Middle District of Florida
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Tarpon Spring Man Who Threatened to Commit Violence to A Child and Grandmother Arrested and ChargedRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the arrest and filing of a criminal complaint charging Antonio McCray (22, Tarpon Springs) with possessing a firearm after having been convicted of a felony. If convicted, McCray faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. McCray made his initial appearance on June 21, 2023, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Amanda Arnold Sansone, and was ordered detained pending trial.
According to the complaint and evidence introduced during his detention hearing, on October 29, 2022, McCray was a passenger in the backseat of a vehicle that was pulled over by deputies from the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office. The deputies observed and seized a firearm located under the back side of the front passenger seat, underneath McCray’s feet. The firearm, a loaded 9-millimeter Springfield “Hellcat” pistol, had previously been reported stolen. A search warrant executed on McCray’s phone revealed various messages sent by McCray, including one in which he said, “listen bra if u care about ur son an ur grandma have my money by Thursday…or I’m coming for u n ur family.” DNA swabs taken from the Hellcat pistol matched McCray’s DNA. Additionally, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement determined that the ammunition found inside of the pistol matched casings utilized in a recent drive-by shooting in Hernando County.
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 Hernando County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diego F. Novaes.
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.
Odessa Veteran Pleads Guilty to Theft of Veteran BenefitsRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Edward Ferraro (48, Odessa) has pleaded guilty to theft of Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”) disability benefits. Ferraro faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.
According to public records, Ferraro, a former VA disability rater, exploited his position with the VA to apply for and approve benefits in the name of an unwitting third party in May 2003. The proceeds of the fraud were deposited into a bank account in Ferraro’s name, and over the ensuing years the VA paid more than $500,000 in improper benefits. Ferraro withdrew the VA proceeds from the account and used them to fund his lifestyle, including cash payments to his credit cards, family vacations, gambling, and the like. The scheme was discovered when the identity theft victim—also a veteran—attempted to apply for a VA-backed home loan.
This case was investigated by the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Veterans Affairs. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rachel Jones.
Navy Sailor Sentenced to 7 Years in Federal Prison for Distribution of Child Sex Abuse ImagesRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Brian J. Davis has sentenced Tanner Michael Jackson (25, Jacksonville), a U.S. Navy petty officer, to 7 years in federal prison for distributing child sex abuse images. The court also ordered Jackson to serve 20 years of supervised release and register as a sex offender. In addition, he was ordered to pay $5,000 in restitution to a victim of his offense. Jackson had pleaded guilty on March 17, 2023.
According to the plea agreement, in early 2022, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office received a tip that suspected child sexual abuse material had been shared via a social media application. Law enforcement obtained the subscriber information for the user who had sent the files and the internet protocol address was traced to Jackson.
On August 22, 2022, law enforcement investigators executed a federal search warrant at Jackson’s residence and seized his phone. A forensic review of the phone yielded multiple files of child sexual abuse material.
“Those who choose to violate the innocence of children come from all walks of life, and unfortunately that includes those who don the uniform of this country’s military and take an oath to serve,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Jacksonville Assistant Special Agent in Charge K. Jim Phillips. “Thanks to the partnerships we have in the Northeast Florida INTERCEPT Task Force, including the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, and with assistance from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, this sailor has lost the freedoms he swore to protect and will no longer be able to victimize innocent and vulnerable children.”
This case was investigated by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Northeast Florida INTERCEPT Task Force, and the Naval Criminal Investigation Service. It was prosecuted by former Assistant United States Attorney Kelly Karase and Assistant United States Attorney Brenna Falzetta.
It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Naples Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Firearm During Drug Trafficking CrimeRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Michael Karp (50, Naples) today pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Karp faces a minimum penalty of five years, up to life, in federal prison.
According to court documents, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) began investigating Karp in 2022. The investigation included Karp meeting an undercover ATF agent, who was posing as a drug dealer needing protection during drug deals. Karp indicated to the agent that he participated in that type of work. According to the plea agreement, on May 23, 2023, Karp met at a hotel in Naples believing that he was going to protect the sale of five pounds of methamphetamine. The drug transaction actually involved the sale of faux methamphetamine between two undercover ATF agents. Karp stood by with a pistol as the transaction took place.
This case was investigated by 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 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.
Interstate Identity Thief Sentenced to More Than 5 Years in Federal Prison for Access Device Fraud and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington has sentenced Yonasky Fernandez Rosa (40, Tampa) to 4 years and 3 months in federal prison for access device fraud and aggravated identity theft. The court also sentenced Rosa to a consecutive 10-month sentence for violating the terms of his supervised release in a separate fraud case from the Northern District of Ohio. Rosa had pleaded guilty on February 8, 2023.
According to the plea agreement, in 2018, Rosa was convicted of access device fraud and aggravated identity theft in federal court in Cleveland, Ohio. After serving 22 months in prison, Rosa’s supervised release was transferred to the Middle District of Florida, during which he continued to commit identity theft and access device fraud. On April 6, 2021, Rosa used a victim’s personally identifiable information (PII) to purchase gas at a Circle-K in Plant City without the victim’s authorization. The victim told law enforcement that he did not know Rosa, did not authorize the purchase, and did not give Rosa permission to possess his PII.
On June 2, 2021, during a search of Rosa’s residence in the Town N’ Country neighborhood of Tampa, law enforcement officers discovered device-making equipment, including magnetic stripe encoders and skimmers, and hundreds of instances of PII in the form of credit card numbers, cardholder names, and PINs on Rosa’s laptop computer.
“The Secret Service is proud to partner with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Office of Agriculture Law Enforcement,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Engel of the United States Secret Service – Tampa Field Office. “The results of this investigation are a testament to strong partnerships across the law enforcement community. The Secret Service remains committed to investigating those who engage in crimes that exploit our financial system.”
“I am beyond proud and thankful for the partnership we have with the United States Secret Service, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – Office of Agriculture Law Enforcement, and the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office,” said Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister. “There is no doubt that our shared dedication to protecting residents put a stop to Rosa’s inexcusable actions. Thankfully, he will no longer be able to victimize members of our community.”
“In partnership with state and federal law enforcement, our Agricultural Law Enforcement team was able to help bring down this criminal and prevent any further harm to consumers,” said Colonel Lee Adams, Director of FDACS’ Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement. “This case sends a clear warning signal to criminals who intend to target the residents and visitors of Florida with fraudulent schemes that these crimes are taken seriously and there will be consequences.”
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDAC) – Office of Agriculture Law Enforcement, the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Florida Highway Patrol. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David W.A. Chee.
Four Nigerian Nationals Extradited to the United States to Face Charges in Wire Fraud and Identity Theft ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger Handberg announces the successful extraditions of Akinola Taylor of the United Kingdom, Olayemi Adafin of the United Kingdom, Olakunle Oyebanjo of the United Kingdom, and Kazeem Olanrewaju Runsewe of Sweden. These individuals have been charged in the Middle District of Florida with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, filing false claims with the United States, theft of public money or property, and aggravated identity theft. Taylor, Adafin, and Runsewe were arrested on November 30, 2022, and Oyebanjo was arrested on December 2, 2022. Taylor, Adafin, and Oyebanjo were apprehended in London, United Kingdom at the request of the United States, and Runswewe was apprehended in Malmo, Sweden at the request of the United States. In connection with the arrests, foreign authorities conducted searches of the residences of Taylor and Runsewe. These individuals first appeared in the Middle District of Florida in May and June 2023. Another related defendant, Ogunlana Oluwarotimi of Texas, was arrested in Texas in January 2023 and is currently pending trial.
If convicted, each faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for the wire fraud conspiracies, as well as additional penalties for the remaining counts. The indictments also notify the defendants that the United States intends to forfeit assets which are alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offenses.
According to their indictments, Taylor and Runsewe obtained unauthorized access to United States businesses’ computer servers, participated in stealing from those servers the personally identifying information (PII) of U.S. residents, and used that information to file false and fraudulent IRS Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns (“Form(s) 1040”) seeking income tax refunds from the IRS. Adafin, Oyebajno, Ogunlana, and others assisted in the collection of fraud proceeds directed to prepaid debit cards in their possession or to addresses or bank accounts they controlled or to which they had access and transferred a share of the fraud proceeds to other conspirators.
One of the places that Taylor and Runsewe had obtained unauthorized access to computer servers was the xDedic Marketplace, a website that operated for years and was used to sell access to compromised computers worldwide and the PII of U.S. residents. The xDedic administrators strategically maintained servers all over the world to facilitate the operation of the website.
The xDedic Marketplace was taken down as part of coordinated, global enforcement operations led by the FBI Tampa Division, the IRS-CI Tampa Field Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.
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 investigation was led by the IRS-CI Cyber Crimes Unit in Washington, D.C. Substantial assistance was provided by the IRS-CI Tampa Field Office, the FBI Tampa Division, the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, IRS-CI International Operations at Mission UK and Canada, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the United Kingdom’s National Extradition Unit, the United Kingdom’s Eastern Region Special Operation Unit, the United Kingdom’s North West Regional Organized Crime Unit, and the Swedish Economic Crime Authority. The cases will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rachel Jones.
Florida Man Sentenced for Role in Credit Card Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Jose Eloy Gonzalez Cuenca (33, Land O’Lakes) to four years and six months in federal prison for credit card fraud and aggravated identity theft. Gonzalez Cuenca had pleaded guilty on December 1, 2021.
According to court documents, between December 2020 and September 2021, Gonzalez Cuenca was involved in a conspiracy to install credit card skimmers on gas pumps in the Tampa area and throughout the United States to obtain stolen credit card and debit card account information. The conspirators then used the stolen information to commit fraud.
