Middle District of Florida

WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice today announced that the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida has entered a consent order resolving the department’s Fair Housing Act claims against Advocate Law Groups of Florida P.A. (ALGF); Jon B. Lindeman Jr.; Ephigenia K. Lindeman; Summit Development Solutions USA LLC (SDS) and Haralampos “Bob” Kourouklis. The department’s lawsuit alleged that defendants discriminated on the basis of national origin when they targeted Hispanic homeowners for predatory mortgage loan modification services and interfered with those individuals’ ability to keep their homes.

The department alleged in its complaint that defendants targeted Hispanic homeowners with Spanish-language advertising that falsely promised to cut their mortgage payments in half. Defendants made the same representations to hundreds of Hispanic homeowners in person, promising lower payments in exchange for thousands of dollars of upfront fees and continuing monthly fees of as much as $550, which defendants claimed were “non-refundable.” Many of the targeted homeowners had limited English proficiency. The department’s complaint further alleged that defendants directed these homeowners not to communicate with their lenders and to stop making their monthly mortgage payments. According to the complaint, defendants did little or nothing to obtain the promised loan modifications for the homeowners, many of whom defaulted on their mortgage payments and ultimately lost their homes.

“Targeting homeowners with deceptive advertisements and predatory schemes because of their national origin and limited English proficiency is reprehensible and illegal,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Civil Rights Division. “Homeowners of color and other protected groups must be safeguarded from discriminatory targeting that can lead to grave financial loss, including loss of one’s home. We will continue to use our federal civil rights laws to protect the rights of homeowners.”

“This settlement, reached in partnership with the Civil Rights Division’s Housing Section, is a major achievement for our Civil Division and its Civil Rights Unit,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “We are committed to using every legal tool available, including the Fair Housing Act, to ensure that our residents enjoy their right to housing without discriminatory practices of this kind.”

The Justice Department brought this suit after Lucía Hurtado, Noemí Román, Argentina Roque and members of their families filed complaints of discrimination with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). After HUD investigated the complaints, it issued charges of discrimination and referred the matter to the Justice Department for litigation. Hurtado, Román and Roque later intervened as plaintiffs in the department’s lawsuit.

“It is outrageous that these defendants engaged in business practices that were not only illegal and discriminatory, but also resulted in hard-working homeowners defaulting on their mortgages and losing their homes due to foreclosure,” said Demetria McCain, HUD’s Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. “HUD commends the Justice Department for its commitment to enforcing the Fair Housing Act and for protecting the fair housing rights of all who call America home.”

The consent order enters a judgment against defendants for $4,595,000 to compensate people who were harmed by defendants’ conduct. Of that amount, defendants must pay a total of $95,000 to the three intervenors, plus a civil penalty to the United States. Most of the monetary judgment is suspended based on evidence of defendants’ limited net worth, including financial statements signed by defendants under penalty of perjury. The consent order requires defendants to submit updated financial statements each year during the five-year term of the settlement. If the court determines that defendants made any material misrepresentations or omissions in their original financial statements or in the annual updates, the entire judgment will be reinstated, and defendants will be immediately liable for the full amount.

In addition to monetary relief, the consent order permanently enjoins defendants from providing any mortgage relief assistance services, such as loan modifications or foreclosure defense services, and imposes reporting and recordkeeping requirements for defendants’ other real-estate activities.

This case was litigated by attorneys in the department’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.

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

Tampa, Florida –U.S. District Judge William F. Jung has sentenced Jimmy Wayne Hammonds, aka “the Monkey Whisperer” (58, Parrish), to five years’ probation, to include eight months home confinement, for one count of conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act and three counts of violating the Endangered Species Act. As part of his sentence, the Court also ordered Hammonds to pay a $90,000 fine to the U.S Fish & Wildlife Service Lacey Act Reward Fund. Hammonds had pleaded guilty on March 2, 2022.

According to court records, Hammonds owned and operated The Monkey Whisperer, LLC, a business engaged in the breeding and selling of wildlife. From September 2017 until February 2018, Hammonds conspired to sell a capuchin monkey to a celebrity client in California, even though that buyer could not lawfully possess a capuchin monkey in California. Hammonds facilitated the transportation of the capuchin monkey from Florida to California through individuals who were not permitted to possess a capuchin monkey in either state. The client paid over $12,000 for the animal. Law enforcement later seized that capuchin monkey from the client’s California residence.

In addition, Hammonds illegally sold cotton-top tamarins, which are primates listed as an endangered species, to buyers in Alabama, South Carolina, and Wisconsin. To conceal his unlawful wildlife trafficking, Hammonds submitted false records to a law enforcement officer and attempted to persuade a witness to lie to a law enforcement officer by saying that they had purchased the cotton-top tamarins at a flea market. Hammonds had been previously convicted in Florida state court for similar conduct in 2012.

“In a number of states, it is illegal to buy, sell and own exotic pets,” said Edward Grace, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Assistant Director of the Office of Law Enforcement. “The illegal wildlife trade jeopardizes the future for many species, and we thank the U.S. Department of Justice, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for their work on this case.”

This case was investigated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lisa M. Thelwell.

Tampa, Florida –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return by a grand jury of an indictment charging Jerome Miller, Jr. (38, Tampa) with possession of ammunition by an Armed Career Criminal.  If convicted, Miller faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment.  The indictment also notifies Miller that the United States intends to forfeit the ammunition traceable to the offense.          

The indictment alleges that on February 8, 2022, in Tampa, Miller was in possession of ammunition. At the time of the incident, Miller had three previous convictions for delivery of cocaine within 1,000 feet of a church.  As a previously convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law. 

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

This case was investigated by the City of Tampa Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Violent Crime Task Force.  It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Maria Guzman.  The forfeiture will be handled by Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Nebesky.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg, along with Special Agent in Charge Darrell Waldon for the IRS - Criminal Investigation Washington D.C. Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge David Walker for the FBI - Tampa Division, today announced the seizure of the SSNDOB Marketplace, a series of websites that operated for years and were used to sell personal information, including the names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers belonging to individuals in the United States. The SSNDOB Marketplace has listed the personal information for approximately 24 million individuals in the United States, generating more than $19 million USD in sales revenue.

The SSNDOB administrators created advertisements on darkweb criminal forums for the Marketplace’s services, provided customer support functions, and regularly monitored the activities of the sites, including monitoring when purchasers deposited money into their accounts. The administrators also employed various techniques to protect their anonymity and to thwart detection of their activities, including using online monikers that were distinct from their true identities, strategically maintaining servers in various countries, and requiring buyers to use digital payment methods, such as bitcoin.

The international operation to dismantle and seize this infrastructure is the result of close cooperation with law enforcement authorities in Cyprus and Latvia. On June 7, 2022, seizure orders were executed against the domain names of the SSNDOB Marketplace (ssndob[.]ws, ssndob[.]vip, ssndob[.]club, and blackjob[.]biz), effectively ceasing the website’s operation.

“I applaud the extensive work and cooperation by our domestic and international law enforcement partners in bringing a halt to this global scheme,” said U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg. “The theft and misuse of personal information is not only criminal but can have a catastrophic impact on individuals for years to come.”

“Identity theft can have a devastating impact on a victim’s long-term emotional and financial health. Taking down the SSNDOB website disrupted ID theft criminals and helped millions of Americans whose personal information was compromised,” said Special Agent in Charge Darrell Waldon, IRS-CI Washington, D.C. Field Office. “Special agents with IRS-CI’s DC Cyber Crimes Unit will continue to work with the U.S. and international law enforcement community to end these complex scams, regardless of where the money trail leads them.”

“These seizures demonstrate the FBI’s strong working relationship with our international partners in disrupting malicious cyber activity,” said FBI Tampa Special Agent in Charge David Walker. “Dismantling illicit marketplaces that threaten the privacy and security of the American public is a priority of the FBI.”

The U.S. investigation was led by the IRS - Criminal Investigation Cyber Crimes Unit and the FBI – Tampa Division, with assistance from the IRS-Criminal Investigation’s Tampa Field Office. Substantial assistance was also provided by the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, the FBI’s Legal Attaché Offices responsible for Latvia and Cyprus, the Latvian Police, and the Cyprus Police.

The investigation is being overseen by Assistant United States Attorney Rachel Jones and asset forfeiture will be handled by Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Nebesky.

Jacksonville, FL –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Adam Taylor (32, St. Augustine) has pleaded guilty to illegally purchasing firearms.  Taylor faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.  In addition, Taylor has agreed to forfeit the firearms traceable to the offense.  A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to the plea agreement, Taylor was intercepted on a state wiretap discussing the purchase of firearms with a member of a suspected drug trafficking organization (DTO). On August 18, 2021, Taylor purchased two Century Arms Draco 7.62 x 39mm pistols from a gun dealer in St. Augustine. Taylor lied to the gun dealer when he completed paperwork claiming that he was buying the firearms for himself. Shortly after purchasing the firearms, Taylor delivered the pistols to the DTO member.

