted felon, Curry is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.

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

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Tampa Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeff Chang.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge William F. Jung today sentenced Vicente Lopez Mero (67, Ecuador) to 19 years and 6 months in federal prison for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute cocaine on a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. Lopez Mero pleaded guilty on March 26, 2025. 

According to court documents, on October 27, 2024, Lopez Mero and four co-conspirators smuggled cocaine in the Eastern Pacific Ocean aboard a self-propelled semi-submersible vessel, which is a closed hull boat specifically configured for transporting large quantities of narcotics in its interior cargo hold. Guardsmen from the USCGS Munro, a United States Coast Guard Legend-class cutter, interdicted the semi-submersible vessel 960 nautical miles north of French Polynesia, in international waters. The United States Coast Guard seized 3,749 kilograms of cocaine, which has an approximate wholesale value of $82 million. Lopez Mero had previously been convicted of and sentenced in 2020 for smuggling large quantities of cocaine within the ballast tanks of an international container ship.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location.

This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transitional criminal organizations.

The specific mission of the OCDETF Panama Express Strike Force is to disrupt and dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations involved in large scale drug trafficking, money laundering, and related activities. The OCDETF Panama Express Strike Force is comprised of agents and officers from the Coast Guard Investigative Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Homeland Security Investigations. The prosecution is being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David W.A. Chee.

Jacksonville, Florida – Chief U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard has sentenced Kevin Patrick Wilson (39, Ponte Vedra) to 10 years in federal prison for attempted enticement and coercion of a minor to engage in sexual activity. Wilson pleaded guilty on March 12, 2025.

According to court documents, on July 20, 2024, a social media user posted a public message in a Facebook group seeking a tutor for a child. On the day of the post, an individual posing as a woman, but later identified as Wilson, reached out and directed the poster to contact her “husband,” Wilson, by text message. The poster contacted Wilson and had a short text conversation. The poster said she was seeking tutoring assistance for an 11-year-old child. Wilson sent a photo of himself and asked for a photo of the child. The text message conversation ended shortly thereafter. The poster later contacted the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office about the interaction. 

On July 24, 2024, an undercover detective posing as the guardian of a 12-year-old female “child” reached out to Wilson about tutoring services for the “child.”  After the undercover detective initiated the conversation, Wilson began discussing sexual topics involving the “child” and meeting the “child” to perform sexual acts with the “child.” Wilson also spoke to undercover detectives portraying the 12-year-old child via phone and text message. Wilson and the undercover detective portraying the guardian of the “child” ultimately agreed to meet during the evening of July 24, 2024, for Wilson to engage in sexual acts with the “child.” Wilson traveled to the predetermined meeting location and was arrested.

This case was investigated by the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Jacksonville. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Washington.

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

Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the return of an indictment charging Shelby Sigler (34, New Port Richey) with fraud in connection with a major disaster or emergency benefits. If convicted, Sigler faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison. 

According to the indictment, between November 2023 and January 2024, Sigler knowingly made false and fraudulent statements and representations to obtain money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) when submitting an application for assistance from FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program as a result of Hurricane Idalia.

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

This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security - Office of Inspector General with assistance from the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Greg Pizzo.

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving fraud, waste, abuse, or mismanagement related to any man-made or natural disaster can report it by visiting the Justice Department’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www. justice. gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Gregory A. Presnell has sentenced Edwin Rivera to four years in federal prison for theft of government property. The court also ordered Rivera to forfeit $1,987,457 which is traceable to proceeds of the offense. Rivera pleaded guilty on January 16, 2025.

According to court documents, between October 2023 and July 2024, Rivera and his co-conspirators operated a scheme to steal government funds. As part of the scheme, Rivera stole the identity of large corporations and filed fraudulent tax returns with the IRS on behalf of those companies, causing the IRS to generate tax refunds and mail them to Rivera. Rivera then deposited the checks into bank accounts he and his co-conspirators controlled. As part of the scheme, Rivera and his co-conspirators attempted to steal nearly $10 million in government funds, and successfully obtained at least four fraudulent tax refunds for a total of $2,741,581.74.

“The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) aggressively investigates individuals who attempt to exploit U.S Treasury refund checks meant for hard working taxpayers for their own private gain," said TIGTA Special Agent in Charge Joel Weaver. “TIGTA's mission is to protect the integrity of our nation's tax administration system.  We are committed to working with our law enforcement partners to ensure that those who violate federal laws are prosecuted to the fullest extent possible.”

“If you think committing millions of dollars’ worth of fraud and stealing from the government would go unnoticed, you couldn't be more wrong,” said Karen Wingerd, Special Agent in Charge, Detroit Field Office, IRS Criminal Investigation. “Our special agents are the world's top financial crimes investigators, and they will find you, just like they found Edwin Rivera.”

This case was investigated by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and Homeland Security Investigations.  It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Noah P. Dorman.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the arrest of Pedro Danilo Espinoza-Guiffaro (34, Honduras) on a criminal complaint charging him with being unlawfully present in the United States after being previously removed from the United States. If convicted, Espinoza-Guiffaro faces a maximum penalty of two years in federal prison. 

According to the complaint, the Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducted a targeted enforcement operation to arrest Espinoza-Guiffaro as he had an active Interpol Red Notice for Murder in Honduras. A surveillance team located Espinoza-Guiffaro in Duval County. During immigration processing, HSI agents learned that Espinoza-Guiffaro was previously ordered removed from the United States and actually removed from the United States in 2022 and 2024. There is no record Espinoza-Guiffaro ever applied for or received permission to return to the United States.

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

This case was investigated by HSI and FBI. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rachel Lasry.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell today sentenced Luis Alonso Contreras-Rivera (32, Honduras) to 30 months in federal prison for illegal reentry after a felony conviction. Contreras-Rivera pleaded guilty on April 9, 2025.

According to court documents, Contreras-Rivera is a citizen and national of Honduras. He was previously removed from the United States on December 3, 2012, January 19, 2015, and November 2, 2018. On January 1, 2024, Contreras-Rivera was found back in the United States when he was arrested in Charlotte County for a state criminal offense. Contreras-Rivera had previously been convicted of illegal reentry into the United States on September 10, 2013, in the Western District of Texas.  Contreras-Rivera has never applied for or received permission from the Attorney General or the Secretary of Homeland Security to reenter the United States.

This case was investigated by United States Border Patrol. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick Darcey.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces   the filing of a criminal complaint charging Bayros Aguilar-Ramirez (29, Honduras) with illegal reentry by a previously deported alien. If convicted, Aguilar-Ramirez faces a maximum penalty of two years in federal prison.

According to court documents, Aguilar-Ramirez is a citizen and national of Honduras. He was previously removed from the United States on November 23, 2016. Aguilar-Ramirez was found voluntarily back in the United States on July 13, 2025, when he was encountered by law enforcement in St Johns County. Aguilar-Ramirez has not received the consent of the Attorney General or the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to apply for readmission to the United States.

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

This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein. 

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Bryan Roger Byers (57, Jacksonville), a United States Postal Service employee, has pleaded guilty to being in possession of a firearm as an unlawful drug user. Byers faces up to 15 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.

