Middle District of Florida

Ocala, Florida – Benjamin Hoover (44, Ocala) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber to three years and 10 months in federal prison for attempting to transfer obscene material to a minor. Hoover pleaded guilty on January 7, 2026. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to court documents, on July 23, 2025, Hoover transferred a sexually explicit image of himself to someone whom he believed was a 15-year-old girl. In actuality, the minor was an undercover detective with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

This case was investigated by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.

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

Ocala, Florida – Terry Levi Brown (36, Summerfield) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber to 10 years in federal prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release, for attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. Brown pleaded guilty on November 20, 2025. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to court documents, in July 2025, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) conducted an undercover operation aimed at apprehending individuals using the internet to sexually exploit children. On July 27, 2025, two MCSO detectives posed online as a 14-year-old girl and 15-year-old girl. Brown messaged both undercover accounts. After learning he was speaking with minors, Brown engaged in sexually explicit conversations with both undercover accounts. Brown was arrested after he traveled to a location in Marion County to meet the minors to engage in sexual activity.

This case was investigated by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Sarah Janette Swartzberg.

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

Jacksonville, Florida – Jose Adilio Anaya-Alas (36, El Salvador) has been charged by federal indictment with illegal reentry into the United States by a previously deported alien. If convicted, Anaya-Alas faces up to two years in federal prison and subsequent deportation and removal from the United States. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to the indictment, on September 16, 2015, and again on November 19, 2015, Anaya-Alas was removed from the United States by immigration authorities. On March 25, 2026, Anaya-Alas was found to be voluntarily back in the United States and was arrested in the Middle District of Florida. Records checks confirmed that he had not applied to U.S. immigration authorities for permission to lawfully reenter the United States after his prior removals.

This case was investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.

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

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

Jacksonville, Florida – Tony Leroy Bartley, Jr. (38, Jacksonville) has been sentenced by United States District Judge Jordan E. Pratt to 10 years in federal prison for using the internet to attempt to entice a 13-year-old child to engage in sexual activity. Bartley was also ordered to serve a 10-year term of supervised release and register as a sex offender. He pleaded on January 27, 2026. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made this announcement.

At the time of his arrest in this case, Bartley was working as a pre-kindergarten teacher at a school in Ponte Vedra Beach.

According to court documents, an FBI agent (UC) in Jacksonville was conducting an online undercover operation on a social media application to identify adults who were seeking to meet and engage in sexual activity with children. On July 25, 26, and 29, 2025, UC and app user “keven,” subsequently identified as Bartley, exchanged several private online messages on the app and by text messaging. After UC advised Bartley that the “child” was 13 years old, Bartley suggested that they engage in sexual activity. Bartley provided graphic descriptions of the sexual acts that he wanted to perform on the “child.” He also sent an explicit photo of himself to the “child.”   

On August 5, 2025, Bartley was arrested by FBI agents. During an interview with agents, Bartley admitted that he had recently communicated online with a girl who was “underage” and that he had discussed having sex with the “child.” Bartley added, “I should have stopped at 13 [years-old], and that’s on me.” Bartley also admitted sending the explicit photo to the “child,” adding, “I’m going away for a long time.”   

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.

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

Orlando, Florida – Seven members of a gun trafficking scheme have been sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Roy. B. Dalton. Six of the individuals pleaded guilty. Jincheng Shi was convicted by a jury. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. The convictions and sentences are listed below:

Name

(Age, City of Residence)

Victor Manuel LaFontaine Ruiz

(32, Poinciana)

Gun trafficking conspiracy 

Brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence

Jose Emanuel Maldonado Rodriguez

(33, Kissimmee)

Gun trafficking conspiracy 

Possession of machinegun

Freddie Geovani Cruz Batiz

(37, Kissimmee)

Gun trafficking conspiracy 

Possession of machinegun

7 years, 3 months

Jomar Manuel Lopez Montanez

(31, Kissimmee)

Gun trafficking conspiracy

Felon in possession of a firearm

Derrick Yamil Rivera Robles

(30, Kissimmee)

Gun trafficking conspiracy 

Unlicensed gun dealing, aiding and abetting

Possession of machinegun

Leonardo David Joseph Guerra

(24, Orlando)

Gun trafficking conspiracy

Possession of a firearm by an illegal alien

Jincheng Shi

(28, St. Cloud),

Unlicensed gun dealing, aiding and abetting

Possession of a firearm as an alien admitted under a non-immigrant visa

According to court documents, from at least as early as September 2023 onward, Lafontaine and Maldonado operated a gun trafficking ring involving hundreds of firearms, machineguns, machinegun conversion devices, and high-capacity magazines needed for fully automatic weapons. This operation did not involve any federally licensed firearms dealers. Instead, Lafontaine and Maldonado obtained firearms parts, including from Shi, a Chinese national who was admitted to the United States under a non-immigrant visa in 2022, which places him in a prohibited class of persons not legally allowed to possess firearms. Lafontaine and Maldonado assembled, manufactured, and modified semi-automatic and automatic firearms using a “ghost gunner” machine and specialized “endmill” drilling devices at a workspace on Maldonado’s property in Kissimmee: 

From there, Lafontaine and Maldonado, along with assistance from Batiz, sold firearms, including fully automatic weapons and machinegun conversion devices (“chips” or “buttons”) that are used to convert semi-automatic weapons into machineguns. They sold those items to illegal aliens and convicted felons such as Lopez Montanez, Rivera Robles, and Joseph Guerra, who were often brokered such transactions on behalf of other unknown customers. 

On February 7, 2025, Lafontaine sold Lopez Montanez (a convicted felon) two firearms falsely branded to appear as though they were legitimate firearms manufactured with engraved fake sequential serial numbers. When Lopez Montanez was stopped by law enforcement, he fled and attempted to hide the weapons that were eventually recovered.

The next day, Lafontaine delivered five similar firearms to Maldonado.

On February 20, 2025, law enforcement executed five search warrants at various locations associated with this conspiracy. Federal agents recovered five AR-style pistols with sequential and identical serial numbers at Maldonado’s residence (depicted below), along with at least three machinegun conversion devices, machinery used to assemble, modify, and manufacture the firearms and machine guns sold through this operation.

At Lafontaine’s residence, agents recovered a completed rifle, gun parts, gun manufacturing and modification equipment, and drug distribution paraphernalia with a blender and fentanyl, packaged for sale.

At Batiz’s residence, agents recovered a handgun and an AR pistol, four machinegun conversion devices, along with drug paraphernalia.

At Shi’s residence and storage facility, eight handguns, three rifles, and eight AR-style receivers were recovered, as depicted below.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the Orlando Police Department, the Winter Garden Police Department, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, the Apopka Police Department, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Highway Patrol. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Felicetta and Dana Hill.

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

Tampa, Florida – Brandon Bernard Williams (41, Palmetto) has been charged by federal indictment for possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. If convicted, Williams faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. 

According to the indictment, on March 5, 2026, Williams was in possession of ammunition after having been previously convicted of multiple felony offenses, including a prior firearms offense. At the time of the offense, Williams was serving a term of supervised release for his prior federal convictions. As a convicted felon, Williams is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition under federal law. 

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

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeff Chang.

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

Orlando, Florida – Christian Eric Harmon (38, Kissimmee) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Anne-Leigh Gaylord Moe to 17 years and 6 months in federal prison for receipt of child sexual abuse material. Harmon pleaded guilty on August 7, 2025. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. 

According to court documents, on April 7, 2024, Harmon was chatting with another user on an internet-based application. During that chat, Harmon requested child sexual abuse material and received approximately 22 illicit videos depicting the sexual abuse of children as young as infants.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kaley Austin-Aronson.

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.