As part of the conspiracy, Gonzalez Cuenca sold credit card numbers and credit card skimming devices to others. Unbeknownst to him, one of the individuals to whom he sold numbers and devices was a confidential informant (CI) working with law enforcement. In April 2021, Gonzalez Cuenca sold the CI 1,000 credit and debit card account numbers and four credit card skimmers.
FDLE Tampa Bay Regional Operations Center Special Agent in Charge Mark Brutnell said, “Criminals like this who prey on Florida’s hardworking citizens and visitors to disrupt lives and empty bank accounts have no place in our great state. I am tremendously grateful to our members and partners who worked tirelessly on this case to not only bring this thief to justice but also to prevent anyone else from falling victim to his schemes.”
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer L. Peresie.
Cape Coral Man Pleads Guilty to Manufacturing Counterfeit Pills Containing Fentanyl and Other Federal OffensesRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Brandon Albanito (37, Cape Coral) has pleaded guilty to a six-count information charging him with possession of a controlled substance (fentanyl) with the intent to distribute it, two counts of possessing counterfeit drugs for sale, possessing parts used to manufacture counterfeit drugs, possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, and bank fraud. Albanito faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison for the bank fraud, up to 20 years’ imprisonment for the controlled substance offenses, up to 15 years on the firearms offense, and lesser penalties for the counterfeit drug charges. Albanito has agreed to forfeit $97,146.95, traceable to the fraud offense, and the other items he possessed illegally, including a pill press and firearms. Albanito is also required to make full restitution to the financial institution which was the victim of his fraud scheme.
According to court documents, in March 2021, Albanito defrauded his federally insured bank with a scheme involving falsely disputed cash transfers which he had authorized. Albanito illegally obtained $97,146.95 through the scheme. In furtherance of its investigation into his fraud, the U.S. Secret Service executed a search warrant at Albanito’s Cape Coral residence in January 2023. Upon entry into the residence, law enforcement observed a large, commercial-grade pill press in the garage and hundreds of counterfeit oxycodone pills on a nearby shelf. The counterfeit pills, which appeared identical to prescription oxycodone pills, were found to contain fentanyl.
Law enforcement obtained a second warrant permitting them to search for and seize evidence related to drug manufacturing and distribution. During this search, they seized a five-gallon bucket containing approximately 30 pounds of counterfeit alprazolam pills (which actually contained the designer drug clonazolam), a five-gallon bucket containing approximately 20 pounds of pill binding agent, pill dies (i.e. tooling used by a pill press to create pills), and two firearms within the residence. DNA testing conducted on both firearms determined that Albanito had possessed them. Albanito was previously convicted in two federal cases (2011) involving money laundering, drug distribution, creating false identification documents, and possessing a firearm as a felon. As such, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, the United States Food and Drug Administration, the Cape Coral Police Department, with assistance from the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael V. Leeman.
Jury Convicts Pain Clinic Doctor of Unlawful Drug Distribution, Money Laundering, and Filing A False Tax ReturnRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found Dr. Qing McGaha guilty of 14 counts of unlawful drug distribution, 4 counts of money laundering, and 1 count of filing a false tax return. McGaha faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for each count of unlawful drug distribution, up to 10 years for each money laundering count, and 3 years’ imprisonment for filing a false tax return. Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 15, 2023. McGaha had been indicted on January 2, 2023.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, McGaha was a Florida-licensed medical doctor who owned and operated MD Care Clinic, a pain management clinic in Hillsborough County. Over a 20-month period, undercover agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted numerous appointments with McGaha. At each appointment, they received hydrocodone, hydromorphone, or oxycodone, Schedule II controlled substances not for a legitimate medical purpose in the usual course of professional practice. Between January 2016 and January 2021, McGaha distributed more than 2.1 million opioid pills.
In addition, McGaha engaged in multiple monetary transactions over $10,000 in funds criminally derived from the operation of her clinic. She used these funds to purchase a piece of real property in Clearwater and deposited them into her bank account. In 2021, McGaha filed false and fraudulent tax forms for tax year 2020 that underreported MD Care’s gross revenue by nearly $300,000.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration—Tampa District Office, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, the Lakeland Police Department, the Tampa Police Department, the Largo Police Department, and the United States Attorney’s Office Opioid Fraud Abuse and Detection Unit, which focuses on opioid-related fraud and abuse by medical and health care professionals who have contributed to the prescription opioid epidemic. This case was also part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Greg Pizzo.
Convicted Felon Indicted for Possession of Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging John Alexis (30, Kissimmee) with one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. If convicted, Alexis faces up to 15 years in federal prison.
According to the indictment, on July 17, 2022, Alexis possessed a Smith & Wesson 9mm semiautomatic pistol and 27 rounds of Federal 9mm ammunition.
Alexis had previously been convicted of three felonies including: battery on a police officer, conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute oxycodone, and possession of a firearm and ammunition in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. As a convicted felon, Alexis is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Tampa Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman. The forfeiture is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney James Muench.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case is 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.
Clay County Man with History of Domestic Violence Pleads Guilty to Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Paul Steven Hulbert (27, Middleburg) has pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of an unregistered National Firearms Act firearm (sawed-off shotgun). Hulbert faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. He made his initial appearance on November 18, 2022, and was ordered detained.
According to court documents and public records, in May 2021, a court in Clay County issued a “Temporary Injunction for Protection Against Domestic Violence with Minor Children” against Hulbert. The court extended the injunction until September 2022. The injunction specifically prohibited Hulbert from possessing firearms and directed him to surrender any firearms in his possession to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO). In October 2021, Hulbert was convicted of the misdemeanor crime of domestic battery, in Clay County. After the domestic battery conviction and issuance of the domestic violence injunction, both of which prohibited him from possessing firearms, Hulbert obtained seven firearms that included rifles, pistols and a shotgun.
On May 16, 2022, members of the CCSO went to Hulbert’s home to serve an arrest warrant for violating the terms of the injunction. Upon arriving at the home, the CCSO arrested him and searched the house. They located four rifles, a revolver, a pistol and 12-guage shotgun. Follow up investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) determined that the 12-gauge shotgun was illegally modified, as both barrels had been sawed off. ATF determined that the 12-gauge shotgun was not registered to Hulbert in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.
This case was investigated by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Jacksonville Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein.
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 Pleads Guilty to Possessing with the Intent to Distribute 400 Grams or More of Fentanyl and 500 Grams or More of CocaineRead the Press Release
Orlando, FL - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Christian Yaveh Cruz-Santiago (25, Orlando) has pleaded guilty to possessing with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing cocaine. Cruz-Santiago faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 12, 2023.
According to court documents, on February 2, 2023, Cruz-Santiago agreed to sell approximately one kilogram of cocaine for approximately $20,500, and a half kilogram of fentanyl for $20,000 to a DEA confidential source. The following day, Cruz-Santiago arrived to meet the confidential source and had in his possession two vacuum-sealed plastic bags containing brick-like white substances. Additionally, he possessed a third plastic bag containing a white powder.
A chemist at a DEA laboratory confirmed that one of the brick-like packages contained fentanyl with a net weight of 400.5 grams and the substance in the second brick-like package was cocaine with a net weight of 1001.3 grams. A DEA chemist also confirmed that the third plastic bag was fentanyl with a net weight of 73.12 grams.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Terry B. Livanos.
Orlando Area Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Gas Station RobberyRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge William Jung has sentenced Deshawn Martin (26, Orlando) to 20 years in federal prison for Hobbs Act robbery. Martin had pleaded guilty in February 2023. As part of his plea agreement, Martin acknowledged his guilt in four additional Hobbs Act robberies of businesses located in the Orlando area.
According to court documents, on October 15, 2021, Martin and his co-defendant, Shinel Waldrop (27, Orlando), robbed a gas station in Plant City. Martin entered the store and pointed a weapon at two individuals, taking money from the cash register and from one of the victims. Martin then exited the store and fled in a vehicle driven by Waldrop.
Waldrop previously pleaded guilty for her role in this case. In March 2023, she was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Plant City Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman. The forfeiture was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Nebesky.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Multi-Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty to Firearms TraffickingRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Kranston Algeno Rolle (33, Bradenton) has pleaded guilty to firearms trafficking. Rolle faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to the plea agreement, on December 30, 2022, Rolle knowingly trafficked in and received multiple firearms, specifically: (1) a Smith & Wesson Model SD9 VE 9mm caliber pistol; (2) a Glock Model 45 .9mm caliber pistol and (3) a GForce Arms Model GF2P semi-automatic shotgun. Rolle discharged the firearms at a shooting range in Palmetto. Rolle had received the firearms knowing that receiving them would constitute a felony. Additionally, Rolle purchased a box of shotgun shells at the shooting range and signed a liability release form where he knowingly misrepresented his status as a convicted felon.
On March 17, 2022, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Rolle’s home in Bradenton and located two firearms that matched the type used by Rolle at the shooting range in December. Rolle later admitted to using the pistols at the shooting range and unlawfully receiving and firing the shotgun. Rolle confirmed his identity in a video recording showing him discharging the firearms. He also confirmed his identity in a photograph showing him posing with one of the pistols.
At the time of the offense, Rolle had multiple prior felony convictions including robbery, grand theft of a motor vehicle, felony battery, and fleeing and eluding a police officer. As such, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David W.A. Chee.
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.