On September 9, 2021, law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at the DTO member’s residence in St. Augustine. As a result of the search, the located and seized the two Century Arms, Draco, 7.62 x 39mm pistols that Taylor had purchased.

This case was investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, and Homeland Security Investigations.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Talbot. The forfeiture of assets is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Mai Tran.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Jacksonville, Florida –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment against Alejandro Carmona-Fonseca (47, Green Cove Springs) charging him with one count of using a minor child to produce sexually explicit images, two counts of attempting to use a minor child to produce sexually explicit images, and one count of attempted online enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity.  For each of the first three counts, Carmona-Fonseca faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years and up to a maximum of 30 years in federal prison.  For the fourth count, Carmona-Fonseca faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years and up to a maximum of life in federal prison.  In addition, he faces up to a $1 million fine and a potential life term of supervised release.  Carmona made his initial appearance in federal court on June 2, 2022, and was ordered detained pending trial. 

According to public records, Carmona-Fonseca is currently employed as an officer with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.    

According to the indictment, between April 2021 and March 2022, Carmona-Fonseca used a minor to produce or attempt to produce sexually explicit images.  The indictment also alleges that in March 2022, Carmona-Fonseca attempted to entice an individual he believed to be a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity, that is, to produce sexually explicit images.

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 Clay County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Washington.

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

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle has sentenced Robert W. Rice (56, Westville, Illinois) to 10 years in federal prison for the attempted enticement of a minor and possession of child sexual abuse images. As a part of his sentence, Rice is also required to register as a sex offender. The Court also ordered Rice to serve a 10-year term of supervised release and to forfeit his cellphone, which was used in the commission of the offense. Rice had pleaded guilty on March 7, 2022.

According to court documents, from approximately May 2020 through June 9, 2020, Rice used his cellphone to communicate on an online social media application with an individual whom he thought was a 13-year-old girl. In reality, Rice was communicating with an undercover agent. In his communications, Rice sent images and videos depicting children being sexually abused and further engaged in sexually explicit conversation with the purported “child” in an attempt to entice the “child” into engaging in sexually explicit conduct. During the communications, Rice repeatedly asked the “child” to send photos and videos to his email. Rice also sent the “child” pictures of his face, his genitalia, and videos of him masturbating and child sex abuse images and videos to further his attempt to entice the “child.”  

“The internet makes it easier for these predators to target and attempt to exploit children,” said HSI Tampa Acting Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Silliman. “We will absolutely investigate those who try victimize our most vulnerable.”

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lisa M. Thelwell.

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

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell has sentenced Barry Wayne Hoover (51, Tampa) to 27 months in federal prison and ordered him to pay $429,568.09 in restitution for theft of government funds and false statement to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). As part of his sentence, the court also entered a forfeiture money judgment against Hoover in the amount of $429,568.09, the proceeds of the offense. A federal jury had found Hoover guilty on December 3, 2021.

According to evidence presented at trial, Hoover, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, exaggerated the extent of his visual impairment in order to receive VA disability benefits to which he was not entitled. Specifically, Hoover manipulated the results of subjective tests of his peripheral vision to reflect that he had a 5-degree visual field and was legally blind. Hoover also made false statements to the VA regarding his ability to drive and perform other activities. Based upon the manipulated test results and false statements, the VA found Hoover 100% disabled and awarded him significant monetary benefits and other valuable services.

In stark contrast to Hoover’s representations to the VA, agents’ surveillance, video footage, social media posts, and other evidence showed Hoover driving a car, a three-wheeled motorcycle, an ATV, and a boat. Hoover was also captured mowing his lawn, operating power tools such as a chain saw, hunting, fishing, scuba diving, and performing other tasks, including, but not limited to, shopping, without assistance. Expert testimony at trial established that an individual with a 5-degree visual field could not drive and would be reliant on a white cane to function in public. Hoover received approximately $429,568.09 in VA benefits to which he was not entitled as a result of his misrepresentations.

“Today’s sentence sends a clear message that veterans who defraud the VA by exaggerating their disabilities will be held accountable,” said Special Agent in Charge David Spilker of the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Southeast Field Office. “VA’s disability programs are established to justly compensate deserving veterans and the VA OIG is committed to investigating those who would exploit these programs.”

This case was investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs – Office of Inspector General. It was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Huyler and Assistant United States Attorney Tiffany Fields.

Tampa, FL – A Georgia woman was arrested yesterday in Hampton, Georgia, on criminal charges related to her alleged scheme to defraud Medicare by prescribing medically unnecessary durable medical equipment (DME), which was then billed to Medicare.

According to the indictment, Kateline Lavache, 53, of Hampton, allegedly prescribed medically unnecessary DME for Medicare beneficiaries in exchange for kickbacks and bribes from her co-conspirators. Lavache allegedly prescribed DME without conducting proper consultations with the beneficiaries. Lavache had no prior relationship with the beneficiaries, was not treating them, and failed to even conduct telemedicine consultations with them. As a result of the prescriptions, Lavache’s co-conspirators submitted to Medicare approximately $8.8 million in false and fraudulent claims for medically unnecessary DME, of which Medicare paid more than $4 million. Lavache was paid more than $123,000 in kickbacks and bribes for her participation in the scheme.

Lavache is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud, as well as four counts of health care fraud. If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in prison for the conspiracy count and up to 10 years in prison for each health care fraud count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.  

Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg for the Middle District of Florida; Special Agent in Charge Omar Pérez Aybar of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Miami Regional Office; and Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division; Special Agent in Charge David Walker of the FBI’s Tampa Field Office made the announcement.  

The FBI and HHS-OIG are investigating the case.

Trial Attorney Alejandro J. Salicrup of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section is prosecuting the case.

The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, comprised of 15 strike forces operating in 24 federal districts, has charged more than 4,200 defendants who collectively have billed the Medicare program for more than $19 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 https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

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

A Georgia woman was arrested yesterday in Hampton, Georgia, on criminal charges related to her alleged scheme to defraud Medicare by prescribing medically unnecessary durable medical equipment (DME), which was then billed to Medicare.

According to the indictment, Kateline Lavache, 53, of Hampton, allegedly prescribed medically unnecessary DME for Medicare beneficiaries in exchange for kickbacks and bribes from her co-conspirators. Lavache allegedly prescribed DME without conducting proper consultations with the beneficiaries. Lavache had no prior relationship with the beneficiaries, was not treating them, and failed to even conduct telemedicine consultations with them. As a result of the prescriptions, Lavache’s co-conspirators submitted to Medicare approximately $8.8 million in false and fraudulent claims for medically unnecessary DME, of which Medicare paid more than $4 million. Lavache was paid more than $123,000 in kickbacks and bribes for her participation in the scheme.

Lavache is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud, as well as four counts of health care fraud. If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in prison for the conspiracy count and up to 10 years in prison for each health care fraud count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.  

Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg for the Middle District of Florida; Special Agent in Charge Omar Pérez Aybar of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Miami Regional Office; and Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division; Special Agent in Charge David Walker of the FBI’s Tampa Field Office made the announcement.  

The FBI and HHS-OIG are investigating the case.

Trial Attorney Alejandro J. Salicrup of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section is prosecuting the case.

The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, comprised of 15 strike forces operating in 24 federal districts, has charged more than 4,200 defendants who collectively have billed the Medicare program for more than $19 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 https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

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

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven has sentenced Joshua Maywalt (42, Tampa) to five years and five months in federal prison for healthcare fraud, aggravated identity theft, filing a false income tax return, and failing to file an income tax return. As part of his sentence, the court also entered an order forfeiting $2,257,029.86 and real property located at 5346 Northdale Boulevard in Tampa, which are traceable to proceeds of the offense. Maywalt had pleaded guilty on December 1, 2021.

According to court documents, Maywalt worked as a medical biller at a company in Clearwater that provided credentialing and medical billing services for its medical provider clients. In this capacity, Maywalt had access to the company’s financial, medical provider, and patient information. Maywalt was assigned to a Tampa Bay area physician’s account (“Physician #1”) and was responsible for submitting claims to Florida Medicaid Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO) for services rendered by Physician #1 to Medicaid recipients.

Maywalt abused his role as a medical biller by wrongfully accessing and utilizing the company’s patient information and Physician #1’s name and identification number to submit false and fraudulent claims to a Florida Medicaid HMO for medical services purportedly rendered by Physician #1, which were not actually rendered. Maywalt also altered the “pay to” information associated with the HMO’s payment processor so that the payments for the non-rendered medical services were sent to bank accounts under Maywalt’s control.