Orlando, Florida – Nico Jonte Lennear (35, Rockledge) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Julie S. Sneed to 15 years in federal prison for distributing fentanyl and methamphetamine. Lennear pleaded guilty on December 10, 2025. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to court documents, law enforcement used a confidential source to conduct two controlled purchases of drugs from Lennear in Melbourne, Florida, each of which involved 4 ounces of methamphetamine and 1 ounce of fentanyl. At the time of Lennear’s arrest, Lennear had over 80 grams of additional methamphetamine in his rental vehicle. In total, Lennear was responsible for over 300 grams of methamphetamine and over 50 grams of fentanyl mixtures. 

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Megan Testerman.

Orlando, Florida – The United States has filed an eleven-count civil lawsuit in federal district court against Dr. Kerri Zavota, a veterinarian practicing in Volusia County, and her clinic, Veterinary Emergency Center of East Volusia, L.L.C., alleging violations of the Controlled Substances Act. Dr. Zavota is alleged to have failed to track and record handling and dispensing of controlled substances, including fentanyl and other dangerous drugs.

According to the government’s allegations, a concerned employee contacted the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Orlando offices with concerns regarding the handling of controlled substances. DEA investigators responded to the Veterinary Emergency Center of East Volusia, L.L.C., where hundreds of violations are alleged, including blank and inconsistent dispensing logs and inventories.

The claims asserted against Dr. Zavota and Veterinary Emergency Center of East Volusia, L.L.C. are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability. 

This case is being investigated by the Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Administration. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Conor Flynn.

Tips and complaints from all sources about potential diversion, abuse, and mismanagement can be reported to the Drug Enforcement Administration at www.DEADiversion.usdoj.gov or  tips can be sent via email to [email protected].

Tampa, Florida – Alexander Justin McAfee (34, Tampa) has been charged by indictment with two counts of interstate communication of a threat to injure. If convicted, McAfee faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison on each count. McAfee made his initial appearance in federal court on April 17, 2026, and has been detained pending trial. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to the indictment and information presented during court proceedings, on April 8, 2026, McAfee published a video threatening FBI Director Kash Patel. The following day, McAfee published a video threatening Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

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

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Tampa Police Department, and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in partnership with the Capitol Police and the United States Secret Service. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Muriel Moore.

Jacksonville, Florida – Abigail Payton (30, Kentucky) has been sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard to three years and six months in federal prison for aggravated identity theft and bank fraud. Payton pleaded guilty on November 13, 2025. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to court documents, Payton obtained the personal identifying information, including Social Security numbers, of at least four victims. She then used fraudulent driver licenses containing the victims’ personal information—but with Payton’s photo—to open checking accounts at credit unions in Jacksonville and Fort Lauderdale. Payton applied for loans in two of the victims’ names and spent more than $38,000 of the proceeds. She also wrote checks to herself from accounts she had opened in two other victims’ names. Payton also opened accounts at other banking institutions under separate victims’ names, causing an additional $35,000 in loss.

In May 2024, Payton was stopped by law enforcement in Kentucky. During that encounter, officers located blank checks issued in additional victims’ names as well as a cellphone with photos of fraudulent driver licenses containing Payton’s photo, but personal information belonging to others.

This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelli Swaney.

Jacksonville, Florida – Jose Ruben Curet Villa (41, Hialeah) has pleaded guilty to possessing with the intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of marijuana and one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Curet Villa faces a minimum penalty of 40 years, up to life, in federal prison. The date for his sentencing hearing has not yet been set. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to the plea agreement, in April 2024, Curet Villa made an illegal arrangement with his co-conspirators to set up “pop-up shops,” where he sold and distributed large volumes of marijuana at five locations in Jacksonville. He conspired with others, including those who provided locations and security for these temporary businesses. On two occasions, a confidential informant made controlled purchases of marijuana from Curet Villa and his co-conspirators at these pop-up shops. Based on their investigation, law enforcement believed that Curet Villa was transporting marijuana from the townhome where he was staying to the pop-up shops.

On November 15, 2024, law enforcement executed search warrants at various locations associated with Curet Villa, including the townhome where Curet Villa had been staying and was present. Items recovered included: a money counter, vacuum sealers, plastic bags and marijuana residue, scales, cash, five firearms (one of which was stolen), 113 rounds of ammunition, and more than 298 pounds of marijuana.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Jacksonville Sherriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rachel Lasry. The forfeiture is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Andrejko.

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

Orlando, FL – Joseph Elegele, Jr. (41, Orlando) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Julie S. Sneed to 3 years and 10 months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit money laundering. As part of his sentence, the court also entered an order of forfeiture in the amount of $801,559.33, the proceeds of his criminal conduct. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

Elegele pleaded guilty on December 18, 2025.

According to court documents, between August 2017 and June 2023, Elegele was part of a fraud scheme that laundered funds that had been fraudulently obtained from various businesses throughout the United States and in the Bahamas. Elegele’s role in the scheme was to establish business bank accounts in the Middle District of Florida through which large money transfers could be routed. Other members of the conspiracy, who were located overseas, used online communications and business email compromises to scam the businesses into making fraudulent transfers to accounts controlled by Elegele, who then immediately made large cash withdrawals or cashier check purchases to launder and dissipate the fraud proceeds. Elegele kept portions of the proceeds for himself and passed the remainder on to other scheme conspirators.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Chauncey A. Bratt. The forfeiture is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Andrejko.

Jacksonville, Florida – Issac Darnell Henderson (32, Jacksonville) has been charged by federal indictment with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, including more than a pound and a half of fentanyl. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. The indictment also notifies Henderson that the United States intends to forfeit assets, which are alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offense. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

On February 14, 2024, the Drug Enforcement Administration executed a search warrant for a residence belonging to Henderson and recovered more than one and a half pounds of multi-colored fentanyl.

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

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rachel Lasry. The forfeiture is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Andrejko.

Orlando, Florida – Omar Idonis Graciani Rodriguez (32, Orlando) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Anne-Leigh Gaylord Moe to life in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute at least 400 grams of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl and at least 500 grams of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. Graciani Rodriguez pleaded guilty on December 19, 2025. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to court documents, Graciani Rodriguez operated a drug trafficking organization while incarcerated in prison on state charges. Graciani Rodriguez used contraband cellphones to instruct non-incarcerated co-conspirators to pick up money and controlled substances from various addresses, then deliver the money and controlled substances to other individuals. Graciani Rodriguez instructed his co-conspirators to maintain ledgers and send photos of the ledgers and currency to himself.

During the conspiracy that began no later than July 28, 2023, through November 30, 2023, Graciani Rodriguez directed his co-conspirators via phone calls, text messages and pictures. Specifically, during one transaction involving a kilogram of fentanyl, Graciani Rodriguez was on a contraband cellphone in real time from prison while his co-conspirator delivered the fentanyl to a buyer in the Middle District of Florida.

During a sweep of prison cells in June of 2024, the correctional officer found Graciani Rodriguez with two hidden cellphones and a SIM card from one of the phones in Graciani Rodriguez’s mouth. Graciani Rodriguez swallowed the SIM card after being instructed to spit it out. The officer also found a drug ledger in Graciani Rodriguez’s cell. 

In total, Graciani Rodriguez distributed at least 400 grams of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl and at least 500 grams of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine and profited $211,903 in drug proceeds. 

Two co-conspirators, Rachel Beth Cordero and Mayerline Patricia Salcedo, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl. Cordero and Salcedo were sentenced on March 28, 2025, by U.S. District Judge Wendy W. Berger. Cordero was sentenced to 6 years and 6 months’ imprisonment. Salcedo was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment. 

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with help from the Florida Department of Corrections. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie A. McNeff.

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

Orlando, Florida – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Bryan John Parker (58, Holly Hill) with damaging, destroying, or disabling airport facilities and entering an aircraft or airport area in violation of security requirements. If convicted on all counts, Parker faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to the indictment and criminal complaint, on March 25, 2026, Parker crashed his Ford Mustang through a closed gate into a restricted area at Daytona Beach International Airport. Once inside, Parker drove towards one of the runways and exited his car. He proceeded to run around on foot, urinate on the taxiway, and chase after taxiing aircraft. After climbing into several empty planes and attempting to enter the cabin of a running aircraft, Parker was apprehended by security personnel. 

