Middle District of Florida

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday has sentenced Bassam Al Saleh (65, Tampa) to 18 months in federal prison for conspiracy to defraud and to make false statements to the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”). The court also ordered Al Saleh to make restitution to the USDA in the amount of $654,502.28.

According to court documents, Bassam Al Saleh joined in a conspiracy to defraud the USDA and to make false statements to the USDA in 2015 when he agreed to aid in submitting false and fraudulent representations to the USDA that his brother, Ahmad Al Saleh, was buying a St. Petersburg convenience store that was enrolled to accept USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (“SNAP”) program benefits. After the USDA prohibited the prior owner of the store from accepting any SNAP benefit purchases and prohibited him from even working at the store, Bassam Al Saleh joined with his brother, Ahmad Al Saleh, and the prior store owner to create false records and representations that Ahmad Al Saleh had bought the store and that Ahmad Al Saleh was operating it himself. In reality, the previous store owner continued to operate and manage the store and continued to make profits from it, paying Ahmad Al Saleh a fee for the use of Al Saleh’s name as the owner of the store on USDA documents. During the time that the prior owner was still operating the store under the supposed ownership of Ahmad Al Saleh, the prior owner committed numerous acts of SNAP benefits trafficking at the store. In those instances, the prior store owner bought SNAP benefits from customers and paid for them in cash, in direct violation of USDA SNAP regulations. The court determined that the losses to the SNAP program from the prior store owner’s engagement in this conduct during the time period of the supposed “ownership” of the store by Ahmad Al Saleh was at least $654,502.84.

This case was investigated by the United States Department of Agriculture -Office of Inspector General, the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, and Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the St. Petersburg Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jay L. Hoffer.

Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Bradenton residents Nathasha Prieto (33) and Angel Hernandez Coss (37) with conspiring to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine. If convicted on all counts, each faces a mandatory minimum term of 10 years, and up to, in federal prison. 

According to court documents, Prieto, a United States Postal carrier, provided addresses on her postal route to Coss, who arranged for the shipment of packages containing kilograms of cocaine from Puerto Rico to those addresses. Instead of delivering the packages, Prieto removed the packages from the mail stream so that the cocaine within them could be distributed by Coss. On August 15, 2022, the investigation resulted in the seizure, from Prieto, of packages shipped from Puerto Rico containing kilograms of cocaine.

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

This case was investigated by the United States Postal Service - Office of Inspector General, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James C. Preston, Jr.

Tampa, FL – In the wake of extreme devastation caused by Hurricane Ian, the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) today issued a reminder that as with any major disaster, there are unscrupulous thieves who seek to take advantage of the environment to line their own pockets.

“The people of our district are working tirelessly to recover from the devastating impact Hurricane Ian had on our region,” stated U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg.  “During this time, it’s especially important to be vigilant against fraudsters who seek to profit from natural disasters. Our office is committed to aggressively prosecuting those who commit this type of fraud.”

The NCDF, a national coordinating agency, was created by a partnership between the Department of Justice and various law enforcement and regulatory agencies. Its goal is to improve and further the detection, prevention, investigation, and prosecution of fraud related to natural and man-made disasters, and to advocate for the victims of such fraud.

Historically, the NCDF has echoed federal, state, and local law enforcement messaging designed to assist individuals to avoid becoming the victim of crimes related to disaster fraud. This messaging has included warnings regarding electronic (email, internet, phone/robocall, social media, etc.) communications designed to obtain information and money from individuals affected by disasters. These communications are frequently disseminated prior to a disaster striking (e.g., targeting individuals in the potential path of hurricanes and wildfires) or immediately after disaster strikes (now for victims of Ian).

In the wake of Hurricane Ian, there is no indication that criminals will slow down their efforts to commit fraud on individuals already victimized by the storm. The following examples of disaster-related fraud are based on over 200,000 historical complaints submitted to the NCDF:

• Fake charities immediately soliciting donations using the names of well-known charities or appearing reasonable as related to a disaster
• Individuals impersonating government officials and insurance company representatives advising that disaster assistance will be made available should the potential victim provide a sum of money or personal identifiers such as date of birth, social security number, and bank account information (name of financial institution, routing number, and account number)
• Individuals soliciting victims to invest in non-existent businesses and ventures offering recovery efforts such as cleanup, rebuilding, and making structures, such as homes, more resistant to future disasters by elevating structures to minimize future flood risks
• Individuals overcharging for goods and services needed by victims of disaster, also known as price-gouging

In addition, based on the type of disaster, individuals are frequently victimized by theft of property from businesses and residences abandoned because of a disaster (either pre-disaster evacuation or to obtain living accommodations because of damaged apartments and homes).

Recommended measures to avoid becoming a victim of disaster fraud:

• Only make donations to known charities and only after contacting the charity directly and not in response to an email, instant message, phone call, text, etc. A recommended step is to research the charity by visiting recognized charity information/rating websites such as the Give.org, CharityNavigator.org, and CharityWatch.org 
• Never click on a link in an unsolicited email, instant message, text, etc.
• Never assume that charity solicitations posted on the internet and social media are legitimate
• Avoid cash donations to charities - use a credit card or pay with a check
• Never transmit donations to a specifically named individual
• Charities do not seek donations via electronic fund (financial institution)/wire transfers, so do not wire donations
• Avoid being victimized by impersonators of government officials, insurance companies, investment companies, etc., by terminating the phone call or other exchange of information (e.g., email, texts) and calling the actual government agency, insurance company, and/or investment company directly using a well-advertised phone number or email address

Individuals who have been targeted by fraudsters or been the victim of disaster-related fraud are encouraged to contact the NCDF at (866) 720-5721 or online at www.justice.gov/DisasterComplaintForm.

Disaster fraud awareness PSA narrated by United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg can be found at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAqORFvRGLw

Orlando, FL – The Justice Department announced that Concord Court at Creative Village Partners LTD., Concord Management LTD., related entities and a property manager have agreed to pay $265,000 to resolve allegations that they discriminated against families with children in violation of the Fair Housing Act by imposing unlawful restrictions on minors at an apartment complex in Orlando, Florida. The complex, Amelia Court at Creative Village, is a Low-Income Housing Tax Credit development with more than 250 market-rate and affordable units.

Under the consent order, which must still be approved by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, the defendants will pay $260,000 to residents who were harmed by their practices and a civil penalty to the government to vindicate the public interest. The settlement also requires the defendants to implement nondiscrimination policies and provide fair housing training to employees with management or leasing responsibilities at over 80 residential rental properties they own or operate in Florida.

“Families with children should not be subject to discrimination to access or live in affordable housing,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will continue to fight for the fair housing rights of families across the country.”

“Discriminatory practices that deny families equal and fair access to housing and all of their available amenities are inexcusable,” said U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work with our partners to ensure that the nation’s fair housing laws are enforced throughout our district.”

“Families with children should not be denied the full use and enjoyment of their home because of discrimination,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Demetria L. McCain of HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. “HUD appreciates its partnership with the Department of Justice and commends the agency for safeguarding the housing rights of all families.”

Amelia Court at Creative Village includes two apartment towers, Concord Court and Amelia Court. The defendants manage both towers and own Concord Court’s residential units. The government’s complaint, also filed today, alleges that the defendants refused to issue building access devices to minor residents, prohibited children from common areas and amenities unless supervised by adults and misrepresented the availability of units in Concord Court to families with children.

The case arose when ten families who resided at the complex filed complaints with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which determined that the defendants had violated the Fair Housing Act. The matters were referred to the Justice Department, which conducted its own investigation and filed this lawsuit.

Individuals who believe they or someone they know may have been discriminated against at  Amelia Court at Creative Village because they have children should send an e-mail to the Justice Department at [email protected] or leave a message at 1-833-591-0291 (press 1 for English or 2 for Spanish, then dial 1 for discrimination in housing and 4 to reach the voicemail box for this case).

The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division enforces the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of familial status, race, color, national origin, religion, sex and disability. More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt. Individuals may report housing discrimination by calling the Justice Department’s Housing Discrimination tip line at 1-833-591-0291, e-mailing the Justice Department at [email protected], or submitting a report online. Individuals may also report such discrimination by contacting HUD at 1-800-669-9777, or by filing a complaint with HUD online.   

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge William F. Jung has sentenced Baron Matson (45, Brisbane, Australia) to five years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. As part of his sentence, the court also ordered Matson to pay $4,319,762 in restitution and entered an order of forfeiture in the amount of $1,285,000, which represented proceeds of the charged criminal conduct. Matson had pleaded guilty on August 23, 2022.

According to court documents, from approximately fall of 1999 and continuing through early 2000, conspirators Roger Matson, Baron Matson, Gordon Robert Grant, and others, caused a letter proposal to be sent via commercial carrier to persons residing in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and other states. Within that proposal, conspirator Roger Matson was identified as “Roger Bronstein,” a Specialist Computer Programmer, purportedly working on behalf of his company, Ascot Bloodstock, Inc. Roger Matson’s son, Baron Matson, was identified as “Baron Bronstein.” The proposal included multiple fraudulent assertions, including that:

• Roger Bronstein was a self-made multi-millionaire who had discovered a method, referred to as the Professional Race Organizer (the “P.R.O.”) program, through which he earned great sums of money working approximately 10 hours per week;
• Roger Bronstein owned a private villa on St. Martin, in the Caribbean; and
• Roger Bronstein’s business (the business at the core of the proposal) produced a global income in excess of $1 million per year, of generally tax-free income.