According to court documents and proceedings, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) began investigating Byers after a firearm he had purchased was recovered during a drug trafficking investigation. During that earlier investigation, a felon was found to be in possession of a firearm and admitted purchasing the firearm from Byers in exchange for crack cocaine.

Investigators located text messages, which reflected that Byers used sex workers to find buyers for his firearms. The buyers then exchanged drugs for the firearms. Records reflect Byers purchased at least 10 firearms over the last four years.

On April 2, 2025, a search warrant was executed at Byers’s home. Law enforcement officers seized seven firearms, multiple rounds of ammunition, and two suspected crack pipes from the home. The next day, Byers attempted to purchase another firearm. ATF agents arrested him for being an unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brenna Falzetta.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). 

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Benjamin Crawford (47, Brandon) has pleaded guilty to distribution of child sexual abuse material. Crawford faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 25, 2025.

According to the plea agreement, Crawford, a local attorney, distributed child sexual abuse material over a social media application and possessed child sexual abuse material on his cellphone and laptop. Crawford has agreed to his phone and laptop, which were used in the commission of the offense.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Tampa and Tennessee. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ilyssa M. Spergel.

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

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that James Elliott Davis, II (36, Ponte Vedra Beach) has pleaded guilty to bank fraud, wire fraud, money laundering, and theft of mail. Davis faces up to 30 years in federal prison on the bank fraud count, up to 20 years in prison on the wire fraud count, up to 10 years in prison on the money laundering count, up to 5 years in prison on the theft of mail count and payment of restitution to the victims he defrauded. Davis has agreed to forfeit between $6.7 and $8.8 million, which are traceable to proceeds of the crimes he committed. No sentencing date has been set.   

According to court documents, from March 2018 through 2022, Davis ran a purported medical supply company named Medisale Inc. Using false representations, Davis enticed individuals and business entities to invest large sums of money in Medisale. He falsely represented to victim-investors that Medisale was making significant profits on the sale of COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). He claimed to have contact with CEOs at various hospitals and that Medisale had contracts with hospitals to sell large volumes of N95 masks and other PPE. In convincing victim-investors to give him money, Davis showed fraudulent bank statements with large balances, claiming the money was from the sale of PPE.

In reality, Medisale had no such contracts and had no true revenue from the sale of PPE. Instead, Davis kited checks and conducted fraudulent ACH/wire transfers between multiple financial institutions in order to artificially inflate the apparent balances on his bank accounts. Utilizing victim-investor funds, Davis paid off previous debts, paid other investors purported profits from the sale of PPE, and paid personal expenses. This included Davis using victim-investor money to purchase a membership at a luxury club in Ponte Vedra Beach and spending more than $27,000 on custom clothing. 

This case was investigated by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation - Office of Inspector General, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein. The asset forfeiture is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer M. Harrington.

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by visiting the Justice Department’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www. justice. gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Thomas Edgar Hall (36, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to two counts of distribution of fentanyl and two counts of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Hall faces a minimum sentence of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.

According to court documents, from May through August 2024, Hall sold fentanyl and crack cocaine six times to an undercover officer with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. Hall was armed or had ready access to a firearm on each occasion.

In September 2024, after obtaining a search warrant, investigators searched the home where the drug transactions had taken place. Officers located six firearms, an assortment of ammunition, and drug paraphernalia including beakers, mirrors, razors, and blenders containing drug residue. They also recovered crack cocaine and over 60 grams of fentanyl.

This case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brenna Falzetta.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Sean-Michael Smith (36, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to using the internet to access child sexual abuse materials. Smith faces a minimum penalty of 10 years, up to 20 years, in federal prison and a potential life term of supervised release. Smith is a registered child sex offender who was convicted in federal court in 2014 of distributing videos and photos of children being sexually abused. Smith was arrested on December 18, 2024, and remains in federal custody pending his sentencing hearing scheduled for September 29, 2025.

According to court records, after serving his federal prison sentence and while on supervised release, Smith admitted to his probation officer that he had drawn sketches depicting nude children and had also accessed the internet several times. On December 10, 2024, U.S. Probation Officers conducted a search of Smith’s residence for contraband evidence. During an interview, Smith admitted that he had accessed child sexual abuse materials online during August, September, and December 2024. He advised that he used a particular device to access these materials. Probation Officers seized this device and turned it over to the FBI for further investigation.

On February 18, 2025, an FBI agent extracted the contents of the device’s computer chip and found approximately 35 photos depicting young children being sexually abused. 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Jacksonville. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.

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

Jacksonville, Florida – Senior U.S. District Judge Brian J. Davis today sentenced Ana Romero (43, Honduras) to 21 months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to defraud the United States for the purpose of impeding the lawful functions of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The court also ordered Romero to forfeit $461,850, which are proceeds of the wire fraud offense.  In addition, Romero was ordered to pay $1,947,471.18 in restitution to the IRS.  Romero entered a guilty plea on November 15, 2024.

According to court documents, between 2018 and 2019, Romero conspired with others to facilitate the payment of construction workers “off the books” to avoid paying premiums for workers’ compensation insurance and payroll taxes. Construction contractors and subcontractors entered into arrangements with the conspirators, through which Universal Florida Construction LLC – a shell company formed by Romero – facilitated both the distribution of proof of insurance and the payment of workers with cash. In exchange for 6% to 8% of the contractors’ and subcontractors’ payroll, Romero and others caused the distribution of certificates of liability insurance in the name of Universal Florida Construction, which contractors and subcontractors then used as nominal proof that workers were supposedly insured. In reality, Universal Florida Construction’s insurance policy was issued based on a fraudulent application that never disclosed that contractors and subcontractors would be employing workers who were ostensibly insured under the shell company’s barebones insurance policy. As a result of contractors and subcontractors using Universal Florida Construction’s proof of insurance, but never paying any insurance premiums, the insurance company was defrauded more than $1.2 million.

Romero and others also facilitated the deposit of checks into the shell company’s bank accounts, as well as the withdrawal of cash to be paid to workers – all without withholding, or paying over, payroll taxes to the IRS.  Through these arrangements with the conspirators, the construction contractors and subcontractors could disclaim responsibility for withholding and paying payroll taxes to the IRS or ensuring that the workers were legally authorized to work in the United States. By facilitating payments to workers of over $7.6 million without payroll taxes being withheld, Romero and her co-conspirators caused the U.S. Treasury to lose more than $1.9 million in tax receipts.

One of co-conspirators, Oscar Molina-Avila, was previously sentenced to four years and four months’ imprisonment for his role in the scheme. Co-defendant Jose Molina-Herrera was previously sentenced to two years and three months’ imprisonment.

“Romero and her co-conspirators assisted contractors and work crews in stealing money from the federal government by avoiding paying over employment taxes, which were ultimately used for their personal gain and unfair industry competition,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Richard Nelson, IRS Criminal Investigation, Tampa Field Office.  “IRS Criminal Investigation special agents and our law enforcement partners will continue to investigate and refer to the Department of Justice, employers engaging in employment tax fraud. Romero’s sentencing serves as an example of what they can expect when engaging in this illegal activity.”

