Middle District of Florida
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Former Candidate for 13th Congressional District of Florida Charged for Election-Related Threat to Former Primary Candidate and Private CitizenRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – An indictment was unsealed yesterday charging a Florida man with threatening to kill his primary opponent in the 2021 election for the 13th Congressional District of Florida and a private citizen and acquaintance of his opponent.
According to the indictment, William Robert Braddock III, 41, of St. Petersburg, and Victim 1 were candidates in the primary election to represent the 13th Congressional District of Florida in the U.S. House of Representatives. Victim 2 was a private citizen and acquaintance of Victim 1. On June 8, 2021, Braddock made several threats to injure and kill Victim 1 and Victim 2 during a telephone call with Victim 2. Specifically, Braddock threatened, in part, to “call up my Russian-Ukrainian hit squad” and make Victim 1 disappear. After making the threats, Braddock left the United States and was later found to be residing in the Philippines. Braddock was recently deported from the Philippines to the United States and made his first court appearance yesterday in Los Angeles.
Braddock is charged with one count of interstate transmission of a true threat to injure another person. If convicted, Braddock faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, and U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida made the announcement.
The FBI Tampa Field Office is investigating the case with support from the St. Petersburg Police Department. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, FBI’s Office of the Legal Attaché in Manila, and U.S. Marshals Service provided substantial assistance. The investigation also benefited from foreign law enforcement cooperation provided by the Philippine Department of Justice and Philippine Bureau of Immigration.
Trial Attorney Alexandre Dempsey of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section (PIN) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlton Gammons for the Middle District of Florida are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force. Announced by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and launched by Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco in June 2021, the task force has led the department’s efforts to address threats of violence against election workers, and to ensure that all election workers — whether elected, appointed, or volunteer — are able to do their jobs free from threats and intimidation. The task force engages with the election community and state and local law enforcement to assess allegations and reports of threats against election workers, and has investigated and prosecuted these matters where appropriate, in partnership with FBI Field Offices and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country. Three years after its formation, the task force is continuing this work and supporting the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and FBI Field Offices nationwide as they carry on the critical work that the task force has begun.
Under the leadership of Deputy Attorney General Monaco, the task force is led by PIN and includes several other entities within the Justice Department, including the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, Civil Rights Division, National Security Division, and FBI, as well as key interagency partners, such as the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Postal Inspection Service. For more information regarding the Justice Department’s efforts to combat threats against election workers, read the Deputy Attorney General’s memo.
To report suspected threats or violent acts, contact your local FBI office and request to speak with the Election Crimes Coordinator. Contact information for every FBI field office may be found at www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/. You may also contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or file an online complaint at www.tips.fbi.gov. Complaints submitted will be reviewed by the task force and referred for investigation or response accordingly. If someone is in imminent danger or risk of harm, contact 911 or your local police immediately.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Former Candidate for 13th Congressional District of Florida Charged for Election-Related Threat to Former Primary Candidate and Private CitizenRead the Press Release
An indictment was unsealed yesterday charging a Florida man with threatening to kill his primary opponent in the 2021 election for the 13th Congressional District of Florida and a private citizen and acquaintance of his opponent.
According to the indictment, William Robert Braddock III, 41, of St. Petersburg, and Victim 1 were candidates in the primary election to represent the 13th Congressional District of Florida in the U.S. House of Representatives. Victim 2 was a private citizen and acquaintance of Victim 1. On June 8, 2021, Braddock made several threats to injure and kill Victim 1 and Victim 2 during a telephone call with Victim 2. Specifically, Braddock threatened, in part, to “call up my Russian-Ukrainian hit squad” and make Victim 1 disappear. After making the threats, Braddock left the United States and was later found to be residing in the Philippines. Braddock was recently deported from the Philippines to the United States and made his first court appearance yesterday in Los Angeles.
Braddock is charged with one count of interstate transmission of a true threat to injure another person. If convicted, Braddock faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, and U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida made the announcement.
The FBI Tampa Field Office is investigating the case with support from the St. Petersburg Police Department. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, FBI’s Office of the Legal Attaché in Manila, and U.S. Marshals Service provided substantial assistance. The investigation also benefited from foreign law enforcement cooperation provided by the Philippine Department of Justice and Philippine Bureau of Immigration.
Trial Attorney Alexandre Dempsey of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section (PIN) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlton Gammons for the Middle District of Florida are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force. Announced by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and launched by Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco in June 2021, the task force has led the department’s efforts to address threats of violence against election workers, and to ensure that all election workers — whether elected, appointed, or volunteer — are able to do their jobs free from threats and intimidation. The task force engages with the election community and state and local law enforcement to assess allegations and reports of threats against election workers, and has investigated and prosecuted these matters where appropriate, in partnership with FBI Field Offices and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country. Three years after its formation, the task force is continuing this work and supporting the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and FBI Field Offices nationwide as they carry on the critical work that the task force has begun.
Under the leadership of Deputy Attorney General Monaco, the task force is led by PIN and includes several other entities within the Justice Department, including the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, Civil Rights Division, National Security Division, and FBI, as well as key interagency partners, such as the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Postal Inspection Service. For more information regarding the Justice Department’s efforts to combat threats against election workers, read the Deputy Attorney General’s memo.
To report suspected threats or violent acts, contact your local FBI office and request to speak with the Election Crimes Coordinator. Contact information for every FBI field office may be found at www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/. You may also contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or file an online complaint at www.tips.fbi.gov. Complaints submitted will be reviewed by the task force and referred for investigation or response accordingly. If someone is in imminent danger or risk of harm, contact 911 or your local police immediately.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
U.S. Attorney and the Central Florida Pledge Announce the Release of Hate Crimes Prevention Training Videos in Support of United Against Hate WeekRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida (USAO-MDFL) and the Central Florida Pledge joined efforts to create hate crimes prevention training videos to inform the public about hate crimes and the importance of reporting them to law enforcement. The videos, which can be viewed on the Pledge’s YouTube page, are each approximately 1-2 minutes in length and include topics how to distinguish between a hate crime and a hate incident; how to report a hate crime; what information to include when reporting a hate crime; and how to report acts of discrimination.
“In recognition of United Against Hate week, we hope the community will view these videos to learn more about hate crimes and the importance of reporting hate crimes or hate incidents they personally experience or witness,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg. “My office is committed to using our resources to assist victims of hate crimes, to help members of the community in preventing such crimes, to encourage reporting, and to hold accountable anyone who commits a federal hate crime.”
The USAO-MDFL partnered with the Central Florida Pledge to create these videos in furtherance of its United Against Hate initiative, which brings federal prosecutors and investigative partners to present at area high schools, churches, and other community locations to help educate people on identifying, reporting, and preventing hate crimes and other civil rights violations. Together with our local partners, the USAO-MDL’s United Against Hate campaign empowers students, residents, and communities to stand against racism and discrimination and alter the course of growing intolerance. Creating inclusion and equity are vital to building healthy and resilient communities. When cities and residents work together against hate, we can restore respect, embrace the strength of diversity and build inclusive and equitable communities for all.
Anyone who feels they have been the victim of a hate crime or may have witnessed one should immediately report the crime to state or local police by dialing 9-1-1. The next step is to quickly follow up that report by notifying the FBI. You can report a hate crime to the FBI online at tips.FBI.gov. You can also call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).
Not every hate incident involves a crime. You can report any incident or allegations discrimination to the USAO-MDFL’s Civil Rights Unit by calling our Civil Rights Hotline at (813) 274-6095 or by sending an email to [email protected].
Request a presentation for your school or community group by sending an email to [email protected].
Additional Resources:
FBI’s 2023 Hate Crime Statistics: https://www.justice.gov/hatecrimes/hate-crime-statistics
Facts on Florida’s Hate Crime Incidents: https://www.justice.gov/hatecrimes/state-specific-information/Florida
Hate Crime Case Examples: https://www.justice.gov/hatecrimes/hate-crimes-case-examples
Former Naples Airport Customs Officer Sentenced to Prison for Stealing Cash from Airline PassengersRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, FL – U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced William Joseph Timothy (43, Ave Maria) to 12 months in federal prison for stealing cash from arriving airline passengers during the course of his official duties. The Court also ordered Timothy to pay $18,700 in restitution to the victims of his thefts. Timothy entered a guilty plea on June 18, 2024.
According to court documents, between mid-2023 and early-2024, while working asa U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer at the Naples Airport, Timothy stole approximately $18,700 in cash from airline passengers during 17 incidents of theft uncovered by CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility investigators. Evidence collected during the investigation showed that Timothy was surreptitiously stealing cash from arriving international passengers during border enforcement examinations and currency verifications performed as part of his official duties as an assigned CBP Officer at Naples Airport.
“CBP does not tolerate misconduct within its ranks,” said Carlos C. Martel, Director, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Miami and Tampa Field Offices. “CBP’s efforts in this case are a testament to CBP’s commitment to preserving the honor of its overwhelmingly professional workforce, and our core values of vigilance, integrity, and service to country.”
This case was investigated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Professional Responsibility. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Simon R. Eth.
Acadia Healthcare Company Inc. to Pay $19.85M to Settle Allegations Relating to Medically Unnecessary Inpatient Behavioral Health ServicesRead the Press Release
Note: View the settlement here.
Tampa, FL – Acadia Healthcare Company Inc., a Delaware corporation with its principal place of business in Franklin, Tennessee, has agreed to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act and related state statutes by knowingly billing for medically unnecessary inpatient behavioral health services or for services that did not meet federal and state regulations. Acadia Healthcare Company owns and operates inpatient behavioral health facilities throughout the United States, including The Pavilion at HealthPark LLC, doing business as Park Royal Hospital in Ft. Myers, Florida; Riverwoods Behavioral Health LLC, doing business as Lakeview Behavioral Health in Norcross, Georgia, and as Riverwoods Behavioral Health System in Riverdale, Georgia; Ten Broeck Tampa LLC, doing business as North Tampa Behavioral Health in Wesley Chapel, Florida; PHC of Michigan LLC, doing business as Harbor Oaks Hospital in New Baltimore, Michigan; and Seven Hills Hospital LLC, doing business as Seven Hills Hospital in Henderson, Nevada (collectively, Acadia).
The United States contended that, between 2014 and 2017, Acadia knowingly submitted false claims for payment to Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE for inpatient behavioral health services that were not reasonable or medically necessary. In particular, the United States contended that Acadia admitted beneficiaries who were not eligible for inpatient treatment and failed to properly discharge beneficiaries when they no longer needed inpatient treatment and had improper and excessive lengths of stay. The United States further alleged that Acadia knowingly failed to provide adequate staffing, training and/or supervision of staff, which resulted in assaults, elopements, suicides and other harm resulting from these staffing failures. In addition, Acadia allegedly failed to provide inpatient acute care in accord with federal and state regulations, including, but not limited to, by failing to provide active treatment, to develop and/or update individualized assessments and treatment plans, to provide adequate discharge planning and to provide required individual and group therapy.
Under the settlement agreement, Acadia will pay $16,663,918 to the United States to resolve its liability under the False Claims Act for its allegedly false Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE billings. The Medicaid program is jointly funded by the states and the federal government, and pursuant to separate settlement agreements, Acadia will pay an additional $3,186,082 to Florida, Georgia, Michigan and Nevada to resolve their state law claims against Acadia.