The proposal explained that interested investors would receive a fully paid round-trip airline ticket to St. Martin, where they could meet with “Baron Bronstein,” who personally trained all P.R.O. licensees. The proposal claimed that this exchange would allow for the potential investors to familiarize themselves with the P.R.O. and to assess the consistency and international profitability of the P.R.O., as well as provide an opportunity for interested investors to experience firsthand the lifestyle that P.R.O. was (purportedly) providing for Roger and Baron Bronstein.

The solicited persons were initially offered an “opportunity” to participate in the P.R.O. program based upon a cash investment fee of $45,000, $90,000, or $135,000 plus a royalty fee on any profits from the first five years of operation based upon the level of investment. Shortly after the initial investors had accepted the proposal and paid the up-front licensing fee, they were informed by the person they knew as Baron Bronstein that a new program called the Managed Account program had been initiated. It was explained by Baron Bronstein and other conspirators that the Managed Account program would alleviate the task of operating the P.R.O. and increase the investors’ opportunity for returns. The investors were fraudulently led to believe that the Bronsteins would operate the Managed Account program by pooling the investors= funds and managing the wagering process. The investors were also fraudulently assured that the Managed Account program would allow them to collect a return on their investment of approximately seven to nine percent (7B9%) per month. The promised rate of return was generally based upon each investor’s initial royalty fee arrangement. Ultimately, substantially all the investors elected to participate in the Managed Account program. To lull the investors and to encourage future investments, the conspirators prepared and forwarded to the investors monthly statements that fraudulently reflected the promised monthly earnings.

In the early fall of 2000, the investors were presented with yet a new “opportunity” to invest up to $75,000 each, which, they were fraudulently informed by the conspirators, would be used to place wagers on the Melbourne Cup horse race that would potentially earn them an ample return. The investors were ensured by the conspirators, including Baron Bronstein, that the new $75,000 investment would be “guaranteed” and returned to the investors shortly after the race, regardless of the race’s outcome, and that any profits from the Melbourne Cup transaction would be paid out to the investors shortly thereafter. Believing that their earlier investments were profitable, many investors accepted the new proposition and transferred funds to a bank account in Vanuatu maintained by the conspirators. Shortly after the Melbourne Cup horse race, however, Baron Bronstein and the other conspirators vanished, along with investors’ funds, causing a total loss to the investors of approximately $4.3 million.

The three conspirators were charged in a sealed superseding indictment in December 2005. Grant was apprehended in 2008 and pleaded guilty for his role in the conspiracy later that year. Baron Matson was arrested in Australia in October 2015, where he was living under the name Jah Baz. He was recently extradited to the United States following protracted litigation.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jay G. Trezevant and James A. Muench. The Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance with the defendant’s extradition. The U.S. Marshals Service also provided critical assistance.

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday has sentenced Thomas VanGelder (40, Holiday) to 30 years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime term of supervised release, for attempted enticement of a minor and possessing child sex abuse material. The court also ordered VanGelder to forfeit the electronic devices used in the commission of the offense. Restitution for the victims will be determined at a later date. VanGelder had pleaded guilty on May 31, 2022.

According to court documents, VanGelder had been communicating online with another individual who lived in New Port Richey. During those communications, the individual sent VanGelder child sex abuse material (“CSAM”) that the individual had produced of a child who had been in his care and custody. The FBI arrested the individual, assumed his online identity, and began communicating with VanGelder in an undercover capacity.

Between May 5, 2021, and May 27, 2021, VanGelder communicated with someone who was represented to be that same individual. Unbeknownst to VanGelder, he was in fact speaking with an undercover FBI agent (“UC”). During the conversations, VanGelder sent the UC six images of CSAM and discussed his desire to meet with the UC for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity with the UC’s purported child. VanGelder suggested that the UC provide the child with sleeping pills by hiding it in ice cream so VanGelder could sexually abuse the child while the child was “passed out.”

VanGelder arranged to meet with the UC on May 27, 2021, for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity with the UC’s purported child. The FBI arrested VanGelder once he arrived at the predetermined location in Tampa. During an interview with agents, VanGelder attempted to solicit the help of his then live-in girlfriend to destroy a green bag that was located under his bed in his bedroom. Agents were able to seize VanGelder’s cellphone and observe that the text messages VanGelder had attempted to send did not transmit due to a lack of cell service.

The FBI obtained a search warrant for VanGelder’s residence. At the residence, agents found the green bag, which contained multiple electronic devices. A forensic analysis of an external hard drive revealed VanGelder was in possession of over 4,000 CSAM images, including images depicting prepubescent children subjected to sadomasochistic conduct and bondage. Agents also discovered that VanGelder had been coordinating with an Orlando man to create and produce CSAM of a five-year-old girl and one-year-old boy the Orlando man had in his care and custody.

“As heart wrenching as it is to learn how these predators prey on innocent children, it’s gratifying to share with the public how the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Forces are finding these perpetrators, rescuing the victims, and ensuring the abusers are brought to justice,” said FBI Tampa Division Special Agent in Charge David Walker.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Pasco Sheriff's Office and the Tampa Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lisa M. Thelwell.

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

 

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Mary Scriven today sentenced Jamel Muldrew (34, Houston, Texas) to 21 years and 10 months in federal prison for sex trafficking a minor, enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, use of a facility of interstate commerce in aid of racketeering, and interstate transportation of a person for prostitution. As part of his sentence, the court also ordered Muldrew to pay $27,740 in restitution to Victim 1, to forfeit electronic devices used in the commission of the offense, and to register as a sex offender. Muldrew had pleaded guilty on March 10, 2022.

According to court documents, on April 9, 2021, law enforcement coordinated an operation in Tampa to identify victims of human trafficking, rescue those victims, and identify and arrest their traffickers. As part of this operation, an undercover officer arranged with the minor victim to engage in prostitution in exchange for $800 at a local hotel. Muldrew arrived at the hotel driving the minor victim and was arrested on state charges. At the time of his arrest, officers recovered multiple fictious identity cards on Muldrew’s person, for both himself and the minor victim. The subsequent investigation revealed that Muldrew had been trafficking the minor victim across the country to engage in prostitution. Specifically, from February until April 2021, Muldrew had trafficked the minor victim for the purpose of commercial sex in Texas, New Jersey, Maryland, North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, where he was ultimately arrested.

“This heinous predator trafficked his minor victim around the country to engage in prostitution, including in Texas, New Jersey, Maryland, North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Kristopher Pagitt, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tampa. “The success of this investigation is a direct result of the outstanding law enforcement partnerships we have in the Tampa Bay Human Trafficking Task Force, to include the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and the Houston (Texas) Police Department, as well as non-governmental organizations such as Selah-Freedom.”  

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, and the Houston Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ilyssa M. Spergel and Carlton C. Gammons.

This case was brought as part of the Tampa Bay Human Trafficking Task Force of the Middle District of Florida, which is one of 13 task forces in the country to receive grant funding from the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Task Force is a collaboration of local, state, and federal law enforcement agents working together with organizations to detect, investigate, and prosecute human trafficking in the Tampa Bay area. This includes trafficking of minors, forced labor, transnational sex trafficking, and sex trafficking of adults by force, fraud, or coercion. More information about the Tampa Bay Human Trafficking Task Force can be found at www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/humantrafficking. Information on the Department of Justice’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.

Tampa, FL – United States District Judge Mary Scriven has sentenced Antwan Brown (22, Tampa) to 18 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Brown had pleaded guilty on July 12, 2022. Brown was also ordered to forfeit a Taurus 9mm pistol and eighteen rounds of 9 mm ammunition used in the commission of the offense.

According to court documents, on February 23, 2022, Brown, a convicted felon, was in possession of a Taurus 9mm pistol and 18 rounds of 9 mm ammunition during an Instagram live video. As pictured below, Brown was brandishing the firearm online while traveling in a vehicle in Hillsborough County.

 

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 Hillsborough Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Beckman.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that John Nathan Hemingway (52, Lake City) has pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, and cocaine base (also known as “crack” cocaine) and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Hemingway faces a minimum mandatory sentence of five years, and up to life, in federal prison. He had been indicted on March 9, 2022.

According to the plea agreement, on multiple occasions, a confidential informant (CI) purchased crack cocaine that had been supplied by Hemingway at his home in Lake City. Following these controlled purchases, a Special Agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives obtained a federal search warrant authorizing the search of Hemingway’s home. On February 15, 2022, law enforcement searched the home and located a digital scale, plastic baggies, $11,216.11 in cash, a loaded semi-automatic pistol, methamphetamine, powder cocaine, and crack cocaine.

As part of his plea, Hemingway agreed to forfeit the cash, firearm, and ammunition found in his home.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, the Lake City Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Coolican. Assistant United States Attorney Mai Tran is handling the forfeiture of assets.

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

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces today that Physicians Group Services, P.A. (“PGS”) has agreed to pay the United States and the State of Florida $700,000 to resolve allegations that PGS violated the False Claims Act by submitting false or fraudulent claims to the Florida Medicaid Program, which is a state and federal partnership that provides access to health care coverage for low-income families and individuals in Florida.

The United States’ investigation focused on urine drug testing (“UDT”) by PGS. UDT occurs in a variety of health care settings. In a pain management practice, UDT is used to monitor whether a patient is taking prescribed drugs, is taking non-prescribed drugs, or is consuming with prescribed drugs other dangerous substances, such as alcohol. UDT is either “qualitative” or “quantitative.”

The clinical value of quantitative UDT depends in part on whether the qualitative UDT result is expected or unexpected, as well as the patient’s history of drug abuse, history of medication adherence and compliance, clinical presentation, and medical history. The settlement announced today resolves allegations that PGS submitted claims to Florida Medicaid for quantitative urine drug testing, which claims the United States and the State of Florida allege were medically unnecessary because the testing was not individualized to the particular needs of the patient.