Man Convicted of $54M Bribery and Kickback Scheme Involving Fraudulent PrescriptionsRead the Press Release
A federal jury convicted a Florida man for his role in a $54 million bribery and kickback scheme involving TRICARE, a federal program that provides health insurance benefits to active duty and retired service members and their families.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, David Byron Copeland, 55, of Tallahassee, was a part-owner and senior sales manager at Florida Pharmacy Solutions (FPS), a Florida-based pharmacy that specialized in compounded prescription drugs. Copeland, along with his accomplices, engaged in a practice known as “test billing” to develop the most expensive combination of compounded drugs to maximize reimbursement from TRICARE. Copeland and his accomplices targeted physicians who treated TRICARE beneficiaries and paid bribes and kickbacks to physicians and salespeople to encourage the referral of prescriptions to FPS. The bribes included lavish hunting trips and expensive dinners. In addition, Copeland and his accomplices used “blanket letters of authorization” that allowed FPS to modify the prescription components to make them more profitable.
Copeland and his sales representatives were paid millions of dollars in kickbacks based on a percentage of the amount that TRICARE reimbursed for their prescriptions, which provided an incentive to seek prescriptions for the most expensive compounded drugs possible, including pain and scar creams. Copeland facilitated the kickbacks through companies he set up to receive and funnel the payments. From late 2012 through mid-2015, FPS billed TRICARE over $54 million for its compounded pharmaceuticals.
The jury convicted Copeland of two counts of soliciting and receiving illegal health care kickbacks and three counts of offering and paying illegal health care kickbacks. The jury acquitted Copeland of conspiracy to defraud the United States and to pay and receive illegal health care kickbacks. His sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 14. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for each kickback count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Two other men, James Wesley Moss, the former chief executive officer of FPS, and Michael Gordon, a former FPS sales representative, previously pleaded guilty for their roles in the scheme and are awaiting sentencing.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg for the Middle District of Florida; Special Agent in Charge Darrin K. Jones of the U.S. Department of Defense Office of Inspector General (DOD-OIG), Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Southeast Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Omar Perez of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Miami Regional Office; Special Agent in Charge David Spilker of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (VA-OIG), Southeast Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge David Walker of the FBI Tampa Field Office made the announcement.
The DOD-OIG, HHS-OIG, VA-OIG, and FBI investigated the case.
Trial Attorneys Devon Helfmeyer, Katie Rookard, and Clayton Solomon of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, comprised of 15 strike forces operating in 25 federal districts, has charged more than 5,000 defendants who collectively have billed the Medicare program for more than $24 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.
Hialeah Man Pleads Guilty to Access Device Fraud and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
Orlando, FL - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Homberto Machin Morejon (38, Hialeah) has pleaded guilty to possessing 15 or more counterfeit and unauthorized access devices, and aggravated identity theft.
Morejon faces up to 10 years in federal prison for the access devices offense and a consecutive minimum mandatory sentence of 2 years for the aggravated identity theft offense. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 12, 2023.
According to court documents, on November 20, 2019, U.S. Secret Service (USSS) agents and members of the USSS Financial Crimes Task Force observed Morejon at a gas station in Cocoa standing between fuel pumps and holding what appeared to be a stack of white cards while periodically shuffling through them. Morejon then passed the cards between the fuel pumps to other individuals who had arrived at the gas station. A search incident to arrest of Morejon yielded 36 gift cards with magnetic stripes on the rear of each card. Subsequent investigation revealed that the gift cards had been re-encoded with credit and or debit card information of other persons.
The following day, a search warrant was executed on the vehicle Morejon was seen operating at the gas station. Sixty-four additional gift cards with magnetic stripes were seized along with a laptop. A forensic examination determined that the laptop contained the names of approximately 1,350 individuals and their credit or debit card account numbers.
On January 31, 2020, USSS agents, along with officers from the USSS Financial Crimes Task Force, executed a search warrant in Orlando at Morejon’s residence at the time. The agents seized, amongst other items, a laptop, 17 gift cards with magnetic stripes encoded with other persons’ credit card and or debit card numbers, several thumb drives, multiple phones, an external hard drive, a diesel fuel hose, several reproduced gas pump security stickers, and multiple ledgers containing suspected diesel fuel sales transactions. A forensic examination of one of the phones yielded multiple images of gas meters depicting amounts of gasoline purchased, images of gas pumps, and gas stations. A forensic audit of the external hard drive revealed the names of approximately 690 individuals and their credit or debit card account numbers. A forensic examination of one of the thumb drives produced the names of approximately 250 individuals and their credit or debit card account numbers. In total, Morejon was found to be in possession of more than 2,000 victims’ names and their credit or debit card account numbers.
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Terry B. Livanos.
Fort Myers Couple Arrested and Charged with More Than $2 Million COVID Relief FraudRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the arrest and unsealing of a criminal complaint charging Timothy Craig Jolloff (46, Fort Myers) and Lisa Ann Jolloff (56, Fort Myers) with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and one count of illegal monetary transactions. Timothy Jolloff is also charged with one count of wire fraud. If convicted, each faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison on each of the charges. Timothy Jolloff faces an additional maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for the wire fraud offense.
According to the complaint, between April and May 2020, Timothy Jolloff submitted false and fraudulent Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications to the Small Business Administration (SBA), as well as a PPP approved lender. In PPP loan applications and loan documents, Timothy Jolloff falsely represented and certified that PPP funds would be used to retain workers and maintain payroll or make mortgage interest payments, lease payments, and utility payments. Moreover, in loan documents signed and submitted by Timothy Jolloff for EIDL loans, he mispresented that EIDL proceeds would be used solely as working capital and to alleviate economic injury.
Timothy Jolloff’s false and fraudulent representations caused the SBA and a PPP lender to approve and fund 11 EIDLs and 6 PPP loans, totaling approximately $2.14 million. Timothy Jolloff and his wife, Lisa Jolloff, then conspired to unlawfully use PPP and EIDL funds to purchase three pontoon boats for more than $300,000 total, real estate in Indiana, home furnishings, outdoor kitchens for their homes, a 2020 Polaris UTV, as well as jewelry, and two dogs. The couple also fraudulently used more than $600,000 in EIDL funds to purchase a furniture business in Indiana and a landscaping business in Sarasota, which had no connection to the businesses for which the couple had obtained COVID relief funds.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case is being investigated by the United States Secret Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Trent Reichling.
In May 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 www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
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 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.
Download Criminal ComplaintConvicted Murderer Sentenced to Almost 5 Years in Federal Prison for Possessing FirearmsRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – Senior United States District Judge John Antoon II has sentenced Christopher Richard Munroe (55, Ocala) to four years and nine months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Munroe had pleaded guilty on March 20, 2023.
According to court documents, on November 14, 2022, the Ocala Police Department and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call from the owner of a moving company, who reported that Munroe had stolen three firearms while packing a residence for customers. When officers arrived on the scene, they found Munroe crouched down in some nearby bushes. The officers located the stolen firearms, seven ammunition magazines, and ammunition where Munroe had been hiding. Munroe had previously been convicted of second-degree murder in New York. He was released on parole in 2018. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the City of Ocala Police Department, and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Belkis H. Crockett.
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.
Convicted Felon Indicted for Possession of Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging John Knight (45, St. Petersburg) with one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. If convicted, Knight faces up to 15 years in in federal prison.
According to the indictment, on February 18, 2023, Knight possessed a Beretta 9mm semiautomatic pistol, 15 rounds of Federal cartridge 9mm ammunition, and one round of Remington Arms company 9mm ammunition. Knight was previously convicted of two felonies, including attempted murder in the 2nd degree and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. As such, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the St. Petersburg Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case is 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.
Two Jacksonville Compounding Pharmacies and Their Owner Agree to Pay at Least $7.4 Million to Resolve False Claims Act AllegationsRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that Smart Pharmacy, Inc., SP2, LLC, and owner Gregory Balotin have agreed to pay at least $7.4 million to resolve lawsuits filed in Jacksonville, Florida, alleging they violated the False Claims Act by adding the antipsychotic drug aripiprazole to topical compounded pain creams to boost reimbursement and by routinely waiving patient copayment obligations. The settlement amount is based on the defendants’ ability to pay.
“When pharmacies inflate their revenue with medically unsupported prescription ingredients, they compromise the quality of patient care and waste taxpayer dollars,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The department will hold accountable those who undermine the integrity of federal healthcare programs for personal profit.”
“A primary mission of the U.S. Attorney’s Office is protecting the Medicare and TRICARE programs from fraud,” said U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “This case exemplifies our commitment to pursue pharmacies and pharmacists who abuse federal healthcare programs at the expense of the taxpayers.”
Aripiprazole, which is sold under the brand names Abilify, Abilify Maintena, and Aristada, is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat a number of psychological conditions such as schizophrenia and Tourette’s disorder. The United States alleged that the defendants crushed aripiprazole pills approved for oral use and included them in compounded creams used topically for pain treatment, while knowing that there was not an adequate clinical basis to do so. The defendants allegedly included the drug in the pain creams to increase their profits on prescriptions paid for by Medicare Part D and TRICARE, the federal health care program for active duty military personnel, retirees, and their families. Both Medicare Part D and TRICARE reimburse pharmacies for the individual ingredients included in compounded drugs, thus defendants increased their reimbursement by adding aripiprazole to the combination of drugs used in their pain creams.
The government also alleged that the defendants improperly waived patient copayments to induce patients to accept the pain cream prescriptions. Although copayments may be waived in certain unique circumstances, such as on the basis of an individualized assessment of a patient’s financial hardship, the defendants allegedly routinely waived copayments without regard to patient need.
In connection with the settlement, Gregory Balotin has agreed to enter into a three-year integrity agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), which includes an annual claims review by an independent review organization.