“This settlement demonstrates the Justice Department’s commitment to ensuring that federal healthcare programs pay only for services that are needed and properly provided,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “It is particularly important that health care providers satisfy these requirements when providing services to a vulnerable patient population, such as residents of an inpatient behavioral health facility.”
“Federal health care programs rely upon the honesty and credibility of participating providers,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “The Justice Department will hold accountable those who seek to exploit these programs for personal gain, jeopardizing the health of patients.”
“Medical providers who participate in federally funded health care programs must follow the law when billing Medicare, Medicaid and Tricare,” said Special Agent in Charge Tamala E. Miles of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “This settlement illustrates HHS-OIG’s commitment to protecting the integrity of these taxpayer-funded programs and the well-being of enrollees seeking treatment. Working closely with the United States Attorney’s Office and other law enforcement partners, we will continue to thoroughly investigate such fraudulent billing schemes.”
“Billing TRICARE for medically unnecessary inpatient behavioral health services or for services that did not meet federal and state regulations impacts our ability to reimburse providers in a timely manner for care that is needed to keep our military ready to defend the nation,” said Rear Admiral Matthew Case of the U.S. Navy and Acting Assistant Director for Health Care Administration for the Defense Health Agency. “We thank our state and federal partners for their work on this case, and the whistleblowers who came forward for their bravery. As a result, we are able to continue delivering one of the most comprehensive and affordable health benefits available to any American.”
The settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by Franka Tirado, Brian Snyder and Jamie Thompson, all former employees of Acadia. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The qui tam cases are captioned U.S. ex rel. Tirado, et al. v. Park Royal Hospital et al., Case No. 2:17-cv-201-FtM-99 (MDFL), and U.S. ex rel. Thompson v. Acadia Healthcare Company Inc., et al., Case No. 2:18-cv-543-FtM-38CM (MDFL). The whistleblower share of the federal portion of the settlement will be $3,166,144.42.
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, as well as the National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units, with assistance from HHS-OIG and the Department of Defense Criminal Investigative Service.
The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement can be reported to HHS at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
Senior Trial Counsel Sarah Arni of the Civil Division’s Fraud Section and former Senior Litigation Counsel Lindsay Griffin for the Middle District of Florida handled the matter.
The claims resolved by the settlements are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability.
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South Carolina Man Indicted for Fraudulently Obtaining Millions from Delaware State Child Support Services Bank AccountRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Brandon Lamont Swain (53, Columbia, SC) with eight counts of bank fraud. If convicted, Swain faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison on each count.
According to the indictment, Swain fraudulently obtained millions of dollars from the State of Delaware, Division of Child Support Services (DCSS), Positive Pay bank account. The State of Delaware used the DCSS account to distribute child support payments to custodial parents.
In connection with the scheme, Swain caused more than $2.7 million to be transferred from the DCSS account to various businesses and financial institutions, for his personal gain. For example, Swain used the DCSS account to purchase over $2 million in timeshare interests in resort properties in Orlando and elsewhere.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Noah P. Dorman.
Six Block Gang Member Faces Minimum of Ten Years in Federal Prison for Armed Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Al’Donta Easterling (26, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Easterling faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to the plea agreement, beginning no later than October 2022 and continuing through July 2024, Easterling was an armed distributor for a drug trafficking organization (DTO) that transported large quantities of marijuana from California to Jacksonville. Easterling and his co-conspirators routinely traveled to California, where they acquired marijuana and smuggled it back to Jacksonville in suitcases on commercial flights or through mail parcels. In Jacksonville, Easterling and his co-conspirators sold marijuana from short-term rental properties. At these residences, Easterling and his co-conspirators routinely carried and possessed firearms to protect themselves, the drugs they distributed, and proceeds from the drug sales. Federal agents seized more than 100 kilograms of marijuana from the DTO during the investigation. On May 22, 2024, detectives from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) arrested Easterling after finding a pound of marijuana and a loaded Glock pistol in his vehicle. According to JSO, Easterling is a documented member of the Six Block street gang.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Highway Patrol. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Aakash Singh and Kirwinn Mike.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Over 100 Defendants Federally Charged with Fraud Related to the COVID-19 PandemicRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the results achieved by the Middle District of Florida’s efforts to combat fraud related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since March 2020, the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO-MDFL) has federally charged 109 individuals with fraud schemes designed to exploit state and federal programs implemented to alleviate the economic hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. These efforts include complementary actions by the USAO-MDFL’s Criminal, Civil, Asset Recovery, Appellate Divisions, in cooperation with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
“The Middle District of Florida United States Attorney’s Office, in cooperation with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, is committed to holding accountable those people who schemed to steal or otherwise obtain through misconduct benefits intended for Americans coping with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg.
With respect to criminal enforcement, the USAO-MDFL and federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies combined resources in March 2020 to form the Middle District of Florida COVID-19 Fraud Task Force with the purpose of identifying, investigating, and federally prosecuting fraud related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Since its inception, the Task Force has prosecuted 109 defendants for fraud schemes designed to exploit federal programs including the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), Economic Injury Disaster Loans (“EIDL”), Unemployment Insurance (“UI”), the Main Street Lending Program (“MSLP”), the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (“ERAP”), as well as government Healthcare programs such as Medicare. Collectively, these defendants sought to defraud the United States of over $96 million. Of the 109 charged defendants, 74 have already been found guilty while prosecution remains pending against 35 defendants.
The Middle District of Florida COVID-19 Fraud Task Force continues to aggressively investigate and prosecute individuals that took advantage of COVID-19 programs. On September 20, 2024, for example, a federal grand jury convicted Angela Chew (60, Leesburg) of conspiracy to bribe a public official and commit wire fraud, three counts of bribery of a public official, and six counts of wire fraud. Chew faces up to 5 years in federal prison on the conspiracy count, up to 15 years in federal prison on each of the bribery counts, and up to 20 years in federal prison on each of the wire fraud counts. Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 18, 2024.
According to evidence presented at trial, Chew conspired with three others to submit applications for COVID-19 EIDLs containing false and fraudulent information in exchange for bribe payments. The evidence showed Chew used her position as a loan specialist for the Small Business Administration (SBA) to internally access those loan applications that she and a co-conspirator had submitted on behalf of others. Chew then took actions on the applications within the SBA’s internal processing system that moved the loans towards approval. For example, Chew submitted a loan on behalf of a co-conspirator’s business that she knew was not active or operating at the time she submitted the loan. The loan was flagged as a duplicate by the SBA’s internal system, which stopped the application from progressing toward approval and funding. Chew then entered the SBA’s loan processing system, accessed the loan application, reactivated it, and manipulated the loan’s status multiple times to progress the application toward approval and funding in the amount of $150,000. In exchange, Chew received thousands of dollars in bribe payments from two of her co-conspirators. The evidence showed that Chew caused the funding of at least six EIDL applications, for a total loss of over $800,000.
In July 2024, a federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment charging Jared Dean Eakes (33, Jacksonville) with five counts of wire fraud and three counts of bank fraud. According to the superseding indictment, Eakes participated in a scheme to defraud investors and fraudulently secured approximately $4,752,270 in PPP loans. Eakes caused the submission of four PPP loan applications—including applications for two of the entities involved in the scheme to defraud investors—which contained false and fraudulent supporting documentation and statements regarding the entities’ employees and payroll. Once Eakes obtained the PPP loans, he did not use the funds for qualifying expenses as required by the program. Instead, he used the funds to engage in options trading or withdrew the funds in cash.
In addition to criminal prosecutions, the MDFL-USAO continues to investigate and pursue civil redress against individuals and entities who fraudulently or otherwise inappropriately obtained PPP funds. As an example of the latter scenario, in September 2024, Miles Partnership, LLC (“Miles”), a travel and tourism consulting company headquartered in Sarasota, Florida, agreed to a civil settlement of $2,281,950 to resolve allegations that Miles improperly obtained and received forgiveness for a second draw PPP loan. According to the information contained in the qui tam complaint, Miles was required to file a registration statement under FARA (Foreign Agents Registration Act) due to its work with various foreign tourism boards. The United States investigated these allegations with the cooperation of Miles. The civil settlement will conclude the lawsuit.
Further, the USAO-MDFL’s Asset Recovery Division and federal seizing agencies have completed the forfeiture of more than $20 million of EIDL, UI, and PPP funds that were fraudulently obtained, depriving the fraudsters of their ill-gotten gains and recovering the proceeds for the victims. More than $18 million in additional pandemic fraud proceeds have been seized and are pending civil or criminal forfeiture.
The U.S. Attorney General has established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Through the PPP, the federal government authorized over $600 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through the PPP. The EIDL program provides economic relief to small businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. The MSLP provided support to small and medium-sized businesses and their employees across the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. UI programs provided unemployment benefits to eligible workers who became unemployed through no fault of their own.
The criminal cases charged by the Middle District of Florida COVID-19 Fraud Task Force have been investigated by the Small Business Administration—Office of Inspector General, the Small Business Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Secret Service, Internal Revenue Service—Criminal Investigation, the Department of Labor—Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Postal Service, the Federal Housing Finance Agency—Office of Inspector General, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation—Office of Inspector General, Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery, Federal Reserve Board—Office of Inspector General, Department of Health and Human Services—Office of Inspector General, Department of Veterans Affairs – Office of Inspector General, U.S. Agency for International Development, the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation, the Tampa Police Department, the Orlando Police Department, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, the Winter Park Police Department, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, and the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys throughout the Middle District of Florida.
The Department of Justice needs the public’s assistance in remaining vigilant and reporting suspected fraudulent activity. To report suspected fraud, contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud (“NCDF”) at (866) 720-5721 or file an online complaint at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/webform/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form. Complaints filed will be reviewed at the NCDF and referred to federal, state, local, or international law enforcement or regulatory agencies for investigation.