“A primary mission of the United States Attorney’s Office is protecting the Medicaid program and other federal health care programs from fraud,” said U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg. “Our Civil Division works tirelessly in the pursuit of providers who overbill federal health care programs through indiscriminate testing.”

“Health care providers that submit fraudulent claims to Medicaid for medically unnecessary services undermine this safety net program for their own personal gain," said Special Agent in Charge Omar Pérez Aybar with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. “We continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to protect the integrity of federal health care programs and to ensure the appropriate use of U.S. taxpayer dollars.”

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “My Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is committed to stopping fraud that bilks the Medicaid program and takes advantage of our taxpayers. I am proud of my Medicaid Fraud Control Unit for working with our federal partners to secure this action.”

Today’s settlement results from a coordinated effort by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, and the Florida Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Lindsay Saxe Griffin and Sean Keefe led the civil investigation.

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Kevin Edward Hargrave (50, Locust Grove, Georgia), formerly known as Kevin Edward Wade, has pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit wire fraud and to defraud the United States for the purpose of impeding the lawful functions of the Internal Revenue Service. Hargrave faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to the plea agreement, Hargrave controlled a number of companies, including WSA Optimization Firm, Inc., that purported to offer “credit repair services” to the public. Hargrave promoted these services through multiple company-specific websites, radio advertising, emails, text messages, and posts on YouTube.com and other social media sites. Among other things, these marketing campaigns promised to “erase bad credit” information from consumers’ credit reports within 90 days – “guaranteed.” Notwithstanding these promises, multiple customers reported to federal investigators that they paid for credit repair services, saw no such results, and were denied refunds. When an undercover federal agent called to inquire about these credit repair services, he was told that WSA Optimization used “federal laws to remove all negative derogatory items off your credit.” Further, he was told “we are able to remove those items off your credit without you paying [creditors] back.” A company representative also claimed that WSA Optimization employed a team of 5 attorneys and 23 paralegals who worked to remove negative credit information from credit reports. In reality, WSA Optimization did not employ a team of attorneys or paralegals. Instead, supposedly to improve its customers’ credit scores, company representatives would send form letters to each credit reporting agency and falsely claim that all negative credit information on the customers’ credit reports was the product of identity theft or fraud. These letters, which did not disclose that they were mass produced by WSA Optimization, were sent in envelopes listing a fictional return address. 

An analysis of bank records establishes that more than $8 million in deposits were made into the business bank accounts controlled by Hargrave and a family member, and that significant funds were diverted from those accounts to pay for luxury vehicles, mortgage payments on their residence, personal credit cards, jewelry, items at retail stores, utilities, restaurants, and other living expenses.

For example, business funds were used to make more than $128,000 in mortgage payments on Hargrave’s residence in Fernandina Beach, which he sold in 2022 for $870,000. Similarly, approximately $300,000 in business funds were used to make down payments and monthly financing payments on automobiles owned by Hargrave and a family member, including a Lamborghini Gallardo, a Rolls Royce Wraith, a Porsche Boxster, a Range Rover, a Ford F-150, and two Mercedes Benz vehicles.

An analysis of Hargrave’s real and personal property, certain business records, credit card statements, and the bank records collectively demonstrate that his joint tax returns for tax years 2016 through 2019 underreported taxable income and improperly claimed certain business expenses. A financial investigator with the IRS estimates that since 2015, by underreporting his and a family member’s tax liability, Hargrave has caused the United States to lose more than $250,000 in tax revenue.

As part of his plea agreement, Hargrave agreed to pay restitution to both the IRS for the tax loss that he caused and to victims of the credit repair services/wire fraud scheme that he operated. He also agreed to forfeit to the United States $1.5 million, as proceeds of wire fraud conspiracy.

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Coolican.  Assistant United States Attorney Mai Tran is handling the forfeiture of assets.

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Susan C. Bucklew has sentenced Elias Israel Roblero Rangel (27, Bradenton) to one year and one day in federal prison for theft by a bank employee and access device fraud. The court also ordered Roblero Rangel to pay restitution in the amount of $44,187.18 to Truist Bank (formerly SunTrust Bank). Roblero Rangel had pleaded guilty on June 13, 2022.

According to court documents, between July 2019 and June 2020 Roblero Rangel worked as a personal banker at SunTrust Bank in Sarasota. Roblero Rangel misused his position of trust by stealing customer information and repeatedly conducting fraudulent transactions using their personal identifying information. For nearly a year, Roblero Rangel embezzled $44,187.18 from five different bank customers.

As part of his criminal scheme, Roblero Rangel targeted elderly, deceased bank customers. For example, on December 18, 2019, Roblero Rangel ordered a replacement credit card for a deceased customer. The card was mailed to the branch office located in Sarasota. Roblero Rangel fraudulently used the card between December 26, 2019, and January 28, 2020, and conducted multiple transactions totaling $10,041.24. When investigators confronted Roblero Rangel, he admitted to committing the fraud and stated that he had only stolen from one customer. Further investigation, however, revealed four additional victims. Roblero Rangel used each additional victim’s debit card to withdraw funds from various Truist Bank ATMs throughout the Middle District of Florida. In many instances, he was captured on surveillance video conducting the transactions.

“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service takes any complaints of the fraudulent use of the mail seriously, especially those who abuse their position of trust and utilize the mail to commit fraudulent schemes,” said Postal Inspector Rick Johnsten. 

This case was investigated by U.S. Postal Inspection Service – Office of the Inspector General. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lisa M. Thelwell.

Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Jaedyn Tiryse Presley (23, Ocala) today pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Presley faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. He also agreed to forfeit the firearm used in the commission of the offense. Presley had been indicted on February 1, 2022.

According to the plea agreement, on July 16, 2021, deputies from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on Presley’s vehicle, which smelled strongly of marijuana. After determining that Presley had a suspended license, the deputy placed him under arrest and searched the vehicle, recovering a loaded 9mm handgun and several containers of marijuana. A subsequent federal search warrant conclusively showed Presley’s DNA on the grip, frame, slide, and trigger of the firearm. Presley, a multi-convicted felon, is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Ocala Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Bodnar, Jr.

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

Tampa, Florida – The Justice Department announced today the results of its efforts over the past year to protect older adults from fraud and exploitation. During the past year, the Department and its law enforcement partners tackled matters that ranged from mass-marketing scams that impacted thousands of victims to bad actors scamming their neighbors. Substantial efforts were also made over the last year to return money to fraud victims. Today, the Department also announced it is expanding its Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force to amplify efforts to combat scams originating overseas.

“We are intensifying our efforts nationwide to protect older adults, including by more than tripling the number of U.S. Attorneys’ offices participating in our Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force dedicated to disrupting, dismantling and prosecuting foreign-based fraud schemes that target American seniors,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This expansion builds on the Justice Department’s existing work to hold accountable those who steal funds from older adults, including by returning those funds to the victims where possible.”

“Protecting our nation’s most vulnerable populations is a priority of our Office,” stated U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “We will continue to work diligently with our partners in law enforcement and the community to ensure that our seniors are safe and secure from fraud, scams, and financial exploitation.”

During the period from September 2021 to September 2022, Department personnel and its law enforcement partners pursued approximately 260 cases involving more than 600 defendants, both bringing new cases and advancing those previously charged. This past year, the Middle District of Florida pursued 10 cases involving 11 defendants, who collectively stole more than $22 million from fraud victims, the majority of whom were elderly. See chart below for details.

 

United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida Elder Fraud Cases

Charged Cases

Defendant(s) (Age)

Charge(s)

Maximum Imprisonment

Type of Fraud

Approximate Intended Loss

Amount

Tampa Division

Margarett Chevry (71)

 

Conspiracy to commit wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

Wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

Romance fraud

$727,000

Phillip Roy Wasserman (65)

Conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

Wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

Mail fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

Tax evasion

Maximum Prison Term: 5 Years

Fraud and false statements

Maximum Prison Term: 5 Years

Investment fraud

$6.3 million

 

 

These elder fraud cases from the Tampa Division are being handled by AUSAs Jennifer Peresie, Rachelle DesVaux Bedke, and Rachel Jones

Orlando Division

Keith Ingersoll (45)

James Adamczyk (65)

Wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

Investment fraud

$10 million

 

This elder fraud case from the Orlando Division is being handled by AUSA Amanda Daniels

Adjudicated Cases

Tampa Division

Kenneth Rossman (63)

 

Conspiracy

Maximum Prison Term: 5 Years

Aiding and assisting fraud and false statements

Maximum Prison Term: 3 years

Investment fraud

$6.3 million

 

 

William Perez (27)

 

Conspiracy to commit money laundering

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

Government impersonator fraud

$246,000

These elder fraud cases from the Tampa Division are being handled by AUSA Rachelle DesVaux Bedke and SAUSA Suzanne Huyler

Sentenced Cases

Tampa Division

Sarafina Braddy (24)

 

Conspiracy to commit money laundering

Sentence Imposed: 7 days in federal prison

Jamaican lottery fraud

$300,000

Jeffrey Jedlicki (51)

Conspiracy to commit wire fraud

Sentence Imposed: 8 years in federal prison

Investment fraud

$3.24 million

Tracy Jedlicki (56)

 

Conspiracy to commit wire fraud

Sentence Imposed: 30 months in federal prison

Investment fraud

$3.24 million

Lori Owen (50)

 

Conspiracy to commit bank, wire, and mail fraud

Sentence Imposed: 5 years, 3 months in federal prison

Investment fraud

$1.38 million

These elder fraud cases from the Tampa Division were handled by AUSAs Rachel Jones and David Chee

Fort Myers Division

Nicole Sprague (38)

 

Conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud

Sentence Imposed: 2 years, 9 months in federal prison

Technical support scam

$298,000

This elder fraud case from the Fort Myers Division was handled by AUSA Yolande Viacava

As part of the Middle District of Florida’s elder fraud efforts, we have engaged in community outreach efforts to citizens and industry professionals to raise awareness about scams and exploitation and ways to prevent victimization. This year, the MDFL partnered with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Gulfport Police Department to engage senior citizens in discussions about prevalent fraud schemes and various prevention strategies.