Maywalt knowingly signed and filed a false federal income tax return for tax year 2019 which substantially understated his income and reported only his employment wages, and not the substantial amount of money he was depositing into his bank accounts as a result of his fraudulent activities. In addition, Maywalt failed to file federal income tax returns for 2017 and 2018, as required by the Internal Revenue Service.

“Health care industry professionals are required to follow Medicaid rules and accurately bill for services that are actually provided. Fraudulently billing Medicaid for personal gain cheats millions of people who fund the program and contributes to the soaring cost of health care,” stated Omar Perez Aybar, Special Agent in Charge with the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. “Working closely with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to pursue those who exploit government health care programs.”

“Joshua Maywalt had no concern for anyone except himself. He exploited the personal information of medical patients, fraudulently billed services on behalf of a local physician and then cheated the U.S. tax system for his own personal gain,” said Brian Payne, special agent in charge of the IRS-CI Tampa Field Office. “In the end, committing fraud doesn’t pay. In this case, it resulted in a five-year prison sentence and a multimillion dollar forfeiture order.”

This case was investigated by the Department of Health and Human Services -Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Florida Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Office of the Florida Attorney General, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation.  It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Maria Guzman and Suzanne Nebesky.

Ocala, Florida –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Aleia Deborah Green (20, Brooksville) today pleaded guilty to possession of stolen mail. Green faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. Green had been indicted on February 15, 2022.

According to court records, Green worked as a contract mail carrier for the United States Postal Service (USPS) delivering mail for the Crystal River Post Office. On October 13, 2021, the USPS – Office of Inspector General (OIG) received complaints of mail theft from Green’s route. On October 19, 2021, special agents from the USPS OIG conducted surveillance at a neighborhood cluster box on Green’s route. The agents put a piece of mail containing United States currency in the outgoing mail, and within an hour-and-a-half, Green had opened the mail and taken the money. When confronted by the agents, Green admitted to opening the mail and taking the money. Green advised that she has been opening mail along her route since August 2021, and that she had opened approximately 100 pieces of mail.

This case was investigated by the U.S. States Postal Service – Office of Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk.

Orlando, FL – A Florida woman pleaded guilty today to filing a false tax return with the IRS, whereby she obtained a refund she was not entitled to receive.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Rebecca Cyphers, 65, of Winter Springs, participated in and helped facilitate a nationwide tax fraud scheme. As part of the scheme, individuals prepared and assisted in the filing of tax returns for scheme participants, such as Cyphers, falsely claiming banks and other financial institutions had withheld large amounts of income tax from the participants that entitled them to a refund. In reality, the financial institutions had not paid any income to or withheld any taxes from these individuals.

As part of her plea, Cyphers admitted she filed a false 2013 amended income tax return claiming a refund she was not entitled to receive. As a result, the IRS issued her a refund of approximately $240,000. Cyphers then obstructed the IRS’s efforts to recover this ill-gotten refund by transferring funds into a trust, making a large cash withdrawal from the refund deposit and sending frivolous correspondence to the IRS. Cyphers also admitted to helping others promote the tax fraud scheme and recruit additional participants, even though she knew the scheme was illegal.

In March, the main promoter of the fraud scheme, Iran Backstrom, was sentenced to more than eight years in prison, and Backstrom’s second-in-command, Mehef Bey, was sentenced to 11 years in prison. Another individual, Aaron Aqueron, was sentenced to 51 months in prison for recruiting clients to the scheme and providing information to another co-conspirator for use in the preparation of false tax returns.

Cyphers is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 24 and faces a maximum penalty of three years in prison for filing a false tax return. She also faces a period of supervised release, monetary penalties and restitution. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida made the announcement.

IRS-Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

Trial Attorney Isaiah Boyd III of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Chauncey A. Bratt for the Middle District of Florida are prosecuting the case.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that George Thomas Griffiths, Jr. (42, Ponte Vedra Beach) has pleaded guilty to distributing videos depicting young children being sexually abused. He faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years, and up to, 20 years in federal prison, and a potential life term of supervised release. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to court documents, an FBI task force officer began an undercover online investigation using a particular social media application (app) to identify individuals attempting to sexually exploit children using the internet. From February 3, 2020, through February 20, 2020, an individual user named “ban_me_again,” who was subsequently identified as Griffiths, uploaded to a chat room on the app several videos that featured children, including an infant child, being sexually abused. Meanwhile, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office (SJSO) received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that the same app had reported that this same user had uploaded videos depicting child sexual abuse materials during this same time period. Further investigation revealed that Griffiths had distributed these contraband videos over the internet from his residence in Ponte Vedra Beach and from his place of employment. At that time, Griffiths worked at a health care facility in Jacksonville as an x-ray technologist.    

On November 19, 2020, SJSO detectives and agents from Homeland Security Investigations executed a search warrant at Griffiths’ residence and seized an Apple iPhone used by Griffiths. During an interview with law enforcement, Griffiths stated that he used the particular app to talk to people over the internet. He also stated that it was “possible” that he exchanged pictures and videos on the app, and that these materials “possibly” included “bestiality” involving both adults and children. When asked how many times he had distributed child sexual abuse materials, Griffiths first responded, “I don’t know” and then clarified, “more than one or two.”

Subsequent examination of Griffiths’ iPhone revealed that it contained at least 2,000 images and at least 10 videos depicting children being sexually abused, including infants and toddler-aged children. 

This case was investigated by the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Homeland Security Investigations, with the assistance of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.

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

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle today sentenced Samuel Storey (43, Sarasota) to 17 years in federal prison for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. The court also ordered Storey to forfeit a Smith & Wesson Bodyguard semi-automatic firearm and seven rounds of ammunition related to the offense. Storey had pleaded guilty on December 3, 2021.

According to court documents, on August 22, 2020, Storey got into altercation with a customer at a convenience store in Sarasota County, during which Storey pointed a firearm at the customer. Storey left the store shortly after the altercation and officers from the Sarasota Police Department responded to the store. Storey returned to the store as the officers were beginning the investigation. One of the officers detained Storey and found a loaded Smith & Wesson firearm in Storey’s pocket during a pat down search. Storey was previously convicted of multiple felonies, including felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and selling and possessing with the intent to deliver cocaine. He is therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Sarasota Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Charlie D. Connally.

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge William F. Jung has sentenced James Williams, III (29, Tampa) to nine years and two months in federal prison following conviction for one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was also ordered to forfeit the firearm and serve three years of supervised release. Williams had pleaded guilty on March 2, 2022.

According to facts presented in court, on May 5, 2021, Tampa Police Department (TPD) Officers were conducting an undercover narcotics operation. While conducting surveillance, police observed Williams drive up to the target house in a black BMW, with expired registration, and go inside. Officers had prior contact with Williams and knew that his drivers’ license had been suspended. Shortly thereafter, the officers saw Williams leave the residence and get back in the BMW and drive away. He was the sole occupant of the car. TPD officers conducted a traffic stop on the BMW and arrested Williams for driving while his license was suspended.  

During the initial contact, police immediately detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside Williams’ vehicle. Officers also observed a leafy substance on and around the driver’s seat and the center console of the car. During a search of the vehicle, officers found a small plastic baggie with marijuana inside Williams’ front, left pants pocket, and a fabric backpack on the front passenger seat of the vehicle, next to where Williams had been sitting. Inside of the backpack was a brown jar containing marijuana, a larger clear plastic baggie filled with a large quantity of marijuana, a half-filled box of unused clear sandwich sized baggies, and a black and stainless-steel digital scale with marijuana residue on it. The marijuana weighed in at approximately 220.8 grams.

In addition, police also located a black semi-automatic FN Herstal model Five-Seven 5.7x28mm caliber pistol on the floor, at the base of the driver’s seat. The pistol, which was easily accessible to Williams, was loaded with 19 rounds in the magazine, and 1 live round in the chamber. Forensic analysis later confirmed that DNA obtained from Williams matched DNA found on the firearm. Subsequent investigation revealed photos of Williams posing with the firearm on his social media accounts. The firearm had been reported stolen eight months prior to being recovered from Williams. At the time of the incident, Williams had been convicted of multiple felonies, including resisting an officer with violence, possession of forged credit cards, possession of marijuana, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Therefore, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

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

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Tampa, Florida –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found Derrick Samuel Lewis (51, Sarasota) guilty of conspiracy, possession with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, and possession with the intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana. Lewis faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, and up to life, in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for August 24, 2022. Lewis had been charged by way of a superseding indictment on June 28, 2017.