United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida
COVID Fraud Criminal Cases
Charged Cases
Defendant(s) (Age)
Charge(s)
Max. Imprisonment
Type of Fraud*
Intended Loss Amount
Tampa Division
Devontaie DeravilAggravated identity theft
Maximum Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive
Access device fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years
UI$480kJordan RossWire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Illegal monetary transactions
Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years
EIDL/PPP$1.3MMarquett James
Alyson Marquett
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Wire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
EIDL/PPP$96kWillie Murray Jr.Wire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Aggravated identity theft
Maximum Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive
HCF$5MCharles Driver Jr.Conspiracy
Maximum Prison Term: 5 years
Access device fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 10 years
UI$175kEric CanonicoWire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Illegal monetary transactions
Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years
PPP$2.3MAlexander LeszczynskiWire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Bank fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Illegal monetary transactions
Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years
PPP$1.1MCapree HolmesWire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
EIDL$159kJavarus PoliteWire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
PPP$20kLuis MoralesWire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
PPP$40kRosson HamiltonWire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
PPP$20kDavid AntonettiWire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
PPP$40kCarlos DonesWire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
PPP$14kSantos Cruz RiveraWire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
PPP$16kTevyan HepburnWire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
PPP$20kJeanty CherilusWire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
EIDL/PPP$370kGage BowenWire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
PPP$20kThese COVID Fraud cases from the Tampa Division are being handled by AUSAs Tiffany Fields, Greg Pizzo, Candace Rich, Jennifer Peresie, Michael Kenneth, Merrilyn Hoenemeyer, and Daniel BaezaOrlando Division
Evan Edwards
Joshua Edwards
Conspiracy to commit bank fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 30 years
Bank fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 30 years
Visa fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 10 years
False statements
Maximum Prison Term: 30 years
PPP$8MEmmet BowensWire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Illegal monetary transactions
Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years
PPP$740kLatresia WilsonFalse statements
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
HCF$2.6MShawn Simmerer
Seth Downes
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 years
Wire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 years
False claim
Maximum Prison Term: 5 years
PPP$344k
Daniel Bohorquez
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 years
Wire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 years
EIDL$546kThese COVID Fraud cases from the Orlando Division are being handled by AUSAs Kara Wick, Amanda Daniels, and DOJ Trial Attorney Keith ClouserFort Myers Division
Venera PriceMail fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
ERAP$82kTimothy JolloffWire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Money laundering
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Illegal monetary transactions
Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years
PPP/EIDL$2.1MLisa JolloffMoney laundering
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Illegal monetary transactions
Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years
PPP/EIDL$2.1MDiop McKenzieBank fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 30 years
Wire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Aggravated identity theft
Maximum: Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive
EIDL/PPP$237kThese COVID Fraud cases from the Fort Myers Division are being handled by AUSA Yolande Viacava and Trent ReichlingJacksonville Division
Jared EakesWire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Bank fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 30 years
PPP$4.7MNatasha Hemming
Tiffany Gonsalves
Joshua Seedhaire
Conspiracy
Access device fraud
Aggravated identity theft
Maximum: Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive
UI$5.6MThese COVID Fraud cases from the Jacksonville Division are being handled by AUSAs David Mesrobian and John CannizzaroOcala Division
Lisa Starkes
Ivan Starkes
Wire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
PPP$80kThis COVID Fraud case from the Ocala Division is being handled by AUSA Hannah NowalkAdjudicated Cases
Tampa Division
Demarius WilsonWire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
PPP$18kThis COVID Fraud case from the Tampa Division is being handled by AUSA Michael KennethOrlando Division
Robert BurnsWire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
PPP$57kWilliam Barrientos
Grisoris Barrientos
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
EIDL$693kAngela ChewConspiracy
Maximum Prison Term: 5 Years
Bribery of a public official
Maximum Prison Term: 15 Years
Wire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
EIDL$732kThese COVID Fraud cases from the Orlando Division are being handled by Amanda Daniels, Diane Hu, and Richard VaradanJacksonville Division
James WiggWire Fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 years
PPP$476kCrystal HarvellWire Fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 years
PPP$20kThese COVID Fraud cases from the Jacksonville Division are being handled by AUSA, Kevin Frein
and Tysen Duva
Ocala Division
Passion JacksonWire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
PPP$20kNicole HardingWire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
PPP$20kHenry WadeWire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
EIDL$500kThese COVID Fraud cases from the Ocala Division are being handled by AUSA Hannah NowalkSentenced Cases
Tampa Division
Louis Thornton, IIIWire fraud
Sentence Imposed: 42 months in federal prison
EIDL/PPP$815kKary Stevenson
Corey Quinn
Conspiracy to commit access device fraud and aggravated identity theft
Sentence Imposed: 5 years, 10 months in federal prison (Stevenson)
Sentence Imposed:7 years in federal prison (Quinn)
UI$1MBridgitte KeimBank fraud
Sentence Imposed: 2 years in federal prison
PPP$588kWayne GanawayConspiracy to commit wire fraud
Sentence Imposed: 4 years in federal prison
EIDL$300kRolanda WingfieldAccess device fraud, aggravated identity theft
Sentenced Imposed: 3 years in federal prison
UI$135kEriaius BentleyRacketeering conspiracy, aggravated identity theft, access device fraud
Sentence Imposed: One year in federal prison
UI$3MTywon SpannRacketeering conspiracy, aggravated identity theft, access device fraud
Sentence Imposed: 6 years and 9 months in federal prison
UI$3MKeaujay HornsbyRacketeering conspiracy, aggravated identity theft, access device fraud
Sentence Imposed: 10 years and 10 months in federal prison
UI$3MKareem SpannRacketeering conspiracy, aggravated identity theft, access device fraud
Sentence Imposed: 10 years and 10 months in federal prison
UI$3MRandy JonesWire fraud, aggravated identity theft
Sentence Imposed: 5 years and 1 month in federal prison
EIDL/UI$250kJulio LugoConspiracy to commit money laundering
Sentence Imposed: 7 years and 6 months in federal prison
EIDL/PPP$4.4MKeith NicolettaConspiracy to commit money laundering
Sentence Imposed: 24 months in federal prison
PPP$1.9MRosenide VenantConspiracy to commit money laundering
Sentence Imposed: 5 years in federal prison
EIDL/PPP$413kMelinda HernandezConspiracy to commit wire fraud,
wire fraud and aggravated identity theft
Sentence imposed: Three years and six months in federal prison
UI$1.5MBri’antina MillsWire fraud and theft of government funds
Sentence imposed: 15 months in federal prison
EIDL$10KJorge Gutierrez EcheverriaWire fraud
Sentence imposed: Two years and six months in federal prison
EIDL$150kOmar Esquivel BelloWire fraud
Sentence imposed: 15 months in federal prison
EIDL$242kSteve Moodie
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft
Sentence imposed: 5 years and 10 months in federal prison
UI$1.5MRichard SimpkinsConspiracy to commit money laundering
Sentence imposed: 5 years and 10 months in federal prison
PPP$1.9MDevaris McClainConspiracy to commit wire fraud, access device fraud
Sentence imposed: 5 years and 1 month in federal prison
UI$85kJalissa McDuffyWire fraud
Sentence imposed: 3 years supervised release with 6 months home detention
PPP$41kKieanna GarrettWire fraud
Sentence imposed: 60 days’ imprisonment
EIDL$40kMarqus Willard JohnsonBank fraud
Money laundering
Sentence imposed: 18 months’ imprisonment followed by 60 moths supervised release
PPP$500kMehdi TaziConspiracy, Aggravated identity theft
Sentenced imposed: 5 years imprisonment followed by4 years supervised release
UI$1.5MTyree WingfieldConspiracy, Aggravated identity theft
Sentenced imposed: 5 years and 10 months imprisonment followed by4 years supervised release
UI$1.5MDawn OgundeleTheft of government funds
Sentence imposed: 2 years’ probation
PPP$20kAlexander AlliWire fraud conspiracy
Sentence imposed: 13 months’ imprisonment
EIDL$80kCharles CunninghamBank fraud
Sentence imposed: 21 months’ imprisonment
PPP$800kJailyn HolmesWire fraud
Sentence imposed: 5 years’ probation
PPP$20kNicole Bramble-KingWire fraud
Sentence imposed: 5 years’ probation
PPP$40kTommy LouisvilleWire fraud
Sentence imposed: 12 months’ imprisonment
PPP$33kJoseph AbdoWire fraud
Illegal monetary transactions
Sentence imposed: 5 years’ probation
PPP$500kBarrett PurvisWire fraud
Money laundering
Sentence imposed: 2 years and 9 months in federal prison
EIDL$499kBergeline LexisConspiracy to commit wire fraud
Sentence imposed: 10 months in federal prison
EIDL/PPP$68kThese COVID Fraud cases from the Tampa Division were handled by AUSAs Rachel Jones, Greg Pizzo, Tiffany Fields, Diego Novaes, Jennifer Peresie, Merrilyn Hoenemeyer, Jay Trezevant, SAUSA Chris Poor, and DOJ Trial Attorney John ScanlonOrlando Division
Daniel JohnsonConspiracy to commit wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, unlawful transfer of firearm
Sentence Imposed: 7 years, 6 months in federal prison
UI$2.3MJacquavius SmithPossession of short-barreled rifle; felon in possession of firearm; and aggravated identity theft
Sentence Imposed: 7 years, 1 month in federal prison
PPP$10kJohnson EustacheWire fraud
Sentence Imposed: 5 years in federal prison
EIDL/PPP$2.2MJoseph HarrisonConspiracy to commit wire fraud
Sentence Imposed: 12 months in federal prison
UI$2.1MTomas ZiupsnysConspiracy to commit bank fraud; bank fraud; aggravated identity theft
Sentence Imposed: 5 years in federal prison
PPP$2MHolly UrbanConspiracy to commit bank fraud
Sentence Imposed: 30 months in federal prison
PPP$1.5MJoel GreenbergConspiracy to commit wire fraud and other offenses while on pretrial release
Sentence Imposed: 11 years in federal prison
EIDL$430kDon Cisternino
Wire fraud, illegal monetary transactions, and aggravated identity theft
Sentence Imposed: 8 years and 6 months in federal prison
PPP$7.2MKeith IngersollConspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft
Sentence imposed: 9 years, 1 month in federal prison.
EIDL$66kJaheim DavisAccess device fraud and aggravated identity theft
Sentence imposed: 3 years, 6 months in federal prison.
UI$219kTeresa McIntyreConspiracy to commit wire fraud and other offenses
Sentence Imposed: 5 years’ probation
EIDL$730kBrian BlakePossession of device-making equipment, access device fraud, aggravated identity theft
Sentence Imposed: 9 years and 8 months in federal prison
PPP/UI$832kJoseph FaubertBank fraud
Sentenced Imposed: 5 years probation
PPP$778kThese COVID Fraud cases from the Orlando Division were handled by AUSAs John Gardella, Amanda Daniels, Chauncey Bratt, Emily Chang, Shannon Laurie, and Jennifer Harrington, and U.S. Attorney Roger HandbergJacksonville Division
Jacob ByrdWire fraud
Sentence Imposed: 5 years’ probation
PPP$10kDeconna BurkeWire fraud
Sentence Imposed: 5 years’ probation
PPP$20kDesmond WilliamsWire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud
Sentenced Imposed: 5 years’ probation
PPP$40kKenneth LandersWire fraud and illegal monetary transaction
Sentence Imposed: 1 year in federal prison followed by 1 year of supervised release
PPP$1.4MChristopher DaragjatiWire fraud , Theft of government funds, and Aggravated identity theft
Sentenced imposed: 5 years’cisternino imprisonment followed by 3 years’ supervised release.
PPP$150kThis COVID Fraud case from the Jacksonville Division was handled by AUSA Kevin Frein and Michael CoolicanFort Myers Division
Casey CrowtherBank fraud, false statement to a financial institution, illegal monetary transaction
Sentence Imposed: 3 years, 1 month in federal prison
PPP$2.7MAnthony Bruey
Amber Bruey
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, illegal monetary transactions
Sentence Imposed:
Anthony Bruey: 4 years, 3 months in federal prison
Amber Bruey: 4 years in federal prison
PPP/EIDL$881kEdrica Leann WatsonFalse statement to a lending institution
Sentence Imposed: 15 months in federal prison
PPP$392kDaniel Joseph TisoneWire fraud, bank fraud, money laundering, aggravated identity theft, possession of ammunition by a prohibited person
Sentence Imposed: 7 years in federal prison
PPP/EIDL/MSLP$10.7MLiliana GonzalezWire fraud
Sentence Imposed: 5 years of probation with 18 months of home confinement
PPP$169kAl Clint LaRocheBank fraud
Sentence Imposed: Two years in federal prison
PPP$1MDenis CasseusBank fraud and illegal monetary transaction
Sentence Imposed: 2 years in federal prison followed by 3 years’ supervised release
PPP$298kEvan GravesWire fraud
Sentence Imposed: 18 months in federal prison
EIDL$1.3MIsmaelle ManuelBank fraud
Sentence Imposed: Credit for time served followed by 5 years supervised release
PPP$280kThese COVID Fraud cases from the Fort Myers Division were handled by AUSAs Trent Reichling, Michael Leeman, Jesus M. Casa, Simon Eth, and Yolande ViacavaOcala Division
Lavelle HarrisWire fraud
Sentence Imposed: Two years and three months in federal prison
PPP$1.2MThis COVID Fraud case from the Ocala Division was handled by AUSA Hannah NowalkTypes of Fraud*
Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
Unemployment Insurance (UI)
Main Street Lending Program (MSLP)
Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)
Health Care Fraud (HCF)
Former SBA Employee Convicted of Conspiracy, Bribery, and Wire FraudRead the Press Release
Orlando, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found Angela Chew (60, Leesburg) guilty of conspiracy to bribe a public official and commit wire fraud, three counts of bribery of a public official, and six counts of wire fraud. Chew faces up to 5 years in federal prison on the conspiracy count, up to 15 years in federal prison on each of the bribery counts, and up to 20 years in federal prison on each of the wire fraud counts. Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 18, 2024.