“Pharmacies participating in Medicare are obligated to obey laws designed to protect both the integrity of this program and the quality of care provided to patients,” said Special Agent in Charge Omar Pérez Aybar of HHS-OIG. “With our law enforcement partners, our agency is committed to investigating alleged health care fraud to protect both federal health care programs as well as the individuals served by those programs.”
“We are grateful to the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and other state and federal officials for their unwavering commitment to protect taxpayer dollars and safeguard the TRICARE pharmacy benefit,” said Chief Edward C. Norton Jr. of the Defense Health Agency’s Pharmacy Operations Division. “Their efforts ensure our service members, veterans, and their families continue to receive the highest-quality pharmacy benefit commensurate with the service and sacrifice they make for our nation.”
“Health care providers and suppliers that serve our nation’s active duty service members, military retirees, and their families are expected to meet the highest standards of ethical and professional behavior,” said Special Agent in Charge Darrin K. Jones of the Department of Defense (DoD) Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Southeast Field Office. “DCIS and its law enforcement partners will continue to investigate unprincipled health care providers that undermine the integrity of the DoD’s TRICARE program.”
The lawsuits, United States ex rel. Sanchez v. Smart Pharmacy, Inc., et al., No. 14-cv-1453 (M.D. Fla.), and United States ex rel. Kohli v. Smart Pharmacy, Inc., et al., No. 16-cv-387 (M.D. Fla.), were originally filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida by Amy Sanchez and Ashok Kohli, two former employees of Smart Pharmacy. The lawsuits were filed under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act, which permit private parties to sue on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in any recovery. The Act permits the United States to intervene and take over such lawsuits, which the United States did here, in part. The share to be awarded in this case has not been determined.
This matter was handled by the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, with assistance from HHS-OIG, DCIS, the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, and the Office of Personnel Management Office of Inspector General.
This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Collette Cunningham for the Middle District of Florida, Trial Attorneys Nicholas Perros and Jessica Sievert of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, former Civil Division Trial Attorney Holly Snow (now an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina), and former Civil Division Trial Attorney Andrew Jaco (now with the Justice Department’s Criminal Division).
The claims asserted against the defendants are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
Lake County Man Arrested for Possessing A Firearm as A Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the arrest of Brian David Casey (35, Clermont) on a one-count indictment charging him with possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. If convicted, Casey faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. A federal grand jury had returned the indictment on June 6, 2023.
According to evidence presented in court, on March 20, 2023, Casey, a convicted felon, fired a shotgun during an argument with his neighbor. When federal agents subsequently arrested him for that offense, Casey was found to be in possession of another firearm—a loaded revolver. Casey had previously been convicted of three felonies, including burglary (2008) and two counts of battery on a law enforcement officer (2011). As a convicted felon, Casey is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
An indictment is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a federal criminal offense. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case is being investigated by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk.
Foreign National Sentenced for Trafficking Child PornographyRead the Press Release
A Bulgarian national was sentenced today to 25 years in prison for conspiracy to traffic images and videos depicting the sexual exploitation of young children.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Plamen Georgiev Velinov, 49, of Sofia, helped manage and administer the Newstar Enterprise, an internet-based business that profited from the sexual exploitation of vulnerable children under the guise of “child modeling,” through a collection of websites called the Newstar Websites. Beginning in around 2006 and continuing until 2019, Velinov assisted the enterprise by selecting children to be featured on the Newstar Websites, editing images and videos on those websites, communicating with customers, setting prices for videos, activating new websites, and creating advertising banners. While chatting with a co-conspirator, Velinov described one child as “nuclear sexy.” Financial records show that U.S.-based co-conspirators transferred more than $400,000 to Velinov’s Bulgarian bank account in connection with the conspiracy.
The Newstar Enterprise, which was founded around 2005, built and operated the Newstar Websites on servers in the United States and abroad. To generate content for the Newstar Websites, Newstar Enterprise members sourced, enticed, solicited, and recruited males and females under the age of 18, many of whom were prepubescent, to use as “child models” for the Newstar Websites. The Newstar Enterprise used the child victims to produce more than 4.6 million sexualized images and videos – including images and videos depicting children as young as six years old in sexual and provocative poses and wearing revealing underwear, clothing and costumes – that were distributed and sold through the Newstar Websites. Many of the child victims were recruited from Ukraine, Moldova, and other nations in Eastern Europe and were particularly vulnerable due to their age and socio-economic status.
Images were freely available to the public to preview on the Newstar Websites, but Newstar offered a paid subscription for greater access and more content. Newstar subscribers and customers were from more than 100 different countries. The sale of Newstar content generated more than $9.4 million during the conspiracy. To process, receive, and distribute this money, Newstar Enterprise leaders fraudulently opened merchant and bank accounts in the United States and laundered proceeds using a bogus jewelry company.
To date, seven members of the Newstar Enterprise have been charged in connection with the Newstar Websites. The chart below shows the status of each case:
Name
Charge(s)
Status
Tatiana Power
Conspiracy to commit money laundering
Pleaded guilty; sentenced to 12.5 years in prison
Kenneth Power
Conspiracy to advertise child pornography; conspiracy to distribute child pornography
Defendant deceased; case dismissed
Pavel Rohel
Conspiracy to produce child pornography; conspiracy to distribute child pornography
Charges pending
Patrice Wilowski-Mevorah
Conspiracy to commit money laundering
Pleaded guilty; sentenced to five years and three months in prison
Anthony Lee Kendall
Conspiracy to commit money laundering; promotion money laundering; concealment money laundering
Defendant deceased; case dismissed
Mary Lou
Bjorkman
Conspiracy to commit money laundering
Pleaded guilty; sentenced to 1.5 years in prison
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida, and Special Agent in Charge John Condon of the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tampa Field Office made the announcement.
The HSI Tampa Field Office and the High Technology Investigative Unit of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) investigated the cases, with substantial assistance provided by the HSI Fort Lauderdale Field Office and HSI Attaché offices in Athens, Greece, the Hague, and Vienna, Austria, as well as by U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Sofia, Bulgaria. This investigation also benefited from substantial assistance and cooperation from foreign law enforcement, including from the Republic of Bulgaria, Supreme Cassation Prosecution Office; the National Investigative Service of Bulgaria; the Dutch National Police, International Legal Assistance Center, North Holland Unit; and the Regional Police Directorate for Hradec Králové, Czech Republic.
The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs assisted with securing foreign evidence and with Velinov’s extradition. The Justice Department’s Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT) provided capacity building assistance and mentoring.
Trial Attorney Kyle P. Reynolds of CEOS and Assistant U.S. Attorney Karyna Valdes for the Middle District of Florida are prosecuting the cases.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Panama City Woman on State Probation Pleads Guilty to Passing Counterfeit Federal Reserve NotesRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Lyndsey Rhea Markland (41, Panama City) has pleaded guilty to four counts of passing counterfeit Federal Reserve notes. Markland faces up to 20 years in federal prison on each count and payment of restitution to the victims she defrauded. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to court documents and public records, in 2022, Markland entered various businesses in Brevard, Clay, Duval, and Seminole counties and purchased gift cards and merchandise using counterfeit Federal Reserve notes. Law enforcement subsequently determined that Markland and her co-defendant, Neal Evan Pollman (42, Panama City), were staying at the Comfort Inn in Palm Bay. In November 2022, the Palm Bay Police Department (PBPD) executed a search warrant at the Comfort Inn and located Markland inside her room. Also located in the room was approximately $30,000 in counterfeit currency and a HP printer, used for manufacturing counterfeit Federal Reserve notes.
Pollman and Markland appeared in federal court on April 27, 2023, pursuant to a writ bringing them to Jacksonville from the Bay County Jail, where they are serving a jail sentence for violating their state probation on multiple charges related to passing counterfeit Federal Reserve notes. The court ordered Pollman and Markland detained pending trial.
Pollman was charged with one count of manufacturing and nine counts of passing counterfeit Federal Reserve notes. He is scheduled for trial in July 2023.
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 Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the Palm Bay Police Department, the Orange Park Police Department, and the United States Secret Service - Jacksonville Field Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein.
Fort Myers Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Unlawfully Possessing Firearm as A Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell has sentenced Alphonso Lataurean James (29, Fort Myers) to seven years and eight months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon. The court also ordered James to forfeit the firearm and ammunition possessed during the offense. James had pleaded guilty on March 7, 2023.
According to court records, during the morning of August 10, 2022, officers from the Fort Myers Police Department (FMPD) conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in which James was the front-seat passenger. Officers later searched the vehicle and, inside a camouflage bag that James had been seen wearing earlier that morning, officers located a loaded Glock handgun equipped with an extended magazine. In a velvet Crown Royal bag found near the camouflage bag, officers found more than a half-ounce of fentanyl. As a convicted felon, James is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Fort Myers Police Department, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Simon R. Eth.
Fort Myers Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty to Unlawfully Possessing FirearmsRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Travis Lavon Anderson (36, Fort Myers) has pleaded guilty to possessing firearms as a previously convicted felon. Anderson faces a maximum of 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to court documents, during the afternoon of June 8, 2022, officers from the Fort Myers Police Department (FMPD) were alerted to multiple rounds of gunfire in quick succession in the vicinity of a home on Lantana Street in Fort Myers. During a subsequent investigation into the origin of the gunfire, officers obtained surveillance video depicting Anderson discharging a firearm 10 times in front of his home on Lantana Street. FMPD personnel obtained a warrant to search the interior of the residence where officers found three firearms and several dozen rounds of ammunition belonging to Anderson, including a loaded AR-15-style rifle and two handguns. As a previously convicted felon, Anderson 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 Fort Myers Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Simon R. 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.