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, in 2016 and 2017, Lewis was involved with a drug trafficking organization (DTO) that specialized in the distribution of cocaine and marijuana. On behalf of the DTO, Lewis coordinated the shipment of kilogram quantities of cocaine and marijuana from Arizona to Florida, hidden among innocuous items such as unassembled office furniture. On February 24, 2017, investigators seized an incoming shipment containing 25 kilograms of cocaine and 444 kilograms of marijuana in Tampa, which had a wholesale value at that time of more than $3 million.

On June 7, 2017, investigators arrested Lewis. When taken into custody, he was in possession of $50,000 in bulk cash currency. On June 30, 2017, the court set conditions of pre-trial release for Lewis. A short time later, he absconded and became a fugitive from justice, leaving his wife and family. While on the run, Lewis at times resided in Mexico. On August 31, 2021, the U.S. Marshals Service rearrested Lewis in Arizona, and returned him to the Middle District of Florida to stand trial.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Tampa Police Department. Substantial assistance was provided by the U.S. Marshals Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carlton C. Gammons.

Jacksonville, Florida –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Edrick D. Jackson (28, Lake City) has pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and three counts of distribution of cocaine base (also known as “crack” cocaine). Jackson faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison for the firearm offense and up to 20 years’ imprisonment for each drug offense. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to court documents, on three separate occasions, Jackson sold crack cocaine to a confidential informant who was working with law enforcement.  The sales took place at Jackson’s home in Lake City. After obtaining a federal search warrant, investigators searched Jackson’s home and located crack cocaine, two digital scales, a loaded Smith and Wesson 9mm pistol that had previously been reported stolen, and a Glock 9mm pistol with an extended magazine loaded with 20 rounds of ammunition. Jackson had previously been convicted of multiple felony offenses and therefore is prohibited law from possessing firearms.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lake City Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Laura Cofer Taylor and Michael J. Coolican. 

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Devontae D. Hunter (25, Tampa) has pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Hunter faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to court documents, Hunter brandished a Glock pistol in a video he had uploaded to his Instagram account on September 11, 2021. Two days later, during a traffic stop, Hunter fled from law enforcement officers on foot and dropped the same Glock pistol he had displayed in the Instagram video, which was configured with an extended magazine and loaded with 20 rounds of ammunition. Hunter had previously been convicted of several felony offenses, including a conviction for possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, robbery, and aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, and is therefore prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Tampa Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David W.A. Chee and Callan Albritton.

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Orlando, FL – U.S. District Judge Wendy Berger today sentenced Kelly Brown (41, Winter Park) to 25 years in federal prison for producing sexually explicit images of children and distributing these images over the internet. The court also ordered Brown to serve a life term of supervised release, register as a sex offender, and forfeit electronic devices that were used to commit his criminal offenses. Brown had pleaded guilty on October 19, 2021.

According to court documents, between June and July 2021, Brown produced several sexually explicit images depicting two young children. On July 19, 2021, Brown distributed some of these images over the internet using a web-based chat application. The next day, FBI agents approached Brown near his residence. During an interview with agents, Brown admitted that he had taken the contraband images of the two children using his smart phone at his residence during June and July 2021, and further, that he distributed them over the internet. Subsequent forensic analysis of Brown’s smart phone and data card revealed that it contained 151 videos and 67 images depicting the sexual abuse of children, including infants.

This case was investigated by the FBI. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Amanda Daniels.

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

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces today that a federal jury returned guilty verdicts against Dr. Steven Chun (59, Sarasota) and Daniel Tondre (52, Tampa). Both were found guilty for conspiring to pay and receive kickbacks and bribes, in the form of speaker fees, in return for prescribing the fentanyl spray Subsys. They were both also convicted on five separate counts of paying and receiving kickbacks on specific dates. Tondre was also convicted of two counts of identification fraud in connection with the sham speaker events. Each faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison on the conspiracy count, and up to 10 years in prison for each substantive kickback violation. Tondre also faces up to 5 years’ imprisonment on each identification fraud count. The United States is seeking a money judgment in the amount of the proceeds of the kickbacks. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to court documents, Chun was a doctor who owned and operated a pain management medical practice in Sarasota where he prescribed a large volume of Subsys, an expensive form of liquid fentanyl designed to be applied under the tongue (sublingual spray), allowing it to rapidly enter the bloodstream. Tondre was employed as a sales representative in Chun’s territory by Insys Therapeutics, Inc., the company that manufactured and sold Subsys.

Insys, through its sales representative, Tondre, actively marketed Subsys to Chun by holding bogus and sham speaker events, and paid Chun $2,400 to $3,000 per speaker event in return for writing more and higher dosages of Subsys prescriptions. The sham speaker programs were often only attended by Chun’s family and friends or repeat attendees and included many falsified or forged signatures of attendees. Insys also bribed Chun, a large Subsys-prescriber, by hiring his then-girlfriend to work as an Insys liaison to facilitate the approval of insurance forms for Subsys, including those submitted for Medicare patients. The sham speaker programs were designed to conceal and disguise kickbacks and bribes paid to Chun to induce him to prescribe Subsys.

According to evidence presented during the 10-day trial, Chun was paid more than $278,000 in illegal kickbacks and bribes from Insys in connection with the sham speaker programs over a period of less than three years. Chun was also employed as a consultant by a local pharmacy where he referred his patients to fill Subsys and other medications. Tondre earned more than $737,000 in in salary and sales commissions over a period of two and half years. Medicare Part D paid more than $4.5 million for Subsys prescriptions written Chun.

Insys Therapeutics and other executives of Insys Therapeutics were convicted in the District of Massachusetts in United States v. Gurry et al., with the First Circuit Court of Appeals affirming their convictions.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services—Office of Inspector General, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and by the Opioid Fraud Abuse and Detection Unit at the United States Attorney’s Office, which focuses on opioid-related fraud and abuse by medical and health care professionals who have contributed to the prescription opioid epidemic. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kelley C. Howard-Allen and Jennifer Peresie.

Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Larry Alan Goldman (64, North Port) to one year and a day in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, for dealing in firearms without a license. As part of his sentence, Goldman will also pay a fine of $25,000.

According to court documents, between February 2020 and August 2021, undercover agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and a confidential informant purchased approximately 14 firearms from Goldman’s vendor booth at a flea market in North Fort Myers. During this period, Goldman did not have a Federal Firearms License (FFL) authorizing him to lawfully engage in the business of dealing in firearms. In September 2021, ATF agents visited Goldman at his home and served him with a Notice of Unlicensed Firearms Dealing Violation, and Goldman agreed to stop selling firearms.

Following ATF’s meeting with Goldman, undercover ATF agents purchased two additional firearms from Goldman at the flea market in September and October 2021. On October 19, 2021, ATF agents executed a federal search warrant of Goldman’s residence, as well as a truck and trailer Goldman used to facilitate the sale of firearms. Agents seized approximately 29 firearms and approximately $36,828 in cash. A search of multiple sale firearm purchases made by Goldman between January 2020 and September 2021 revealed that Goldman had purchased approximately 313 firearms.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Trent Reichling.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Orlando, FL –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Evelisse Hernandez (40, Kissimmee) with four counts of bank fraud and four counts of aggravated identity theft. If convicted, she faces up to 30 years in federal prison on each bank fraud count and a mandatory consecutive 2 years’ imprisonment on the aggravated identity theft counts. The indictment also notifies Hernandez that the United States is seeking an order of forfeiture in the amount of $130,000, representing the proceeds of the charged criminal conduct.

According to the indictment, Hernandez, in her capacity as a licensed mortgage loan officer, created and executed a mortgage fraud scheme targeting the financial institution where she worked. To ensure that otherwise unqualified borrowers were approved for mortgage loans, Hernandez falsified the borrower’s income through completely fabricated or inflated monthly child support payments on mortgage loan applications that she signed and certified to the financial institution’s underwriting department. In furtherance of her scheme, Hernandez created fictitious Final Judgments of Dissolution of Marriage showing the borrowers were entitled to receive non-existent monthly child support payments. Hernandez then used the names of Judges from the Circuit Court of the Ninth District of Florida and forged their signatures on the fabricated Final Judgments of Dissolution of Marriage. Hernandez then created bogus Florida Department of Revenue Statements showing the party purportedly paying monthly child support payments to the borrowers and manufactured phony prepaid debit card statements showing the borrowers purportedly withdrawing the non-existent monthly child support payments. In most cases, the borrowers did not have the children listed or had never been married. Hernandez submitted bogus paperwork to the financial institution to support the false monthly income on the loan applications. Based on Hernandez’s misrepresentations, the financial institution approved and funded the mortgage loans.

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

This case was investigated by the Federal Housing Finance Agency – Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General and the Florida Office of Financial Regulation. It will be prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Chris Poor.

Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Danzavieran Durand Thurman. (35, Lehigh Acres) to 10 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The Court also ordered Thurman to forfeit the firearm used in the offense.