According to evidence presented at trial, Chew conspired with three others to submit applications for COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) containing false and fraudulent information in exchange for bribe payments. The evidence showed that Chew used her position as a loan specialist for the Small Business Administration (SBA) to internally access those loan applications that she and a co-conspirator had submitted on behalf of others. Chew then took actions on the applications within the SBA’s internal processing system that moved the loans towards approval. For example, Chew submitted a loan on behalf of a co-conspirator’s business that she knew was not active or operating at the time she submitted the loan. The loan was flagged as a duplicate by the SBA’s internal system, which stopped the application from progressing toward approval and funding. Chew then entered the SBA’s loan processing system, accessed the loan application, reactivated it, and manipulated the loan’s status multiple times in order to progress the application toward approval and funding in the amount of $150,000. In exchange, Chew received thousands of dollars in bribe payments from two of her co-conspirators. The evidence showed that Chew caused the funding of at least six EIDL applications, for a total loss of over $800,000.
“This conviction underscores our commitment to holding all wrongdoers accountable, including those in positions of public trust like this former SBA employee,” said Inspector General Hannibal “Mike” Ware. “These crimes are far from victimless, as they financially harm taxpayers and erode public trust in SBA programs. I want to extend my gratitude to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their unwavering commitment to safeguarding the integrity of federal relief programs and ensuring that the system works for those it was designed to help.”
This case was investigated by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General, the United States Secret Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Amanda Daniels and Diane Hu.
Convicted Murderer Pleads Guilty in Crescent City Drug Distribution RingRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Francisco Javier Arroyo (31, Crescent City) today pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Arroyo faces a minimum mandatory of 5 years, up to 40 years, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to court documents, between February and July 2021, Arroyo worked to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine along with a number of conspirators – including Alejandro Alvarado (30, Crescent City), Miguel Angel Perez (29, Deland), and Jose Martinez (43, Crescent City), Jonathan Arroyo Ontiveros (25, Crescent City), Noel Bueno Jr. (27, Crescent City), and others – all of whom lived in close proximity to one another in Crescent City. Miguel Angel Ortiz (29, Crescent City) also served as a courier to deliver multi-kilogram shipments of methamphetamine from Texas, North Carolina, and Georgia to the Crescent City neighborhood in which Arroyo and others operated. Arroyo delivered ounces of methamphetamine and cocaine primarily to Robert Wayne Watson (59, Seville), who operated out of his home in Seville. Watson, in turn, redistributed ounces of methamphetamine to mid-level dealers located throughout central Florida, including George Edward Sykes (46, Bunnell), Danny Wayne Holmes (61, Kathleen), Dina Dynnette Kempher (38, Satsuma), and David John Doerr (56, Astor). During the course of the investigation, the FBI monitored these conspirators as they arranged to obtain and distribute kilograms, pounds, and ounces of cocaine and methamphetamine. To date, 12 individuals have pleaded guilty and were sentenced to federal prison terms in connection with this conspiracy.
On July 16, 2021, the FBI arrested multiple individuals in Crescent City and Seville. One day earlier, Arroyo was arrested in Missouri for a homicide that he had committed on July 13, 2021. Arroyo was later convicted of second-degree murder, along with two counts of attempted second degree murder, for the events occurring on July 13, 2021. After that conviction, Arroyo was transported to federal court to face charges for drug distribution occurring during that same time.
This case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the DEA, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, and the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dana E. Hill.
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.
Alva Man Sentenced to 24 Years in Federal Prison for Drug and Gun OffensesRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Richardson Bien Aime (35, Alva) to 24 years and 4 months in federal prison for possessing with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of pure methamphetamine and possessing firearms as a convicted felon. Bien Aime pleaded guilty on June 11, 2024. Earlier this year, his wife, Christi Bien Aime (31, Alva) was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison in a separate but related federal case involving 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.
According to court documents, law enforcement began investigating Richardson Bien Aime in August 2023 after learning from a source that he was obtaining large shipments of methamphetamine from California via the U.S. Mail. During the investigation, law enforcement purchased methamphetamine, crack cocaine, and fentanyl from Bien Aime during multiple undercover transactions at his Alva residence. Investigators also seized a parcel from the mail stream containing more than two pounds of pure methamphetamine destined for Bien Aime.
In November 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Bien Aime’s residence and seized more than a half a pound of methamphetamine, $6,000 in cash, and two firearms. Bien Aime, who had a lengthy criminal history including convictions for manslaughter and 10 felony drug offenses, was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael V. Leeman.
North Port Man Sentenced to 70 Years in Federal Prison for Producing and Possessing Child Sexual Abuse VideosRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber today sentenced Raul Colon-Ocasio (32, North Port) to 70 years in federal prison for production and possession of videos depicting the sexual abuse of children. Colon-Ocasio was also sentenced to a term of supervised release for life and ordered to register as a sex offender. A federal jury found Colon-Ocasio guilty on June 5, 2024.
According to court documents, between December 2021 and May 5, 2022, Colon-Ocasio used two minors to produce numerous videos of sexual abuse.
In 2022, a parent of Minor Victim 1 reported her daughter missing to law enforcement in Charlotte County. While investigating, law enforcement uncovered communications on social media between Colon-Ocasio and the child that were sexual in nature. In October 2022, an FBI Task Force Officer assumed the social media account of Minor Victim 1 and began communicating with Colon-Ocasio. On October 18, 2022, instead of Colon-Ocasio meeting Minor Victim 1, he encountered law enforcement. Colon-Ocasio’s cellphone was seized. Subsequent to a search warrant for his cellphone, law enforcement located sexually explicit videos that Colon-Ocasio had produced of Minor Victim 1.
Additionally, law enforcement located numerous videos that Colon-Ocasio had produced of another child engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Subsequent to further investigation, Minor Victim 2 was located by law enforcement.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Fort Myers Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, with includes the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office that assisted with this investigation. 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.
Labelle Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Joshua Leon Tyree (39, Labelle) has pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it and possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Tyree faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. Tyree has also agreed to forfeit the firearms and ammunition used to facilitate the offenses.
According to court documents, deputies from the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant on Tyree’s residence and located, among other drugs, nearly one pound of methamphetamine for distribution, and 24 assorted rifles and handguns. Tyree told deputies that the items located in his residence belonged to him.
This case was investigated by the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick L. Darcey.
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 out 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 first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Armed Felon Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison Following Struggle with DeputyRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Richard Salino Garcia (40, Pasco County) to 8 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. The court also ordered Garcia to forfeit a Taurus 66, .357 caliber revolver, and assorted ammunition which were used in the offense. Garcia was found guilty following a bench trial on April 29, 2024.
According to court documents, on December 2, 2022, a deputy from the Pasco Sheriff’s Office encountered Garcia during a loitering and prowling investigation behind a closed business. The deputy attempted to conduct a pat down for weapons after Garcia made motions towards his waistband, but Garcia fled on foot. The deputy tackled Garcia to the ground where the two began struggling as Garcia made attempts to reach into his waistband. Citizens assisted the deputy until backup deputies arrived. Once Garcia was handcuffed, deputies removed the loaded .357 Taurus revolver from a holster on Garcia’s waist. At the time, Garcia had numerous convictions for felony offenses including fleeing to elude and felony battery. As a convicted felon he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha E. Beckman.
This case is part of the 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 for occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Valley National Bank Resolves Civil Liability Relating to Self-Disclosure of Its Role in the Impermissible Use of PPP Loan Proceeds by Bank CustomerRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – Valley National Bank (VNB), a national bank and member of the Federal Reserve System, has agreed to pay $216,784.50 to resolve its civil liability under the False Claims Act for its self-disclosed role in the administration of two loans to a bank customer made under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES), the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits and Venues Act (Economic Aid Act).
Congress created the PPP in March 2020 as part of the CARES Act to provide emergency loans to small businesses suffering economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act authorized these businesses to seek forgiveness of the loans if they spent the loan funds on eligible expenses. The PPP was administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
This settlement resolves VNB’s civil liability related to a bank customer who had applied for two PPP loans with VNB. VNB, through a bank relationship manager, assisted the customer in the impermissible use of a portion of the PPP loan proceeds from its first PPP loan to repay an outstanding loan to a third party. After learning of this conduct, VNB conducted an independent investigation and review of those issues and provided the United States with a detailed and thorough written self-disclosure. VNB cooperated fully with the government’s investigation of the conduct, disclosing relevant documents, facts, and information gathered during its investigation. Although PPP lending has ended, VNB took steps to remediate and improve the issues with its PPP lending policies and practices, including requiring PPP borrowers to open a deposit account to undergo depositor screening, retaining an accounting firm to serve as a PPP loan help desk, and utilizing a company to interface with the SBA E-Tran platform.
“The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to investigating and holding responsible those who failed to follow the rules of the PPP program,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “We will continue to seek civil redress and, where appropriate, federally prosecute those individuals and entities that engage in improper uses of PPP loan proceeds.”
SBA’s General Counsel Therese Meers stated, “The favorable settlement in this case is the product of enhanced efforts by federal agencies such as the Small Business Administration working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, other federal law enforcement agencies, as well as financial institutions or private individuals who uncover borrower misconduct to recover the lending program’s damages.”
The resolution obtained in this case was the result of a coordinated effort by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida and the Small Business Administration. The matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelley Howard-Allen, with assistance from the Small Business Administration - Office of General Counsel.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination or admission of liability by VNB.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The task force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud affecting COVID-19 government relief programs can be reported by visiting the webpage of the Civil Division’s Fraud Section, which can be found here. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can also report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
West Park Man Pleads Guilty to Filing Thousands of Fraudulent COVID-19 Testing Reimbursement Claims in the Names of Homeless, Incarcerated and Deceased Individuals, Agrees to Forfeit over $5.6 Million and PropertiesRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Willie F. Murray, Jr. (55, West Park) today pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Murray faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for the wire fraud offense and a consecutive two years’ imprisonment for the aggravated identity theft offense. Murray has also agreed to forfeit $5,671,611.74 in U.S. currency, $1,578,925.56 from a bank account, and seven real properties located in Punta Gorda, Fort Lauderdale, Belle Glade, Hollywood, and South Bay, which are traceable to proceeds of the offense.