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

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Volusia Sheriff’s Office, the Transportation Security Administration, and the Federal Air Marshal Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Richard Varadan.

Jacksonville, Florida – Marcus Eichelberger (46), a former church pastor in Jacksonville, Florida, has been indicted on four counts of wire fraud related to Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA). If convicted, Eichelberger faces up to 20 years in federal prison per count. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to the indictment, between March 2021 and February 2022, Eichelberger directed another individual to fraudulently complete and submit applications for PPP loans from the SBA that they were not entitled to receive. As part of the application process, it is alleged that Eichelberger and the other individual certified that the proceeds would be used to maintain payroll and pay expenses for a purported business. After the loans were approved, it is alleged that Eichelberger and the other individual retained the proceeds for their personal use and not for any legitimate PPP purpose. Finally, it is alleged that Eichelberger and the other individual fraudulently applied for forgiveness of both loans, causing approximately $50,000 in loss. 

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to prosecuting those who use fraud and deception to exploit our nation’s federal benefits programs,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe. “We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to protect the integrity of these taxpayer-funded programs.”

“This case demonstrates the VA OIG’s unwavering commitment to detecting and preventing fraud,” said Special Agent in Charge David Spilker with the VA Office of Inspector General’s Southeast Field Office. “Through a proactive initiative with the SBA OIG, our investigation uncovered that a VA employee and the employee’s pastor fraudulently obtained federal relief funds intended for legitimate businesses in need. The VA OIG appreciates the efforts of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners as we work together to hold accountable anyone who exploits these critical programs.”

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

This case was investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelli Swaney.

The Department of Justice has created the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.

Tampa, Florida – A federal jury has found Justin Alan Seymour (37, Tampa) guilty of Hobbs Act Robbery, brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, in October of 2024, while robbing a pizza store in Tampa, Seymour pointed a gun at the store clerk. Law enforcement obtained their first break in the case when they obtained dashcam video from a delivery vehicle parked outside the store, then utilized the video to ascertain specific unique characteristics of the suspect’s vehicle. Two days later, law enforcement pulled over the vehicle being driven by Seymour, who had a firearm in his waistband. Seymour’s cell phone data placed him near the pizza store at the time of the robbery.

Seymour has a prior felony conviction for attempted robbery with a firearm or deadly weapon; therefore, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm under federal law. 

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. The Federal Bureau of Investigation assisted with the cell phone analysis. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman.

Orlando, Florida – Eric William Garvin (29, Palm Bay) and Anthony Lee Khan (40, Palm Bay) have been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Anne-Leigh Gaylord Moe to federal prison for conspiring to distribute fentanyl. Garvin was sentenced to 17 years and 6 months, and Khan was sentenced to 14 years and 8 months. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to court documents, between August and September 2025, Khan sold an ounce of fentanyl to a confidential source on three occasions. Garvin supplied the fentanyl to Khan for each of these deals. Search warrants were then executed at both of their residences, resulting in the recovery of an additional over 900 grams of cocaine, over 400 grams of methamphetamine, and over 350 grams of fentanyl.  

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Palm Bay Police Department, and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Megan Testerman.

Orlando, Florida – Dexter Ray King (36, Orlando) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr. to six years and three months in federal prison for bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. The Court also ordered King to forfeit $549,375.50 in proceeds from his bank fraud scheme. A restitution hearing is scheduled for June 29, 2026. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

King was convicted on January 9, 2026, following a jury trial.

According to evidence presented at trial, during the COVID-19 pandemic, King filed dozens of fraudulent claims for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits across several states. For many of the claims, King used stolen identities of other people and fake addresses. Once the claims were approved, King changed the addresses on the claims to his Orlando, Florida apartment, ensuring that the debit cards containing the fraudulently obtained government benefits were mailed to him. He then used the debit cards to withdraw the money from the bank. King also filed fraudulent claims using his own name, but Social Security numbers that did not belong to him and had the resulting benefits direct deposited into his bank account. In total, King received over half a million dollars in fraud proceeds, which he spent on a new $77,000 SUV, a trip to Las Vegas, expensive restaurants, and luxury fashion brands.

This case was investigated by the Department Homeland Security – Office of Inspector General and the Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General. It was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Del Mastro. The forfeiture is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Andrejko.

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars.  Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.

Orlando, FL – Aaron Starbird (44, Orlando) has been charged by indictment with two counts of coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity, one count of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity, one count of production of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), four counts of receipt of CSAM, and one count of possession of CSAM. If convicted, Starbird faces a minimum penalty of 15 years, up to life, in federal prison and a potential lifetime term of supervised release. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. 

According to court documents, in 2025 Starbird became the target of an investigation by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and Federal Bureau of Investigation when he began chatting with an undercover officer and expressed interest in engaging in sexual activity with minors. Starbird’s cellphone was seized as part of that investigation. A search of his device revealed that between 2021 and 2024, Starbird coerced and enticed two minor victims to engage in illegal sexual activity and attempted to entice another minor victim to do the same. For one of the minor victims, who was 14 years old at the time, Starbird made plans to meet with the minor, picked the minor up from the minor’s home, and took the minor back to Starbird’s residence, where they engaged in sexual acts. During this period, Starbird also induced another minor victim to produce CSAM, and Starbird received other CSAM on multiple occasions in connection with conversations Starbird had with others about engaging in sexual activity with minors. 

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 Orange County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Megan Testerman.

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

Jacksonville, Florida – Isaiah Jacob Jordan (26, Jacksonville) has been sentenced by United States District Judge Jordan Emery Pratt to 10 years in federal prison for using his cellphone and the internet to attempt to entice a 14-year-old child to engage in sexual activity. Jordan pleaded guilty on January 12, 2026. He was also ordered to serve a 10-year term of supervised release and register as a sex offender.

According to court documents and information presented in open court, on January 18, 2025, an undercover Nassau County Sheriff’s Office detective (UC) was conducting an online undercover operation to identify adults who were seeking to contact and engage in sexual activity with children. Posing as a 14-year-old child, the UC was asked by Jordan about his age and sexual preferences. Jordan engaged in multiple sexually explicit conversations with the UC, with Jordan asking the UC to meet for sexual activity in a Walmart parking lot. Once Jordan arrived, he was taken into custody. A search of the car revealed condoms and lubricant in the center console, along with the cellular phone Jordan used to communicate with the UC. A search of Jordan’s cellular phone revealed several images of children being sexually abused.

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

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

Orlando, FL – A federal jury has found Lesbia Cristina Grullon Nolasco (49, Orlando) guilty of passport fraud, theft of government property, aggravated identity theft, and making a false statement to a federal agency. Grullon Nolasco faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison for passport fraud and theft of government property, up to 5 years for making a false statement to a federal agency, and a mandatory minimum of 2 years’ imprisonment, consecutive to any other prison term for aggravated identity theft. Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 21, 2026. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

Grullon Nolasco was indicted on December 17, 2025.

According to evidence presented at trial, Grullon Nolasco is a citizen of the Dominican Republic who has lived in the United States for more than 30 years under the stolen identity of a Puerto Rican woman. Grullon Nolasco obtained false identification documents bearing her photo but the identity of the Puerto Rican woman. In 2018, Grullon Nolasco applied and obtained a U.S. passport under the stolen identity. When agents with the U.S. Department of State interviewed Grullon Nolasco in March 2024, she falsely claimed that she was the woman born in Puerto Rico under a different name. Grullon Nolasco provided agents with the victim’s birth certificate, that she obtained from Puerto Rico in 2011. She also produced the U.S. passport she obtained in 2018, and a Social Security card, all in the U.S. citizen’s name. During the interview, agents asked her questions about Puerto Rico, but Grullon Nolasco was unable to answer any of their questions correctly. 

While being investigated by federal agents, Grullon Nolasco continued using false identification documents to obtain benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Between August 2021 and November 2025, Grullon Nolasco used over $10,000 in SNAP benefits. As a result of her fraud, the true person in Puerto Rico was denied SNAP benefits when she applied. 