According to court documents, on October 16, 2020, deputies from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) responded to a hotel in Fort Myers after locating a car in the hotel’s parking lot that had been used in an armed home invasion. Law enforcement had identified Thurman as one of the suspects involved in the armed home invasion. Deputies obtained a search warrant to search the hotel room Thurman was occupying. During a search of the hotel room, LSCO deputies discovered a loaded firearm hidden in a mattress box spring frame. Subsequent forensic analysis of the firearm linked it to Thurman. As a previously convicted felon, Thurman is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.

This case was jointly investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Trent Reichling.

This is another case prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN), which is a nationwide, crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety — one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts. In the Middle District of Florida, U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.

Ocala, Florida – Senior United States District Judge John Antoon II has sentenced George Utley (56, Oklahoma City) to 30 months in federal prison for receiving stolen government property, specifically, Department of Labor (DOL) Disability Benefit Payments. Utley was also ordered to make full restitution to the DOL and to forfeit $732,459.46, representing the value of the stolen funds. Utley had pleaded guilty on February 14, 2022.

According to the plea agreement, Utley is a former mail handler for the United States Postal Service (USPS). In January 2009, Utley falsely claimed a job-related back injury to receive workers’ compensation disability benefits through the Department of Labor – Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (DOL-OWCP). The monthly payments ranged from approximately $2,600 (2011), to upwards of $3,300 (2019). These payments were the product of theft because Utley failed to truthfully report his prior accidents/injuries, his other sources of income and employment, and any improvements to his purported injury.

An investigation by the USPS – Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) revealed that Utley had falsely testified in a 2011 DOL deposition that he never had suffered a previous back injury or been in an automobile accident. Despite Utley’s allegations of tremendous, debilitating back pain, he only had received $14 worth of prescription pain medication during the 10-year benefit period. Utley also failed to report his other sources of income and employment—he had incorporated and operated a rubbish removal business for many years and had received monthly government housing assistance payments of $1,412 as the landlord for a property in Pennsylvania. Recorded video surveillance captured Utley doing yard work at his Florida home, repeatedly lifting and carrying heavy items, working on a race car, and hitching a flatbed car carrier, box trailer, and fifth-wheel RV to his truck. A search of Utley’s email account and Facebook postings revealed photographs of Utley’s vacations (Key West and the Grand Canyon) and extensive physical activity (weightlifting, bicycling, deep-sea fishing, etc.). Utley’s fraudulent activity resulted in him receiving $732,459.46 in disability benefit payments to which he was not entitled.

“Taking taxpayer dollars to which you are not entitled is theft—period,” said HSI Orlando Assistant Special Agent in Charge David Pezzutti. “Our agents at HSI Orlando, working alongside the USPS OIG, are committed to finding those who aim to abuse programs meant to lend a helping hand and bring them to justice.”

This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service – Office of Inspector General and Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Bodnar, Jr.

Fort Myers, Florida – United States District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Leslie Spencer (49, Port Charlotte) to 30 months in federal prison for attempting to possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances. Spencer had pleaded guilty on September 21, 2021.

According to court records, Spencer worked as a correctional officer at the Charlotte Correctional Institution’s offsite work camp located in Fort Myers. The FBI learned that Spencer was accepting payments from prisoners in exchange for smuggling contraband into the prison, including drugs and cellphones. 

In March 2021, Spencer agreed to smuggle three ounces of methamphetamine, three ounces of MDMA, and two cellphones into the prison for an inmate working as an FBI confidential source. Spencer told the confidential source to make sure the items were packaged in a way that they could be discreetly brought into the prison. Spencer also told the source of additional steps that he would take to avoid security measures implemented at the prison to prevent employees from smuggling in contraband.

After the deal had been agreed to, Spencer met with an undercover FBI special agent posing as a supplier of drugs. The two met in the parking lot of a Fort Myers retail store, where the undercover agent provided Spencer with sham methamphetamine and MDMA, cellphones, and payment for the smuggling operation. Upon leaving the retail store, Spencer was arrested by federal agents.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael V. Leeman.

Tampa, FL –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Oscar Adriano Quintero Rengifo, a/k/a “Guatala,” (34) today pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine on vessels subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. Quintero Rengifo faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. He was arrested in Colombia on January 29, 2021, and extradited to the United States on January 26, 2022.

According to the plea agreement, Quintero Rengifo was part of a transnational criminal organization that smuggled cocaine from South America to Central America for ultimate importation into the United States. The organization primarily sent vessels such as self-propelled semi-submersible vessels to Guatemala, where the cocaine was then smuggled over the Guatemala/Mexican border and then into the United States. A former mayor in Guatemala, who controlled drug routes in northern Guatemala into Mexico, oversaw the smuggling of cocaine to Mexican cartel members. Quintero Rengifo progressed within the group from organizing smuggling operations to ultimately investing in shipments and securing investors.

From at least as early as January 2015 through September 2019, the United States Coast Guard interdicted at least four vessels, including two semi-submersible vessels, directly linked to the Quintero Rengifo’s organization and involving more than 13,000 kilograms of cocaine.

This case was investigated by the Panama Express Strike Force, a standing Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) comprised of agents and analysts from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, and the U.S. Southern Command's Joint Interagency Task Force South. The Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs substantially assisted in the extradition of the defendant to the United States. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s drug supply. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dan Baeza.

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge William Jung has sentenced Andres Ivan Leyva Sabina (51, Tampa) to 17 years in federal prison for distributing and possessing images and videos depicting children being sexually abused. The court also ordered Sabina to pay more than $100,000 in restitution to child victims, serve a 10-year term of supervised release, and register as a sex offender.  Sabina had pleaded guilty on January 12, 2022.

According to court documents, on several occasions in September 2018, Sabina used a social media application and the internet to distribute images depicting children being forced to engage in sexually explicit conduct. In July 2019, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Sabina’s residence. Several electronic devices used by Sabina were seized and officers discovered more than 4,000 images and videos depicting children being sexually abused contained in these devices.

“This predator possessed thousands of depictions of child pornography involving more than 150 victims that he collected and distributed on the dark web,” said HSI Tampa acting Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Silliman. “HSI special agents and Florida Department of Law Enforcement officers worked jointly to shut down this monstrous creature from leaving more child victims in his wake.”

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Candace Garcia Rich.

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 Criminal 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 – U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard has sentenced Samuel Christopher Templeman (47, Jacksonville) to 13 years and 4 months in federal prison for conspiring to sex traffic a child. Deborah Lynn Templeman (51, Jacksonville) was sentenced to 6 years in federal prison for possession of child sexual abuse material. The court also ordered the defendants to serve 10-year terms of supervise release, register as sex offenders, and forfeit several cellphones that were used in the offenses. The Templemans had pleaded guilty on June 21, 2021.

According to court documents, the Templemans had custodial rights over the child victim from the time of her birth until July 2019. The child victim had begun using heroin in 2018. Samuel Templeman had a long-term addiction to opioid pills, and the child victim and Samuel Templeman began regularly using heroin and crack cocaine together. The child victim also began engaging in sex acts for drugs at the direction of a pimp. 

In July 2019, the Templemans’ custodial rights were terminated and they were court-ordered not to have contact with the child victim. The child victim was placed into foster care, but ran away. Around late August 2019, Samuel Templeman received an inheritance of approximately $26,000. The child victim thereafter agreed to live with the Templemans. Ultimately, the Templemans and the child victim spent the $26,000 inheritance by the middle of October 2019, primarily on illegal drugs for Samuel Templeman and the child victim.

After the inheritance money was exhausted, the only legitimate income for the Templemans and the child victim was Deborah Templeman’s bi-weekly salary, which would be spent 1-2 days after receipt. During the remaining 12-13 days of each two-week period, the only income that the Templemans and the child victim generated was derived from the child victim engaging in sex acts for money and occasional panhandling. The majority of the money the child victim made by engaging in commercial sex acts was then spent on illegal drugs, with a portion of the money going toward food, hotel rooms, and other basic expenses.

On December 11, 2019, a detective from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office traveled to Deborah Templeman’s place of employment to attempt to recover the child victim. The detective waited for several hours for the child victim to return. While the detective was there, she overheard phone conversations in which Samuel Templeman informed Deborah Templeman that he was taking the child victim to a “date” – a common slang term for an appointment for the child to have sex for money – and that he would then come pick up Deborah Templeman from work. When Samuel Templeman returned to Deborah Templeman’s workplace at the end of the day, he was arrested, and the child victim was rescued. Deborah Templeman was also subsequently arrested.

A review of the cellphones used by the Templemans and the child victim during the timeframe of these events revealed that Deborah Templeman’s cellphone contained visual depictions of the child victim engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Deborah Templeman admitted that she was aware these visual depictions were stored on her phone.