Fort McCoy Man Who Attempted to Entice A 12-Year-Old Child to Engage in Sexual Activity Sentenced to More Than 10 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – Senior United States District Judge Gregory A. Presnell has sentenced Jorge Mojocoa (70, Fort McCoy) to 10 years and one month in federal prison for attempting to entice a minor to engage in sexual conduct. A federal jury had found Mojocoa guilty on March 1, 2023.
According to evidence presented at trial, on March 30, 2022, Mojocoa responded to a social media posting offering a minor child for sexual services in return for cash. The post had been made by an undercover law enforcement officer. The fictional child purportedly suffered from many physical disabilities, including paralysis and autism. Over the span of two days, Mojocoa spoke to an undercover officer about engaging in sex with the 12-year-old girl. After settling on a price, Mojocoa drove to an agreed-upon location to engage in sex with the child. Once arrested, law enforcement recovered lubricant and candy in Mojocoa’s possession. During the negotiations, Mojocoa had agreed to bring those particular items for his encounter with the child.
“When it comes to sexual deviants and their activities on social media there are no limits to what they will do,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Assistant Special Agent in Charge David Pezzutti. “This sentencing is a testament to totality of the federal, state, and local law enforcement partnerships we have when investigating those who would willfully harm our children.”
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the United States Secret Service, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the Ocala Police Department, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Tyrie K. Boyer and Belkis H. Crockett.
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.
St. Petersburg Man Who Orchestrated Multimillion Dollar Fraud Scheme While on Supervised Release Sent Back to Prison for Theft of Government Property and Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge James S. Moody has sentenced Matthew Walker Meredith (40, St. Petersburg) to six years in federal prison for theft of government money and money laundering. As part of his sentence, the Court also entered an order forfeiting real property, six Mercedes Benz vehicles, and $6,374,576.92, which represents the proceeds of the charged criminal conduct. Meredith pleaded guilty on March 24, 2023.
According to court documents, in 2016, Meredith was sentenced in federal court to three years’ imprisonment for conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute Ethylone, also known as “Molly.” Those charges stemmed from Meredith’s importation of kilogram quantities of Ethylone from China. The Bureau of Prisons released Meredith in October 2017, and he began serving a three-year term of federal supervised release. While under federal supervision, Meredith began to submit claims for tax refunds to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the names of entities under his control. Specifically, in just six months, Meredith submitted five claims to the IRS seeking in excess of $170 million. Each claim was false and fraudulent, in that Meredith falsified both his income and withholdings.
On November 23, 2019, the IRS issued Meredith a refund check in the amount of $6,374,576.92, which Meredith quickly deposited into his bank account. In the weeks that followed, Meredith laundered the illicit proceeds by purchasing luxury vehicles and a waterfront home. Specifically, and as described below, in one week he purchased six new Mercedes Benz totaling $843,269.32.
Date of Purchase
Type of Vehicle
Cost
11.30.19
2020 Mercedes Benz S63AMG3
$187,327.68
11.30.19
2019 Mercedes Benz SL63
$156,404.27
11.30.19
2020 Mercedes Benz C63WS
$103,547.17
12.6.19
2020 Mercedes Benz GLE350W
$72,707.55
12.6.19
2020 Mercedes Benz AMG GTR
$232,368.12
12.7.19
2019 Mercedes Benz C63WS
$90,914.53
And on December 5, 2019, Meredith purchased, in cash, a 6,500 square foot waterfront mansion (pictured below) in St. Petersburg, for $2,625,000.
“The American tax system is designed to provide vital government services to our people. It is not a slush fund for thieves and fraudsters,” said Brian J. Payne, IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge. “As today’s sentence demonstrates, those who illegally target our nation’s tax dollars for personal financial gain, will face criminal prosecution and a lengthy stay in prison.”
This case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service—Criminal Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carlton C. Gammons.
St. Petersburg Convicted Felon Sentenced to More Than Fifteen Years for Drug Trafficking and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington has sentenced Jamel Middleton (27, St. Petersburg) to 15 years and 8 months in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The Court also ordered Middleton to forfeit approximately $7,500 is cash, an American Tactical semi-automatic rifle, a Norinco SKS semi-automatic rifle, a Springfield semi-automatic pistol, a Glock semi-automatic pistol, and assorted rounds of ammunition, which are traceable to proceeds of the offense and used in the commission of the offense. Middleton had pleaded guilty on March 8, 2023.
According to court documents, On February 17, 2022, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), along with Pinellas County Sheriff's Office (PCSO), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted a federal search warrant at a residence in St. Petersburg, where Middleton was found. During the search, agents located 56.79 grams of 100% pure methamphetamine. A field test of the white powdery substance showed a positive result for Mannitol, a commonly used cutting agent for narcotics. An additional 93.12 grams of a substance tested positive for fentanyl.
During the search of a bedroom on the northeast side of the residence, agents located a loaded handgun under the mattress. To the right of the handgun agents located a folder that had “Middleton, Jamel” written in black ink. Additionally, agents located two rifles inside the closet of the bedroom. Underneath the television within the bedroom was a black safe. Inside was a bag with six clear plastic baggies containing a crystalline substance and a handgun. The DEA laboratory determined the crystalline substance to be 658.58 grams of pure methamphetamine.
Middleton has multiple prior convictions, including for shooting at or within a building and sale of controlled substance. Therefore, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Beckman.
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.
Armed Drug Trafficker Pleads Guilty to Possessing Firearm and Distribution Quantities of FentanylRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Eugene Washington, Jr. (36, Bradenton) has pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and possession with the intent to distribute 40 grams more of fentanyl. Washington faces a maximum penalty of 55 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
According to the plea agreement, on the morning of August 12, 2022, officers from the Bradenton Police Department (BPD) responded to a call for service from a concerned citizen regarding an unresponsive man at the steering wheel of his Ford Focus vehicle in the 700 block of 9th Street East in Bradenton. The vehicle was stopped in traffic and facing the traffic light in the median lane.
Once at the scene, BPD officers asked Washington to exit the vehicle, and when he did, the officers noticed a silver and black Smith and Wesson SD40 .40 caliber pistol on the driver’s seat. Washington turned back into the car and appeared to reach for the firearm. The firearm was loaded with 11 rounds of ammunition. Officers also found a backpack inside the vehicle, located on the passenger floorboard. The backpack contained a variety of controlled substances, including approximately 44 grams of fentanyl, 35 grams of methamphetamine, 106 grams of cocaine, 36 grams of hydrocodone, 10 grams of oxycodone, 433 grams of dimethylpentylone (a substituted cathinone), and 21 grams of cannabis. Washington admitted to the officers that he was a convicted felon.
Washington was previously convicted in federal court for distribution of heroin and served a prison sentence for that offense. As such, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Bradenton Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David W.A. Chee.
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.
Members of “Robles Park” Racketeering Enterprise Sentenced for Attempted Murder, Series of Shootings, Drug Trafficking, and Committing Millions in FraudRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven has sentenced Keaujay Hornsby, a/k/a “Plug,” (26, Tampa) to 16 years and 9 months in federal prison and Kareem Spann, a/k/a “Reem,” (27, Tampa) to 10 years and 10 months in federal prison for criminal conduct committed by, and on behalf of, the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) group known as the “Robles Park Enterprise.” These crimes included a series of shootings, attempted murder, drug trafficking, fraud, and identity theft. Spann had pleaded guilty on February 7, 2023, and Hornsby had pleaded guilty on July 1, 2023.
According to court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, in the early morning of July 19, 2020, Hornsby and other members of the Enterprise congregated outside the Truth Lounge club in Tampa, Florida. The streets and sidewalks were flooded with people, including rival gang members in the parking lot outside the club. Spann was driving while Hornsby occupied the front passenger seat, with a loaded gun resting on his lap. Spann drove a black Infinity through the crowd, while Hornsby engaged in a verbal altercation with rival gang members. Suddenly, Hornsby and the rival gang members ignited a mass shooting in which Hornsby pulled out his gun and unleashed a barrage of gunfire into the crowd. Panic ensued, with surveillance video capturing the immediate chaos as the crowd scattered for safety. Law enforcement later recovered dozens of ammunition casings. The shooting resulted in the injury of at least eight people, including minors, some of whom were shot in the jaw, shoulder, elbow, wrist, finger, foot, arms, and legs.
Six days later, on Saturday, July 25, 2020, and in retaliation for the Truth Lounge shooting, three rival gang members ambushed Hornsby and Spann as they exited the International Plaza in Tampa. On that afternoon, three individuals surrounded the defendants and opened fire. Hornsby took Spann’s gun and returned fire. In total, seven vehicles were struck by gunfire, including two occupied by bystanders. Law enforcement later determined that at least 25 bullets had been fired from three different firearms.
Two days later, on July 27, 2020, while driving east on Columbus Drive, Hornsby and Spann spotted a rival gang member who was driving south on Rome Street. They followed that individual and waited to get close to him before Hornsby lowered his window, and opened fire on a residential street, unleashing dozens of shots at his target.
In addition to acts of violence, the Robles Park Enterprise also trafficked in cocaine, marijuana, and firearms.
Finally, members of the Robles Park Enterprise, including Hornsby and Spann, worked with one another to unlawfully obtain the personal identifying information (PII) of other persons. They used this PII to submit false applications via interstate wire communications and claim unemployment benefits to which they were not entitled. In total, the defendants submitted over 200 fraudulent claims, in 20 different states, with an intended loss of approximately $2.8 million dollars. For many of those claims, a bank card was issued from the state in which the claim was filed, loaded with Unemployment Insurance funds from financial institutions and sent to the Middle District of Florida. The defendants later used these cards to withdraw cash from ATMs in Tampa and Hollywood, Florida.