“Under-the-table cash payroll schemes, especially those designed to pay illegal immigrants not authorized to work in the United States, jeopardizes the integrity of the industry and undermines the legal framework intended to protect workers and ensure fair business practices,” said HSI Jacksonville Assistant Special Agent in Charge Timothy Hemker “HSI, through our strong law enforcement partnerships, is committed to investigating these schemes and bringing to justice those who seek to exploit the system.”

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Florida Department of Financial Services – Bureau of Insurance Fraud. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Coolican. 

Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell has sentenced Kevoun Najae Watts (22, Fort Myers) to 10 years in federal prison for Hobbs Act robbery and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. The court also ordered Watts to forfeit the firearm and ammunition used in the offenses. Watts pleaded guilty on February 26, 2025.

According to court documents, Watts admitted to robbing a gas station and a convenience store at gunpoint on July 31, 2024, in Fort Myers.

This case was investigated by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the Fort Myers Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Morgan.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Latchman Singh (31, Orlando) today pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Singh faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 25, 2025.

According to court documents, deputies from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office were executing a search warrant at Singh’s residence in connection with state auto theft charges when they discover that Singh, a previously convicted felon, had 17 firearms in his closet, bedroom and kitchen:

At least two of the firearms were stolen, one firearm did not have a serial number, and one of the firearms had a silencer attached to it. As a previously convicted felon, Singh is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.

Singh has agreed to forfeit the firearms and ammunition, which were involved in the offense. 

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dana E. Hill.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Donald Brown (34, Orlando) has pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child sex abuse material. Brown faces a minimum penalty of 5 years, up to 20 years, in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 7, 2025. Brown has agreed to forfeitthe electronic devices which were seized from his home pursuant to a search warrant.

According to the plea agreement, on January 27, 2023, Brown shared a child sex abuse video that was playing on one of his screens with another individual over the internet via an online website that randomly pairs strangers for one-on-one chat sessions and calls.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diane Hu.

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

Tampa, Florida –U.S. District Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington has sentenced Zachary Rugen (34, Tampa) to 5 years in federal prison for wire fraud and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. As part of the sentence, the court also entered an order of forfeiture in the amount of $440,755.18. Rugen pleaded guilty on April 8, 2025.

According to testimony and court documents, between October 2020 and March 2022, Rugen was employed as the personnel director for a small company in St. Petersburg, Florida. Rugen exploited that role to embezzle at least $503,372.01 from the company. He used his access to the employer’s payment processing system to direct funds intended for vendors and contractors to bank accounts he controlled. Rugen also paid some of his outstanding debts with company funds. To cover the fraud scheme, Rugen electronically submitted falsified and fraudulent payment invoices. Rugen used the ill-gotten funds to live lavishly, including taking expensive vacations and gambling, and for his personal expenses. During the sentencing hearing, the victim-company’s chief operating officer testified that the fraud caused substantial financial hardship from which it will take the company at least five years to recover. As a result of the embezzlement, one of the company’s vendors nearly went out of business.

During the investigation of Rugen’s embezzlement, law enforcement learned that Rugen was also illegally possessing two firearms. Rugen was prohibited from possessing the firearms due to a prior felony conviction involving impersonating a law enforcement officer. 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Tampa Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Tiffany Fields and Jennifer L. Peresie. 

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday has sentenced Jared Borgesto Murray (41, St. Petersburg) to four years and nine months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud. Murray pleaded guilty on March 24, 2025.

According to court documents,between January 2019 and September 2020, Murray­ orchestrated a $1.2 million fraud conspiracy while he was incarcerated in a Florida state prison for a Pinellas County robbery conviction. From the state prison, Murray organized and directed the fraud conspiracy targeting a nationwide merchant. Murray used dozens of customers’ store accounts at the merchant to fraudulently purchase products. Murray and his conspirators sold the products online and retained the fraud proceeds, causing the merchant to lose $1,260,495.89.

Murray conducted the conspiracy using multiple contraband phones he had smuggled into the prison. Murray identified customers with merchant accounts and then called the merchant locations impersonating the customers to place orders for products using the customers’ open lines of credit.

Murray and his co-conspirators then advertised the products for sale online at a substantial discount. Murray communicated with potential buyers and sold the products from state prison via phone and email. Murray and the conspirators arranged delivery of the fraudulently purchased products to the purchasers who paid Murray and the conspirators via wire transfers and mailed checks. Murray directed several individuals to pick up fraud proceeds or fraudulently obtained products.

Murray used some of the fraud proceeds and fraudulently purchased products to build a house in Lake Placid, Florida. The house was forfeited by law enforcement along with $43,550 in fraud proceeds seized from two of Murray’s bank accounts.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Tampa Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer L. Peresie and Suzanne Nebesky.

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Natalie De Jesus Garcia (30, Puerto Rico) has pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to distribute over eight kilograms of cocaine. De Jesus Garcia faces a minimum penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 2, 2025.

According to court documents, on January 24, 2025, De Jesus Garcia checked a bag onto a flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Orlando. The bag contained over eight kilograms of cocaine.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diane Hu.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Raymond Andres Zumba (27, Staten Island, NY) today pleaded guilty to bribery of a public official. Zumba faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison.  Zumba previously was ordered detained and will remain in custody while awaiting a sentencing hearing, which has not yet been set.

According to court documents, in January 2025, a confidential source reported to law enforcement that Zumba serves in the U.S. Navy Reserve and was aware that the source’s spouse worked at Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville in the personnel office that issues Department of Defense identification cards. The source reported that Zumba asked whether the spouse would be willing to issue real, but unauthorized identification cards for an under-the-table payment. Acting at the direction of federal agents, the source proceeded to engaged in a series of communications with Zumba during which they discussed Zumba’s plan to obtain unauthorized ID cards in exchange for cash.

After driving from New York, Zumba arrived in Jacksonville on February 13, 2025, with three individuals, including a Chinese national. Zumba brought these individuals to NAS Jacksonville where the source’s spouse let them into the personnel office after business hours and initiated the process for two of them to receive ID cards. The following day, Zumba met with the source, who gave him two cards in exchange for $3,500. Zumba was promptly arrested, and the cards were recovered.

This case was investigated by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and Homeland Security Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David Mesrobian and Michael J. Coolican. 

Tampa, FL – Senior U.S. District Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington has sentenced Miguel Alexander Perez Perez (33, Dominican Republic) to eight years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit money laundering. He was also ordered to forfeit $1,600,110. Perez Perez pleaded guilty on January 22, 2025.

According to court documents, Perez Perez was a broker of money laundering “contracts.” He participated in the collection of drug proceeds in the United States for introduction into the U.S. banking system. He concealed the source of those proceeds through trade-based money laundering schemes that included the purchase of devices such as cellphones in the United States. The devices were then sold abroad. From June to August 2020, federal law enforcement completed four such money laundering contracts with Perez Perez in an undercover capacity. During a separate contract that Perez Perez brokered in July 2020, the Florida Highway Patrol stopped a money courier and seized more than $1 million in drug proceeds.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Florida Highway Patrol. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dan Baeza.