“Human trafficking is modern day slavery and even more troubling when it involves a child victim. This was an incredibly disturbing investigation that demonstrates how devastating human trafficking can be in our communities,” said Sherri Onks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division. “In this instance, the child victim was exploited and placed in grave danger by those who had custodial control and should have been providing care and protection. This case demonstrates the commitment by the FBI, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the United States Attorney's Office to never rest while individuals like this continue to exploit innocent children.” 

This case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Cofer Taylor and Special Assistant United States Attorney Erin Wolfson. The asset forfeiture was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Mai Tran.

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

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Corrine Brown (75, Jacksonville) today pleaded guilty to engaging in a corrupt endeavor to obstruct and impede the due administration of the internal revenue laws. After accepting her guilty plea, Chief Judge Timothy J. Corrigan sentenced Brown to the time that she had already served in the custody of the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, specifically two years, eight months, and nine days. Brown was also ordered to pay $62,650.99 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.

According to the plea agreement, between October 15, 2009, and October 15, 2015, Brown caused her certified public accountant to file individual income tax returns for tax years 2008 through 2014 that did not include income associated with cash deposits into her bank accounts. During the same period, Brown also over-reported her charitable giving by inflating total gifts to charitable organizations and non-profit entities. Brown signed each referenced tax return under penalty of perjury, knowing that each one contained false information. In addition, Brown caused two Jacksonville non-profit entities to create letters that did not accurately reflect her donations so that Brown could use those letters during an IRS audit.  

Brown was previously convicted by a federal jury for various offenses; after Brown’s appeal, her earlier conviction was vacated.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys A. Tysen Duva and Michael J. Coolican of the Middle District of Florida and Trial Attorney Michelle Parikh and former Deputy Chief Eric G. Olshan of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section prosecuted the case.

Tampa, FL – A Florida corporation pleaded guilty in federal court in the Middle District of Florida to a charge of willfully violating an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rule. The criminal charge related to an explosion at a coal-fired power plant in 2017 that caused the deaths of five workers.

Tampa Electric Company (TECO) operates several facilities in Florida, including Big Bend, a coal-fired power plant outside of Tampa. At the time, the facility consisted of four large coal-fired furnaces. Underneath the furnaces were water-filled tanks designed to catch and cool the molten “slag” by-product that drips down from the furnace. On June 29, 2017, hardened slag had accumulated at the top and the bottom of the slag tank and could not be removed. Rather than shutting down the furnace, TECO called in a contractor to perform high-pressure water blasting to try and clear the slag with the unit on-line. The work proceeded without observance of several safety-related procedures required by law. Five people were killed when one of the slag accumulations came loose, spraying the area with molten slag.

Federal law makes it a class B misdemeanor to willfully fail to follow an OSHA safety standard, where the failure causes the death of an employee. The class B misdemeanor is the only federal criminal charge covering such workplace safety violations.

“This incident demonstrates the importance of OSHA’s safety standards, and the harms that they are designed to prevent,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “The deaths caused by the defendant’s conduct were tragic and they were preventable. The Justice Department will vigorously prosecute those who fail to follow these critical safety rules.”

“Had TECO complied with OSHA’s workplace safety standards, conducted a pre-job briefing and followed its own procedure, these senseless deaths could have been prevented,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “Our hearts go out to the victims’ families as well as other TECO employees and contractors impacted by this catastrophic event. Our office is proud to have partnered with DOJ’s Environmental Crimes Section to shine a light on this willful violation of OSHA safety standards in order to deter such conduct and ensure that workers are protected in the future.”

“This investigation demonstrates the FBI’s unyielding commitment to the mission of protecting the American people and upholding the United States Constitution,” said Special Agent in Charge David Walker for FBI Tampa Field Office. “Our heartfelt sympathies go out to the victims’ families along with our promise to work with our federal partners in ensuring the safety of America’s workplaces.”

In a plea agreement with the government, TECO admitted to willfully failing to hold a pre-job briefing with the workers performing the work. Such briefing should have included the procedures for the water blasting work. Instead, the work proceeded even though the procedures could not be found. As a result, certain critical safety-related steps were not taken, including lowering the amount of coal entering the furnace, and shutting the unit down after a specified interval had lapsed.

The FBI and the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General investigated the case.

Trial Attorney Adam Cullman of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachelle DesVaux Bedke for the Middle District of Florida prosecuted the case.

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that John Paul Angel, Jr., a/k/a “John Saravia,” (43, St. Petersburg) has been arrested and charged by a criminal complaint with failing to register as a sex offender. If convicted, Angel faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a potential lifetime term of supervised release. 

According to the criminal complaint, in May 2001, Angel was convicted of second-degree sexual assault of a minor child after a guilty plea in Bergen County, New Jersey. After his release from a three-year prison sentence, Angel was required to register as a sex offender. Since 2003, however, Angel repeatedly failed to report his whereabouts and his status as a convicted sex offender as required by law. In May 2005, Angel failed to report annually to officials in New Jersey, as required by law, resulting in a warrant being issued for his arrest. In April 2022, law enforcement officers discovered Angel living in St. Petersburg using the alias “John Saravia.” He has been in the Middle District of Florida since 2012. There is no record of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement that shows Angel, or “John Saravia” ever registering as a sex offender in Florida, as required by state and federal law.

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

This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service with assistance from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Clifton Police Department, and the New Jersey Parole Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin Claire Favorit.

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

Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Rodney Devon Jones (26, Orlando) with carjacking and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. If convicted on all counts, Jones faces a minimum mandatory term of seven years, and up to life, in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Jones that the United States intends to forfeit firearms and ammunition involved in the offenses.

According to the indictment, on or about September 28, 2021, Jones knowingly took a 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio from another person by force, violence, and intimidation, with the intent to cause death and serious bodily harm.

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 Seminole Police Department, with assistance from the Orlando Police Department and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office as part of the Middle District of Florida’s Safe Trails Task Force. The Safe Trails Task Force is a partnership between the United States Attorney’s Office, the FBI, the Seminole Police Department, and other federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies that are working together to combat the growth of crime in Indian Country. This case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher F. Murray.

This case is also being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Alexander Leszczynski (22, North Redington Beach) with wire fraud, bank fraud, and money laundering. If convicted on all counts, Leszczynski faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Leszczynski that the United States intends to forfeit $337,000, which represents the proceeds of the offenses, and property involved in the offenses. Leszczynski made his initial appearance on May 17, 2022, and was ordered detained pending his trial.

According to the court documents and the facts presented during the bond hearing, Leszczynski used fictitious charitable entities, such as Love & Bliss, Inc., to engage in numerous frauds. The schemes included fraudulently applying for and receiving two Payroll Protection Plan (“PPP”) loans totaling approximately $195,910 and engaging in a check kiting scheme and attempting to deposit $2.7 million of worthless checks into the Love & Bliss, Inc. business account. Leszczynski laundered the proceeds of the PPP and check kiting schemes through multiple accounts in an effort to conceal those proceeds from the United States and forestall its recovery. The United States ultimately seized $337,000 from an account Leszczynski controlled and, when he discovered that the money had been frozen, he attempted to have it released by producing a fabricated pardon purportedly signed by former President Donald Trump.

In a separate fraud scheme, Leszczynski filed fraudulent warranty deeds purporting to deed to himself and his businesses 10 properties around the United States collectively valued at more than $300 million. When property owners and attorneys attempted to correct the fraudulent deeds, Leszczynski responded by sending harassing and threatening letters, emails, and faxes.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is a federal law enacted March 2020. It is designed to provide emergency financial assistance to millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act is the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through the PPP. In April 2020, Congress authorized over $300 billion in additional PPP funding.

The PPP allows qualifying small businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of one percent. Businesses must use PPP loan proceeds for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent and utilities. The PPP allows the interest and principal to be forgiven if the business spends the proceeds on these expenses within a set time-period and uses at least a certain percentage of the loan toward payroll expenses.

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 Largo Police Department, the Indian Shores Police Department, and the Palm Beach Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rachel Jones and asset forfeiture will be handled by Assistant United States Attorney Jimmy Muench.

Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Manuel Angel Burgos (39, Brooksville) today pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States. Burgos faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to court filings, Burgos and Javier Monserrate Vazquez conspired to obtain kilograms of cocaine in packages sent from Puerto Rico to Zephyrhills. Text messages between the two corroborated their involvement, and Burgos made a post-Miranda statement to law enforcement implicating Monserrate Vazquez and another coconspirator. Burgos pleaded guilty to the conspiracy and was sentenced to five years in federal prison.