According to the plea agreement, Murray was the registered agent and manager of Lab Tess, LLC, a Florida company that purportedly provided its customers with COVID-19 testing services. In fact, Lab Tess provided no such services. Murray used Lab Tess to submit fraudulent claims for reimbursement to the Health Resources and Services Administration for COVID-19 testing services supposedly provided to uninsured individuals. To complete the scheme, Murray used personal identifying information of individuals incarcerated by the Florida Department of Corrections, individuals falsely reported as having been tested at homeless shelters and electrical substations, and deceased individuals. Murray submitted more than 126,000 fraudulent claims and received reimbursement in the approximate amount of $5,671,611.74, which he used, in part, to purchase real properties in South Florida.
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Greg Pizzo and Suzanne Nebesky.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Justice Department’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Orlando Man Pleads Guilty to Enticement of A Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity and Production of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialsRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Theron Charles Lord (36, Orlando) has pleaded guilty to enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity and production of child sexual abuse materials. Lord faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 15 years, up to life, in federal prison for the production offense and a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison for the enticement offense. Lord has also agreed to forfeit the cellphone that was used in the commission of the offense. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to the plea agreement, Lord and a 15-year-old child victim (CV) met online and began messaging on social media platforms. The messages quickly became sexual in nature and spanned from March until August 2022. In April 2022, Lord drove to meet the CV for the first time and engaged in sexual abuse of the CV. Between April and November 2022, the CV and Lord met in person at least six times and sexual abuse occurred at each meeting. During these meetings, Lord recorded videos of the sexual abuse. Additionally, Lord caused the CV to record and send him specific videos of child sexual abuse material.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Rockledge Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kaley Austin-Aronson.
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.
Marion County Man Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Entice A 13-Year-Old to Engage in Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Devin Joseph Rivera (24, Ocala) has pleaded guilty to attempting to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity. Rivera faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to the plea agreement, on July 24, 2024, Rivera communicated online within someone whom he believed was a 13-year-old girl. The child, however, was an undercover Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agent. Rivera engaged in a sexually explicit conversation with the undercover agent and, ultimately, was arrested when he traveled to a pre-determined meeting location in Marion County to engage in sexual activity with the child. Rivera also brought a blanket and a condom with him to that location.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the Ocala Police Department, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Chiefland Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Man Sentenced to More Than 10 Years for Attempting to Engage in Sex Acts with A MinorRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Charlene Honeywell has sentenced Jonathan Howard Kuykendall (39, Tampa), a/k/a “Bright Darkness,” to 10 years and 1 month in federal prison for attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. The court also ordered Kuykendall to forfeit his cellphone, which he used in committing the offense. A federal jury found Kuykendall guilty on June 26, 2024.
According to court documents, Kuykendall was a member of the U.S. Air Force stationed at MacDill Air Force Base. Trial evidence showed that, in June 2022, Kuykendall began messaging someone named “Ms. Glitter” online. Within the first few messages, Ms. Glitter told Kuykendall that she was 14 years old and lived on the base with her single mother. Undeterred by her age, over the next two weeks, Kuykendall groomed Ms. Glitter, gradually introducing sexual topics to her. He began by talking about cuddling with her and kissing her. From there, he began sending her extremely graphic descriptions of various sex acts that he wished to perform with her as well as numerous explicit images of adults.
This continued until June 24, 2022, when Kuykendall, thinking Ms. Glitter’s mom was not home, agreed to come to her house. Kuykendall, thinking he might be in for a set-up, conducted extensive countersurveillance. He arrived at the house long before planned, drove past the house multiple times, lied to Ms. Glitter about where he was, and paced the parking lot looking into cars. Kuykendall then took a handful of male enhancement pills and walked up to the home’s backdoor.
When Kuykendall arrived at Ms. Glitter’s home, he learned that she was actually an undercover federal agent conducting a proactive Internet Crimes Against Children operation. Kuykendall was arrested on scene.
This case was investigated by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations Detachment 340 at MacDill Air Force Base, the 6th Security Forces Squadron at MacDill Air Force Base, and Homeland Security Investigations - Tampa. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Karyna Valdes.
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.
Davenport Man Indicted for Armed Carjacking and Possessing Ammunition as A Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Armoni Moody (23, Davenport) with carjacking, brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime, and possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. If convicted on all counts, Moody faces a minimum mandatory penalty of seven years, up to life, in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Moody that the United States intends to forfeit a SCCY firearm and assorted rounds of ammunition, which are alleged to have been used in the commission of the offense.
According to the indictment, on June 12, 2024, Moody used a firearm to commit a carjacking during which he took a vehicle from the victim with the intent to cause death and serious bodily harm. Prior to the offense, Moody had previously been convicted of robbery with a weapon on May 13, 2021. Therefore, he 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 Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeff Chang.
This case is part of the 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 for occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
California Man Indicted for Transportation and Possession of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialsRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging William Kameron Ellis Taylor (29, Chula Vista, California) with transportation of child sex abuse materials, possession of child sexual abuse materials, and failure to register as a sex offender. If convicted on all counts, Ellis Taylor faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 15 years, up to 40 years, in federal prison.
According to the indictment and court documents, Ellis Taylor was stopped by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol at Cape Canaveral after returning from an international cruise to The Bahamas. Agents discovered that Ellis Taylor had a cellphone and an SD card which contained videos and images of child sexual abuse materials. Ellis Taylor was previously convicted of possession of child sexual abuse material in 2017 in the Southern District of California, and he therefore has certain sex offender registration requirements under federal law. He failed to inform his registering agency of his plans to leave the country as required by that 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 Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, and the United States Marshal Services. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kaley Austin-Aronson.
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.
Ten-Time Convicted Felon Indicted for Possessing Ammunition as A Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Bryan Jermaine Davis (37, Jacksonville) with possessing ammunition as a convicted felon. If convicted, Davis faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison.
According to the indictment, on July 5, 2024, Davis, knowing that he had been previously convicted of felony offenses – including robbery, selling heroin, possession of cocaine, dealing in stolen property, and false verification of ownership on pawnbroker transaction form – was in possession of assorted rounds of ammunition. As a convicted felon, Davis is prohibited from possessing a firearm 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 Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. 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.
Marion County Man Pleads Guilty to Filing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
Ocala, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Richard Underwood has pleaded guilty to three counts of filing false tax returns. Underwood faces a maximum penalty of three years in federal prison on each count. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to court documents, Underwood’s tax returns from 2017 to 2019 overstated certain business expenses incurred by his company, KDG Consulting, Inc. Each year, these falsely reported expenses significantly reduced Underwood’s business income (which ranged from about $530,000 to $780,000) by hundreds of thousands of dollars. Underwood’s fraudulent conduct caused his taxable income to drop to $0 in 2017 and 2018, and $7,110 in 2019. As part of his plea agreement, Underwood has agreed to pay $680,141 (plus interest) to the Internal Revenue Service—an amount reflecting the taxes he failed to pay during those years.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Belkis H. Callaos.
Marion County Felon Sentenced to Federal Prison for Illegal Possession of A Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – United States District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Jordan Karod Goodman (23, Ocala) to seven years and eight months in federal prison for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. Goodman entered a guilty plea on June 10, 2024.
According to court documents, on November 13, 2023, officers from the Ocala Police Department (OPD) responded to a shooting at a convenience store. An officer observed Goodman running in the area and wearing a black ski mask. When ordered to stop, Goodman refused. Goodman eventually fell and was detained by the officers. A Glock firearm with an extended magazine was recovered from the sidewalk where Goodman had fallen. When interviewed, Goodman stated that he believed someone had been shooting at him, so he had returned fire with his handgun. Goodman, who has two prior state felony convictions for possession of cannabis with intent to sell/deliver and carrying a concealed firearm, is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Ocala Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.
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.
Justice Department Secures Relief from Morningstar Storage to Resolve Alleged Violations of the Servicemembers Civil Relief ActRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department announced today that Morningstar Storage, which manages and operates a network of self-storage facilities in the southeast area of the United States, has agreed to pay $130,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) by failing to obtain court orders before auctioning the contents of at least three storage units owned by active-duty servicemembers.
According to the complaint, an Air Force Staff Sergeant stationed at MacDill Air Force Base rented a unit at a storage facility located in Tampa, Florida. On the storage agreement, the Staff Sergeant indicated that she was in active military service, provided contact information for her military unit and authorized rent payments to be made automatically. Shortly thereafter, before being deployed overseas to Jordan, she stored nearly all of her household goods at the Tampa facility, including her military awards and coins, and her children’s toys and keepsakes. While the Staff Sergeant was still deployed to Jordan, Morningstar acquired the Tampa facility, stopped her automatic payments and auctioned all the contents of her unit for $390.
“We all know that servicemembers endure many hardships and make great sacrifices as a result of their service to the nation,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Our servicemembers should never have to worry that their property, including their most prized keepsakes and personal treasures, will be sold out from under them while they are on duty. The Justice Department will continue standing up for servicemembers to ensure basic respect for their property, their rights and their dignity.”
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida is deeply committed to protecting the civil rights of our Nation’s servicemembers,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “The brave individuals who selflessly sacrifice to serve our country deserve the respect and peace of mind of knowing that what they leave behind during their service will be treated with the utmost care. Today’s consent decree reminds us that the companies who take on this responsibility do not always exercise the care that our servicemembers are entitled to under the SCRA, but the department remains committed to ensuring companies like Morningstar follow their obligations under the law.”
The SCRA provides financial and housing protections and benefits to military members while they are in military service. One of the SCRA’s protections requires anyone holding a lien on the property of a servicemember to obtain a court order prior to auctioning off, selling or otherwise disposing of that property. Under the consent order, which must still be approved by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Morningstar will pay the Air Force Staff Sergeant $80,000 in damages and will pay $5,000 each to two additional servicemembers. Morningstar has also agreed to pay a $40,000 civil penalty to the United States and must also implement new policies to prevent future violations of the SCRA.
This lawsuit resulted from a referral to the Justice Department from the U.S. Air Force. The department’s enforcement of the SCRA is conducted by the Civil Rights Division’s Housing and Civil Enforcement Section in partnership with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country. Since 2011, the department has obtained over $481 million in monetary relief for over 147,000 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.
Justice Department Secures Relief from Morningstar Storage to Resolve Alleged Violations of the Servicemembers Civil Relief ActRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that Morningstar Storage, which manages and operates a network of self-storage facilities in the southeast area of the United States, has agreed to pay $130,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) by failing to obtain court orders before auctioning the contents of at least three storage units owned by active-duty servicemembers.
According to the complaint, an Air Force Staff Sergeant stationed at MacDill Air Force Base rented a unit at a storage facility located in Tampa, Florida. On the storage agreement, the Staff Sergeant indicated that she was in active military service, provided contact information for her military unit and authorized rent payments to be made automatically. Shortly thereafter, before being deployed overseas to Jordan, she stored nearly all of her household goods at the Tampa facility, including her military awards and coins, and her children’s toys and keepsakes. While the Staff Sergeant was still deployed to Jordan, Morningstar acquired the Tampa facility, stopped her automatic payments and auctioned all the contents of her unit for $390.
“We all know that servicemembers endure many hardships and make great sacrifices as a result of their service to the nation,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Our servicemembers should never have to worry that their property, including their most prized keepsakes and personal treasures, will be sold out from under them while they are on duty. The Justice Department will continue standing up for servicemembers to ensure basic respect for their property, their rights and their dignity.”