This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge William F. Jung has sentenced Yaphet Martin (38, New Port Richey) to 12 years and 7 months in federal prison for possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Martin pleaded guilty in August 2024.

According to court documents, on July 7, 2023, officers with the Clearwater Police Department pulled over a vehicle being driven by Martin. When the officers approached the vehicle, they smelled marijuana emanating from the vehicle. Officers searched the vehicle and located a small green camouflage bag behind the center console containing what laboratory testing would later confirm to be 3 grams of fentanyl, 7.66 grams of MDMA, and 3.48 grams of cocaine. The bag also contained a digital scale, glass pipe, and $3,182 in cash. Officers also recovered a firearm loaded with four rounds of ammunition from the vehicle.

At the time, Martin had four prior felony convictions including forgery, robbery in the first degree, delivering an imitation controlled substance, and felonious possession of a firearm. He is therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law. In addition, his prior drug and crime of violence convictions subjected him to an enhanced penalty.

This case was investigated by the Clearwater Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman. The forfeiture is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Nebesky.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington today sentenced Darrence White (29, Brooksville) to 20 years in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. White pleaded guilty on April 7, 2025.

According to court documents, on March 11, 2023, a deputy with the Pasco Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in which White was a passenger.  The deputy detected a strong odor of narcotics emitting from the vehicle and removed the occupants, including White. An officer located a bag in the glove compartment that contained methamphetamine, fentanyl, and a blue latex glove. During a subsequent search of White, officers recovered additional controlled substances and a blue latex glove like the one from the glovebox. 

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Maria Guzman.

Jacksonville, Florida – Chief United States District Judge Marcia Morales Howard has sentenced Troy Lyn Everett (63, Georgia) to 15 years in federal prison for attempted production of child sexual abuse material. Everett was also ordered to serve a 10-year term of supervised release and register as a sex offender. He pleaded guilty in March 2025.  

According to court records, from August 22 through October 25, 2024, Everett communicated with an undercover detective from the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office who was posing as a 14-year-old child on an online messaging application. Everett engaged the detective in a variety of sexually explicit messages and expressed a desire to have sex with the child. Everett asked the undercover officer multiple times for sexually explicit photos and videos of who Everett believed to be a 14-year-old girl. Additionally, Everett discussed traveling to meet the minor for sex. Everett biked more than an hour from his residence in Georgia to an Atlanta bus station where he purchased a bus ticket to Jacksonville. Upon his arrival in Jacksonville, he was arrested and admitted to traveling for sex and making repeated requests for sexually explicit photos and videos from a person who he believed to be a 14-year-old child. 

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Nassau County Sherriff’s Office, and the Northeast Florida Intercept Task Force. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John Cannizzaro.

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

Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Courtesy Transport Services, LLC (“Courtesy”) and its owners, Melanie Burger and Dr. John Milanick, have agreed to collectively pay $900,000 to resolve allegations that they defrauded Medicare and Medicaid by billing for ambulance transportation services that were not medically necessary or not actually provided. The settlement amounts for Courtesy and Melanie Burger are based on their ability to pay.  

According to the settlement agreements, from June 1, 2013, through June 30, 2019, Courtesy submitted claims to Medicare and Medicaid for basic life support, non-emergency ambulance transport services which the United States contends were not reimbursable, because the services were not medically reasonable and necessary, the patients did not require transportation by ambulance, or the services were not actually provided to patients. As such, these services were not reimbursable by Medicare and Medicaid.

“False and fraudulent claims for ambulance services harm both the integrity of important federal healthcare programs as well as the seniors who rely on them,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe. “Our office is committed to recovering taxpayers’ money from fraud and abuse of these programs and will hold those who submit false claims accountable.” 

“When health care providers bill Medicare for medically unnecessary services, they not only misuse critical resources meant to care for beneficiaries, but also increase the financial burden on taxpayers,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Rolando Alvarez of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “Together with our law enforcement partners, we remain committed to uncovering and investigating fraudulent health care schemes to preserve the integrity of federal health care programs.”

These settlements resolve a lawsuit originally filed by Jonathon Whitmore, a former Courtesy employee, under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the False Claims Act that permit private individuals to sue on behalf of the government for false claims, and to share in any recovery. Mr. Whitmore will receive roughly $171,000 of the proceeds from the settlements with Courtesy and its owners. The False Claims Act case is captioned United States and the State of Florida ex rel. Whitmore vs. Courtesy Transport, et al., Case No. 5:19-cv-241-Oc-34PRL.

These settlements resulted from a coordinated effort by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, Florida’s Office of the Attorney General Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (“MFCU”), and the HHS Office of the Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn Tapie and MFCU Deputy Director of Civil Enforcement Cedell Ian Garland handled the investigation. The claims resolved by the settlements are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.

Tampa, Florida – The Justice Department today announced the results of its 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown, which resulted in criminal charges against 324 defendants, including 96 doctors, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and other licensed medical professionals, in 50 federal districts and 12 State Attorneys General’s Offices across the United States, for their alleged participation in various health care fraud schemes involving over $14.6 billion in intended loss. The Takedown involved federal and state law enforcement agencies across the country and represents an unprecedented effort to combat health care fraud schemes that exploit patients and taxpayers.

“This record-setting Health Care Fraud Takedown delivers justice to criminal actors who prey upon our most vulnerable citizens and steal from hardworking American taxpayers,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Make no mistake – this administration will not tolerate criminals who line their pockets with taxpayer dollars while endangering the health and safety of our communities.”

In the Middle District of Florida, United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announced the filing of criminal charges in 13 cases involving 19 individuals in connection with alleged schemes to defraud programs entrusted for the care of the elderly and disabled, and to obtain controlled substances through fraud.

“Millions of Americans rely on the ethical and lawful practices of healthcare professionals and providers to deliver critical services to patients every day,” said U.S. Attorney Kehoe. “When criminals exploit our federal healthcare programs and betray the trust of their beneficiaries, the integrity of our systems are compromised. Our office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ferret out these criminals and bring them to justice.”      

The following individuals have been charged in Middle District of Florida:

• William Balsamo (65, Spring Hill) was charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States and to pay and receive health care kickbacks in connection with a scheme to provide doctors’ orders to pharmacies, durable medical equipment (“DME”) companies, and laboratories in exchange for kickbacks, which led to at least $9 million in losses to Medicare. As alleged in the information, Balsamo was the Chief Financial Officer of Call MD Plus, a telemedicine company that purported to offer software that enabled pharmacies, DME companies, and laboratories to connect their patients with telemedicine doctors who performed consultations. Call MD Plus allegedly obtained signed doctors’ orders by paying kickbacks to companies that had relationships with telemedicine doctors, and then sold the orders to the pharmacies, DMEs, and laboratories (sometimes through intermediary marketers and resellers), in exchange for kickbacks. The orders were then used to bill for medically unnecessary prescriptions and other items. The case is being prosecuted by Acting Assistant Chief Gary A. Winters of the National Rapid Response Strike Force and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Mesrobian.
• Edward Cannatelli (60, Parkland), Robbyn Cannatelli (68, Parkland), Thomas Farese (82, Fort Lauderdale), and Virginia Lockett (55, Margate) were charged for their roles in a conspiracy to defraud the Medicare program, make false statements relating to health care matters, and offer and pay illegal kickbacks and bribes. They are also charged in a second conspiracy to commit wire and health care fraud and with related substantive counts concerning the falsification of records in the federal investigation leading to the indictment. The four charged, along with other conspirators, generated medically unnecessary physicians’ orders via a telemarketing operation for DME. Through the telemarketing operation, federal health care program beneficiaries’ personal identifying information and other health-related information was harvested to begin forming DME brace orders.  The information related to the emerging brace orders was then transmitted to purported “telemedicine” vendors that, in exchange for a fee, paid illegal kickbacks and bribes to physicians who signed the orders, often without ever contacting the beneficiaries to conduct the required telehealth consultations. The fraudulent brace orders were then returned to the conspirators, who used the orders as support for bogus DME claims submitted to Medicare. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jay G. Trezevant and Tiffany E. Fields.
• Greisys Cuellar Hernandez (41, Tampa) was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud for contributing to the filing of fraudulent insurance claims for staged traffic crashes resulting in multiple payouts by insurance companies to a physical rehabilitation clinic in Tampa. Cuellar Hernandez worked at the clinic and was involved in recruiting individuals to seek treatment after staging traffic crashes. Cuellar Hernandez was paid approximately $52,000 for her role in the conspiracy. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany E. Fields.
• Alexis Del Sol Perez (48, Spring Hill) and Carlos Del Sol (30, Tampa) were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud for their roles in submitting fraudulent insurance claims for staged traffic crashes. Del Sol was also charged with wire fraud for causing the transmission of fraudulently obtained insurance funds. Del Sol Perez was the owner of a physical rehabilitation clinic in Tampa and recruited individuals to participate in staged traffic crashes and seek medical attention at his clinic. Del Sol worked at the clinic and assisted patients from staged car accidents with completing insurance paperwork containing false statements. Additionally, Del Sol was responsible for making cash payouts to individuals involved in the staged traffic crashes. As a result of this scheme, the defendants and co-conspirators obtained at least $4.7 million in fraudulently obtained proceeds from the offenses. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany E. Fields.
• Patrick Michael Flint (43, Coconut Creek) pleaded guilty to conspiring to solicit and receive kickbacks for referring Medicare beneficiaries for COVID-19 tests and to purchase and sell Medicare beneficiary identification numbers. According to court documents, Flint obtained identifying information from Medicare beneficiaries for the purpose of sending them COVID-19 tests that they had not otherwise requested. He then sold the identifying information to medical providers for the purpose of shipping the COVID-19 tests to the beneficiaries and billing Medicare for the tests. Flint’s actions caused the submission of approximately 84,600 fraudulent claims to Medicare, which resulted in reimbursements totaling approximately $7.9 million. As part of his plea, Flint agreed to forfeit to the government a total of $1,266,025 of proceeds that he obtained during the scheme. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Arnold B. Corsmeier.
• Michelle Forsythe (61, Ocala) was charged with 14 counts of wire fraud and 1 count of aggravated identity theft in connection with using the names and insurance policy information of 22 individuals without their knowledge or consent to overbill health insurance companies. The fraudulent overbillings resulted in a loss of at least $483,000. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hannah Watson.
• Leo Joseph Govoni (67, Clearwater) and John Leo Witeck (60, Tampa) were charged by indictment for their roles in a conspiracy to solicit, steal, and misappropriate beneficiary funds from clients of the Center for Special Needs Trust Administration (CSNT). CSNT was a non-profit that managed funds for individuals with disabilities and other special needs, including those who received court awards, settlements, and other payments. As of February 2024, the indictment alleges, CSNT managed more than 2,100 special needs trusts containing approximately $200 million. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Peresie and Trial Attorney Lyndie Freeman of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.
• Lauren Hornbuckle (36, Seminole) was charged with one count of tampering with a consumer product in connection with her unlawfully acquiring and tampering with morphine at a hospital. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Pizzo.
• Paula Pirone (68, Ocala) and Sophie Dufort (56, Gainesville) were charged with various counts of conspiracy, health care fraud, and paying kickbacks in connection with an alleged scheme to fraudulently bill Medicare over $8.6 million for medically unnecessary orthotic braces. According to the indictment, Pirone and Dufort owned and operated DME companies that offered and paid illegal kickbacks to their co-conspirators in exchange for signed doctors’ orders for medically unnecessary DME that were then billed to Medicare. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Jody King of the Florida Strike Force.
• Ricardo Ramos (49, Tampa) was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering for his role in conducting financial transactions involving proceeds of mail fraud. Ramos was a chiropractor at a physical rehabilitation clinic in Tampa. His co-conspirators recruited individuals to stage traffic accidents, file false police reports related to the staged traffic crashes, and then seek treatment at the clinic where Ramos worked. Ramos performed evaluations on the recruited individuals and directed them to report high levels of pain in order to diagnose purported injuries and prescribe future treatments. In some instances, no evaluations were performed and Ramos still generated diagnoses to facilitate the filing of fraudulent insurance claims. Ramos also completed medical forms with prescriptions for DME based on the fake injuries. These false claims were submitted to insurance companies and resulted in the insurance companies sending payments to the clinic where Ramos worked. These funds were then used to compensate Ramos and the recruited individuals for their roles in the scheme. As a result of the conspiracy, Ramos obtained approximately $169,000. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany E. Fields.
• Chad Monroe (47,Tarpon Springs) was charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and mail fraud, mail fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States and to offer, pay, solicit, and receive health care kickbacks, violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute, and wire fraud in connection with a scheme to fraudulently bill Medicare, Medicare Advantage Plans, and TRICARE for more than $28 million for orthotic braces and to receive approximately $15 million in illegal kickbacks and bribes related to genetic testing. As alleged in the indictment, Monroe owned several DME companies that purchased doctors’ orders for braces. Monroe was also a marketer who generated and sold doctors’ orders for genetic testing. He also is charged for submitting a false Economic Injury Disaster loan application and aiding and abetting in the submission of a false Paycheck Protection Program loan. Previously, a boat purchased for over $600,000 and more than $1 million from an investment account were seized. The case is being prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel Catherine Wagner and Trial Attorney D. Keith Clouser of the National Rapid Response Strike Force.
• Anagha Onuoha a/k/a “Frank Emeka,” (61, St. Petersburg) was charged for making a false statement in a passport application and theft of government funds. According to the indictment, Onuoha, a Nigerian citizen living in the United States, obtained two Social Security numbers by fraudulently claiming to be a United States citizen. Using these Social Security numbers, Onuoha applied for, and received, benefits from the United States to which he was not entitled. As part of his scheme, Onuoha obtained more than $2.2 million in Social Security Disability Insurance benefits and Medicare benefits. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey Schmidt and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. Del Mastro.
• Eric Strom Holland (55, Fort Myers) was charged with wire fraud and distributing and dispensing controlled substances in connection with an alleged scheme to deceive doctors into writing controlled substance prescriptions based on false pretenses. As alleged in the complaint, Holland recruited unwitting doctors for his all-virtual pain clinic using a series of lies designed to induce them to work for him and to prescribe controlled substances, including oxycodone. These lies included that the pain clinic had a physical location (when in fact all operations during the pertinent periods were purely virtual), that patients were being physically examined by medical practitioners, such as nurse practitioners, before doctors were asked to prescribe, that there were long-term doctors with whom the patients had a standing relationship and that the temporary doctors were just refilling prescriptions as part of an established regimen of care, and that safeguards to prevent against drug abuse, such as urine screens, were being used. Holland’s scheme resulted in the improper dispensing of more than 103,000 oxycodone pills. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin S. Winter.