After Burgos was imprisoned, Monserrate Vazquez tried to corruptly obstruct his pending federal case by getting witnesses to sign affidavits exonerating him. Monserrate Vazquez and others tried to influence witnesses through payments and, in the case of one witness, relocating him to avoid a subpoena. While in federal prison, Burgos signed an affidavit falsely claiming that Monserrate Vazquez had nothing to do with drug trafficking and that certain text messages between the two about packages of cocaine were innocent in nature. Burgos knew these statements were false when he signed the affidavit; Burgos received payments to his prison inmate account from a family member of Monserrate Vazquez’s prior to signing the affidavit.

The United States is also seeking the forfeiture of $1,390, which represents the proceeds obtained by the defendant as a result of the offenses.

This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dan Baeza.

Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Anne C. Conway has sentenced Tomas Ziupsnys (39, Kissimmee) to five years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft. Holly Lynn Urban (36, Kissimmee) was sentenced to two years and six months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit bank fraud. The court also ordered both defendants to forfeit $632,000, which they had obtained from their participation in the bank fraud conspiracy. Ziupsnys had pleaded guilty on February 3, 2022, and Urban had pleaded guilty on January 20, 2022.

According to court documents, Ziupsnys and Urban conspired to defraud multiple banks by submitting false Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications to the Small Business Administration (SBA) and PPP-approved lenders. 

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is a federal law that was enacted in March 2020.  It was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to millions of Americans who suffered the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief that the CARES Act provided was the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through the PPP.  In April 2020, Congress authorized over $300 billion in additional PPP funding.

The PPP allowed qualifying small businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of one percent. Businesses were required to use PPP loan proceeds for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. The PPP allowed the interest and principal to be forgiven if the business spent the proceeds on these expenses within a set time period and used at least a certain percentage of the loan toward payroll expenses.

In furtherance of their bank fraud conspiracy, Ziupsnys and Urban submitted six loan applications that contained numerous false representations about the number of employees, average monthly payroll expenses, and annual sales revenue of five companies that they purportedly owned and controlled. Ziupsnys also submitted fabricated tax, payroll, and revenue documents in support of those six fraudulent PPP applications.

Moreover, Ziupsnys submitted false tax forms in support of at least one of the applications, using without authorization the personally identifiable information of Victim-1 and Victim-1’s two minor children. Ziupsnys had obtained the victims’ Social Security numbers when he contacted Victim-1 and expressed interest in employing Victim-1 and the two children in connection with the FedEx routes that he and Urban intended to purchase with PPP funds.  After obtaining the victims’ Social Security numbers, Ziupsnys did not contact Victim-1 again concerning employment, and instead used the Social Security numbers on the false tax forms that he submitted in support of one of the loan applications that he and Urban submitted.

Ziupsnys and Urban’s false and fraudulent representations caused the SBA and the PPP lenders to approve and fund three PPP loans, totaling approximately $897,000 ($265,300 of which the bank froze before Urban and Ziupsnys could access the funds). Ziupsnys and Urban unlawfully transferred a significant portion of the PPP funds to an escrow account in connection with their intended purchase of a FedEx route.

In addition to conspiring with Urban, Ziupsnys submitted three additional fraudulent PPP loan applications, requesting more than $497,000. None of those applications were funded. 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of the Inspector General, and the Small Business Administration Office of the Inspector General. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Emily C. L. Chang.

Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Carlos E. Mendoza has sentenced Timothy Leon Wilson, Jr. (25, Seminole County) to 15 years in federal prison. Wilson had pleaded guilty on December 15, 2021.       

According to court documents, on April 4, 2017, Wilson sold an individual a mixture of furanyl fentanyl and heroin which caused the individual to overdose shortly after using the substance. Seminole County Fire Department immediately responded and rushed the victim to the hospital, but he died shortly after arriving. On the same day, law enforcement was able to set up a controlled purchase with Wilson for additional drugs. Wilson arrived at the controlled purchase location with more of the same substance that he had sold the victim earlier that day. Wilson also brought a loaded firearm with him and was arrested. He admitted to selling the drugs to the victim.

The Medical Examiner confirmed that the cause of death to the victim was a heroin and furnyl fentanyl overdose. Furanyl fentanyl is an analogue of fentanyl and is on Schedule I of the Drug Enforcement Administrations’ schedules of controlled substances.     

This case was investigated by the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John Gardella.

A Florida man was sentenced today to life in prison for traveling from Florida to Vietnam to engage in sex acts with numerous Vietnamese minors he had met and communicated with over the internet.

Christopher Edwin Day, 52, of Saint Petersburg, pleaded guilty to two counts of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct and two counts of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor into illegal sexual activity in February 2020. According to documents filed with the court and statements made in connection with Day’s plea and sentencing, on two separate occasions in 2015 and 2016, Day traveled from Florida to Vietnam to engage in sex acts with minor Vietnamese boys. According to court documents, Day flew back and forth to Vietnam under the guise that he was an English teacher, and some boys were lured to Day with promises of money and gifts while others were introduced to Day as their English teacher. 

Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida, and Assistant Special Agent in Charge John Dumas of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tampa made the announcement. 

The case was investigated by HSI agents in Tampa and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Trial Attorney Kyle P. Reynolds of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Candace Garcia Rich for the Middle District of Florida prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 800-843-5678, or https://report.cybertip.org.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that Scott Matthew Yotka (47, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to two counts of producing photos and a video depicting himself while he sexually abused two young children. Yotka faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years, and up to 60 years, in federal prison and a potential life term of supervised release. Yotka was arrested on September 17, 2021, and has been detained since that time. His sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.

According to court documents, on September 15, 2021, Yotka, using the name “Scottnjax44,” engaged in online private conversation using a particular social media application (app) with an undercover FBI task force officer in Washington, D.C. Yotka discussed his ongoing sexual exploitation of children in graphic detail, stated that he had access to two young children, and further that he enjoyed molesting them. Yotka sent the undercover officer several photos and a video depicting two prepubescent children being sexually abused by Yotka. The FBI traced this online messaging activity to Yotka’s residence and determined that the same “Scottnjax44” user account was also accessed from the offices of the City of Jacksonville located in the Ed Ball Building in downtown Jacksonville. FBI agents coordinated with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) and confirmed that Yotka was employed by JSO as a Police Emergency Communications Officer. On September 16, 2021, the FBI obtained a federal search warrant for Yotka’s residence.

During the early morning of September 17, 2021, the FBI, assisted by JSO, executed the search warrant and made contact with Yotka. During an interview, Yotka confirmed that he was the administrator of a chat room on the social media app for individuals interested in “incest fetishes, little kid things, [and] animal things.” Yotka admitted sending pornographic pictures of young children to another app user. He also admitted taking photos of these children as he molested them and used a particular object to sexually abuse them. Yotka stated “I know what I did” and “I’m not proud of what I did.” An FBI forensic examiner was able to recover from Yotka’s cellphone seven photos and a video depicting Yotka sexually abusing these two children.  

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Jacksonville and Washington, D.C. and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.

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

Tampa, FL – A Florida man was sentenced today to life in prison for traveling from Florida to Vietnam to engage in sex acts with numerous Vietnamese minors he had met and communicated with over the internet.

Christopher Edwin Day, 52, of Saint Petersburg, pleaded guilty to two counts of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct and two counts of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor into illegal sexual activity in February 2020. According to documents filed with the court and statements made in connection with Day’s plea and sentencing, on two separate occasions in 2015 and 2016, Day traveled from Florida to Vietnam to engage in sex acts with minor Vietnamese boys. According to court documents, Day flew back and forth to Vietnam under the guise that he was an English teacher, and some boys were lured to Day with promises of money and gifts while others were introduced to Day as their English teacher.  

Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida, and Assistant Special Agent in Charge John Dumas of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tampa made the announcement. 

The case was investigated by HSI agents in Tampa and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Trial Attorney Kyle P. Reynolds of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Candace Garcia Rich for the Middle District of Florida prosecuted the case.

“The laws of the United States will still catch up to child predators who even travel to foreign countries to sexually abuse minor children,” said HSI Tampa Assistant Special Agent in Charge John Dumas. “Thanks to HSI’s international investigative authorities and strong partnerships, both at HSI Tampa and HSI Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, this sexual predator was stopped from harming more children and his victim will have the justice they deserve.”

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 800-843-5678, or https://report.cybertip.org.

Orlando, FL – U.S. District Judge Wendy W. Berger has sentenced Stephen Brian Dukeman (27, Melbourne) to 10 years in federal prison for possessing with the intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. The court also ordered Dukeman to forfeit two firearms, which he had possessed during the offense. Dukeman had pleaded guilty on January 28, 2022.

According to court documents, on June 9, 2021, an officer with the Melbourne Police Department was working traffic enforcement when he observed a vehicle speeding. The officer attempted to catch up to the vehicle to make a traffic stop. However, the vehicle struck a curb and became disabled. The sole occupant of the vehicle, later identified as Dukeman, fled on foot through a field and a pursuit began. The officer ordered Dukeman to stop several times, but he refused to comply. While running, Dukeman was grabbing at an object in his pocket. The officer was able to gain control of Dukeman, a struggle ensued, and eventually Dukeman was arrested.