On June 10, 2022, a third member of this conspiracy, Tywon Spann was sentenced to six years and nine months imprisonment.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Tampa Police Department, and the Department of Labor, with substantial assistance from the United States Secret Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diego F. Novaes and former Assistant United States attorney Natalie H. Adams.
Four Indicted for St. Petersburg Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Eric L. Lemon (44, New Port Richey), Eric Lekent Lemon, Jr. (20, St. Petersburg), Dominic Giannantonio (46, St. Petersburg), and Tryon Metteria Byrd IV (43, St. Petersburg) with conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine. If convicted on all counts, Lemon and Giannantonio face mandatory minimum penalties of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. If convicted on all counts, Lemon, Jr., and Byrd face a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment.
According to the indictment and statements made by prosecutors in open court, the defendants were operating a drug trafficking ring in St. Petersburg, Florida, where they would sell narcotics out of various residential homes. During the course of the investigation, the defendants sold methamphetamine, powder cocaine, and crack cocaine to undercover agents.
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 St. Petersburg Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David P. Sullivan.
Clay County Softball Coach Pleads Guilty to Producing and Attempting to Produce Sexually Explicit Images and Videos of ChildrenRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Andrew Lynn Overheul (43, Orange Park) has pleaded guilty to two counts of production and attempted production of child sexual abuse material. Overheul faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years, up to 60 years, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been scheduled.
According to the plea agreement, on September 17, 2022, the parent of a 12-year-old child (MV1) contacted the Clay County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) to report a complaint MV1 had made about finding a cellular phone recording her changing clothes and using the shower in the bathroom at her softball coach’s house. CCSO responded that same night and interviewed the parent and MV1. The parent and MV1 said that they were at Overheul’s home in Orange Park, Florida on September 17, 2022, for a softball team family party, as Overheul was the child’s softball coach. The children decided to have an impromptu group sleepover at Overheul’s home. Overheul told MV1 that she could take a shower in the master bathroom shower, as another girl was showering in the other bathroom at that time. MV1 spotted a phone on the bathroom countertop propped up between two boxes, with the camera facing the shower. Upon closer inspection, MV1 discovered the phone was actively recording, and immediately grabbed the phone and stopped the recording. MV1 reviewed the video and discovered that it depicted her, so she deleted the video, placed the phone back on the counter, and called her parents to pick her up from Overheul’s residence. MV1’s parent sent a text message to Overheul at 8:17 p.m. indicating they were on their way to pick MV1 up and would tell Overheul about it when they got there. At 8:44 p.m., Overheul responded by text message, “Hey we talked with the girls. No one is addmitting [sic] to playing a joke. The others that were in that bathroom said they saw my phone charging but no other phones.”
After interviewing the parents and MV1, CCSO detectives responded to Overheul’s residence in the early morning hours of September 18, 2022, and interviewed Overheul, during which he acknowledged he was the only person that used or had access and control of his cellphone. He further acknowledged that his cellphone was in the bathroom and claimed he had placed it there to charge.
Agents obtained a federal search warrant for Overheul’s cellphone and a forensic review of the device found two photos of several minor females on the softball team wearing swimsuits and sitting on the floor in Overheul’s living room, dated September 17, 2022, with a time stamp of 5:36 p.m. Forensics also showed that, at 7:38 p.m., a search for “canon remote app” was conducted on the cellphone, and then the Canon Camera Connect app was installed a few seconds later. This app allows a camera to record remotely with live view imaging of the camera from a smartphone. Forensics also revealed a search in the evening of September 17, 2022, in the Google Play Store on Overheul’s cellphone for two applications, which were downloaded, and can be used to delete information from a person’s phone.
On November 18, 2022, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) executed a federal search warrant at Overheul’s residence and seized numerous electronic devices. Agents discovered hundreds of photos and videos of minors that appeared to have been taken surreptitiously without their consent.
This case was investigated by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Washington.
This case is 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.
North Redington Shores Man Pleads Guilty to Murder-For-Hire and Obstruction of JusticeRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Alexander Leszczynski (24, North Redington Beach) today pleaded guilty to an indictment charging him with murder-for-hire and obstruction of justice. Leszczynski faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on each count. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to court documents, on or about October 7, 2020, Leszczynski filed with the Clerk of Court for Pinellas County a warranty deed purporting to transfer a parcel of property in Redington Shores, Florida from its rightful owners (Victim 1 and Victim 2) to Aura, Inc., a fictitious corporate entity that Leszczynski controlled.
In April 2022, a grand jury in the Middle District of Florida charged Leszczynski with several counts of fraud, including fraud related to the property owned by Victim 1 and Victim 2, in United States v. Alexander Leszczynski, 8:22-cr-155-MSS-SPF. He was arraigned on May 17, 2022, and ordered detained. The fraud case was eventually set for the October trial calendar with United States District Judge Mary S. Scriven. Both Victim 1 and Victim 2 were complainants against Leszczynski and could be called as witnesses against him in his fraud trial.
In August 2022, the FBI became aware that while incarcerated at the Pinellas County Jail, Leszczynski sought out a hitman to kill Victim 1 and Victim 2. Leszczynski reported to a confidential informant that he had $45,000 hidden at his residence available to pay someone to kill the victims. Leszczynski relayed to the confidential informant that his pending criminal case (fraud) would have to be dropped if the victims were dead. The confidential informant agreed to put Leszczynski in contact with the purported hitman, who was an undercover agent.
On September 8 and 9, 2022, Leszczynski had calls with the undercover agent. Among other details, Leszczynski shared Victim 1 and Victim 2’s name, address, physical descriptions, approximate ages, and provided additional details that would allow the undercover agent to find photographs of Victim 1 and Victim 2 online. Leszczynski also negotiated price, settled on paying $30,000, and repeatedly ensured the undercover agent that he wanted Victim 1 and Victim 2 dead.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Shauna S. Hale and Samantha J. Newman.
Eleventh Circuit Affirms Convictions and Sentence of Fort Myers Business Owner for COVID-Relief and Mortgage FraudRead the Press Release
Atlanta, Georgia – The United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit in Atlanta has affirmed the convictions and sentence of Casey David Crowther (37, Fort Myers) in one of the first federal appeals involving a fraudulent COVID-relief loan (11th Cir. Case No. 21-12255). In March 2021, a federal jury in Fort Myers had found Crowther guilty of bank fraud, making a false statement to a lending institution, and two counts of money laundering in connection with his Paycheck Protection Program loan scheme. (Before trial, Crowther had pleaded guilty to other bank-fraud and false-statement charges related to a separate scheme in which Crowther had created fake bank statements to justify a loan for a nearly $1.3 million waterfront house in St. James City, Florida.) United States District Judge John E. Steele sentenced Crowther to 37 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Crowther appealed his convictions on the PPP charges and his sentence. Among other things, he argued that he was permitted to use PPP funds for any purpose—notwithstanding unambiguous restrictions in the loan documents that he signed—so long as he intended to repay the loan. The Eleventh Circuit rejected Crowther’s arguments and affirmed his convictions and sentence.
Congress created the Paycheck Protection Program to facilitate up to $349 billion in low-interest, potentially forgivable loans for qualified businesses struggling to make payroll or pay operating expenses in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. PPP loans were provided by private lenders and guaranteed by the Small Business Association and could be used only for payroll and certain other expenses necessary to maintain business operations during the pandemic (primarily payroll). In April 2020, Crowther obtained a $2.1 million PPP loan by stating that he intended to use the money for payroll, rent, and utilities for his company, Target Roofing and Sheet Metal, Inc. According to the evidence presented at trial, he instructed his bank to deposit the funds into a secret account separate from his company’s main operating account. He quickly used the account for personal use, spending nearly $700,000 on a 40-foot pleasure boat and $55,000 on a horse. He also used PPP funds to pay down personal credit-card debt, a loan owed to an old business partner, and his company’s line of credit (which were not permitted uses). When Crowther’s bank warned him that he was likely to be audited, he attempted to conceal his fraud by falsely “hiring” family members and dozens of fictitious employees to inflate his company’s apparent payroll. He hid the true purpose of certain wire transfers (saying that the boat payment was an “equipment purchase” and the horse payment was for “roofing material”). All the while, taxpayers continued to fund the low-interest loan that had been intended to protect Crowther’s business and employees.
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service. It was prosecuted in U.S. District Court by Assistant United States Attorneys Trent Reichling and Michael V. Leeman. The appeal was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Sean Siekkinen.
Virginia Man Pleads Guilty to Introducing Misbranded Drugs into Interstate CommerceRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Jonathan Corbett Cosie (54, Chesterfield, VA) has pleaded guilty to two counts of introducing a misbranded drug into interstate commerce with the intent to defraud or mislead. Cosie faces a maximum penalty of six years in federal prison. His sentencing is set for September 21, 2023. As part of his plea, Cosie agreed to forfeit any unapproved or misbranded drugs.
According to the plea agreement, in Jacksonville, Florida and elsewhere, Cosie operated a business called HCSGRX from approximately 2016 through 2020. HCGRX advertised itself as a distributor of weight loss and bodybuilding supplements. Among other supplements, Cosie sold a number of products containing HCG, which he falsely stated consumers could purchase as a weight loss supplement without having to obtain a valid prescription. Cosie falsely claimed on his website that his company was cooperating with international pharmacies to ship orders out. The investigation revealed that Cosie obtained unapproved prescription drugs containing HCG from foreign manufacturers and other sources, then applied to the vials his own counterfeit labels which contained false and misleading information. Cosie then knowingly and intentionally sold the drugs to consumers without a prescription or the supervision of a licensed medical practitioner. From October 28, 2017, through December 24, 2020, Cosie received approximately $626,202 in proceeds from the distribution of misbranded drugs, and $20,000 when he sold the HCGRX business.