The Department also highlighted three other efforts: expansion of the Transnational Elder Fraud Task Force, success in returning money to victims and efforts to combat grandparent scams. 

The Department announced that as part of its continuing efforts to protect older adults and bring perpetrators of fraud schemes to justice it is expanding the Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force, adding 14 new U.S. Attorney’s Offices. Expansion of the Strike Force will help to coordinate the Department’s ongoing efforts to combat largest and most harmful fraud schemes that target or disproportionately impact older adults. The Middle District of Florida is one of the original strike force districts.

In the past year, the Department has notified over 550,000 people that they may be eligible for remission payments. Notifications were made to consumers whose information was sold by one of three data companies prosecuted by the Department and were later victims of “sweepstakes” or “astrology” solicitations that falsely promised prizes or individualized services in return for a fee. More than 150,000 of those victims cashed checks totaling $52 million, and thousands more are eligible to receive checks. Also notified were consumers who paid fraudsters perpetrating person-in-need scams and job scams via Western Union. In the past year, the Department has identified and contacted over 300,000 consumers who may be eligible for remission. Since March of 2020 more than 148,000 victims have received more than $366 million as a result of a 2017 criminal resolution with Western Union for the company’s willful failure to maintain an effective anti-money laundering program and its aiding and abetting of wire fraud.

Over the past year, the Department pursued cases against the perpetrators of “grandparent scams,” otherwise known as “person-in-need scams.” These scams typically begin when a fraudster, often based overseas, contacts an older adult and poses as either a grandchild, other family member or someone calling on behalf of a family member. Call recipients are told that their family member is in jeopardy and is urgently in need of money. When recently sentencing one of eight perpetrators of a grandparent scam indicted under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, a federal judge described such scams “heartbreakingly evil.” The Department is working with government partners and others to raise awareness about these schemes.

Reporting from consumers about fraud and fraud attempts is critical to law enforcements efforts to investigate and prosecute schemes targeting older adults. If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833 FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Department of Justice Hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professional who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting or connect them with agencies, and provide resources and referrals on a case-by-case basis. The hotline is staffed seven days a week from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. English, Spanish and other languages are available. More information about the Department’s elder justice efforts can be found on the Department’s Elder Justice website, www.elderjustice.gov.

Some of the cases that comprise today’s announcement are charges, which are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found Avery Lans (55, Virgin Islands) guilty of conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Lans faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years, and up to life, in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 5, 2022. Lans and his conspirator, Wayne Ellsworth Stout, Jr. (35, Miami), were indicted on June 15, 2022. Stout pleaded guilty on August 19, 2022. 

According to the evidence presented at trial, on June 1, 2022, Stout drove from Miami to Orlando and retrieved a grey and teal duffle bag from a storage locker in the Edgewater area. Agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) were conducting surveillance on Stout as he traveled from Miami to Orlando and as Stout left the storage locker and headed to the parking lot of a restaurant in the Winter Park area. At approximately 1:45 p.m., Lans arrived and received the duffle bag during a short, 30-second meeting. After circling the block, Lans led HSI surveillance agents to the corner of Lee and Wymore, where Lans abruptly turned in an attempt to escape while dropping the duffle bag out of his passenger side window. After a brief, high-speed chase, Lans was detained and the duffle bag was retrieved. The bag contained five kilograms of cocaine, wrapped in black tape with a marking on it:      

When HSI agents searched the storage locker in Edgewater, they located three coolers containing 109 kilograms of cocaine, some of which contained the same black and gold marking as the five-kilogram bricks that Lans was carrying: 

A kilogram of cocaine was estimated to be worth at least approximately $27,000. Lans was carrying $135,000 worth of cocaine at the time he attempted to flee. The storage locker contained cocaine valued at nearly $3 million. 

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the Orlando Police Department, the Sunrise Police Department, and the Golden Beach Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dana E. Hill.

Ocala, FL – Robert Lashley, 52, pleaded guilty today to a federal hate crime for attacking a Black man because of his actual and perceived race. 

According to the plea agreement, on Nov. 17, 2021, Lashley traveled to the Family Dollar in Citrus Springs, Florida, where the victim, a Black man, was shopping inside.  Lashley followed the victim outside into the parking lot and then attacked him, striking the victim multiple times.  Lashley and his co-defendant, Roy Lamar Lashley, directed racial slurs towards the victim before, during, and after the attack. The victim sustained injuries to his face and legs, including a laceration to the inside of his mouth. 

“The defendant is being held accountable for subjecting a Black man to a brutal and racially- motivated assault,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Convictions like these make clear that the Department of Justice will continue to investigate and prosecute individuals who violently assault others because of their race. Racially-motivated hate crimes have no place in our society.”

“Acts of violence against anyone because of their race or ethnicity are abhorrent,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that such crimes are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

"Hate crimes are not only an attack on the victim, these crimes threaten and intimidate entire communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Sherri E. Onks for the FBI Jacksonville Field Division. “Because of their wide-ranging impact, investigating and preventing hate crimes is a top priority for the FBI and we will stop at nothing to protect the public from these heinous crimes.”

A sentencing hearing has not yet been set. Lashley faces a maximum term of 10 years imprisonment, three years of mandatory supervised release and a $250,000 fine.

Lashley was charged in an indictment that was unsealed on June 17, 2022. The indictment charged Lashley and co-defendant Roy Lamar Lashley, each aiding and abetting one another, with willfully causing bodily injury to the victim because of the victim’s actual and perceived race.  The case against the co-defendant Roy Lamar Lashley remains ongoing.

Assistant Attorney General Clarke, U.S. Attorney Handberg and Special Agent in Charge Onks made the announcement.

The FBI and the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office investigated the matter. Trial Attorneys Maura White and Matthew Tannenbaum of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney William Hamilton of the Middle District of Florida are prosecuting the case. 

For more information and resources about the department’s work to combat hate crimes, visit www.justice.gov/hatecrimes.

Tampa, FL – A Canadian man was sentenced to 20 years in prison and ordered to forfeit $21,500,000 today for his role in NetWalker ransomware attacks. The Court will order restitution at a later date.

According to court documents, Sebastian Vachon-Desjardins, 35, of Gatineau, Quebec, participated in a sophisticated form of ransomware known as NetWalker. NetWalker ransomware has targeted dozens of victims all over the world, including companies, municipalities, hospitals, law enforcement, emergency services, school districts, colleges, and universities. Attacks have specifically targeted the healthcare sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, taking advantage of the global crisis to extort victims.

“The defendant identified and attacked high-value ransomware victims and profited from the chaos caused by encrypting and stealing the victims’ data,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Today’s sentence demonstrates that ransomware actors will face significant consequences for their crimes and exemplifies the Department’s steadfast commitment to pursuing actors who participate in ransomware schemes.”

“The defendant in this case used sophisticated technological means to exploit hundreds of victims in numerous countries at the height of an international health crisis,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “This case is an example of the dedication and tenacious work of our law enforcement partners to bring such criminals to justice, no matter where they reside or operate.”

“This sentencing serves as a reminder to the American public that the FBI is committed to combatting cyber threats with its world-class capabilities and enduring law enforcement partnerships,” said Special Agent in Charge David Walker of the FBI Tampa Field Office. “Our cyber task forces work vigorously to expose the cyber adversaries preying on United States citizens and bring them to justice.”

Vachon-Desjardins was extradited to the United States pursuant to the extradition treaty between the United States and Canada. Pursuant to a request submitted by U.S. authorities, Canadian law enforcement officers arrested Vachon-Desjardins in Gatineau, Quebec, on Jan. 27, 2021, and executed a search warrant at Vachon-Desjardins’s home in Gatineau. During the search, officers discovered and seized $742,840 in Canadian currency and 719 Bitcoin, valued at approximately $21,849,087 at the time of seizure and $14,463,993 as of today.

The FBI Tampa Field Office investigated the case. 

Trial Attorney Sonia V. Jimenez of the Justice Department’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carlton C. Gammons and Suzanne Nebesky for the Middle District of Florida prosecuted the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided valuable assistance in securing Vachon-Desjardins’s arrest and extradition. The U.S. Marshals Service transported Vachon-Desjardins from Canada to the United States.

The investigation benefited from law enforcement cooperation by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Ontario Provincial Police, Gatineau Police Service, and National Cybercrime Coordination Unit.

A Canadian man was sentenced to 20 years in prison and ordered to forfeit $21,500,000 today for his role in NetWalker ransomware attacks. The Court will order restitution at a later date.

According to court documents, Sebastian Vachon-Desjardins, 35, of Gatineau, Quebec, participated in a sophisticated form of ransomware known as NetWalker. NetWalker ransomware has targeted dozens of victims all over the world, including companies, municipalities, hospitals, law enforcement, emergency services, school districts, colleges, and universities. Attacks have specifically targeted the healthcare sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, taking advantage of the global crisis to extort victims.

“The defendant identified and attacked high-value ransomware victims and profited from the chaos caused by encrypting and stealing the victims’ data,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Today’s sentence demonstrates that ransomware actors will face significant consequences for their crimes and exemplifies the Department’s steadfast commitment to pursuing actors who participate in ransomware schemes.”