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Diplomatic Security of the U.S. Department of State, the Office of the Inspector General of the United States Department of Agriculture, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brandon Cruz.

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that a federal jury found Ana Zahia Gonzalez (46, Winter Garden) guilty of Naturalization Fraud. Gonzalez faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and denaturalization as a United States citizen. Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 13, 2026. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

Gonzalez was indicted on November 19, 2025.

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Gonzalez knowingly submitted a fraudulent divorce decree from Belize as part of her naturalization application. Gonzalez entered the United States on a visitor visa in 2006 and overstayed her authorized visit. Five years later, she married a United States citizen, who was unaware that she was still lawfully married to a Belizean man. In 2016, Gonzalez applied for naturalization as a United States citizen and falsely claimed that her previous marriage in Belize had been legally dissolved before remarrying a United States citizen.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Bianca S. Bansal and Assistant United States Attorney Patrick Flanigan.

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

Two Honduran nationals were sentenced Tuesday to 204 months and 51 months in prison for their roles in operating a years-long off-the-books cash payroll scheme that facilitated the employment of undocumented aliens working illegally in the United States and caused a loss to the United States of more than $38 million.

According to court documents and statements made in court, from 2015 to 2022, Iris Villafranca and Osman Donaldo Zapata, both Honduran nationals, conspired together and with others to create a series of shell companies to run an unlicensed check cashing and cash courier service business. These shell companies cashed approximately $89 million in checks from subcontractors in the construction industry, charging them a percentage of the dollar amount of the checks they cashed as a fee for this service. Through this scheme, construction contractors and subcontractors paid their workers in cash without withholding and paying required payroll taxes, allowing them to operate without regard to the workers’ legal authority to work in the United States. The defendants also caused the filing of false tax documents with the IRS to conceal the off-the-books payroll scheme.

In addition, the defendants defrauded workers’ compensation insurance companies by leasing their certificates of insurance to contractors and by providing false and fraudulent information to the insurers about, among other things, the number of workers covered by the insurance and the amount workers were paid.

Villafranca and Zapata both pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and one count of conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business. Villafranca also pleaded guilty to four counts of filing false individual income tax returns based on her 2019 through 2022 tax returns, which did not report all the income she earned from the scheme and rental income she earned from real estate she owned.

Villafranca was sentenced to 204 months and Zapata was sentenced to 51 months. Villafranca was ordered to pay more than $38 million in restitution to the United States and forfeit $89 million of criminal proceeds from the scheme and Zapata was ordered to pay more than $2.5 million in restitution to the United States. Francisco Alvarez, who conspired with Villafranca, Zapata and others, was previously sentenced to four years of probation and ordered to pay more than $2.3 million in restitution.

A fourth member of the conspiracy is scheduled to be sentenced in June.

Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida made the announcement.

IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations.  ICE ERO Miami (Orlando sub-office), Florida Highway Patrol, Customs and Border Protection, US Marshals Service, State Department and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement have assisted in arrest operations.

Senior Litigation Counsel Sean Beaty and Trial Attorney Kavitha Bondada of the Criminal Division’s Tax Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Hu of the Middle District of Florida are prosecuting the case.

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.

Ocala, Florida – Gregory Ford (53, of Morriston) has been arrested on an indictment charging him with three counts of transportation of a minor with the intent to engage in sexual activity and one count of sending threatening communications. Each transportation count carries a minimum prison term of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. The threatening communication count carries a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Ford that the United States intends to forfeit his home in Morriston, which is alleged to have been used in the commission of these crimes. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to the indictment and facts presented in court, between October 16, 2024, and May 16, 2025, Ford transported two minor victims with the intent to engage in sexual activity. On September 23, 2025, Ford sent a text message containing a true threat to injure a third victim. 

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

This case is being investigated by the FBI Birmingham Division, Florence RA, with the assistance of the FBI Jacksonville Division, Ocala RA. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk Watson. The forfeiture is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Nicole M. Andrejko.

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

Jacksonville, Florida – Joshua Lewis Magraff (37, North Carolina) has been charged by indictment with producing child sex abuse material (CSAM) and transporting a child across state lines for the purpose of engaging in sexual contact. If convicted of the CSAM offense, Magraff faces a minimum of 15 years, up to 30 years, in federal prison. If convicted of the transportation offense, Magraff faces a minimum of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to court documents, on February 2, 2026, a 16-year-old child was reported missing in Gastonia, North Carolina. On March 8, 2026, Magraff was stopped by the Putnam County Sheriff's Office for a traffic violation with the missing child in his vehicle. Magraff told the deputy that the missing child was his “little cousin” and that she was 16 years old. The missing child provided conflicting and inaccurate identification information to the deputy before providing her real name, at which point she was identified as the missing child. Magraff later agreed to answer questions and stated that he had met the child at a hotel in North Carolina approximately one month before and that the child and he were traveling to Florida to play gambling arcade games. Magraff repeatedly insisted that he had not brought the child to his hotel room before admitting that she had stayed in his hotel room for several weeks.

Law enforcement officers obtained search warrants for two cellphones that were seized from Magraff’s vehicle. Searches of those phones revealed that Magraff had produced multiple videos of himself performing sex acts on the child.

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, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, and the Gastonia (North Carolina) Police Department.  It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Cofer Taylor.

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

Fort Myers, Florida – Wilner Cenecharles has pleaded guilty to six counts of assisting in the preparation of false tax documents and two counts of filing false tax returns. Cenecharles faces a maximum penalty of three years in federal prison per count and has agreed to pay more than $65,000 in restitution. A sentencing date has not yet been set. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to court documents, Cenecharles was a tax preparer for Motivation Tax Financial Services, which operated out of the Excelsior Barber Shop in Naples, Florida. Cenecharles would meet with his clients at the barbershop and prepare their tax returns. On multiple occasions, Cenecharles added false profits or losses from fictitious businesses or included bogus educational credits to generate fraudulent refunds for his clients.

Cenecharles also did not report accurate amounts of gross receipts on his own personal income tax returns and failed to report thousands of dollars in tax preparation fees to the Internal Revenue Service.

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars.  Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick L. Darcey.

Jacksonville, Florida – Aaron Jarvis McGhee (40, Sumterville) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Timothy Corrigan to 35 years in federal prison for conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. Johnny Angelo Pack (51, Jacksonville), Shikita Lashelle James (39, Jacksonville), Natra Antonio Jones (33, Jacksonville), and Bobby Warren Harvey, Jr. (28, Jacksonville) were also sentenced for conspiring to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl and methamphetamine. Pack, James, Jones, and Harvey were sentenced to 17 years and 6 months, 14 years, 12 years and 6 months, and 10 years, respectively. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to the court documents, in 2022 and 2023, at McGhee’s direction, Pack, James, Jones, and Harvey operated a drug trafficking organization (DTO) that purchased fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine from Mexican sources of supply. They transported the drugs through Houston, Texas to Jacksonville, Florida where the drugs were sold. McGhee, already serving a federal prison term for a prior drug conspiracy conviction, used a contraband cellphone from prison to coordinate these transactions, which resulted in drug shipments across the southern U.S. border from Mexico into Texas. As part of the conspiracy, Pack secured these drug shipments and transported them back to Jacksonville using a semi-truck. Once in Jacksonville, Pack delivered the drug shipments to residences belonging to James, who stored and distributed the drugs to retail dealers in Duval and Clay Counties. James was also responsible for managing the DTO’s money. Jones and Harvey served as runners for the organization in Jacksonville and were responsible for transporting drugs and drug proceeds.

Between March and May 2023, members of the DTO routinely flew commercially between Jacksonville and Houston. They typically stayed in Houston one day before flying back to Jacksonville. Their phone location data indicated that they remained close to the airport in Houston before taking return flights. On April 28, 2023, DEA agents observed James travel to the Jacksonville International Airport where she dropped off Jones and Harvey, both of whom were scheduled to fly to Houston. Agents observed Jones and Harvey each checking in two suitcases as luggage. The agents seized the four suitcases and secured search warrants for them. Inside the suitcases, agents recovered a total of $773,780 in cash, as well as approximately five kilograms of fentanyl.