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida is deeply committed to protecting the civil rights of our Nation’s servicemembers,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “The brave individuals who selflessly sacrifice to serve our country deserve the respect and peace of mind of knowing that what they leave behind during their service will be treated with the utmost care. Today’s consent decree reminds us that the companies who take on this responsibility do not always exercise the care that our servicemembers are entitled to under the SCRA, but the department remains committed to ensuring companies like Morningstar follow their obligations under the law.”
The SCRA provides financial and housing protections and benefits to military members while they are in military service. One of the SCRA’s protections requires anyone holding a lien on the property of a servicemember to obtain a court order prior to auctioning off, selling or otherwise disposing of that property. Under the consent order, which must still be approved by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Morningstar will pay the Air Force Staff Sergeant $80,000 in damages and will pay $5,000 each to two additional servicemembers. Morningstar has also agreed to pay a $40,000 civil penalty to the United States and must also implement new policies to prevent future violations of the SCRA.
This lawsuit resulted from a referral to the Justice Department from the U.S. Air Force. The department’s enforcement of the SCRA is conducted by the Civil Rights Division’s Housing and Civil Enforcement Section in partnership with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country. Since 2011, the department has obtained over $481 million in monetary relief for over 147,000 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.
Fort Myers Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Distribute Methamphetamine and Fentanyl Through the U.S. MailRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Durand Dijuon Demetiu Colbert (34, Fort Myers) has pleaded guilty to conspiracy with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and attempted possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Colbert faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to the plea agreement, Colbert conspired with an individual in California to distribute various controlled substances including methamphetamine and fentanyl in the Lee County area. The other individual resided in the Los Angeles area and supplied Colbert with controlled substances that would later be distributed to others. The controlled substances were sent to Colbert in Florida through the U.S. mail or other packaging carriers.
During the conspiracy, on November 17, 2023, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Colbert’s residence. At that time, Colbert was in possession of approximately1,700 fentanyl pills. Additionally, on November 28, 2023, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service intercepted multiple packages containing various controlled substances sent from Los Angeles to Colbert in Fort Myers through the U.S. mail. The packages were intercepted in Fort Myers and contained methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Morgan.
Fort Myers Felon Pleads Guilty to Possessing Loaded Firearm During Traffic StopRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Marquis Lamar Kitchen (38, Fort Myers) has pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. Kitchen faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to court documents, on March 21, 2024, officers from the Fort Myers Police Department observed a vehicle moving side to side on the roadway and initiated a traffic stop. The vehicle slow rolled for a few blocks before coming to a stop. Officers gave loud commands for the driver to roll down all of the vehicle’s windows. One of the officers saw a male with braided hair jump from the driver’s seat into the passenger seat, and a female jump from the passenger seat into the driver’s seat.
When officers asked the occupants to exit the vehicle, they found Kitchen in the passenger seat. As the occupants were exiting the car, an officer noticed a pistol on the driver’s side floorboard protruding from underneath the driver’s seat. DNA analyses linked Kitchen to the trigger, rough areas, and loading port of the pistol. At the time, Kitchen had a prior felony conviction, making him prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Fort Myers Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being 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 out 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 first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Clearwater Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Possessing Firearms and Ammunition as A Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday has sentenced Robert Pugh (34, Clearwater) to 10 years in federal prison for possession of a firearm or ammunition as a convicted felon. The court also ordered Pugh to forfeit a Taurus firearm, a Sig Sauer firearm, and assorted rounds of ammunition, which were possessed in connection with the offense. Pugh entered a guilty plea on June 20, 2024.
According to court documents, on January 3, 2024, officers from the Clearwater Police Department executed a search warrant at a residence where Pugh resided with his co-defendant, Leon Williams. The search warrant was obtained after a series of controlled purchases of cocaine from Williams. During the search, two loaded firearms – a Taurus handgun and a Sig Sauer handgun – were found at the home, along with approximately 60 grams of marijuana, 70 grams of cocaine, digital scales, and other paraphernalia for drug distribution.
Pugh admitted to owning the Taurus, that he had obtained it from another felon, and that he had access to the Sig Sauer. Pugh further admitted that he kept the Taurus for protection while he sold marijuana from the residence, and that he had sold marijuana as recently as the day before. DNA evidence was also obtained connecting Pugh to the Taurus handgun.
Prior to the offense, Pugh had been convicted of multiple felonies including felonious possession of a firearm or ammunition, aggravated battery, and sale of cocaine. As a convicted felon he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
Williams previously pleaded guilty to his role in this case. He is scheduled to be sentenced on October 24, 2024.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Clearwater Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeff Chang.
This case is part of the 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 for occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Ocala Man Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Entice A Minor to Engage in Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Rickey Lee Miller, Jr. (45, Ocala) has pleaded guilty to attempting to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity. Miller faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to court records, on July 27, 2024, a detective from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office posed as a 15-year-old girl on an online messaging platform. Miller contacted the undercover detective’s account and initially asked if she wanted to “hang out.” Miller then engaged in a sexually explicit conversation with the detective. During that conversation, Miller asked the detective if she would be interested in having “some fun” with Miller and a female friend. He also asked, “[W]ill you tell my friend your 18[?] I really don’t want her to know your real age.” When Miller subsequently drove to a predetermined location to meet with the minor for sex, he was arrested by law enforcement. The cellphone located in Miller’s vehicle was confirmed to be the phone communicating with the undercover detective.
This case was investigated by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the Ocala Police Department, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Chiefland Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.
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.
Kissimmee Felon Sentenced to More Than 15 Years for Unlawful Possession of Firearms and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Carlos E. Mendoza has sentenced Edward Charlesalton Chappell (41, Kissimmee) to 15 years and 8 months in federal prison for possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon. The court also ordered Chappell to forfeit the firearms and ammunition used in the offense. Chappell entered a guilty plea on June 17, 2024.
According to court documents, on July 13, 2022, a state search warrant was executed at a hotel room occupied by Chappell after he sold fentanyl to an undercover agent. Inside the hotel room, agents located cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other drugs as well as drug processing materials. Agents also located a Glock pistol, a Ruger pistol, and 9mm caliber ammunition.
At the time, Chappell had multiple prior felony convictions, including four convictions for delivery of cocaine and one conviction for possession of cocaine with intent to sell or deliver. As a multi-convicted felon, Chappell is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Megan Testerman.
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.
Guatemalan National Sentenced to Federal Prison for Illegal Possession of A FirearmRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – United States District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Juan Dionicio Romero-Mendez (23, Guatemala) to 18 months in federal prison for possession of a firearm by an alien illegally and unlawfully present in the United States. Romero-Mendez entered a guilty plea on June 10, 2024.
According to court documents, Romero-Mendez is a citizen of Guatemala. In January 2024, he was involved in a traffic collision in Marion County. During the subsequent investigation of the traffic collision, Romero-Mendez was found to be in possession of a Chiappa Firearms pistol. As Romero-Mendez is not legally or lawfully in the United States, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearm and Explosives, and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.
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.
Guatemalan National Arrested for Attempting to Entice A Minor to Engage in Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the arrest of Reagan Morales Roblero (37, Guatemala) on a criminal complaint charging him with attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. If convicted, Morales Roblero faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. Morales Roblero is currently detained pending the resolution of the criminal case.
According to court documents, in July 2024, an undercover (UC) special agent from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) posed online as a 13-year-old girl. The UC received a message from Morales Roblero, who then engaged in sexually explicit conversations with the UC throughout July and August. On September 5, 2024, Morales Roblero told the UC that he would be in Ocala. Despite the UC describing that she was only 13 years old, Morales Roblero sent her sexually explicit videos and discussed meeting her at a local motel because he wanted to “make love tonight.” Ultimately, Morales Roblero was taken into custody by law enforcement in the lobby of the Marion County motel.
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 was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Travel Tourism Company Pays More Than $2 Million to Resolve Civil Claims Regarding Funds Obtained Under the Paycheck Protection ProgramRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Miles Partnership, LLC (Miles), a travel and tourism consulting company headquartered in Sarasota, Florida, has agreed to a civil settlement of $2,281,950 to resolve allegations that Miles improperly obtained and received forgiveness of a loan under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
Congress created the PPP in March 2020 as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act to provide emergency loans to small businesses suffering economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act authorized these businesses to seek forgiveness of the loans if they spent the loan funds on eligible expenses. When applying for PPP loans, borrowers were required to certify the truthfulness and accuracy of all information provided in their loan applications. The PPP was administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Under the PPP rules and regulations then in effect, companies that were required to file a registration statement under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) were not eligible for a PPP loan.
GNGH2, Inc. filed a qui tam complaint in the Middle District of Florida alleging that Miles improperly obtained a second draw PPP loan for $2 million. According to the allegations in the complaint, Miles was required to file a registration statement under FARA due to its work with various foreign tourism boards. The United States investigated GNGH2’s allegations with the cooperation of Miles. The civil settlement will conclude the lawsuit filed by GNGH2 and GNGH2 will receive $207,450 as a share in the recovery.
“The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to investigating and holding responsible those applicants who improperly obtained loans under the PPP program,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “We will continue to seek civil redress and, where appropriate, criminally prosecute those individuals and entities that obtained PPP loans to which they were not entitled.”
SBA’s General Counsel Therese Meers stated, “The favorable settlement in this case is the product of enhanced efforts by federal agencies such as the Small Business Administration working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, other federal law enforcement agencies, as well as private individuals who uncover borrower misconduct to recover the lending program’s damages as well as penalties.”
The investigation was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Emden, with assistance from the Small Business Administration - Office of General Counsel.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The task force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud affecting COVID-19 government relief programs can be reported by visiting the webpage of the Civil Division’s Fraud Section, which can be found here. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can also report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
Three-Time Convicted Felon Sentenced for Possessing Firearms and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton has sentenced Dominick Yvon Louissaint (20, Lake Mary) to 46 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. The court also ordered Louissaint to forfeit the firearm and ammunition involved in the offense. Louissaint pled guilty on June 18, 2024.
According to court documents, Louissaint was encountered by the Sanford Police Department on January 24, 2024, at the scene of a suspected burglary. Louissaint ignored orders to show his hands, instead attempting to flee. After he was apprehended, the officers discovered that Louissaint was carrying a loaded, concealed firearm, a box of ammunition, and two ski masks. Louissaint has previously been convicted of felony robbery and firearms offenses. As a convicted felon, Louissaint is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with valuable assistance from the Sanford Police Department and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Richard Varadan.
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 Man Sentenced to More Than 10 Years in Federal Prison for Receiving and Possessing Child Sex Abuse ImagesRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Carlos E. Mendoza has sentenced Lucio Daza Marquez (73, Orlando) to 10 years and 1 month in federal prison for possession and receipt of child sex abuse material. Marquez entered a guilty plea on June 18, 2024.
According to court documents, an undercover FBI agent discovered an Internet Protocol (IP) address that was sharing files containing child sex abuse material. The IP address was traced to Marquez. During the execution of a search warrant at Marquez’s residence, FBI agents located multiple files depicting the sexual abuse of children on Marquez’s laptop and external hard drives. During an interview with the FBI agents, Marquez admitted to downloading child sex abuse material. Marquez further told the agents that he had been viewing child sex abuse material for nearly 10 years, and that he preferred young girls approximately 12 years old. He also admitted to viewing videos involving much younger children being sexually abused, including infants.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Noah P. Dorman.
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.
Bradenton Man Charged with Possession of Child Sex Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the arrest and filing of a criminal complaint charging Christopher David Clark (52, Bradenton) with possession of child sex abuse material. Clark was arrested on September 12, 2024. If convicted, Clark faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.