“The defendant in this case used sophisticated technological means to exploit hundreds of victims in numerous countries at the height of an international health crisis,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “This case is an example of the dedication and tenacious work of our law enforcement partners to bring such criminals to justice, no matter where they reside or operate.”

“This sentencing serves as a reminder to the American public that the FBI is committed to combatting cyber threats with its world-class capabilities and enduring law enforcement partnerships,” said Special Agent in Charge David Walker of the FBI Tampa Field Office. “Our cyber task forces work vigorously to expose the cyber adversaries preying on United States citizens and bring them to justice.”

Vachon-Desjardins was extradited to the United States pursuant to the extradition treaty between the United States and Canada. Pursuant to a request submitted by U.S. authorities, Canadian law enforcement officers arrested Vachon-Desjardins in Gatineau, Quebec, on Jan. 27, 2021, and executed a search warrant at Vachon-Desjardins’s home in Gatineau. During the search, officers discovered and seized $742,840 in Canadian currency and 719 Bitcoin, valued at approximately $21,849,087 at the time of seizure and $14,463,993 as of today.

The FBI Tampa Field Office investigated the case. 

Trial Attorney Sonia V. Jimenez of the Justice Department’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carlton C. Gammons and Suzanne Nebesky for the Middle District of Florida prosecuted the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided valuable assistance in securing Vachon-Desjardins’s arrest and extradition. The U.S. Marshals Service transported Vachon-Desjardins from Canada to the United States.

The investigation benefited from law enforcement cooperation by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Ontario Provincial Police, Gatineau Police Service, and National Cybercrime Coordination Unit.

Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard has sentenced Christopher Dozier (41, Jacksonville) to 18 years and 8 months in federal prison for two Hobbs Act robberies and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime.  The court also ordered Dozier to forfeit the firearm and ammunition he possessed as part of the offenses, as well as the money and firearm stolen during the second robbery. Dozier had pleaded guilty on February 2, 2022.

According to court documents, on May 24, 2019, Dozier robbed an adult game room in Jacksonville, attacking and striking an employee in the head. During the robbery, Dozier brandished a .22 caliber pistol at the employee, bound the employee’s hands with wire, and stole cash from the register, along with the employee’s phone. Dozier escaped in a vehicle driven by his accomplice, Brittany Cooper, but the stolen items were recovered outside the business.

Judge Howard previously sentenced Cooper to 42 months in federal prison for aiding and abetting the robbery.

On June 19, 2019, Dozier robbed another game room in Jacksonville.  During that robbery, Dozier entered the business, pulled out his .22 caliber revolver, and disarmed the armed security guard. Dozier then brandished his firearm at the cashier, who provided him with $1,877, after which Dozier escaped in a vehicle being driven by an accomplice. Dozier was subsequently arrested for unrelated offenses by local law enforcement in Quincy, Massachusetts, after he had fled Jacksonville. 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Norfolk County (Massachusetts) Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David B. Mesrobian.

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

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Kiana Fiona Alphonse (28, Covington, Georgia) with conspiracy to commit bank fraud, seven counts of bank fraud, five counts of false representation of a Social Security number (SSN), and five counts of aggravated identity theft. If convicted, Alphonse faces up to 30 years in federal prison for each count of bank fraud and conspiracy to commit bank fraud, a consecutive mandatory minimum penalty of 2 years’ imprisonment for each aggravated identity theft count, and up to 5 years in prison on each false SSN representation count.       

According to the indictment, Alphonse and her co-defendant, Anthony Jermaine Robinson, obtained the personally identifiable information (PII) of multiple victims. The co-defendants then obtained counterfeit driver licenses purportedly from Washington state and Delaware. The counterfeit driver licenses contained the PII of victims, but the picture of Alphonse. Using the PII, including the SSNs of victims, the counterfeit driver licenses, and documents created for fictitious businesses, Alphonse went into multiple banks and opened business bank accounts in the name of various victims. These bank accounts were then utilized, as part of a scheme to defraud multiple victims.

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 Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Secret Service Jacksonville Field Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein.

Jacksonville, Florida – Chief United States District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan has sentenced Thomas Lester Hazouri, Jr. (42, Jacksonville) to 7 years and 3 months in federal prison for distributing child sexual abuse videos over the internet using a social media messaging application (app). The court also ordered Hazouri to serve a 15-year term of supervised release, register as a sex offender, and pay child victims a total of $18,000 in restitution. Hazouri had pleaded guilty on August 24, 2021, and has been in custody since his arrest on September 4, 2020.  

According to court documents and information offered in open court, the company that owns and hosts a particular online social media messaging app notified the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that on March 26, 2020, one of its app users, later identified as Hazouri, had uploaded and distributed videos depicting children being sexually abused into a public chat room with 46 other users in it. Further investigation by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) traced the internet protocol address used to distribute these videos to Hazouri’s residence. At that time, Hazouri was employed as a second-grade teacher at Mayport Elementary School in Jacksonville. 

The search warrants for the social messaging app account used by Hazouri, as well as for another email account used by Hazouri. Hazouri’s online social media account, contained 19 images and 45 videos depicting minor children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. On August 6, 2020, JSO detectives and other personnel executed a search warrant at Hazouri’s residence and seized Hazouri’s Apple iPhone and other computer media. A forensic examination of this iPhone revealed that it contained 123 images and three videos depicting children being sexually abused. Seven of these images each depicted either an infant or a toddler-aged child.

This case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the Duval County School Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.

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.

WASHINGTON —Bladimir Moreno, 55, pleaded guilty in federal court in Tampa, Florida, to charges of conspiracy under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and conspiracy to commit forced labor. A federal grand jury in the Middle District of Florida had previously returned a six-count indictment against multiple defendants for their roles in a federal racketeering conspiracy that victimized Mexican H-2A workers who, between 2015 and 2017, had worked in the United States harvesting fruits, vegetables and other agricultural products. The announcement was made by Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg for the Middle District of Florida.

“The scheme these defendants employed trapped the victims through fear of serious harm if they did not continue to toil away for the defendants’ profit,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Department of Justice is committed to combatting human trafficking in all its forms, including prosecuting agricultural employers who break the law to subject their vulnerable migrant farm workers to forced labor.”

“Forcing individuals to work against their will using abusive and coercive tactics is not only unconscionable but illegal,” said U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “We will continue to work with our human trafficking task forces to stamp out these illegal practices throughout our district and state.”

According to court documents, Moreno owned, operated, and managed Los Villatoros Harvesting (LVH), a farm labor contracting company, that functioned as a criminal enterprise compelling victims to work in Florida, Kentucky, Indiana, Georgia and North Carolina. After charging Mexican farm workers exorbitant sums to come into the United States on short-term, H-2A, agricultural visas to work for LVH, Moreno and his co-conspirators coerced over a dozen workers into providing long hours of physically demanding agricultural labor, six to seven days a week, for de minimis pay. Moreno and his co-conspirators used various coercive means, including imposing debts on workers; confiscating the workers’ passports; subjecting workers to crowded, unsanitary and degrading living conditions; verbally abusing and humiliating the workers; threatening workers with arrest, jailtime and deportation; isolating workers by preventing them from interacting with anyone other than LVH employees; and threatening to physically harm the workers’ family members back in Mexico if the workers failed to comply with their demands. In addition to conspiring to subject H-2A workers to forced labor, Moreno and his coconspirators also harbored H-2A workers in the United States after their visas had expired for financial gain and committed visa fraud and fraud in foreign labor contracting. 

Earlier this year, three co-defendants who had worked for Moreno and assisted him in operating LVH pleaded guilty to related offenses. First, Christina Gamez, 43, a U.S. citizen, who worked for LVH as a bookkeeper, manager and supervisor, pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy. Second, Efrain Cabrera Rodas, 32, a citizen of Mexico, who worked for LVH as a recruiter, manager and supervisor, also pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy.  Third, Guadalupe Mendes Mendoza, 45, a citizen of Mexico, who worked for LVH as a manager and supervisor, pleaded guilty to conspiring to obstruct a federal investigation.

The Palm Beach County Human Trafficking Task Force, which includes the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, investigated the case. The Task Force received assistance from the Department of Labor (DOL) Office of the Inspector General, the DOL Wage and Hour Division, the Department of State Diplomatic Security Service, and Coalition of Immokalee Workers, Colorado Legal Services Migrant Farm Worker Division, Legal Aid Services of Oregon Farmworker Program and Indiana Legal Services Worker Rights and Protection Project.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ilyssa Spergel for the Middle District of Florida and Trial Attorneys Avner Shapiro, Maryam Zhuravitsky, and Matthew Thiman of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case.  

Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org. Information on the Department of Justice’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge William F. Jung has sentenced Ralph Puglisi (60, Palm Harbor) to 10 years in federal prison for mail fraud. As part of his sentence, the court also ordered Puglisi to pay full restitution in the amount of $12,860,744.07 to the University of South Florida and entered an order of forfeiture in the amount of $12,800,000, the proceeds of his mail fraud scheme. Puglisi had pleaded guilty on August 26, 2021.

According to court documents, Puglisi was employed as an accounting manager for the University of South Florida’s University Medical Services Association (UMSA). In this position, he was involved in overseeing the administration of UMSA’s credit cards. Beginning in or around June 2014, and continuing through November 2019, Puglisi defrauded UMSA by using several of that entity’s credit cards to make $12,860,744.07 in unauthorized charges for his own benefit, including rent payments, extensive home renovations, travel, chartered yachts, and contributions to women affiliated with an interactive adult website. Puglisi exploited his position as accounting manager to make false journal entries in records that created the illusion that his charges were related to UMSA’s business operations.