On May 16, 2023, DEA agents executed search warrants at two of James’s residences in Jacksonville, one on Mints Court, where Pack was living, and one on Cape Elizabeth Court, where James was living. Inside the Mints Court house, agents recovered approximately $28,000 in cash, approximately 5.4 kilograms of methamphetamine, and four loaded firearms. Inside the Cape Elizabeth Court house, agents recovered approximately $824,900 in cash, approximately 6.7 kilograms of fentanyl, 4.4 kilograms of methamphetamine, 1 kilogram of heroin, and five loaded firearms.

In total, between April 28 and May 16, 2023, agents seized more than 22 kilograms of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and heroin from the DTO, as well as more than $1.6 million in drug proceeds. James used the drug proceeds on high-end luxury merchandise. Throughout the investigation, agents assembled evidence showing that the DTO was responsible for moving thousands of kilograms of drugs in less than a year.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Elisibeth Adams.

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

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the  unsealing of two indictments charging six individuals, including a federal inmate and a Cuban national, with fentanyl trafficking conspiracies and related charges. If convicted of all counts, each faces a minimum penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. See chart below for details.

Name

(Age, City of Residence)

Charges

Maurice Labrone Copeland

(43, Tampa)

Edward Verdi-Bruno

(33, FCI Coleman)

Roshard Dawayne Lewis

(41, Port Richey)

Journey Lynn Harding

(24, Tampa)

According to the indictments, the defendants conspired with one another to distribute fentanyl on various occasions within the Middle District of Florida.

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

This case consisted of a joint investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Tampa Police Department, and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jeff Chang and Samantha Newman.

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Region 20 (Tampa) comprises agents and officers from multiple law enforcement agencies with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.

Fort Myers, FL — A Florida Certified Public Accountant pleaded guilty today to evading payment of more than $2.2 million of income tax liabilities.  

According to court documents, Ronald St. Clair attempted to hide his assets from the IRS after accumulating tax debts for 2011 through 2017. In 2020, after the IRS notified St. Clair that it intended to levy his assets to collect his unpaid taxes, St. Clair sold real property he owned and transferred the proceeds into a bank account in a third party’s name. After transferring these funds out of his own name, St. Clair directed the money for his personal and business use and intentionally failed to disclose these funds and assets while he was seeking a payment plan with the IRS.      

St. Clair pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion. His sentencing will be scheduled at a later date. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, as well as restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida and Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division made the announcement.

IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick L. Darcey of the Middle District of Florida and Trial Attorneys Marissa R. Brodney and Aaron I. Henricks of the Criminal Division’s Tax Section are prosecuting the case.

A Florida Certified Public Accountant pleaded guilty today to evading payment of more than $2.2 million of income tax liabilities.

According to court documents, Ronald St. Clair attempted to hide his assets from the IRS after accumulating tax debts for 2011 through 2017. In 2020, after the IRS notified St. Clair that it intended to levy his assets to collect his unpaid taxes, St. Clair sold real property he owned and transferred the proceeds into a bank account in a third party’s name. After transferring these funds out of his own name, St. Clair directed the money for his personal and business use and intentionally failed to disclose these funds and assets while he was seeking a payment plan with the IRS.      

St. Clair pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion. His sentencing will be scheduled at a later date. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, as well as restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida made the announcement.

IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

Trial Attorneys Marissa R. Brodney and Aaron I. Henricks of the Criminal Division’s Tax Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick L. Darcey of the Middle District of Florida are prosecuting the case.

Tampa, Florida – Zachary William Thomas (29, Clearwater) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge William F. Jung to seven years and six months in federal prison for distribution and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). He pleaded guilty on October 7, 2025. Thomas was also ordered to pay $9,000 in restitution and will be required to register as a sex offender. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. 

According to court documents, between February 13 and 16, 2024, Thomas chatted online with an individual on a social media application. Thomas sent images and videos of CSAM to that individual and, in exchange, received additional CSAM from that individual. The FBI executed a search warrant at Thomas’s home and seized two cellphones that belonged to Thomas. Both cellphones contained hundreds of images and videos of CSAM. 

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

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

Tampa, FL – Skyler Palmer (31, Tampa) has been charged by indictment with one count of possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute, one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and one count of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. If convicted of all charges, Palmer faces a minimum sentence of 17 years, up to life, in federal prison. 

According to the indictment, on August 8, 2025, Palmer possessed methamphetamine with intent to distribute it. He also possessed two firearms in furtherance of that drug offense. Palmer has previously been convicted of four felonies, including a prior firearm offense. As such, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm under federal law.

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

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman.

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

Tampa, Florida – Vivina Barnwell (62, Dade City) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge James S. Moody, Jr. to two years in federal prison for aggravated identity theft and access device fraud. Barnwell pleaded guilty on May 16, 2025. The court also ordered Barnwell to pay more than $96,000 in restitution to the Social Security Administration. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to court documents, Barnwell’s adult son, P.C., was a beneficiary of Social Security disability benefits. P.C. went missing in 2016 and remains missing to this day. Despite reporting him missing to the local police, Barnwell concealed his disappearance from the Social Security Administration, which continued to make monthly benefit payments onto P.C.’s debit card. Barnwell had control of that card and used it to withdraw and spend P.C.’s benefits for her own use.

“The intentional deception perpetrated against the Social Security Administration in this case constitutes theft of taxpayers’ dollars,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe. “Such fraud will not be tolerated against our federal programs.”

“Stealing Social Security benefits intended for another is an egregious betrayal of trust. Ms. Barnwell’s guilty plea underscores our commitment to holding accountable those who exploit SSA programs for personal gain,” said Norman Jenkins, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge, Atlanta Field Division, Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General (SSA OIG). “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect beneficiaries and ensure that funds meant to support disabled individuals are used for their care and well-being.”

Department of Justice efforts support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.

The core mission of the National Fraud Enforcement Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. The National Fraud Enforcement Division will fulfill that mission by coordinating with agencies responsible for administering benefit programs; partnering with federal, tribal, state, territorial, and local law enforcement on fraud-fighting efforts; developing systems and processes that ensure efficient identification of fraud against taxpayer dollars; and equipping prosecutors and law enforcement with state-of-the-art tools and resources needed to bring criminal actors to justice.  

This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General and the New Port Richey Police Department. It was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Del Mastro.

AP of South Florida, LLC (APSF), an insurance brokerage company headquartered in Florida, has agreed to plead guilty for its role in an Affordable Care Act (ACA) enrollment fraud scheme. APSF, through its highest-ranking executives, preyed on thousands of vulnerable consumers to fraudulently enroll them into fully subsidized ACA plans, for which the federal government awarded $141.5 million in unwarranted subsidies. In a parallel civil resolution, AssuredPartners, Inc., a national partnership of insurance brokers and the then-parent company of APSF, agreed to pay $107 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by submitting fraudulent ACA health insurance plan applications. AssuredPartners, Inc., is not charged in the criminal information.

The Department of Justice announced this case and two others in support of President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud at a press conference in Washington today.

“Thanks to the leadership of President Donald Trump, the Department, working closely with the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, is supercharging efforts to take down every fraudster and bring them to justice,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “In one day, the Department prosecuted the theft of a half-billion in taxpayer dollars. All those ripping off the American people are on notice.”

The Criminal Case

The federal government offers subsidies to help eligible beneficiaries pay for health insurance plans. These subsidies are offered as tax credits to beneficiaries or as payments to insurers as Advanced Premium Tax Credits (APTCs). APTCs are paid directly to insurance plans by the federal government in the form of a payment toward the beneficiary’s applicable monthly premium.