According to the criminal complaint, on September 12, 2024, the Federal Bureau of Investigation executed a search warrant at Clark’s home. During the search, agents located more than 40 electronic devices, to include computers, cellphones, and external drives. A preview of an external hard drive revealed multiple images of child sexual abuse material.
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 was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, the Bradenton Police Department, and the Sarasota Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ross Roberts.
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.
Volusia County Woman Sentenced to over Nine Years in Prison for Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge John Antoon II has sentenced Angela Courington (65, Volusia County) to nine years and three months in federal prison for bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. As part of her sentence, the court also entered an order of forfeiture in the amount of $2,201,836.40, the proceeds of the fraud. Courington entered a guilty plea on June 5, 2024.
According to court documents, between January 2013 and October 2022, Courington stole more than $2.2 million from her employer and his companies in her role as the companies’ accounting manager. Specifically, Courington made at least 84 company checks payable to herself without authorization by fraudulently forging the signature of the owner of the companies. To conceal her fraud, Courington documented the forged checks in the companies’ accounting systems as legitimate expenses. Additionally, as part of her fraudulent scheme, she used the companies’ credit cards and funds from her employer’s personal bank account for her own benefit, including, in large part, to fund her gambling habit.
This case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kara M. Wick.
Pinellas County Convicted Child Sex Offender Indicted for Attempting to Entice A Minor to Engage in Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Joshua Andrew Finley (46, St. Petersburg) with using the internet to attempt to entice a minor child to engage in sexual activity. If convicted, Finley faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison and a potential life term of supervised release. Finley is a convicted child sex offender, having previously been convicted in Wisconsin (2009) of interstate travel to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor. Finley is currently detained pending his trial scheduled for December 2024.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the St. Petersburg Police Department, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.
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.
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.
Ohio Man Sentenced for Making False Statements to Purchase Firearms and Unlawful Sale/Transfer of Firearms to JuvenilesRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States District Judge Steven D. Merryday has sentenced Gabriel Gladman (23, Akron, Ohio) to four years in federal prison for making false and fictitious statements to a federally licensed firearms dealer with the intent to purchase firearms, and unlawful sale/transfer of firearms to juveniles. Gladman was also ordered to forfeit the following: a Smith & Wesson (SD40) semi-automatic firearm, a Taurus G2 semi-automatic firearm, a Glock 26 semi-automatic firearm, a FMK 9C1 semi-automatic firearm, 2 - Taurus G3 semi-automatic firearms, and 2 - Tara TM-9X semi-automatic firearms which are traceable proceeds of the offense.
According to court documents, on eight separate occasions between November 2022 and June 2023, Gladman provided false information to federally licensed firearm dealers in Tampa with the intent to purchase eight semi-automatic firearms. On six separate dates, Gladman sold/transferred some of those firearms to juveniles under the age of 18. It was determined that some of those firearms were used by the juveniles during violent crimes in Tampa. At the time of Gladman’s arrest in Ohio, he was found in possession of two additional firearms.
This case was investigated by the Tampa Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Maria Guzman. Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Nebesky will handle the forfeiture.
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.
Louisiana Fugitive Pleads Guilty to Possessing A Loaded Firearm as A Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Sammie Ray Sewell, Jr. (43, Alexandria, LA) today pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. Sewell faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to court documents, on February 2, 2024, Sewell was located at a hotel in Fort Myers by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office’s Fugitive Warrants Unit with two extraditable felony warrants out of Louisiana. When he was apprehended, deputies found Sewell in possession of a chamber loaded pistol with an extended magazine. There were multiple videos on Sewell’s social media account showing Sewell in possession of the pistol within days of his arrest. Sewell has been previously convicted of multiple felonies, including possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and aggravated robbery. As a convicted felon, Sewell is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being 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 out 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 first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Lakeland Man Indicted for COVID FraudRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Jeanty Cherilus (54, Lakeland) with five counts of wire fraud. Cherilus faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count. The indictment also notifies Cherilus that the United States is seeking an order of forfeiture in the amount of $370,000, the proceeds of the charged criminal conduct.
According to the indictment, Cherilus was an owner of Natransusa Corporation (NATRANS), a business that advertised to provide automobile salvage and transportation services. Cherilus, through NATRANS, submitted applications to obtain federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) to which Cherilus and NATRANS were not entitled. The loan applications had materially false and fraudulent representations, including an inflated number of employees and average payroll, and certifications that the loan proceeds would be used for business-related purposes. Cherilus also included fraudulent supporting documentation to induce the Small Business Administration and an approved lender to fund the loans. After receiving the PPP and EIDL funds, Cherilus used them for purposes other than what was approved by the terms of the loans and for his own person enrichment.
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. Agency for International Development - Office of Inspector General and the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee Task Force. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Greg Pizzo.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department's response to the pandemic, please visit Justice.gov/Coronavirus and Justice.gov/Coronavirus/CombatingFraud. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice's National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline via the NCDF Web Complaint Form.
Fort Myers Felon Sentenced to More Than 7 Years for Unlawfully Possessing Loaded FirearmsRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, FL – U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell has sentenced Mark Anthony Taylor, Jr. (27, Fort Myers) to seven years and three months in federal prison in connection with two cases involving him unlawfully possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The court also ordered Taylor to forfeit the firearms and ammunition possessed during the offenses. Taylor pled guilty to the offenses in these cases on March 7, 2024, and May 28, 2024, respectively.
According to court documents, shortly after midnight on April 6, 2023, Taylor was found by Cape Coral Police Department (CCPD) officers sleeping in the driver’s seat of a motor vehicle which was stopped at an intersection in Cape Coral. After Taylor exited the vehicle as part of a DUI investigation, officers located and seized a loaded handgun from the driver’s floorboard inches away from where Taylor had been sitting.
About four months later, on August 17, 2023, Taylor was the passenger in a vehicle that was stopped by Fort Myers Police Department (FMPD) officers as part of an investigation into a drive-by shooting. During the traffic stop, Taylor was in possession of a loaded handgun which was later forensically linked to the drive-by shooting.
As a convicted felon who has previously served prison time, Taylor is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Cape Coral Police Department, the Fort Myers Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. 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.
Walgreens Agrees to Pay $106.8M to Resolve Allegations It Billed the Government for Prescriptions Never DispensedRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. and Walgreen Co. (together, Walgreens) have agreed to pay $106.8 million to resolve alleged violations of the False Claims Act and state statutes for billing government health care programs for prescriptions never dispensed. Walgreens, headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, operates one of the largest retail pharmacy chains in the country.
The government alleges that, between 2009 and 2020, Walgreens submitted false claims for payment to Medicare, Medicaid and other federal health care programs for prescriptions that it processed but that were never picked up by beneficiaries. Walgreens instead restocked and resold the same prescription to someone else without reversing the claim submitted to the government, collecting payment twice on these prescriptions. As a result, Walgreens received tens of millions of dollars for prescriptions that it never actually provided to health care beneficiaries.
As part of the resolution, Walgreens received credit under the department’s guidelines for taking disclosure, cooperation and remediation into account in False Claims Act cases. Among other actions, Walgreens implemented enhancements to its electronic pharmacy management system to prevent this from occurring in the future and self-reported certain conduct. Because Walgreens previously refunded $66,314,790 pertaining to the settled claims, Walgreens will receive a credit for this amount.
“Federal health care programs provide critical health care services to millions of Americans,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We will hold accountable those who abuse these programs by knowingly billing for goods or services they did not provide.”
“Millions of Americans rely on the promise of federal healthcare through programs like Medicare and Medicaid,” said U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez for the District of New Mexico. “Fraudulently billing for prescriptions which are never dispensed endangers the integrity of these critical programs. We are committed to guarding the public’s investment in our health from private corporations.”
“Adopting new technology and systems can be beneficial for providers, beneficiaries, and federal payors, including Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE,” said U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs for the Eastern District of Texas. “However, we will not allow companies to hide behind their implementation of ill-conceived technology and systems that result in billing federal health care programs for goods and services never provided to beneficiaries. In those situations, we will pursue the companies and ensure that the taxpayer is made whole.”
“This settlement marks another major achievement in our ongoing commitment to combat healthcare fraud,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “It is essential to hold pharmacies accountable when they knowingly fail to abide by the rules and requirements of our national health care programs.”
“Medicare enrollees, and consumers at-large, rely on pharmacies for critical medications that sustain their quality of life, and providers who prey upon public health care programs to increase profit margins must be held accountable,” said Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Christian J. Schrank of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG is unwavering in its commitment to protecting taxpayer-funded healthcare programs and ensuring those that threaten their integrity are held liable for their actions.”
The federal share of the recovery is $91,881,530, and a total of $14,933,259 will be returned to individual states, which jointly fund state Medicaid programs, through separate settlement agreements with the Medicaid participating states.
The federal government’s settlement with Walgreens resolves three cases pending in the District of New Mexico, Eastern District of Texas and Middle District of Florida under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provision of the False Claims Act, which permits private parties to file suit for false claims on behalf of the United States and to share in any recovery. Steven Turck, a former Walgreens pharmacy manager, filed the qui tam suit in the Eastern District of Texas related to billing Medicare, Medicaid and other federal health care programs, and will receive $14,918,675. Andrew Bustos, a former Walgreens district pharmacy supervisor, filed the qui tam suit in the District of New Mexico related to billing Medicare Part B and will receive $1,620,000.
Trial Attorney Seth Greene of the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ruth Keegan and Sean Cunniff and Auditor Julie Chappell for the District of New Mexico; Assistant U.S. Attorneys James Gillingham and Adrian Garcia for the Eastern District of Texas; and Senior Litigation Counsel Lindsay Griffin for the Middle District of Florida handled the matters. HHS-OIG and the National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units assisted in the investigations.
The investigation and resolution of these matters illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement can be reported to HHS at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
The civil settlements with Walgreens resolved the following captioned cases: United States ex rel. Bustos v. Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc., et al., No. 1:15-cv-781 (DNM); United States ex rel. Turck, et al. v. Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc., et al., No. 4:19-cv-315 (EDTX); and United States, et al. ex rel. Jacob v. Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc., No. 8:20-cv-858-T-60TGW (MDFL).
Note: View the Bustos Settlement here and the Turck-Jacob Settlement here.
Walgreens Agrees to Pay $106.8M to Resolve Allegations It Billed the Government for Prescriptions Never DispensedRead the Press Release
Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. and Walgreen Co. (together, Walgreens) have agreed to pay $106.8 million to resolve alleged violations of the False Claims Act and state statutes for billing government health care programs for prescriptions never dispensed. Walgreens, headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, operates one of the largest retail pharmacy chains in the country.
The government alleges that, between 2009 and 2020, Walgreens submitted false claims for payment to Medicare, Medicaid and other federal health care programs for prescriptions that it processed but that were never picked up by beneficiaries. As a result, Walgreens received tens of millions of dollars for prescriptions that it never actually provided to health care beneficiaries.
As part of the resolution, Walgreens received credit under the department’s guidelines for taking disclosure, cooperation and remediation into account in False Claims Act cases. Among other actions, Walgreens implemented enhancements to its electronic pharmacy management system to prevent this from occurring in the future and self-reported certain conduct. Because Walgreens previously refunded $66,314,790 pertaining to the settled claims, Walgreens will receive a credit for this amount.