This case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jay G. Trezevant and Julie Simonsen.

WASHINGTON – A Florida man pleaded guilty today to conspiring to commit health care fraud in an $8.3 million scheme where pharmacy owners paid kickbacks and bribes to telemarketers and telemedicine providers to secure orders for medically unnecessary prescriptions that were billed to Medicare.

According to court documents, Michael Murphy, 37, of Fort Lauderdale, invested in Cure Pharmacy in Jacksonville and two other pharmacies that participated in the Medicare program. From in or around November 2019 through in or around March 2021, Murphy and his co-conspirators paid kickbacks and bribes to telemarketing companies in exchange for recruiting Medicare beneficiaries to accept prescriptions for various medications – mainly topical creams – which the beneficiaries usually did not want or need.

Murphy and his co-conspirators also paid kickbacks and bribes to telemedicine companies that employed or contracted with physicians who signed the prescriptions. The physicians had no physician-patient relationship with the beneficiaries and typically signed the prescriptions after a cursory telephone conversation with the beneficiary or with no contact at all. After obtaining Medicare beneficiary information and the signed prescriptions, Murphy and his co-conspirators submitted claims to Medicare for medically unnecessary medications, sometimes through multiple pharmacies they owned and controlled in a practice known as “recycling,” and were reimbursed $8.3 million by Medicare Part D.

Murphy pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Murphy will be sentenced at a later date and faces a maximum of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

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; Special Agent in Charge Sherri Onks of the FBI Jacksonville Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Omar Pérez Aybar of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) made the announcement.

The FBI Jacksonville Field Office and HHS-OIG investigated the case.

Trial Attorney Gary Winters of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Mesrobian for the Middle District of Florida are prosecuting the case.

A Florida man pleaded guilty today to conspiring to commit health care fraud in an $8.3 million scheme where pharmacy owners paid kickbacks and bribes to telemarketers and telemedicine providers to secure orders for medically unnecessary prescriptions that were billed to Medicare.

According to court documents, Michael Murphy, 37, of Fort Lauderdale, invested in Cure Pharmacy in Jacksonville and two other pharmacies that participated in the Medicare program. From in or around November 2019 through in or around March 2021, Murphy and his co-conspirators paid kickbacks and bribes to telemarketing companies in exchange for recruiting Medicare beneficiaries to accept prescriptions for various medications – mainly topical creams – which the beneficiaries usually did not want or need.

Murphy and his co-conspirators also paid kickbacks and bribes to telemedicine companies that employed or contracted with physicians who signed the prescriptions. The physicians had no physician-patient relationship with the beneficiaries and typically signed the prescriptions after a cursory telephone conversation with the beneficiary or with no contact at all. After obtaining Medicare beneficiary information and the signed prescriptions, Murphy and his co-conspirators submitted claims to Medicare for medically unnecessary medications, sometimes through multiple pharmacies they owned and controlled in a practice known as “recycling,” and were reimbursed $8.3 million by Medicare Part D.

Murphy pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Murphy will be sentenced at a later date and faces a maximum of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

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; Special Agent in Charge Sherri Onks of the FBI Jacksonville Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Omar Pérez Aybar of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) made the announcement.

The FBI Jacksonville Field Office and HHS-OIG investigated the case.

Trial Attorney Gary Winters of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Mesrobian for the Middle District of Florida are prosecuting the case.

Jacksonville, Florida –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Daryl D. Shack (32, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to escaping from federal custody. Shack faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to court documents, in 2018, Shack was convicted in federal court of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and sentenced to 51 months’ imprisonment. While completing his sentence, the Bureau of Prisons transferred Shack into the custody of Keeton Corrections, Inc. Jacksonville Residential Reentry Center. When he arrived at that halfway house, a Keeton official advised Shack that his failure to remain at Keeton would be deemed an escape from the custody of the Attorney General, which could subject him to prosecution and further punishment.

In the evening of March 3, 2021, an alarm sounded at Keeton’s men’s dormitory, indicating that someone had exited the dorm without authorization. In response, an official conducted a count of all residents. Shack was not present. After searching the facility, Keeton officials could not locate him.

On July 26, 2022, Deputy U.S. Marshals and Task Force Officers arrested Shack in Jacksonville. In the intervening period (more than 16 months), Shack never returned to Keeton or Bureau of Prisons custody.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Florida-Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Coolican. 

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the arrest of Brett Avery Tipton (40, Rockledge) on a criminal complaint charging him with enticing a minor to produce child sexual abuse material. If convicted, Tipton faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, and up to life, in federal prison. Tipton made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Embry J. Kidd yesterday and was ordered detained pending trial.

According to the complaint, in 2020, Tipton began communicating with the child victim (who was then approximately 12 years old) through various social media platforms, including Snapchat, Telegram, PlayStation, and Facebook. At Tipton’s request and urging, the victim sent him numerous pictures of the victim engaging in sexually explicit conduct. In return, Tipton sent the victim gifts from Amazon, games, gaming equipment (such as headphones), and food through an online delivery service. The investigation revealed that Tipton engaged in this conduct with the victim for more than one year.

According to the complaint, the investigation also revealed that Tipton distributed child sex abuse material to online groups that trade such contraband. During an interview with the FBI, Tipton stated that he used his online accounts to interact with and solicit sexually explicit material from young teenage boys and men who ranged in age from 12 to 26 years old.

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 Federal Bureau of Investigation (Orlando and Cincinnati), with assistance from the Licking County (Ohio) Sheriff’s Office, the Rockledge Police Department, and the United States Secret Service (Cincinnati). It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Emily C. L. Chang.

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’ Office 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.

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found Robert Butzlaff (57, Volusia County) guilty of four counts of fraudulent use of an unauthorized access device and aggravated identity theft. Butzlaff faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison on each of the fraudulent use of an unauthorized access device charges and a consecutive 2-year mandatory minimum on the aggravated identity theft charge. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 7, 2022.

According to evidence presented at trial, Social Security beneficiary M.B. was reported missing in October 2014 and has never been located. M.B.’s disappearance was not reported to the Social Security Administration (SSA) and SSA continued to make benefit payments on his behalf. M.B.’s SSA benefits were being deposited into an account held jointly with his son, Butzlaff, at the time of his disappearance. Following M.B.’s disappearance, Butzlaff opened a new bank account using M.B.’s personally identifiable information and redirected M.B.’s SSA benefits to the new account. The new account was solely in M.B.’s name. Butzlaff obtained, and used, two debit cards issued in the name of M.B. to withdraw the funds being deposited by SSA into the new account. Butzlaff used the SSA funds intended for M.B. for his own personal expenses.

This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General and the Ormond Beach Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Huyler.

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday has sentenced Ahmad Al Saleh (59, Tampa) to 12 months in federal prison for conspiracy to defraud and to make false statements to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The court also ordered Al Saleh to make restitution to the USDA in the amount of $654,502.28.

According to court documents, Al Saleh joined in a conspiracy to defraud the USDA and to make false statements to the USDA in 2015 when he agreed to make false and fraudulent representations to the USDA that he was buying a St. Petersburg convenience store that was enrolled to accept USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) program benefits. SNAP is a program that supplements the food budget of needy families so they can purchase healthy food and move towards self-sufficiency. After the USDA prohibited the prior owner of the store from accepting any SNAP benefit purchases and prohibited him from even working at the store, he joined with Al Saleh and others to create false records and representations that Al Saleh had bought the store and that Al Saleh was operating it himself. In reality, the previous store owner continued to operate and manage the store and make profits from it, paying Al Saleh a small fee for the use of Al Saleh’s name as the store owner on USDA documents. During the time that the prior owner was still operating the store under the supposed ownership of Al Saleh, the prior owner committed numerous acts of SNAP benefits trafficking, during which he bought SNAP benefits from customers and paid for them in cash. The court determined that the losses which the prior owner caused to the SNAP program while engaging in this conduct during the time period of the supposed “ownership” of Al Saleh was at least $654,502.84.

This case was investigated by the United States Department of Agriculture -Office of Inspector General, the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, and Homeland Security Investigations, with the assistance from the St. Petersburg Police. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jay L. Hoffer.

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Don V. Cisternino (46, Chuluota) has pleaded guilty to wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and illegal monetary transaction. Cisternino faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for the wire fraud, up to 10 years’ imprisonment for the illegal monetary transaction, and a mandatory consecutive sentence of 2 years in federal prison for the aggravated identity theft. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to the plea agreement, in May 2020, Cisternino fraudulently secured more than $7.2 million in emergency funds through a Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loan.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act is a federal law enacted March 2020. It was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of up to $349 billion in potentially forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through the PPP. In April 2020, Congress authorized over $300 billion in additional PPP funding. The PPP allowed qualifying small businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of one percent. Businesses were required to use PPP loan proceeds for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities.

Cisternino’s PPP loan application falsely claimed that Cisternino’s business, MagnifiCo, had 441 employees and monthly payroll expenses in 2019 of more than $2.8 million. In truth, MagnifiCo, had no employees other than Cisternino. In support of his PPP loan application, Cisternino submitted false W-2s for MagnifiCo’s purported employees, many of which listed the names and Social Security numbers of actual persons who were not MagnifiCo employees and who had not authorized Cisternino to use their identities.

Once he obtained the emergency loan of $7.2 million, Cisternino did not use these funds for qualifying expenses. Instead, he spent the funds for unauthorized purposes and for his own personal enrichment, including the purchase of a Lincoln Navigator, a Maserati, Mercedes-Benz vehicles, and a 12,579 sq. ft. residence in Seminole County, Florida (pictured below).