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

The MDFL has worked with the Department’s Criminal Division and the following law enforcement organizations to investigate and prosecute these cases, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, the United States Marshals Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Social Security Administration - Office of the Inspector General, and Homeland Security Investigations.

The following materials related to today’s announcement are available on the Health Care Fraud Unit’s website through these links:

• Graphics and Resources
• Case Descriptions
• Court Documents
• National Press Release

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the  unsealing of an indictment charging Salvatore Russotto (58, Orlando) with threatening to injure and kill the victim, the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey, Alina Habba, and with retaliating against a federal law enforcement officer by threat. If convicted on both counts, Russotto faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. 

According to the indictment, on May 19, 2025, Russotto made a threat to injure and kill the victim in a series of postings from an online account belonging to him. Specifically, Russotto stated, among other things, “A slow painful death for HABBA,” “Eliminate HABBA. 86 Traitor. Death penalty for all traitors,” “I HOPE YOU DIE A PAINFUL DEATH,” a true threat of violence.

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

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Newark, Jersey and Tampa, Florida Field Offices – and the United States Marshals Service. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kara Wick.

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Merryday has sentenced Juan Arturo Martinez (62, Mexico) to four months in federal prison for one count of use of a passport secured by false statement and one count of making a false statement in a passport application. Martinez pled guilty on February 18, 2025.

According to court documents, on March 1, 2002, Martinez—who was born in Mexico and was unlawfully present in the United States—submitted a United States Passport Application Form DS-11 in Sarasota, Florida. In support of that application, Martinez provided a fraudulent Texas birth certificate. On March 22, 2002, based on his fraudulent representation that he was a U.S. citizen, a United States Passport was issued to Martinez.

On February 21, 2012, Martinez mailed in a United States Passport Renewal Application Form DS-82, along with his expired passport issued in 2002. On the application, Martinez falsely stated that his place of birth was “Mission, TX.” On March 12, 2012, a United States Passport was issued to Martinez. On February 7, 2013, Martinez presented this passport as proof of identity to obtain a Florida drivers license. Martinez used the fraudulently issued passport multiple times for travel purposes. Most recently, on September 11, 2021, Martinez used the passport to take a cruise from Port Canaveral, Florida. On April 7, 2022, Martinez submitted a United States Passport Renewal Application Form DS-82 and, again falsely stated that his place of birth was “Mission, TX.”

The evidence presented further established that Martinez impersonated a United States citizen for the purpose of obtaining other benefits and exercising other rights. For example, Martinez illegally registered to vote, and repeatedly voted in U.S. presidential elections, despite being unlawfully present in the United States and having no right to vote.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of State. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Karyna Valdes.

Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the  return by a grand jury of an indictment charging Juan Mario GonzalezPiloto (40, Anthony) with possession of a firearm and ammunition affecting commerce by a convicted felon. If convicted, GonzalezPiloto faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. 

According to the court records, between 2013 and 2020, GonzalezPiloto was convicted of five state felonies: (1) cannabis trafficking more than 25 pounds but less than 2,000 pounds; (2) possession of a place for drug trafficking; (3) possession of marijuana with intent to distribute; (4) possession of marijuana concentrate -hazardous extract; and (5) resisting an officer with violence.

On November 28, 2024, Marion County Sheriff deputies responded to GonzalezPiloto’s residence in northern Marion County. GonzalezPiloto had been injured while shooting a loaded firearm on his property. In describing how he had been injured, GonzalezPiloto told investigators that the firearm had malfunctioned while he was shooting it. As a convicted felon, GonzalezPiloto is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition under federal law. 

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

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk Watson.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the return of an indictment charging Ken-ichi Larroza Hatakama (36, Philippines), with wire fraud. If convicted, Hatakama faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Hatakama that the United States intends to forfeit $562,569.37, which are alleged to be the proceeds of the offense.

According to the indictment, Hatakama, a citizen and national of the Philippines, worked remotely assisting Victim Company (“VC”) with their computer coding. While working on VC’s computer coding, Hatakama embedded malicious code into VC’s computer coding, causing payments intended for VC’s partners to be rerouted to dozens of fraudulent PayPal accounts he controlled. Through this scheme, Hatakama stole over $500,000 from VC.

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

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Noah P. Dorman.

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the  return by a grand jury of an indictment charging Kenthen Lavardo Swain (39, The Bahamas) with illegal reentry by an aggravated felon. If convicted on all counts, Swain faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. 

According to the indictment, on or about May 16, 2025, Swain was found to be voluntarily in the United States after having previously been removed from the United States on three occasions. Swain had not received consent of the Attorney General or the Secretary of Homeland Security to reapply for admission. Prior to being found, Swain had previously been convicted of multiple felonies, including possession of controlled substances with intent to sell or deliver. 

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

This case was investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO). It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeff Chang.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Omar Joel Rivera Olivo (26, Orlando) today pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing and transferring machine guns. Rivera Olivofaces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison for each count. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to the plea agreement, Rivera Olivo engaged in eight sales of drugs and guns, including automatic weapons, to an undercover law enforcement officer – initially selling cocaine and marijuana before selling firearms. On March 13 and March 28, 2025, Rivera Olivo sold four firearms, some of which had been modified to be fully automatic weapons, along with multiple devices to convert firearms into fully automatic weapons. 

Rivera Olivo subsequently posted images of himself online with guns, drugs, and the proceeds of his illegal activities. 

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from Orange County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dana E. Hill.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

Jacksonville, Florida – Chief U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard has sentenced Tocorey Gibbs (39, Jacksonville) to 32 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony. Gibbs was found guilty after a bench trial on March 19, 2025. 

According to court documents and records, on January 10, 2024, officers with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) were on patrol in the Lackawanna neighborhood in Jacksonville and observed Gibbs riding a bicycle without a headlight. When officers stopped Gibbs, they saw that he was armed with a pistol. Officers seized a loaded .40 caliber pistol from Gibbs’ pocket. A records check revealed that Gibbs had just been released from prison after serving 15 years for aggravated assault and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. 

This case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Talbot.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven has sentenced Brian Walker (52, Bradenton) to 12 years and 7 months in federal prison, followed by 20 years of supervised release, for attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity and possession of child sexual abuse material. Walker pled guilty on March 25, 2025.

According to court documents, Walker contacted a 12-year-old female living in his community over a social media application. The FBI took over the minor’s social media account and engaged in chats with Walker in an undercover capacity. Walker engaged in sexual conversations with the undercover agent, whom he believed to be the 12-year-old female, and attempted to coerce and entice her to engage in sexual activity. Within the conversations, Walker shared his attraction to 12-year-old females and expressed his desire to meet in person.