A criminal information was filed yesterday charging APSF with one count of major fraud against the United States. APSF has agreed to resolve the criminal charge by pleading guilty and paying restitution of $27.6 million. As part of its plea agreement, APSF admitted that, through certain of its executives and employees, APSF knowingly and intentionally defrauded the federal government. According to court documents, APSF targeted vulnerable, low-income individuals experiencing homelessness, unemployment, and mental health and substance abuse disorders, and, through “street marketers” working on APSF’s behalf, sometimes offered cash and gift cards to induce those individuals to enroll in subsidized ACA plans. APSF enrolled these vulnerable consumers in ACA plans that were fully subsidized by the federal government by submitting false and fraudulent applications for individuals whose income did not meet the minimum requirements to be eligible for the subsidies. As a result of being enrolled in subsidized ACA plans for which they did not qualify, some of these consumers experienced serious disruptions in their medical care or prior insurance coverage under Medicaid or other programs. Some consumers who APSF fraudulently enrolled into fully subsidized ACA plans lost access to free health benefits through Medicaid or local assistance programs, and as a result, these consumers faced increased costs in accessing HIV medication, medication to treat opioid dependence and medication to treat mental health disorders. At times, consumers faced unaffordable co-pays and other costs because APSF enrolled these consumers in plans without regard to the consumers’ medical needs, the availability of other programs (including Medicaid and local assistance programs) and the consumers’ ability to pay out-of-pocket costs.

“APSF defrauded the U.S. government in order to line their pockets by exploiting the vulnerable,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “The FBI and its partners are working every day to put an end to corporate malpractice. We are turning off the spigot and other entities ripping off the taxpayer for illicit gain should take note.”

“As yesterday’s resolution demonstrates, the Criminal Division will pursue both corporate and individual actors that defraud the United States taxpayer and exploit consumers,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Together with our partners, we previously prosecuted the former President of APSF, who will serve 20 years in prison for his crimes. Yesterday, the Department is announcing that his employer, APSF, has agreed to plead guilty for its role in the scheme and will pay $27 million in restitution. For over a year, APSF made money on the backs of vulnerable consumers and by siphoning money from a critical social safety net meant to protect working families. The conduct was orchestrated by APSF’s highest ranking executive and was pervasive throughout the company. Open and notorious corporate frauds will not be tolerated.”

“Exploiting people in crisis to generate profit at the expense of taxpayers is unconscionable,” said Inspector General T. March Bell of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS‑OIG). “By manipulating the ACA marketplace and disrupting access to essential treatments, APSF compromised core federal health care protections and inflicted real harm on consumers who relied on those safeguards. HHS‑OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to apply the full scope of our oversight and enforcement authorities to protect taxpayer dollars and consumers.”

“Yesterday’s action underscores that companies cannot enrich themselves by manipulating federal health care programs and exploiting vulnerable individuals,” said Chief Guy Ficco of IRS Criminal Investigation. “In this case, executives falsified eligibility information to drive millions in improper subsidies, turning a program meant to provide care into a source of illicit revenue. IRS Criminal Investigation traced the flow of funds behind this scheme, and we will continue to pursue those who misuse taxpayer dollars for personal gain.”

According to court documents, APSF received commissions and other payments from an insurance company in exchange for enrolling consumers in the ACA plans. In turn, APSF paid a street marketing company in exchange for consumer referrals. To maximize these commission payments, APSF used misleading sales scripts and other deceptive sales techniques to convince consumers to state that they would attempt to earn the minimum income necessary to qualify for a subsidized ACA plan, even when the consumers initially stated to APSF’s insurance agents that they had no income. APSF also bypassed the federal government’s attempts to verify income and other information and deliberately a large volume of applications to Medicaid for various individuals in a way that guaranteed their denial so that they could sign up these same consumers for a fully subsidized ACA plan and maximize commissions.

APSF’s former president, Cory Lloyd, was previously convicted at trial in November 2025 for his role in the scheme and sentenced to twenty years’ imprisonment. According to court documents, Lloyd began the scheme at a legacy entity. In February 2021, APSF acquired certain assets of that legacy entity. Lloyd then became the President of APSF, where he continued to orchestrate the fraud scheme on behalf of APSF.

Evidence presented in Lloyd’s trial showed that, while President of APSF, he received complaints from a medical provider alerting Lloyd that multiple consumers, “who were homeless, were given cash to sign up” for these ACA plans. The provider further complained that: “All of them have opioid addiction and were desperate for money. All of them were unaware they had insurance until the provider tried to get them medications through the county hospital for uninsured patients. These people are worse off than if they had no insurance because they are being asked to pay >$500 per month for their medications.” Evidence presented in Lloyd’s trial also showed that, despite receiving such warnings, APSF continued to fraudulently enroll consumers in fully subsidized ACA plans by “bumping up” their income to make them appear qualified for subsidies.

A change of plea hearing for APSF will be set for a later date, where the terms of the plea agreement between APSF and the Department of Justice will be considered by a federal judge. If the plea agreement is accepted by the court, APSF will be sentenced by a federal district court judge at a later date.

The government reached its criminal resolution with APSF based on several factors, including the nature and seriousness of the offense conduct; the fact that the fraud began at a legacy entity whose assets were acquired by APSF in February 2021; APSF’s failure to conduct adequate acquisition diligence, oversee the acquired operations, and detect the open and pervasive fraudulent scheme, which allowed the conduct to persist at APSF for approximately 18 months after the asset acquisition; and the pervasiveness of the offense, which involved multiple former APSF employees and former members of its senior executive management, including its President (Lloyd), who personally conducted and promoted the scheme. APSF also did not voluntarily and timely self-disclose the conduct to the Department of Justice but did receive credit for clearly accepting responsibility for its criminal conduct, cooperating with the government’s investigation, and implementing remedial measures.

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

Assistant Chief Jamie de Boer and Trial Attorney D. Keith Clouser of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the criminal case.

The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of eight strike forces operating in federal districts across the country, has charged more than 6,200 defendants who collectively billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $45 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

The Civil Case

The False Claims Act settlement resolves allegations that, from February 2021 through September 2022, APSF knowingly submitted false or fraudulent applications for subsidized ACA plans on behalf of thousands of consumers in order to obtain commissions and bonus payments from insurers. APSF contracted with “street marketers” who targeted homeless shelters, bus stops, drug treatment clinics and similar locations. The marketers offered incentives, such as cash or gift cards, to individuals to enroll in subsidized ACA plans or to provide their personal information so that APSF could submit applications on their behalf. APSF employees then submitted applications falsely representing that the consumers would make a minimum income amount just over the federal poverty line in order to cause the government to pay the highest subsidy amount.

APSF employees also knowingly submitted false information to Florida’s Medicaid program in order to generate letters stating that the applicant was denied Medicaid coverage and then used these letters as a qualifying event to trigger a Special Enrollment Period, which allowed APSF to submit applications for ACA plans outside of the normal enrollment periods. APSF employees also evaded the federal government’s attempts to verify information in consumers’ ACA applications by submitting false information in response to inquiries from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services when it sought to verify the false information (including income information) submitted by APSF. Some consumers experienced disruptions in their medical care as a result of being enrolled by APSF in subsidized ACA plans that did not provide coverage for their medical needs. APSF received commissions, bonuses, and/or other payments for consumers it enrolled in ACA plans, and a significant portion of APSF’s revenues from these fraudulently obtained payments flowed up to its then-parent corporation, AssuredPartners.

“Federal benefit programs funded by American taxpayers provide an important safety net for vulnerable populations,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Yesterday’s resolution sends the clear message that the United States will hold accountable actors who exploit those programs to enrich themselves at the expense of the public.”

“Our office will use all available tools, including the False Claims Act, to confront those who submit false claims under the Affordable Care Act,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida. “This case exemplifies our dedication to protecting our nation’s taxpayers from fraud.”

“This $135 million resolution lays bare a brazen scheme that caused real harm by targeting vulnerable individuals for profit and disrupting their access to critical care,” said Acting Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Scott J. Lampert of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS‑OIG). “Because of APSF’s manipulation of individuals’ enrollment statuses, Medicaid and other programs intended to support vulnerable populations were undermined in fulfilling their mission. HHS-OIG will continue to aggressively pursue accountability for those who choose greed over patients and work to protect the integrity of public resources.”