“Federal health care programs provide critical health care services to millions of Americans,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We will hold accountable those who abuse these programs by knowingly billing for goods or services they did not provide.”
“Millions of Americans rely on the promise of federal healthcare through programs like Medicare and Medicaid,” said U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez for the District of New Mexico. “Fraudulently billing for prescriptions which are never dispensed endangers the integrity of these critical programs. We are committed to guarding the public’s investment in our health from private corporations.”
“Adopting new technology and systems can be beneficial for providers, beneficiaries, and federal payors, including Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE,” said U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs for the Eastern District of Texas. “However, we will not allow companies to hide behind their implementation of ill-conceived technology and systems that result in billing federal health care programs for goods and services never provided to beneficiaries. In those situations, we will pursue the companies and ensure that the taxpayer is made whole.”
“This settlement marks another major achievement in our ongoing commitment to combat healthcare fraud,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “It is essential to hold pharmacies accountable when they knowingly fail to abide by the rules and requirements of our national health care programs.”
“Medicare enrollees, and consumers at-large, rely on pharmacies for critical medications that sustain their quality of life, and providers who prey upon public health care programs to increase profit margins must be held accountable,” said Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Christian J. Schrank of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG is unwavering in its commitment to protecting taxpayer-funded healthcare programs and ensuring those that threaten their integrity are held liable for their actions.”
The federal share of the recovery is $91,881,530, and a total of $14,933,259 will be returned to individual states, which jointly fund state Medicaid programs, through separate settlement agreements with the Medicaid participating states.
The federal government’s settlement with Walgreens resolves three cases pending in the District of New Mexico, Eastern District of Texas and Middle District of Florida under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provision of the False Claims Act, which permits private parties to file suit for false claims on behalf of the United States and to share in any recovery. Steven Turck, a former Walgreens pharmacy manager, filed the qui tam suit in the Eastern District of Texas related to billing Medicare, Medicaid and other federal health care programs, and will receive $14,918,675. Andrew Bustos, a former Walgreens district pharmacy supervisor, filed the qui tam suit in the District of New Mexico related to billing Medicare Part B and will receive $1,620,000.
Trial Attorney Seth Greene of the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ruth Keegan and Sean Cunniff and Auditor Julie Chappell for the District of New Mexico; Assistant U.S. Attorneys James Gillingham and Adrian Garcia for the Eastern District of Texas; and Senior Litigation Counsel Lindsay Griffin for the Middle District of Florida handled the matters. HHS-OIG and the National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units assisted in the investigations.
The investigation and resolution of these matters illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement can be reported to HHS at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
The civil settlements with Walgreens resolved the following captioned cases: United States ex rel. Bustos v. Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc., et al., No. 1:15-cv-781 (DNM); United States ex rel. Turck, et al. v. Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc., et al., No. 4:19-cv-315 (EDTX); and United States, et al. ex rel. Jacob v. Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc., No. 8:20-cv-858-T-60TGW (MDFL).
*This release has been updated to remove an allegation that is not in the settlement agreement.
Turck Jacob Settlement Bustos SettlementHaines City Drug Trafficker Sentenced to More Than 12 YearsRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – Senior U.S. District Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell has sentenced Robert Lubin (36, Haines City) to 12 years and 6 months in federal prison for attempted possession with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. Lubin entered a guilty plea on June 18, 2024.
According to court documents, in July 2023, Lubin sold fentanyl to an individual. That same month, Lubin arranged for a parcel of narcotics to be shipped to himself. The parcel was intercepted and contained 991.8 grams of fentanyl. In September 2023, Lubin was arrested with more than 3 kilograms of cocaine in his vehicle. Lubin had acquired the narcotics in Georgia and was transporting them back to the Middle District of Florida.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Lakeland Police Department, and the Florida Highway Patrol. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha E. Beckman.
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.
Five-Time Convicted Felon Sentenced to More Than 6 Years in Federal Prison for Firearms OffenseRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge John Antoon II has sentenced Reginald Dugger, Jr. (42, Orlando) to six years and six months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The court also ordered Dugger to forfeit a Rock Island Armory revolver, a Palmetto State Armory rifle, and associated ammunition, all of which were seized from his residence on February 29, 2024. Dugger entered a guilty plea on May 21, 2024.
According to court documents, on February 29, 2024, agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) executed a federal search warrant at Dugger’s home. During the search, agents located a currency counter, drugs, and two loaded firearms within plain view and accessible to Dugger. At the time, Dugger had several prior felony convictions. As such, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Noah P. Dorman.
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.
Federal Jury Convicts St. Croix Man of Theft of Social Security BenefitsRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found David Leopold Huber (35, St. Croix) guilty of theft of government property. Huber faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 11, 2024.
According to evidence presented at trial, Huber’s mother was receiving benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Huber’s mother died on August 9, 2016. The SSA did not receive notice that she had died and continued to pay out benefits on her behalf until July 2020. Huber was a joint account holder on the account into which his mother’s SSA benefits were deposited. Huber transferred the SSA benefits deposited after his mother’s death into his own personal account and used the funds for various personal expenses. In total, Huber stole approximately $47,952 in SSA benefits.
This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration - Office of the Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Huyler.
Armed Fentanyl Trafficker Sentenced to More Than 20 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Mitchell Wilson (35, Tampa) to 20 years and 8 months in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The court also ordered Wilson to forfeit a Smith & Wesson Model M&P Shield 9mm pistol and assorted ammunition, which were instrumentalities of the offense. Wilson entered a guilty plea on November 22, 2023.
According to court documents, Wilson was a major narcotics distributor in the Middle District of Florida. On September 13, 2022, Wilson sold fentanyl to a confidential source. Three days later, agents seized 97 grams of pure methamphetamine, 36 grams of a mixture containing fentanyl, cocaine, and a scale from a backpack that also contained a loaded firearm, as Wilson carried it from his hotel room to his car.
Loaded firearm seized from Wilson on September 13, 2022.
Narcotics seized from Wilson.
Wilson acknowledged he had sourced more than 2 kilograms of fentanyl and cocaine from a drug trafficking organization in Palmetto Beach over the previous 10 months, after being released from prison in August 2021. Wilson was in possession of a drug ledger and hundreds of dollars in cash during his arrest. Wilson had maintained a premises in the form of a hotel room, which he used to prepare narcotics for distribution and to distribute to customers.
At the time of his arrest, Wilson had multiple prior felony convictions, including four prior drug trafficking offenses and a fleeing to elude conviction.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Tampa Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha E. Beckman.
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.
U.S. Citizens Convicted of Conspiring to Act as Illegal Agents of the Russian GovernmentRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – A jury today found Omali Yeshitela, 82, of St. Louis, Missouri, Penny Hess, 78, of St. Louis, Missouri, Jesse Nevel, 34, of St. Louis, Missouri and Augustus C. Romain, Jr., 38, of Atlanta, Georgia, guilty of conspiracy to act as agents of a foreign government. Each faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. The defendants were charged in a superseding indictment on April 13, 2023.
According to evidence presented at trial, from at least May 2015 until July 2022, Yeshitela, Hess and Nevel agreed to act on behalf of the Russian government within the United States. Aleksandr Viktorovich Ionov, a resident of Moscow, was the founder and president of the Anti-Globalization Movement of Russia (AGMR), an organization headquartered in Moscow, Russia, and funded by the Russian government. Omali Yeshitela, Penny Hess and Jesse Nevel were leaders of the African People’s Socialist Party or components thereof (APSP). Augustus C. Romain was a high-level leader of the APSP who, in November 2018, left and formed a Georgia-based group called the Black Hammer. Ionov’s influence efforts were directed and supervised by Moscow-based Federal Security Service (FSB) officers, including indicted defendants Aleksey Borisovich Sukhodolov and Yegor Sergeyevich Popov.
In May 2015, Ionov invited Yeshitela to Russia for an all-expenses paid trip to “communicate on future cooperation.” Prior to this trip, Hess relayed a request to Ionov to ensure that Yeshitela would be able to meet with an “official representative of the Russian government.” According to subsequent email communications, which were shared with Hess, Nevel and Romain, Yeshitela explained that it was “clear” that Ionov was an instrument of the Russian government. In these same communications, Yeshitela further explained that Ionov represented “a method by which the Russian government is engaging the U.S. and Europe in serious struggle” by utilizing “forces inside of the U.S. to s[o]w division inside the U.S.” In a subsequent meeting, at which Hess and Nevel were present, Yeshitela explained that Ionov would only provide resources for actions that would support Russia’s efforts to “undermin[e] the U.S.”
Acting under Ionov’s direction, the defendants took several actions within the United States. For example, in August 2015, Ionov requested that Yeshitela, Hess and Nevel draft and publish a petition to the United Nations charging the United States with actively committing genocide against African people. When Hess resisted, Ionov insisted that the APSP had to publish the petition because Ionov and his Russian backers were “not exactly Black to demand it for ourselves.” Hess subsequently drafted and published the requested petition, which Ionov promoted in Russian media.
In January 2016, Ionov provided a $12,000 guarantee letter to fund a four-city tour to promote the genocide petition that the APSP had published at his direction. Yeshitela and Hess oversaw the tour and reported information about the tour to Ionov. After the tour, Yeshitela explained in an APSP meeting that the APSP had “developed a relationship with forces in Russia who are involved in their own struggle with the US.”
In 2017, and again in 2019, Ionov attempted to influence local elections in St. Petersburg, Florida, on behalf of the FSB, although there is no evidence that he succeeded in doing so. For example, in July 2017, Ionov reached out to Nevel —who was a candidate for Mayor in St. Petersburg — to offer support, including “campaign finance.” In 2019, Ionov regularly reported to the FSB concerning an election for local office in St. Petersburg, referring to one candidate as the candidate “whom we supervise.” And, in January 2020, FSB Officer Popov directed Ionov that the United States’ 2020 Presidential election was the FSB’s “main topic of the year.”
In April 2020, Ionov invited Nevel and Yeshitela to speak at a conference to promote the right of self-determination for Russian-backed secessionist movements in eastern Ukraine. Shortly thereafter, Yeshitela provided a video-recorded statement of support for the Russian-backed secessionist group. Ionov reported to the FSB concerning these activities.
In late February 2022, after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Ionov complained to FSB Officer Sukhodolov concerning Russia’s failure in the information war surrounding the invasion. Sukhodolov directed Ionov to “join in” in the information war. Ionov then directed Yeshitela and Romain to engage in demonstrations at a social media company headquarters in California to demonstrate against suppression of pro-Russian viewpoints. Ionov paid for Romain and three other members of Black Hammer to fly to California to conduct the demonstration, and Yeshitela directed members of the APSP located in California to conduct a similar protest a few days later. After the Black Hammer demonstration, Romain messaged Ionov: “This is great! That was fun! Who we attacking next? With more time I can get a bigger crowd.”
In May 2022, at Ionov’s direction, Romain demonstrated at a media company in Atlanta, Georgia, to celebrate Russia’s “Victory Day.” In June 2022, at Ionov’s direction, Romain demonstrated at the Georgia state capitol in support of Russia. During the demonstration, Romain stated that he was “not ashamed to say that the Black Hammer Party has relationships with the Kremlin,” in reference to Ionov.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division and Executive Assistant Director Robert Wells of the FBI National Security Branch made the announcement.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel J. Marcet and Risha Asokan for the Middle District of Florida and Trial Attorney Menno Goedman of the Justice Department’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.