On June 24, 2024, Walker travelled to meet the minor in person at the community pool and was arrested at the scene. Law enforcement seized a cell phone from Walker and located hundreds of images and videos of minors, including those under the age of 12 years, engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

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

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

Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Court Judge Sheri Polster Chappell has sentenced Jordon Shanquial Brown (34, Fort Myers) to three years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon. Brown pled guilty on March 12, 2025.

According to court documents, on September 12, 2024, the Fort Myers Police Department (FMPD) conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in which Brown—a multi-time convicted felon—was the front-seat passenger. During a search of the vehicle, FMPD officers located a bag partially underneath the front passenger seat containing a loaded Smith & Wesson firearm, belonging to Brown. As a previously convicted felon, Brown is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Fort Myers Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Simon Eth.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

The Justice Department resolved an enforcement matter against JWB Real Estate Management for violating the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) when it imposed illegal early termination charges on military servicemembers who terminated their leases after receiving military relocation orders.

JWB Property Management, a property management company based in Jacksonville, Florida, imposed early termination fees on at least six members of the U.S. military after they attempted to terminate their leases in accordance with the SCRA.  

As a result of the Department’s enforcement, JWB will be required to pay over $39,000 in compensation to the affected servicemembers, as well as a $25,000 civil penalty. The company will also make changes to its policies and training to ensure that it complies with the SCRA in the future.

“Our military families already shoulder the burden of military-ordered moves and deployments,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “We will not allow them to be penalized by landlords for answering the call of duty for service.”

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida is committed to protecting the rights of all our servicemembers,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida. “Our servicemembers make tremendous sacrifices to protect the rights and freedoms of our citizens and we will combat all forms of discrimination against them to help ensure that they are able to fulfill their military obligations.”

This case was handled by Middle District of Florida Assistant United States Attorneys Alexandra Karahalios and Deputy Chief of the Civil Division Yohance A. Pettis.

The Department’s enforcement of the SCRA is conducted by the Civil Rights Division’s Housing and Civil Enforcement Section. Since 2011, the Department has obtained over $483 million in monetary relief for over 148,000 servicemembers through its enforcement of the SCRA. For more information about the department’s SCRA enforcement efforts, please visit www.servicemembers.gov.

Servicemembers and their dependents who believe that their rights under the SCRA may have been violated should contact the nearest Armed Forces Legal Assistance Program Office. Office locations can be found at legalassistance.law.af.mil.

The Justice Department resolved an enforcement matter against JWB Real Estate Management for violating the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) when it imposed illegal early termination charges on military servicemembers who terminated their leases after receiving military relocation orders.

JWB Property Management, a property management company based in Jacksonville, Florida, imposed early termination fees on at least six members of the U.S. military after they attempted to terminate their leases in accordance with the SCRA.  

As a result of the Department’s enforcement, JWB will be required to pay over $39,000 in compensation to the affected servicemembers, as well as a $25,000 civil penalty. The company will also make changes to its policies and training to ensure that it complies with the SCRA in the future.

“Our military families already shoulder the burden of military-ordered moves and deployments,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “We will not allow them to be penalized by landlords for answering the call of duty for service.”

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida is committed to protecting the rights of all our servicemembers,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida. “Our servicemembers make tremendous sacrifices to protect the rights and freedoms of our citizens and we will combat all forms of discrimination against them to help ensure that they are able to fulfill their military obligations.”

The Department’s enforcement of the SCRA is conducted by the Civil Rights Division’s Housing and Civil Enforcement Section. Since 2011, the Department has obtained over $483 million in monetary relief for over 148,000 servicemembers through its enforcement of the SCRA. For more information about the department’s SCRA enforcement efforts, please visit www.servicemembers.gov.

Servicemembers and their dependents who believe that their rights under the SCRA may have been violated should contact the nearest Armed Forces Legal Assistance Program Office. Office locations can be found at legalassistance.law.af.mil.

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Shannon Lee Samlalsingh (46, Tampa) has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to making false statements to a firearms dealer on June 20, 2025. Samlalsingh faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to the plea agreement, in 2020 and 2021, Samlalsingh purchased several firearms and firearms components from federally licensed firearms dealers in Hillsborough County and Miami-Dade County where she falsely stated on ATF 4473 forms that she was the actual transferee or buyer of said firearms. In reality, Samlalsingh had received money via international wire transfers from members of a Trinidadian transnational criminal organization with instructions to purchase specific model firearms and firearms components, then transfer them to other members of the transnational criminal organization already in Florida, to smuggle them back to Trinidad. Samlalsingh kept a percentage of the wire transfer funds as compensation. The firearms were smuggled back to Trinidad and Tobago by concealing them in a large wireless speaker and punching bags.

On or about April 21, 2021, authorities at the Piarco International Airport in Trinidad and Tobago seized a shipment from the United States containing two punching bags and other goods. Concealed within the two punching bags were approximately eleven 9mm pistols, two .38 caliber special revolvers, a 12-gauge semi-automatic shotgun, three AR-15 barrel foregrips, 19 lower pistol grip assemblies, 11 forearm bolt assemblies, three AR-15-style barrels with forearm grips, 32 AR-15 magazines, one AR-15 drum magazine, 470 rounds of AR-15 ammunition, 34 9mm magazines, three 9mm drum magazines, 284 9mm rounds, fifteen .38 caliber rounds, 36 shells, six magazine couplers, and two shotgun chokes.  Specifically, Samlalsingh purchased a SAR-9 9mm pistol, a Ruger-9 9mm pistol, a Taurus G3 9mm pistol, a Taurus G2C 9mm pistol which were all traced to the April 21, 2021, seizure in Trinidad and Tobago.   

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of National Security (Transnational Organized Crime Unit) and Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (Special Investigations Unit), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David W.A. Chee and Adam W. McCall.

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

An indictment was unsealed today charging two Florida men in connection with a fraudulent scheme to steal over $100 million from a nonprofit organization that managed funds for people with special needs and disabilities.

“As alleged, for over 15 years, the defendants conspired to use the funds of special needs clients as a personal piggy bank, stealing $100 million dollars meant for the most vulnerable members of our society to enrich themselves,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Today’s charges reflect the Criminal Division’s ongoing commitment to prosecuting sophisticated fraudsters who abuse the trust of their victims. Thanks to the relentless efforts of our multiagency partners, we will continue to aggressively pursue accountability for perpetrators who exploit Americans out of greed.”

“Protecting the most vulnerable members of our society is a priority of the U. S. Attorney’s Office,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida. “The fraud alleged in this nationwide scheme is unfathomable. Due to the diligence and interagency collaboration by our dedicated law enforcement partners, these crimes will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

“The subjects charged are accused of creating a slush fund to divert millions of dollars away from a nonprofit organization helping people with special needs,” said Assistant Director Jose A. Perez of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division. “Not only were the organization’s resources drained, but the accused subjects betrayed the trust of the community and ultimately bankrupted a lifeline for vulnerable families. The FBI will not tolerate the exploitation of charitable missions for personal enrichment.”