The settlement resolves allegations originally brought in a lawsuit filed by a whistleblower under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act, which allow private parties to bring suit on behalf of the government and to share in any recovery. The whistleblower will receive $24.3 million as their share of the recovery in this case.

The resolution obtained in the civil matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.

The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrate the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).

The civil matter was handled by Attorneys Wendy Zupac and David Wiseman of the Civil Division’s Fraud Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy Bloor for the Middle District of Florida.

The Commercial Litigation Branch’s Fraud Section investigates complex health care fraud allegations and files suit under the civil False Claims Act to recover money on behalf of defrauded federal health care programs. Settlements and judgments under the False Claims Act exceeded $6.8 billion in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2025. Working with United States Attorneys, investigative agencies, and whistleblowers, Fraud Section attorneys have recovered more than $85 billion in False Claims Act settlements and judgments since 1986.

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

Tampa, Florida – Frank Jude Petrone, Sr. (56, Parrish) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge William F. Jung to three years and one month in federal prison for trafficking in firearms and selling firearms and ammunition to a convicted felon. Petrone pleaded guilty on August 26, 2025. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to court documents, on October 2, 2024, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office notified the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives that Petrone was selling firearms to an individual he knew to be a convicted felon. At the time, Petrone was a salesperson for a licensed gun store. On four separate occasions between October 2024 and January 2025, Petrone sold the convicted felon, acting as a confidential source, four firearms and 146 rounds of ammunition. Federal law prohibits selling firearms to a convicted felon, and a convicted felon cannot pass the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.

On October 17, 2024, Petrone sold a .357 Taurus International 605 Poly Protector revolver and 10 rounds of .357 ammunition to the confidential source. On November 8, 2024, Petrone sold a 9mm Sig Sauer M18 semi-automatic pistol and 57 rounds of ammunition to the confidential source. On January 2, 2025, Petrone sold a .45 TISAS 1911A1 semi-automatic pistol and 50 rounds of ammunition to the confidential source. During that transaction, Petrone also offered to sell a machinegun with an obliterated serial number. On January 28, 2025, Petrone sold a CZ Scorpion 9-millimeter pistol (not a machinegun), loaded with 29 of a possible 50 rounds of ammunition, to the confidential source.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam W. McCall.

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

Orlando, Florida – Robert Jonathan De Oliveira Ricci (36, Brazil) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Julie Sneed to seven years and three months in federal prison for transportation and possession of child sexual abuse material. Ricci pleaded guilty on May 16, 2025. The court also ordered Ricci to register as a sex offender and forfeit a smartphone, which he used to commit the offenses. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to court documents, Ricci was a crewmember on board an internationally operated cruise ship that arrived at the U.S. Port of Entry at Port Canaveral on March 10, 2025. A border search of Ricci’s smartphone revealed he had traveled into the United States with at least 83 videos and 184 images depicting the sexual abuse of children, including children as young as infants and toddlers.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. It was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Del Mastro.

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

Orlando, FL – John Daniel Fowler (65, Indianapolis, IN) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Paul G. Byron to 6 years in federal prison for abusive sexual contact on an aircraft. Fowler was also ordered to serve 15 years of supervised release following his release from prison. A federal jury convicted Fowler on January 13, 2026. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to testimony presented at trial, Fowler was seated next to a minor on an aircraft flying from Indianapolis to Orlando. During the flight, Fowler observed the minor taking a cellphone photo through the window of the plane and asked the minor to send him the photo and provided his cellphone number. Several times during the flight, Fowler encroached on the minor’s space by placing his hand over the armrest and touching the minor, who pushed Fowler’s hand away each time. After the minor fell asleep, Fowler placed his hand under the minor’s blanket and touched her genitalia. The minor woke up as the plane was landing in Orlando, while Fowler was still groping her. The minor immediately reported the conduct to the flight crew, who separated the child victim from Fowler and notified law enforcement.

Fowler, a registered sex offender, was previously convicted in Indiana for sexual battery and criminal confinement. That victim, who was an adult at the time of the offense in 2017, testified at this trial to establish a pattern of similar conduct by Fowler. The victim’s testimony for that previous conviction established that the victim fell asleep and awoke to Fowler licking her genitalia without her consent.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Air Marshal Service, and the Orlando Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Brandon Cruz and Kaley Austin-Aronson.

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, FL – Nick Guadalupe Cruz-Lopez (20, Plant City, FL) has been arrested and charged by criminal complaint with making a threat to kill the President of the United States. If convicted, Cruz-Lopez faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to the complaint, on April 2, 2026, Cruz-Lopez posted the following photo on his Instagram account, which stated, “MAGA Otw to kill trump” and showed Cruz-Lopez in a vehicle holding an AR-15 style rifle:

Federal agents located Cruz-Lopez that day and arrested him. 

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

This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ross Roberts.

Fort Myers, Florida – Leonard W. Krane (75, Naples) has been charged by indictment with four counts of wire fraud and two counts of money laundering. If convicted, Krane faces up to 20 years in federal prison on each count. The indictment also seeks forfeiture of over $3.7 million and other assets traceable to the proceeds of the offenses. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to court records, between at least August 2017 and February 2025, Krane engaged in a long-running scheme where he allegedly made false representations that he possessed substantial funds overseas and required upfront payments from victims to access those funds. He promised that, in exchange for wiring him money, often tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars, victims would receive significant returns once the overseas funds were recovered.

Instead, as alleged in the indictment, Krane did not invest the funds and the promised returns never materialized. Rather, the funds were used to support his personal lifestyle or were transferred overseas. The total loss attributable to the scheme exceeds $3.7 million.

The indictment further alleges that victim funds were rapidly withdrawn or laundered through international wire transfers to individuals located in the United Kingdom.

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.

If you believe you may be a victim of the alleged crimes, you can contact the FBI at 800-CALL FBI (225-5324).

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick L. Darcey.

Fort Myers, Florida – Michael Peacock (39, North Fort Myers) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Kyle Dudek to six years and six months in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine. Peacock pleaded guilty on October 28, 2025. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to court documents, Peacock was part of a ring of drug distributors in the Palmona Park neighborhood of North Fort Myers. In July 2024, Peacock sold a confidential informant approximately 2 ounces of methamphetamine for $500.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin S. Winter. 

Tampa, Florida – A federal jury has found Ludwin Borgen (49, Apollo Beach) guilty of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death. Borgen faces a minimum penalty of 20 years, up to life, in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 16, 2026. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to evidence presented at trial, Borgen was a drug dealer in the Tampa Bay area who had supplied the victim with fentanyl on multiple instances in the past. In the late evening of March 28, 2022, the victim began reaching out to Borgen to arrange a purchase the next day. On March 29, 2022, the victim met Borgen at a pharmacy, where she purchased fentanyl from him. The victim returned to a residence where she had been staying with a friend. That evening, the victim injected herself with the fentanyl while soaking in the bathtub. Intoxicated by the fentanyl, she slid under the water and drowned. After noticing that the victim had been in the bathroom for a long time, her friend checked on her and found her body in the bathtub with her head submerged under the water and a syringe floating next to her.

Toxicology revealed that the victim had approximately ten times the therapeutic concentration of fentanyl in her system—a concentration consistent with overdose deaths. Detectives from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office who specialize in overdose deaths investigated and identified Borgen as the person who had sold the fentanyl to the victim. A detective used the victim’s phone to arrange another meeting with Borgen, who arrived intending to sell more fentanyl to the victim. After the investigation team arrested Borgen, they searched his vehicle and found fentanyl, baggies, syringes, and a scale.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner’s Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Muriel Moore and Michael Sinacore.