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (“HCG”) is a hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several prescription drugs containing HCG for the treatment of female infertility and for other medical conditions. The FDA has not approved any HCG-containing products for weight loss, nor for any purpose without a prescription.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David B. Mesrobian. The asset forfeiture is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Mai Tran.
Tampa Armed Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge William F. Jung has sentenced Dempsey Gilmore (32, Tampa) to 30 years in federal prison for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and marijuana, possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and marijuana, carrying a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The court also ordered Gilmore to forfeit an HS Produkt (Springfield Armory) model XDM-45 .45 caliber pistol and ammunition, which were used in the commission of the offenses. A federal jury had found Gilmore guilty on March 9, 2023.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, on February 9, 2022, an officer from the Tampa Police Department (TPD) observed a red Dodge Charger fail to stop for a stop sign and attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled at speeds over 100 miles per hour. A TPD Air Support Unit tracked and recorded the vehicle as it fled from the police, ultimately stopping near a residence, where the driver and passenger got out, scaled a fence, and ran into a house.
During the flight, the air unit recorded the vehicle temporarily stopping and its occupants throwing items from the car. TPD officers arrived at that location and, along the side of the road, found a bag containing almost 200 grams of 100% pure methamphetamine, a zip-top bag labeled “Dempsey,” and a fully loaded firearm (pictured below). They also found a box with bags of marijuana and a digital scale nearby.
After obtaining a search warrant for the house where the suspects had entered, officers ordered the occupants to exit the home. Several individuals immediately complied, but Gilmore and another man initially remained in the house before ultimately coming out. Officers found a security video from the house showing Gilmore and the other man running into the residence and located more marijuana inside the Dodge Charger that had been abandoned near the residence. A fingerprint recovered from the vehicle matched that of Gilmore.
Gilmore wad previously convicted of multiple felonies, including being a felon in possession of a firearm and escape. Therefore, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
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 Samantha Beckman.
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 Woman Sentenced to More Than 16 Years in Prison for Drug Conspiracy and Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
Ocala, FL – U.S. District Judge John Antoon II has sentenced Nishera Remon Johnson (42, Silver Springs Shores) to 16 years and 8 months years in federal prison for conspiring to distribute narcotics (including methamphetamine and cocaine) and possessing a firearm as an armed career criminal. Johnson had been indicted on September 2, 2020. She was previously found guilty by a federal jury on June 29, 2022.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, on November 26, 2019, pursuant to a search warrant, law enforcement officers searched a vehicle belonging to Johnson and found nearly two pounds of methamphetamine. During the execution of a search warrant of a co-conspirator’s cellphone, agents found evidence of a marijuana grow operation at Johnson’s residence. When that home was searched pursuant to a search warrant on December 16, 2019, agents located numerous firearms and ammunition and nearly half a kilogram of powder cocaine. Agents also located the marijuana grow operation in a shed behind the home. Johnson had been living at the home together with her co-conspirator and her minor child.
As a convicted felon, Johnson is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition under federal law. Furthermore, Johnson’s extensive criminal record—including multiple convictions for the sale and distribution of cocaine—qualified her for a sentencing enhancement as an Armed Career Criminal on the firearm offense.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Ocala Police Department, and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William S. Hamilton.
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.
Leader of Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to 23 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – Senior U.S. District Judge John Antoon II has sentenced Uriel Fajardo-Albarran (28, Coleman) to 23 years in federal prison. A federal jury previously convicted Fajardo-Albarran of conspiring to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and three other drug distribution counts on January 6, 2023.
According to evidence presented at trial, between January 2021 and October 2022, Fajardo-Albarran received large amounts of methamphetamine from sources in Mexico, Texas, and Georgia. He then transported the methamphetamine to the Middle District of Florida, where he used lower-level dealers to distribute multiple kilograms of the substance each week for approximately two years. Fajardo-Albarran had organized the drug distribution network after taking over for another supplier who had been convicted and sentenced to federal prison.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, the Lake City Police Department, the Florida Highway Patrol, the Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Tyrie K. Boyer and Sarah J. Swartzberg.
Jacksonville Brothers Plead Guilty to Federal Child Sexual Exploitation ChargesRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Joshua Thomas Brown (28, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to possessing photos and videos depicting the sexual abuse of minors, including prepubescent children. At sentencing, Brown faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a potential lifetime term of supervised release. His sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled. Joshua Brown’s brother, Jonathan William Brown (25, Jacksonville), pleaded guilty on March 16, 2023, to downloading and receiving photos and videos depicting the sexual abuse of young children. His sentencing hearing is set for June 26, 2023. Jonathan Brown faces a mandatory minimum term of 5 years, up to 20 years, in prison and a potential lifetime term of supervised release. Both men have been detained since their arrests.
According to court documents, in January 2022, an electronic service provider (ESP) documented several incidents involving uploads of child sexual abuse material from a particular online account with the username “Jonathan Brown” and other identifiers traceable to the same name. These uploads had occurred from July 2021 through and December 23, 2021. These ESP reports were forwarded to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office for investigation. This investigation revealed that at least one contraband file had been uploaded to the internet from Jonathan Brown’s residence in Jacksonville.
On July 8, 2022, agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), together with officers from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, executed a federal search warrant at Jonathan Brown’s residence, who was at the residence. During the execution of this warrant, agents seized several electronic devices, including computers, cellular telephones, and storage media. During an interview with law enforcement, Jonathan Brown stated that he used his desktop computer to download child sexual abuse materials, had started engaging in this conduct “a long time ago,” and since then has been in a cycle of seeking such materials on the internet, downloading it, and then deleting it. Forensic analysis of Brown’s electronic devices revealed hundreds of files of child sexual abuse materials, including a photo depicting a prepubescent child being sexually abused that Jonathan Brown downloaded from the internet on March 21, 2022.
Jonathan Brown’s brother, Joshua Brown, lived at the same residence and was present during the search on July 8, 2022. During an interview with law enforcement, Joshua Brown admitted that a particular cellular telephone that was seized belonged to him and was used only by him. Forensic analysis of this phone revealed that it contained hundreds of files of child sexual abuse material, including a photo depicting a prepubescent child being sexually abused. In total, Joshua Brown knowingly possessed more than 2,100 videos and more than 600 photos depicting children being sexually abused that were recovered from three cellular phones, a gaming computer, an external hard disk drive, and an online file-sharing account.
These cases were investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). They are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kelly S. Karase and D. Rodney Brown.
These cases were 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.
Former U.S. Air Force Intelligence Officer Sentenced to 36 Months’ Imprisonment for Willfully Retaining Top Secret National Defense InformationRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle today sentenced Robert L. Birchum (55, Tampa) to three years in federal prison for unlawfully possessing and retaining classified documents relating to the national defense of the United States. The court also ordered Birchum to pay a fine of $25,000.
Birchum pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing and retaining classified documents relating to the national defense of the United States on February. 21, 2023. According to the plea agreement, Birchum previously served as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force. During his 29-year career, Birchum served in various positions in intelligence, including those requiring him to work with classified intelligence information for the Joint Special Operations Command, the Special Operations Command, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. While on active duty, Birchum entered into several agreements with the United States regarding the protection and proper handling of classified information.
In 2017, however, law enforcement officers discovered that Birchum knowingly removed more than 300 classified files or documents, including more than 30 items marked Top Secret, from authorized locations. Birchum kept these classified materials in his home, his overseas officer’s quarters, and a storage pod in his driveway. None of these locations were authorized for storage of classified national defense information. In particular, the criminal information charges that Birchum possessed two documents on a thumb drive found in his home that contained information relating to the National Security Agency’s capabilities and methods of collection and targets’ vulnerabilities. Both of these documents were classified as Top Secret/SCI, and their unauthorized release could be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to the national security of the United States.
“The unauthorized removal of highly sensitive documents by the defendant in this case posed great risk to our national security,” said U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg. “We are grateful for our law enforcement partners who work diligently to keep our nation safe every day.”
“A goal of the FBI’s Counterintelligence program is to protect the secrets of the US Intelligence community. This sentencing illustrates the bureau’s commitment and perseverance in pursuing those individuals who knowingly jeopardize our nation’s security,” said FBI Tampa Special Agent in Charge David Walker.
The U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations and the FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cherie L. Krigsman of the Middle District of Florida and Trial Attorney Evan N. Turgeon of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section prosecuted the case.
Twenty-Time Convicted Felon Faces Life in Prison for Federal Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
Ocala, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the arrest of Craig Antwon O’Neal (53, Ocala) based on an indictment charging him being a felon in possession of a firearm. He faces a mandatory minimum term of 15 years, up to life, in federal prison. O’Neal had been indicted on March 3, 2021.
According to the indictment, on July 20, 2020, O’Neal was in possession of a firearm. As a multi-convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing either firearms or ammunition under federal law. O’Neal has 20 prior state felony convictions, including strong-arm robbery, resisting arrest with violence, sale of cocaine, and burglary of a conveyance. His extensive prior criminal record also qualifies him for a sentencing enhancement as an Armed Career Criminal.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team (UDEST). It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Belkis H. Crockett.
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.
Armed Career Criminal Pleads Guilty to Possessing Firearms and Ammunition as A Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Samuel Robert Bruner (47, North Fort Myers) today pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. Bruner faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years, up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to court documents, Bruner was found in possession of two revolvers, a shotgun, and assorted ammunition in a vehicle he was operating on December 1, 2021. Court records confirm that he had previously been convicted of a felony, which prohibits him from possessing firearms and ammunition under federal law. Bruner has at least three prior felony convictions that qualify under federal law as either a “violent felony” or a “serious drug offense” subjecting him to enhanced punishment as an Armed Career Criminal.