 

On January 22, 2021, after learning that he was under investigation for PPP loan fraud, Cisternino fled to Switzerland. He was arrested on April 11, 2021, pursuant to an Interpol Red Notice, as he attempted to enter Croatia from Slovenia by way of Italy.

As part of his plea agreement, Cisternino agreed to forfeit the $7.2 million in proceeds that he had obtained through the wire fraud, as well as assets traceable to the fraud, including the 12,579 sq. ft. residence and approximately $1.1 million in funds held in bank accounts controlled by him or his associates. 

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, Tampa Field Office. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided valuable assistance in securing Cisternino’s arrest and extradition.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Chauncey A. Bratt, with assistance from Assistant United States Attorneys Nicole Andrejko and Jeremy Bloor.

Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces Levelle Joseph Harris (36, Kissimmee) has entered a guilty plea to an indictment charging him with 14 counts of wire fraud. Each count is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. Harris had been indicted on June 7, 2022.

According to the court records, between May 27, 2020, and June 2, 2021, Harris applied for 14 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act using false information. As part of Harris’s scheme to defraud, he electronically submitted applications for the PPP loans over the internet, made false representations on his PPP applications, and received proceeds from the loans through wire transfers over the internet. Harris also provided fake supporting documentation for his loan applications. Once his fraudulent applications were approved, he received over $1 million in internet wire transfers that were supposed to be used to cover payroll, fixed debts, utilities, rent/mortgage, accounts payable and other bills. Instead, Harris used the money for his personal expenses.

This case is being prosecuted as part the Department of Justice’s prosecution of fraud schemes that exploit the CARES Act relief programs. The CARES Act is a federal law enacted in March 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the two programs that were developed through CARES Act is the PPP. It provides funding to businesses through PPP loans for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent and utilities. PPP allows the interest and principal on loans to be forgiven if the business spends proceeds on certain expense items within a designated time and uses a certain percentage of the loan on payroll expenses. The Department of Justice remains vigilant in detecting, investigating, and prosecuting wrongdoing related to the crisis.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk.

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Justin Roberson (34, Clearwater) today pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Roberson faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to the facts presented at the change of plea hearing, in 2021, DEA agents in Tampa, partnering with law enforcement officers from the Clearwater Police Department (CPD), initiated an investigation into the distribution of methamphetamine within the Middle District of Florida. Agents received information that Roberson was distributing methamphetamine in Clearwater.

On September 15, 2021, Roberson called a confidential source (CS) working with law enforcement and said that he (Roberson) had “a lot” of methamphetamine and was selling it “by the pound.” Through coded conversation, Roberson and the CS agreed to meet at a business associated with Roberson, on North Meteor Avenue in Clearwater, to complete the purchase of the methamphetamine. During the drug transaction, Roberson sold four individual plastic baggies, each containing a crystallized substance inside. The substance obtained from Roberson was later analyzed by the DEA and found to be approximately 893 grams (1.96 pounds) of methamphetamine hydrochloride, a controlled substance.

On July 8, 2022, agents executed a federal search warrant at the North Meteor Avenue location and located a fully loaded AR-15 rifle, ammunition, a kilogram of cocaine, numerous pills—including more than 579 grams of MDMA, a quantity of marijuana, digital scales, baggies, a currency counter, and cash. On that same date, agents also conducted a consent search of Roberson’s residence and located an AK-47 rifle, additional rifle magazines, a Glock handgun, several AR-15 style rifles, and more cash.

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 Drug Enforcement Administration and the Clearwater Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Craig Gestring.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Gregory Edward McLean (38, Jacksonville) with two counts of distributing videos depicting the sexual assault of children and one count of possessing files depicting the sexual abuse of young children. If convicted, McLean faces a minimum term of imprisonment of 5 years, and up to 20 years in federal prison on each count. The indictment also notifies McLean that the United States intends to forfeit two cellphones, a Western Digital hard drive, and a USB drive, which are alleged to have been used in the commission of the offenses. McLean was arrested on September 19, 2022. He is being detained pending trial.

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 Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Rhode Island State Police, with assistance from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelly S. Karase and Kirwinn Mike.

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.

Ocala, Florida – Senior United States District Judge John Antoon II has sentenced Miguel Vargas-Narez (44, Mexico) to 40 months in federal prison following his convictions for possession of a firearm by an alien unlawfully in the United States and illegal reentry into the United States. Vargas entered guilty pleas to the charges on June 1, 2022.

According to the court records, Vargas is a citizen and national of Mexico. He has previously been deported from the United States four times and has been convicted of illegally reentering the United States after being deported on two prior occasions. On November 18, 2021, Vargas fled from Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies in a stolen vehicle at a high rate of speed. Vargas eventually crashed the vehicle in a pasture but continued to flee on foot. When apprehended by a police K-9 unit, Vargas had a loaded pistol in his waistband. In his pants pockets, deputies discovered another pistol with a scratched-off serial number, 38 rounds of 9mm ammunition, and seven rounds of .25 caliber ammunition. As an person not lawfully present in the United States, Vargas is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Border Patrol, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was 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, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Michael Ray King (42, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to using the internet to download and receive videos and images of children being sexually abused. King faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a potential lifetime term of supervised release. He will also be required to register as a sex offender and forfeit certain computer media. King was arrested by FBI agents on November 18, 2021. His sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.

According to court documents, in 2021, the FBI was investigating individuals who were using online networks to receive and share child sexual abuse materials. The investigation revealed that in July, August, and September 2021, King used a computer connected to the internet at his residence to access videos depicting young children being sexually abused.

On November 18, 2021, during the execution of a federal search warrant at King’s home, FBI personnel seized an external computer hard drive that was connected by a cable to a gaming computer. A forensic examination of this external drive revealed that it contained at least 250 images and at least 50 videos depicting child sexual abuse material, including young children being sexually assaulted, bestiality, and bondage. This drive also contained evidence showing dates and times that King had downloaded these child sexual abuse materials from the internet.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown. Assistant United States Attorney Mai Tran is handling the forfeiture of assets.

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

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the extradition of Jose Ramon Tejeda-Guerrero (38) from the Dominican Republic to the United States. Tejeda-Guerrero was charged in a 2012 indictment with fraudulent possession of counterfeit or unauthorized access devices and four counts of aggravated identity theft. If convicted, Tejeda-Guerrero faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison for the access device fraud charge, and a mandatory two-year consecutive term of imprisonment for each of the aggravated identity theft charges. He made his initial appearance in Orlando before U.S. Magistrate Embry J. Kidd on September 15, 2022, and has been ordered detained pending trial.

According to court documents and information disclosed during his initial appearance, on July 20, 2007, Tejeda-Guerrero was arrested at the Orlando International Airport on state charges for possession or transfer of credit card-making equipment. During a search incident to his arrest, the police confiscated a laptop and two flash drives. The laptop contained approximately 13,000 credit card numbers, including active accounts belonging to individuals all around the world. The laptop also contained instructions on how to make, evaluate, and test magnetic stripes of credit cards and instructions on how to clean a card maker and its components. The actual fraud loss associated with credit card accounts found on that laptop exceeds $1 million. 

Tejeda-Guerrero was released on bail in connection with his state charges on August 23, 2007, and fled. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in 2012. 

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

This case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and the Kissimmee Police Department, with assistance from the Orlando Police Department and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with law enforcement partners in the Dominican Republic to secure the arrest and extradition of Tejeda-Guerrero to the United States. The U.S. Marshals Service also provided critical assistance. This case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Emily C. L. Chang.

Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge Thomas Barber today sentenced Robert Reese Lyons (24, Bradenton) to 3 years and 10 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. The court also ordered Lyons to forfeit the firearm and ammunition used in the offense. Lyons had pleaded guilty on June 8, 2022.

According to court documents, at approximately 2:15 a.m. on January 16, 2021, near the Miromar Outlets in Estero, deputies from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office stopped a vehicle in which Lyons was the front-seat passenger.  During a search of the vehicle, the deputies recovered a loaded Smith and Wesson handgun, with an obliterated serial number, directly underneath Lyons’s seat.  At the time, Lyons was a convicted felon and a state probationer who had an active warrant for his arrest. As a convicted felon, Lyons is prohibited from possessing a firearm 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 Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Simon R. Eth.

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Joshua Tripp (42, Clearwater) with three counts of distributing and one count of possessing child sex abuse material. If convicted, Tripp faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 15 years, up to 40 years, in federal prison for each distribution count and a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment for the possession count. Tripp is a registered sex offender and has prior felony convictions for aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, aggravated statutory rape, and lewd and lascivious molestation. The grand jury also returned indictments charging Tripp’s roommates, Craigan Joyner (20, Clearwater) and Donald Shadowens (30, Clearwater), with one count of receiving and one count of possessing child sexual abuse materials. If convicted, each faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 5 years, up to 20 years, for the receipt count and up to 10 years’ imprisonment for the possession count.

On August 19, 2022, Tripp, Joyner, and Shadowens made their initial appearances before the Honorable Christopher P. Tuite. Tripp and Joyner were detained pending trial. Shadowens was released on a bond with conditions.

According to the court documents, Tripp, Joyner, and Shadowens all lived together at the same residence in Clearwater. On August 18, 2022, investigators executed a search warrant at the home and discovered more than 1,000 images and videos of child sexual abuse material on the defendants’ devices. This material included the sexual abuse of children under the age of 12 and sado-masochistic images of children.

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

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, with substantial assistance from the Dickson County (Tennessee) Sheriff’s Office, the Clearwater Police Department, and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. It will be 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.