“The scale and audacity of the alleged fraud in this case are deeply troubling,” said Criminal Investigation Chief Guy Ficco of the IRS. “Stealing funds intended to protect and support people with special needs is as cruel as it is criminal. IRS-CI special agents are dedicated to uncovering complex financial schemes, especially those that prey on the most vulnerable in our society.”

“The defendant disrupted access to critical services for individuals with disabilities and defrauded federal health care programs with the sole purpose of financing a life of extravagance,” said Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Christian J. Schrank of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG, in collaboration with our law enforcement partners, will continue to hold those whose illicit actions seek to assail enrollees and the nation’s federal health care programs fully accountable.”

According to court documents, Leo Joseph Govoni, 67, of Clearwater, Florida, co-founded the Center for Special Needs Trust Administration (CSNT) in or around 2000 and John Leo Witeck, 60, of Tampa, Florida, worked at CSNT as an accountant. CSNT allegedly was a nonprofit that managed money for people with disabilities and other special needs, including those who received court awards, settlements, and other payments. CSNT grew to be one of the largest administrators of special needs trusts in the country, with beneficiaries located in almost every state. As of February 2024, the indictment alleges, CSNT managed over 2,100 special needs trusts containing approximately $200 million.

As alleged in the indictment, from June 2009 through May 2025, Govoni, Witeck, and their co-conspirators solicited, stole, and misappropriated CSNT client-beneficiary funds — which they treated as a slush fund to enrich themselves and others — and concealed their illegal activities through complex financial transactions and deceit, including sending fraudulent account statements with false balances to disabled victims. Govoni allegedly used stolen money to purchase real estate, travel via private jet, fund a brewery, make deposits into his personal bank accounts, and pay personal debts. In 2024, CSNT filed for bankruptcy and disclosed that more than $100 million in client-beneficiary funds were missing from its trust accounts. Govoni is alleged to have made false declarations to the bankruptcy court related to the CSNT bankruptcy proceedings.

Separately, Govoni is also alleged to have committed bank fraud related to a $3 million mortgage refinance loan and to have laundered $205,054 of the proceeds to pay off a home equity line of credit on his residence.

Govoni and Witeck were both charged with conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering conspiracy. Govoni was additionally charged with bank fraud, illegal monetary transactions, and false bankruptcy declarations.

If convicted, both defendants face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on the wire fraud, mail fraud, conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, and money laundering conspiracy charges. If convicted, Govoni faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison on the bank fraud charge, 10 years in prison on the illegal monetary transactions charge, and five years in prison on the false bankruptcy declaration charge.

The FBI, IRS-CI, HHS-OIG, and SSA-OIG are investigating the case.

Trial Attorney Lyndie Freeman of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U. S. Attorneys Jennifer Peresie and Michael Gordon for the Middle District of Florida are handling the prosecution.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 

Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the  unsealing of an indictment charging Leo Joseph Govoni (67, Clearwater) and John Leo Witeck (60, Tampa) in connection with a fraud scheme that involved stealing more than $100 million from, and ultimately bankrupting, a non-profit organization in Clearwater that managed funds for vulnerable individuals with special needs and disabilities.

Govoni and Witeck are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, three counts of mail fraud, six counts of wire fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Govoni is also charged separately with one count of bank fraud, one count of illegal monetary transaction, and one count of making a false bankruptcy declaration. The bank fraud offense carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. Each count of wire fraud, mail fraud, conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, and the money laundering conspiracy offense carries a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment. The illegal monetary transaction count carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and the false bankruptcy declaration carries a maximum penalty of 5 years’ imprisonment. 

According to the indictment and court documents, around the year 2000, Govoni co-founded the Center for Special Needs Trust Administration (CSNT), a non-profit that managed funds for individuals with disabilities and other special needs, including those who received settlements, court awards, and other payments. CSNT grew to be one of the largest administrators of special needs trusts in the country, with beneficiaries located in Florida and nationwide. As of February 2024, CSNT managed more than 2,100 special needs trusts containing approximately $200 million in assets.

As alleged in the indictment, from June 2009 through May 2025, Govoni, Witeck, and their co-conspirators solicited, stole, and misappropriated CSNT client-beneficiary funds—which they treated as a slush fund to enrich themselves and others—and concealed their illegal activities through complex financial transactions and deceit, including sending fraudulent account statements with false balances to disabled victims and their families. Govoni allegedly used stolen money to purchase real estate, travel via private jet, fund a brewery, make deposits in his personal bank accounts, and pay debts. In February 2024, CSNT filed for bankruptcy and disclosed that more than $100 million in client-beneficiary funds was missing from its trust accounts.

Govoni is also charged with bank fraud related to a $3 million mortgage refinance loan and the alleged laundering of $205,054 of the fraud proceeds to pay off a home equity line of credit on his residence. Govoni is further alleged to have made false declarations to the bankruptcy court related to the CSNT bankruptcy proceedings.

“Protecting the most vulnerable members of our society is a priority of the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said U. S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida. “The fraud alleged in this nationwide scheme is unfathomable. Due to the diligence and interagency collaboration by our dedicated law enforcement partners, these crimes will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

“The subjects charged are accused of creating a slush fund to divert millions of dollars away from a nonprofit organization helping people with special needs,” said Assistant Director Jose A. Perez of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division. “Not only were the organization’s resources drained, but the accused subjects betrayed the trust of the community and ultimately bankrupted a lifeline for vulnerable families. The FBI will not tolerate the exploitation of charitable missions for personal enrichment.”

“The scale and audacity of the alleged fraud in this case are deeply troubling,” said Criminal Investigation Chief Guy Ficco of the IRS. “Stealing funds intended to protect and support people with special needs is as cruel as it is criminal. IRS-CI special agents are dedicated to uncovering complex financial schemes, especially those that prey on the most vulnerable in our society.”

“The defendant disrupted access to critical services for individuals with disabilities and defrauded federal health care programs with the sole purpose of financing a life of extravagance,” stated Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Christian J. Schrank of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG, in collaboration with our law enforcement partners, will continue to hold those who’s illicit actions seek to assail enrollees and the nation’s federal health care programs fully accountable.”

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

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, and the Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer Peresie and Michael Gordon and Department of Justice Trial Attorney Lyndie Freeman of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.

Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that a federal jury has found Maria Morales (58, Wesley Chapel) guilty of trafficking in unauthorized access devices and aggravated identity theft. Maria Morales faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 19, 2025. Maria Morales was indicted on September 4, 2024.

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Morales received over 100 debit cards issued by the state of Nevada for unemployment insurance benefits distributed during the COVID pandemic. Each of these debit cards was created using personal identifying information of unwitting individuals from all over the United States. The debit cards mailed to Morales had the names of those individuals on both the debit cards and the envelope in which the cards were mailed. Upon receipt, Morales traveled to various ATMs in the Middle District of Florida and withdrew thousands of dollars in unemployment insurance benefits. In less than one year, Morales received almost $2 million in unemployment insurance benefits to which she was never entitled. In so doing, she stole the identity of over 100 individuals. 

This case was investigated by the Department of Labor - Office of Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Candace Garcia Rich.