Tampa, Florida – Stephane Brice (23, Georgia) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber to 27 months in federal prison for interstate transmission of threats to assault and kill a federal law enforcement officer. Brice pleaded guilty on January 6, 2026. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to court documents, on March 18, 2025, Brice called the IRS to complain about a tax refund issue. During the call, Brice grew frustrated and threatened to go to the IRS office and kill and behead IRS employees. The following day, a federal law enforcement officer called Brice as part of an investigation into his threats. During this call, Brice began shouting profanity-laced threats to behead the federal law enforcement officer and to burn down his house with his children inside.  

This case was investigated by Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) and the Internal Revenue Service. It was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Joseph Wheeler III and Assistant United States Attorney Kelly Milliron.

Tampa, Florida – Rayshawn Smith (31, St. Petersburg) has been charged by criminal complaint with distribution of a controlled substance resulting in great bodily injury, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, drug distribution, and possession of a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. If convicted on all counts, Smith faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to the complaint, between May 13, 2025, and January 14, 2026, Smith sold various kinds of drugs – including methamphetamine and fentanyl – to a confidential informant. On November 13, 2025, while in the sole care and custody of Smith, a one-year-old child ingested and overdosed on fentanyl, resulting in the need for life-saving measures at the hospital. 

On January 14, 2026, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Smith’s residence where they recovered drugs, guns, and drug paraphernalia. Smith was arrested at a different location in his vehicle. When law enforcement searched Smith’s car, they found additional drugs and drug packaging materials.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the St. Petersburg Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Yara Dodin. 

Orlando, FL – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Oasis Acupuncture LLC and its owner, Dr. Hui-Li Yuan, have agreed to pay $100,000 to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by submitting inflated claims for acupuncture services to the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration.

According to the settlement agreement, Oasis Acupuncture and Dr. Yuan billed the VA for acupuncture needle reinsertion services that were inflated and did not meet the minimum time requirements of 15 minutes per needle reinsertion. This resulted in the VA overpaying for Oasis Acupuncture’s claims. 

“Protecting our veterans and their care is paramount,” U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida. “This civil settlement demonstrates our continuing commitment to ensure compliance and proper billing by all providers.”

“This settlement demonstrates the VA OIG’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the integrity of claims submitted to VA healthcare programs,” said Special Agent in Charge David Spilker with the VA Office of Inspector General’s Southeast Field Office. “The VA OIG commends the US Attorney’s Office for their efforts in this investigation.”

This settlement resulted from a coordinated effort by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy R. Bloor led the investigation.

The government’s action in this matter illustrates the emphasis on combating health care fraud, and one of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement can be reported to the Department of Veterans Affairs OIG Hotline, at 1-800-488-8244.

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

Tampa, Florida – Erhan John Er (35, Sarasota) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven to four years and three months in federal prison for his role in an international firearms trafficking conspiracy. Er pleaded guilty on December 19, 2024. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to court documents, from February to September 2022, Er worked as a cross-border truck driver, based in Sarasota. Er agreed to purchase firearms for a Canadian co-conspirator and smuggle those firearms into Canada. In July and September 2022, Er bought a total of 28 guns from firearms dealers in Sarasota and Naples, Florida. He took the firearms across the Canadian border and sold them to his conspirator in exchange for his expenses and $1,000 (CAD) per gun.

Canadian investigators have since recovered 10 of those firearms from crime scenes in Ontario and Quebec. All of the firearms recovered thus far have had obliterated serial numbers. Investigators have restored the serial numbers and traced them back to Er’s purchases in Florida.

“Er falsely claimed to gun dealers that he was buying guns for himself, only to smuggle the guns into Canada, where they were used in multiple crimes,” stated U.S. Attorney Kehoe. “Working together with our local, federal, and international partners, this scheme was uncovered and Er has been brought to justice.”

“This investigation demonstrates the effectiveness of cross border partnerships in protecting our communities. The OPP remains committed to working closely with our Canadian and U.S. law enforcement partners to disrupt organized criminal networks, enhance public safety and prevent illegal firearms from crossing our shared border.” – OPP Chief Superintendent Mike Stoddart, Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, including ATF’s Attachés in Ontario and Quebec and ATF’s Buffalo and Rochester, New York Field Offices; Homeland Security Investigations, including HSI’s Toronto Attaché; with the assistance of the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; the Canada Border Services Agency; the Durham Regional Police Service; the Halton Regional Police Service; the Hamilton Police Service; Ontario Provincial Police; the Sûreté du Québec; the Thunder Bay Police Service; the Toronto Police Service; the York Regional Police; the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office; and the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam W. McCall.

Tampa, FL - Andres Correa (39, Lakeland) and Cassandra Kerr (46, Lakeland) have pleaded guilty to a string of Hobbs Act robberies that occurred in August 2025. Correa pleaded guilty to four Hobbs Act robberies, four counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, and conspiring to commit the robberies. Kerr pleaded guilty to two counts of Hobbs Act robbery, three counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and conspiring to commit the robberies. Sentencing dates have not yet been set. Each faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to court records, on July 28, 2025, Correa and Kerr robbed a food truck on Sheldon Road in Tampa. During the robbery, Correa entered the business and brandished a firearm while demanding money from two victims. Kerr acted as a lookout for Correa during the robbery.

On August 5, 2025, Correa and Kerr robbed a gas station in Tampa. Correa brandished a pistol and demanded money. Correa pointed a firearm into one of the victim’s stomachs until he received money. Kerr acted as a lookout for Correa outside the store in her vehicle.

Two days later, Correa and Kerr robbed a food mart in Tampa. Correa entered the business and produced a pistol from his chest area while demanding money. Correa held one of the store clerks at gunpoint until receiving cash from the register. Kerr again acted as a lookout for Correa during this robbery.

On August 19, 2025, Correa robbed a smoke shop in Seffner. After pulling a pistol from his chest area, Correa grabbed a customer and moved him back towards the counter. He pointed a gun at the back of his head and demanded cash. The clerk complied by handing Correa the cash register drawer.

On August 26, 2025, FBI and ATF agents, along with detectives from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, executed search warrants in two residences.  Inside one of the homes they found clothing consistent with surveillance footage, a firearm consistent with the firearm used in the robberies, a stomach holster, and a ledger with a list of banks and smoke shops along with directions to get to those businesses.

This case is the result of joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman.

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

Orlando, Florida – A federal jury has found Rusbel Montoya Mandujano (32, Oviedo) guilty of attempting to coerce and entice a minor to engage in sexual activity. Montoya Mandujano faces a minimum penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for August 25, 2026. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, on June 25, 2025, Montoya Mandujano began communicating online and via text messaging with someone he believed to be a 14-year-old “girl.” The “girl” was actually a team of detectives working with the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office in an undercover capacity. After Montoya Mandujano learned the “girl’s” age, he initiated discussions of various sexual acts he wanted to engage in with her and made a plan to meet up with her to do so. When Montoya Mandujano arrived at the meeting location on June 26, 2025, he was arrested by law enforcement.  

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Megan Testerman. The asset forfeiture is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Andrejko.

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

Fort Myers, Florida – Luis Emilio Hernandez (45, Naples) today pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud and six counts of money laundering in connection with a scheme to defraud an elderly victim following Hurricane Ian. Hernandez faces up to 20 years in federal prison for each wire fraud count and up to 10 years for each money laundering count. The indictment also seeks forfeiture of over $1.2 million and other assets traceable to the proceeds of the offenses. A sentencing date has not yet been set. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to court records, following Hurricane Ian in 2022, Hernandez convinced an 85-year-old victim to write him personal checks totaling over $1.2 million for construction materials and repairs that were never performed. Instead, Hernandez cashed the checks for his own personal gain. Investigators confirmed that Hernandez did not hold a contractor’s license in Florida, and no permits were ever pulled for any of the alleged work. Even after the elderly victim sold the home and it had been demolished, Hernandez continued to contact the victim through text messages and even made personal visits to their assisted living residence, intentionally lulling the victim to provide him with additional funds. To conceal the source of the funds, Hernandez laundered the victim’s money by purchasing and flipping vehicles in trade-ins at multiple car dealerships throughout the area.

This case was investigated by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Secret Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick L. Darcey.