This case was investigated by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark R. Morgan.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Sexual Predator Sentenced to More Than 16 Years in Federal Prison for Receipt of Child Sex Abuse ImagesRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan has sentenced Dennis William Sheffield, Jr. (52, Keystone Heights) to 16 years and 3 months in federal prison for receipt of child sex abuse materials. Sheffield was also ordered to serve a life term of supervised release and to register as a sex offender. In addition, he was ordered to pay $15,000 in restitution to victims of his offenses. Sheffield had pleaded guilty on December 16, 2022.
According to the plea agreement, in February 2022, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) began investigating Sheffield in response to a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The CyberTip indicated that child sex abuse material had been uploaded to a search engine. An IP address for the individual who had uploaded the materials was traced to Sheffield and law enforcement learned that Sheffield was listed as a predator on the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Sexual Offenders and Predators registry because of two convictions (1996) of attempted sexual battery on a child under 12 years old.
On March 3, 2022, based on the CyberTip and identification of Sheffield as the subject, law enforcement obtained a federal search warrant for Sheffield’s residence. The following day, authorities executed the search warrant and encountered Sheffield, who was holding a phone in his hand. A preliminary examination of the cellphone revealed multiple files of child sex abuse materials on the phone. Sheffield admitted to having a problem and that he liked looking at child sex abuse images, which he admitted to having viewed as recently as a couple of days earlier. Sheffield also admitted to saving some of the images on his phone.
“This sexual predator has already served prison time for sexually exploiting children; he clearly did not learn his lesson,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Jacksonville Assistant Special Agent in Charge K. Jim Phillips. “Thanks to the Northeast Florida INTERCEPT Task Force, Clay County Sheriff's Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, this predator will spend a significant amount of time behind bars, again.”
This case was investigated by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Northeast Florida INTERCEPT Task Force. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Washington.
It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Property Manager Pleads Guilty to Stealing Government FundsRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Oliver Barrington King (44, Deland) has pleaded guilty to theft of government funds. King faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. In addition, King has agreed to forfeit $16,618.91, the amount he obtained as a result of the offense. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
According to the plea agreement, King was the property manager for an apartment complex that received Section 8 project-based rental assistance funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). As property manager, King had access to the HUD funding and misappropriated the government funds for his own unjust enrichment.
This case was investigated by the Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shannon Laurie.
Jacksonville Men Who Robbed Five Convenience Stores at Gunpoint Sentenced to 16 and 10 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan today sentenced Sabastian Amrine (20, Jacksonville) to 16 years and 8 months in federal prison and Brandon Bayne (25, Jacksonville) to 10 years in federal prison for five armed robberies of convenience stores in Jacksonville. The court also ordered the forfeiture of a pistol that was used in the robberies. Restitution to the victims will be determined at a future date. Amrine had pleaded guilty on November 22, 2022, and Bayne pleaded guilty on August 16, 2022.
According to court documents, at least by August 19, 2021, Amrine and Bayne were residing together in Jacksonville when they formulated a plan to rob convenience stores at gunpoint. On that date, Bayne drove Amrine to a Circle K store in Jacksonville. Amrine entered the store and brandished a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber pistol with an extended magazine at the clerk and demanded money from the register. The clerk, fearing for his life, gave Amrine $120. Amrine left the Circle K and was picked up by Bayne. Bayne then drove Amrine to Blue Store in Jacksonville, where Amrine entered and again brandished the pistol at the clerk, demanding money. While Amrine was standing at the counter pointing the firearm at the clerk, a small child was standing next to him at the counter and at least one other child and an adult female were present inside the store. The clerk gave Amrine $100 and Amrine left and was again picked up by Bayne.
Amrine, child, and clerk during the robbery of Blue Store on August 19, 2021
On August 29, 2021, Bayne and Amrine conducted robberies of Rainbow Food Store and Fast Stop Store in the same manner.
On September 1, 2021, Bayne drove Amrine to a GATE gas station in Jacksonville. Amrine entered the store and again brandished the pistol and demanded money from the clerk, who complied with Amrine’s demand. Bayne picked up Amrine and a manager from the GATE gas station followed the two as they fled from the robbery. A patrol officer with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office joined the pursuit of Bayne’s vehicle. Bayne fled from the officer, driving recklessly in heavy traffic until he crashed the vehicle into a ditch along Argyle Forest Boulevard. Both Amrine and Bayne then exited the crashed vehicle and fled on foot. The Smith & Wesson .40 caliber pistol with extended magazine – which was loaded with 14 rounds of ammunition – fell out of Amrine’s pants as he fled. Amrine was taken into custody as he attempted to scale a fence while fleeing. Bayne was tracked down by a police canine unit a short distance away, hiding in a storage shed in a residential backyard. The Smith & Weston .40 caliber pistol was recovered by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kirwinn Mike and Laura Cofer Taylor.
Florida Woman Sentenced to 40 Years for Producing Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington has sentenced Brooke Sparks (38, St. Petersburg) to 40 years in federal prison for producing child sex abuse material. The court also ordered Sparks to serve 15 years of supervised release after her prison term and to register as a sex offender for life. Sparks had pleaded guilty on January 30, 2023.
According to court documents, in April 2021, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) received a tip from the Australian Federal Police and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that Sparks was sharing child sexual abuse material via Facebook. A federal search warrant was executed on Sparks’s home on April 28, 2021, and investigators discovered text messages between Sparks and an Australian man discussing sexually abusing a three-year-old child. Sparks’s cellphone also revealed that Sparks had produced videos of child sexual abuse material of a nine-year-old child and shared them with the Australian man. The investigation further revealed that Sparks had used multiple platforms to send and receive images and videos of child sexual abuse material.
“The internet and social media have made it easier for predators to exploit children and disseminate their abuse around the world,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tampa Assistant Special Agent in Charge Kristopher Pagitt. “Thanks to the support of the Australian Federal Police and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, we were able to stop her from continuing to create and share child sexual abuse material.”
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tampa, with substantial assistance from St. Petersburg Police Department and the Australian Federal Police. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin Claire Favorit.
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.
Florida Mortgage Loan Officer Pleads Guilty to Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
Orlando, FL – A Florida man pleaded guilty today to evading his federal income taxes.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between 2015 and 2018, Jeffrey Donaldson of Orlando worked as a loan officer for two mortgage companies and made over $750,000 in wages. He submitted to each of his employers false employee withholding certificates (Forms W-4) claiming that he was exempt from any federal income tax withholding. During that same period, Donaldson willfully did not file personal tax returns even though he earned enough income requiring him to do so. As a result, Donaldson caused a tax loss to the IRS of over $150,000.
Donaldson will be sentenced at a later date and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Brian Payne of IRS-Criminal Investigation Tampa Field Office made the announcement.
IRS-Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Isaiah Boyd and Brian Flanagan of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Terry Livanos of the Middle District of Florida are prosecuting the case.
Florida Mortgage Loan Officer Pleads Guilty to Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
A Florida man pleaded guilty today to evading his federal income taxes.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between 2015 and 2018, Jeffrey Donaldson of Orlando worked as a loan officer for two mortgage companies and made over $750,000 in wages. He submitted to each of his employers false employee withholding certificates (Forms W-4) claiming that he was exempt from any federal income tax withholding. During that same period, Donaldson willfully did not file personal tax returns even though he earned enough income requiring him to do so. As a result, Donaldson caused a tax loss to the IRS of over $150,000.
Donaldson will be sentenced at a later date and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Brian Payne of IRS-Criminal Investigation Tampa Field Office made the announcement.
IRS-Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Isaiah Boyd and Brian Flanagan of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Terry Livanos for the Middle District of Florida are prosecuting the case.
Orlando Man Arrested for Possessing A Firearm as A Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the arrest of Eddie Lee Parks, III (24, Orlando) on a one-count indictment charging him with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. If convicted, he is faces a maximum of 15 years in federal prison.
According to the indictment, on April 10, 2023, Parks was in possession of a handgun. He had previously been convicted of three felonies, including two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (2019) and possession of a controlled substance (2019). As a convicted felon, Parks is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
An indictment is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a federal criminal offense. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case is being investigated by the Leesburg Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Jacksonville Convicted Murderer Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Armed Drug DealingRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard has sentenced Ronald Bernard Thomas, Jr. (44, Jacksonville) to 20 years in federal prison for selling methamphetamine while armed with two pistols. The two pistols used in the offense previously were administratively forfeited. Thomas had pleaded guilty on February 9, 2023.
According to court documents, Thomas, who used the street name “Gorilla,” had been convicted of second-degree murder in 2002 after he shot an unarmed man, killing him. Thomas was sentenced to 20 years in prison for that crime and released from prison in 2017. Beginning at least by August 2021, Thomas had begun selling drugs, including fentanyl and methamphetamine, out of Jacksonville-area hotels. Special agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were able to obtain controlled purchases of drugs from Thomas on multiple occasions in 2021 and 2022. During some of the drug purchases, Thomas displayed his firearms on the table where he weighed out and packaged the drugs that he was selling.
On July 28, 2022, agents conducted a traffic stop on Thomas’s vehicle and arrested him pursuant to a federal arrest warrant. Thomas had a loaded Glock 9mm pistol in his pants pocket. A search of his vehicle revealed a second loaded pistol, with loaded magazine, methamphetamine, pills, and suspected heroin and fentanyl, in addition to scales, whisks, spoons, and plastic baggies. Thomas has been detained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service since that time.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Cofer Taylor.
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.