Ocala, Florida – Senior United States District Judge John Antoon II has sentenced Ronrico Lionel Farmer (33, Ocala) to five years and four months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Farmer had pleaded guilty on June 16, 2022.

According to court documents, on April 17, 2021, a City of Ocala police officer conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Farmer. Farmer gave the officer a false name to conceal his suspended license. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a powdery substance (fentanyl), which Farmer referred to as “his children’s candy,” on the driver’s door and floorboard. Also on the floorboard, the officer discovered a loaded 9mm handgun with an extended magazine. The FBI conducted a DNA analysis of the recovered firearm and determined, with a likelihood ratio of 190 sextillion, that Farmer’s DNA was on the weapon. As a multi-convicted felon, Farmer is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the City of Ocala Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Bodnar, Jr.

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.

Ocala, Florida – Senior United States District Judge John Antoon II has sentenced Marty Eugene Days, Jr. (33, Williston) to 27 months in federal prison for possessing ammunition as a convicted felon. Days had pleaded guilty on June 16, 2022.

According to court documents, on February 23, 2022, a City of Ocala police officer stopped an automobile driven by Days for erratic driving. Days, the sole occupant, did not have a valid driver license. After detaining Days, the officer located a bag on the ground next to the automobile that contained Days’s Florida ID card, two of his credit cards, and a 9mm handgun. Video surveillance footage from a nearby convenience store showed Days tossing the bag out of the passenger-side window. The firearm—a “ghost gun” with no manufacturer serial number—was loaded with 21 rounds of ammunition. At the time, Days had a prior felony conviction for attempted robbery with a deadly weapon. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the City of Ocala Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Bodnar, Jr.

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

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Charles Vincent Yannaccone (51, Apopka) with three counts of receipt of child sexual abuse material and one count of possession of sexual abuse material. Yannaccone faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years, and up to 20 years, in federal prison on each receipt count. On the possession count, Yannaccone faces a maximum penalty of 20 years of imprisonment. The indictment also notifies Yannaccone that the United States intends to forfeit his cellphone, which is alleged to have been used to commit the charged offenses.

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

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Courtney D. Richardson-Jones.

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

Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Malachi Deloch (23, Tampa) was sentenced to four years and seven months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Deloch had pleaded guilty on June 14, 2022. He was also ordered to forfeit the semi-automatic pistol used in the offense.

According to court documents, on February 7, 2022, Deloch, a convicted felon, was in possession of multiple firearms, including a black Springfield XD 9mm with an extended magazine. As a convicted felon, Deloch is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law. As pictured below, Deloch was seen openly carrying the firearm in a residential area of Tampa. Prior to his arrest, Deloch fled from Tampa Police Department officers that had arrived on the scene.

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 Tampa Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Beckman.

Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the unsealing of an indictment charging James John Melis (52, Largo) with four counts of wire fraud, two counts of bank fraud, and three counts of aggravated identity theft.  If convicted, Melis faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for each wire fraud count, 30 years for each bank fraud count, and a consecutive mandatory penalty of 2 years’ imprisonment for the aggravated identity theft counts.  The indictment also notifies Melis that the United States is seeking an order of forfeiture in the amount of $1.1 million, the proceeds of the charged criminal conduct.

According to the indictment, Melis abused his position as business manager at a private school in Tampa by attaching his personal bank account to the school’s PayPal account without authorization. When parents made tuition payments to the school’s account, Melis initiated fraudulent electronic funds transfers to his personal account. He then spent the stolen funds on travel and luxury items, such as jewelry.

Separately, the indictment charges Melis with carrying out a mortgage origination fraud scheme against a financial institution for two properties he owned. To deceive the mortgage lender into believing he was a qualified borrower, Melis used the personal identification information of another person on loan applications, and prepared and submitted false and fraudulent IRS income tax returns, fictitious satisfactions of mortgages falsely representing that his properties had equity, and lease agreements falsely showing he received substantial rental income. As part of this scheme, Melis used the means of identification of other individuals and forged their signatures on the fictitious satisfactions of mortgage and phony lease agreements submitted to the mortgage lender. Based on Melis’ misrepresentations, the financial institution approved and funded both mortgage loans.

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

This case was investigated by the Federal Housing Finance Agency – Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  It will be prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Chris Poor.

Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Robin Castro-Gomez (35, Colombia, South America) and his brother, Alvaro Castro-Gomez (41, Colombia, South America), have pleaded guilty to conspiracy with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine on a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. Robin Castro-Gomez faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, and up to life, in federal prison. Alvaro Castro-Gomez faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 15 years, and up to life, in federal prison. They were indicted on March 5, 2019.

According to the plea agreement, Robin and Alvaro Castro-Gomez are responsible for attempting to traffic over 3,500 kilograms (7,700 pounds) of cocaine from Colombia to Central America. In 2017 and 2018, the United States Coast Guard interdicted three separate low-profile vessels in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, each loaded with cocaine and destined for Central America. Robin Castro-Gomez was directly responsible for leading and organizing each of these drug ventures from Colombia. Alvaro Castro-Gomez, who was previously convicted in federal court for trafficking cocaine on the high seas, assisted his brother at the launch sites. He also recruited, hired, and paid one of the mariners to participate in the conspiracy.    

This case was investigated by the Panama Express Strike Force, an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) comprised of agents and analysts from the United States Coast Guard Investigative Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and U.S. Southern Command's Joint Interagency Task Force South. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David J. Pardo.

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Gerardo Ruiz-Martinez (21, Zitácuaro, Mexico) has pleaded guilty to illegally reentering the United States after having been deported. Ruiz-Martinez faces a maximum penalty of two years in federal prison.

According to court documents, Ruiz-Martinez was removed from the United States to Mexico on March 25, 2014, through Brownsville, Texas, and again on September 2, 2020, through the Miami International Airport. On May 3, 2022, deputies from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office arrested Ruiz-Martinez for a theft he committed in Tampa. Ruiz-Martinez stated that he was a citizen of Mexico and that he was in the United States illegally.

This case was investigated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection – U.S. Border Patrol, and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David W.A. Chee.

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the arrest of Miguel Diaz Gonzalez (40, Orlando) on a criminal complaint charging him with production of child sex abuse material. If convicted, Gonzalez faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 15 years, and up to 30 years, in federal prison. Gonzalez made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Celeste F. Bremer last week and has been ordered detained pending trial.

According to the complaint, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received a tip concerning an online media storage account associated with username “Satans child,” and investigators found child sexual abuse material in that account. Usage of the “Satans child” account was traced to Gonzalez’s home in Orlando. Following the execution of a search warrant at Gonzalez’s home, law enforcement agents confirmed that Gonzalez uses the “Satans child” account and, thereafter, executed a warrant to search the account, which contained a video depicting Gonzalez raping an eight-year-old child who had previously been in Gonzalez’s care.

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 Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Orlando Police Department, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Emily C. L. Chang.

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’ Office 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.

Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Robert William Sanchez (36, Port Charlotte) to 29 years in federal prison for producing images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of a child. Sanchez was also sentenced to a life term of supervised release and ordered to register as a sex offender. Sanchez had pleaded guilty on June 22, 2022.

According to court documents, Sanchez produced images and videos of his sexual abuse of a minor. In November 2020, an investigation was launched after the minor reported that Sanchez had harmed her, and that Sanchez had taken pictures and videos of her sexual abuse. On December 11, 2020, officers executed a search warrant at Sanchez’s residence and located his digital camera. A forensic analysis of the camera revealed images and videos of Sanchez sexually abusing a 10-year-old child in May of 2018.      

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

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

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Jonathan William Brown (25, Duval) with receipt and possession of child sexual abuse files. His brother, Joshua Thomas Brown (27, Duval), has been charged in a separate indictment with possession of child sexual abuse files, including files depicting young children. If convicted on all counts, Jonathan Brown faces a maximum penalty of 40 years in federal prison. Joshua Brown faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies the Browns that the United States intends to forfeit electronic devices used in the commission of the charged offenses. Both brothers have been ordered detained pending trial.  

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.

These cases were investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.  They will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelly S. Karase.

There are cases 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.

Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber today sentenced Michael Lee Faz (44, Labelle), Abel Deleon (45, Labelle), and Genaro Deleon, Jr. (63, Labelle) to federal prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Faz was sentenced to 10 years and 1 month in federal prison, Abel Deleon was sentenced to 7 years and 8 months’ imprisonment, and Deleon, Jr. was sentenced to 5 years and 10 months in federal prison. Genaro Deleon, III (45, Lehigh Acres), the leader of the organization, is scheduled to be sentenced in January 2023. Each of the four had previously pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge.

According to court documents, Genaro Deleon, III based his drug distribution organization out of his Lehigh Acres home. In an unsuccessful attempt to thwart law enforcement investigations into his organization, Deleon, III buried the organization’s stash of methamphetamine in multiple locations in the woods around his secluded property, which was patrolled by his aggressive dogs and a network of motion sensing cameras. 

Deleon, III employed his father, Deleon, Jr., and his two uncles, Abel Deleon and Faz, as dealers for the organization, responsible for making sales to customers and collecting the drug proceeds. Over the course of a year, law enforcement made at least nine undercover purchases from the organization yielding hundreds of grams of nearly pure methamphetamine. In October 2021, law enforcement arrested the defendants and executed a search warrant at Deleon, III’s house, resulting in the additional seizure of multiple firearms.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael V. Leeman.

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Robert Frascella (55, Bradenton) with bank robbery. If convicted, Frascella faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Frascella that the United States intends to forfeit any property (real or personal), which are alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offense.

According to the indictment, on August 8, 2022, Frascella robbed a Fifth Third Bank located in Parrish, 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 case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Maria Guzman.