A search of Dukeman’s pockets revealed $450 in cash and a ripped baggie containing 103.42 grams of fentanyl. A search of Dukeman’s vehicle revealed a loaded Glock 9mm pistol on the driver’s seat floorboard, another baggie containing fentanyl weighing 145.61 grams in the center console, and a loaded multi-caliber Premiere firearm in the backseat floorboard area. Both firearms were stolen.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Melbourne Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Beatriz Gonzalez.

Tampa, Florida –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Reginald Roberts a/k/a/ “Rudy” (22, Lakeland), Nathaniel Keith Carr, a/k/a “Nate” (28, Lakeland), Daniel Jackson, a/k/a “D-Jack” (29, Winter Haven), and Chrishawn De’Earl Butler, a/k/a “Baby” (22, Bartow) with conspiracy, Hobbs Act Robbery, and brandishing and discharging firearms in the commission of crimes of violence. If convicted on all counts, the defendants each face a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. Additionally, Roberts and Butler each face a minimum mandatory term of 31 years in federal prison, Jackson faces a minimum mandatory term of 24 years in federal prison, and Carr faces a minimum mandatory term of 14 years in federal prison.

Carr and Butler made their initial appearances on May 12, 2022, and were both detained pending trial. Roberts and Jackson will make their initial appearances on June 7, 2022.

According to the

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 FBI, with assistance from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Bartow Police Department, the Lakeland Police Department, the Dade City Police Department, the Cape Coral Police Department, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, the Arcadia Police Department, and the Florida Highway Patrol. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diego F. Novaes.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday today sentenced Glib Oleksandr Ivanov-Tolpintsev (28, Chernivtsi, Ukraine) to four years in federal prison for conspiring to traffic in unauthorized access devices and computer passwords. As part of his sentence, the court also entered an order of forfeiture in the amount of $82,648, the proceeds of the charged criminal conduct.

Ivanov-Tolpintsev was taken into custody by Polish authorities in Korczowa, Poland on October 3, 2020, and extradited to the United States pursuant to the extradition treaty between the United States and the Republic of Poland. Ivanov-Tolpintsev pleaded guilty on February 22, 2022.

According to court documents, the “Marketplace” was a dark web website that illegally sold login credentials (usernames and passwords) to servers located across the world and personally identifiable information (dates of birth and Social Security numbers) of U.S. residents. Once purchased, criminals used these servers to facilitate a wide range of illegal activity that included ransomware attacks and tax fraud. In total, the Marketplace offered more than 700,000 compromised servers for sale including at least 150,000 in the United States and at least 8,000 in Florida. Marketplace victims spanned the globe and industries, including local, state, and federal government infrastructure, hospitals, 911 and emergency services, call centers, major metropolitan transit authorities, accounting and law firms, pension funds, and universities.

Ivanov-Tolpintsev controlled a “botnet,” which is a network of computers infected with malware and controlled as a group without the owners’ knowledge. He used the botnet to conduct brute-force attacks designed to decrypt numerous computer login credentials simultaneously. During the course of the conspiracy, Ivanov-Tolpintsev boasted that his botnet was capable of decrypting the login credentials of at least 2,000 computers every week. Ivanov-Tolpintsev then sold these hacked credentials on the Marketplace. From 2017 through 2019, Ivanov-Tolpintsev listed for sale thousands of login credentials of servers on the Marketplace, including more than 100 in the Middle District of Florida. Marketplace buyers paid at least $82,648 for servers listed by Ivanov-Tolpintsev.

This case was investigated by Tampa Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation’s Tampa Field Office. Substantial assistance was provided by the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation Cyber Crimes Unit in Washington, D.C. This investigation also benefited from foreign law enforcement cooperation by the Polish National Police, the Polish Prosecutor’s Office, and the Polish Ministry of Justice. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carlton C. Gammons.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that Adam Lee-Fucci Ferenbach (34, Atlantic Beach) has been arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possessing child sexual abuse videos. Ferenbach faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a potential lifetime term of supervised release. Ferenbach was arrested at his residence on May 6, 2022. Ferenbach is currently an active-duty member of the U.S. Navy, stationed at Naval Station Mayport.

According to court documents, on May 6, 2022, agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation executed a federal search warrant at Ferenbach’s residence in connection with an ongoing child exploitation investigation. Agents seized a cellphone that contained several videos in the device’s photo application depicting young children being sexually abused located.

This case was investigated by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Jacksonville. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Washington.

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

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

Tampa, FL - In honor of National Police Week, United States Attorney Roger Handberg will recognize the service and sacrifice of federal, state, and local law enforcement. This year, the week is observed Wednesday, May 11 through Tuesday, May 17, 2022.

“This week, we gather to pay tribute to the law enforcement officers who sacrificed their lives in service to our country,” said Attorney General Garland. “We remember the courage with which they worked and lived. And we recommit ourselves to the mission to which they dedicated their lives. On behalf of a grateful Justice Department and a grateful nation, I extend my sincerest thanks and gratitude to the entire law enforcement community.”

“Every day, thousands of law enforcement officers put their lives on the line to protect citizens from harm, enforce our nation’s laws, and preserve the peace,” said U.S. Attorney Handberg. “Our Office salutes the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and supports those who continue to serve the people of Florida and across America.”

In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices.  Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. Based on data submitted to and analyzed by the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), 472 law enforcement officers died nationwide in the line of duty in 2021.  Of that number, 319 succumbed to COVID-19.  Thirty officers have died in the line of duty in the Middle District of Florida.

Additionally, according to 2021 statistics reported by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 73 law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2021 were killed as a result of felonious acts, whereas 56 died in accidents.  Deaths resulting from felonious acts increased in 2021, rising more than 58 percent from the previous year.  In 2021, unprovoked attacks[1] were the cause of 24 deaths significantly outpacing all other line of duty deaths resulting from felony acts and reaching the highest annual total in over 30 years of reporting.  Additional LEOKA statistics can be found on FBI’s Crime Data Explorer website for the LEOKA program. 

The names of the 619 fallen officers added this year to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial will be read on Friday, May 13, 2022, during a Candlelight Vigil in Washington, D.C., starting at 8:00 PM EDT. Those who wish to view the vigil live online, can watch on the NLEOMF YouTube channel found at https://www.youtube.com/TheNLEOMF. The schedule of National Police Week events is available on NLEOMF’s website.

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Reference to any specific organization or service(s) offered by an organization is for the information and convenience of the public, and does not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Department of Justice.

[1] An unprovoked attack is defined as an attack on an officer not prompted by official contact at the time of the incident between the officer and the offender.  Source:  Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program.

Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Gregory A. Presnell has sentenced Alessandro Doreus (29, Port St. Lucie), Jean Elie Doreus Jovin (34, Loganville, GA), and Djouman Doreus (29, North Miami) to federal prison for conspiracy to commit fraud and aggravated identity theft.  Alessandro Doreus and Jovin were each sentenced to six years and nine months in federal prison. Djouman Doreus was sentenced to five years and one month imprisonment. All three had previously pleaded guilty.

According to the plea agreements, from at least 2015 through 2020, Jovin, Alessandro Doreus, and Djouman Doreus conspired to knowingly, and with intent to defraud, possess tens of thousands of counterfeit and unauthorized access devices—including the names, Social Security numbers, account numbers, usernames, and passwords of identity theft victims. 

The conspirators frequently exchanged these counterfeit and unauthorized access devices—in bulk—among themselves. For example, in November 2018, Jovin emailed Alessandro Doreus a file that contained track 2 data for approximately 58,700 credit cards. The conspirators also routinely sent each other messages that contained scores of names, Social Security numbers, and dates of birth of identity theft victims and engaged in a number of fraudulent schemes using the personally identifiable information (PII) that they had amassed. For example, they fraudulently opened and used numerous financial accounts in the names of identity theft victims and used stolen or fraudulently obtained credit card information to pay fake vendor accounts that Jovin opened and controlled. In addition, they used the names and Social Security numbers of identity theft victims to file fraudulent tax returns and obtain tax refunds to which they were not entitled. 

Jovin also purchased multiple compromised computer server credentials (including usernames and passwords) on a dark web marketplace and used those compromised server credentials to remotely and fraudulently access computer servers. At times, Jovin shared these compromised server credentials with Alessandro Doreus. To make it difficult for authorities to trace and attribute fraudulent activity to them, the conspirators opened dozens of email accounts—one of which was [email protected]. The conspirators used these email accounts exclusively or primarily to perpetuate their fraud scheme. 

In August 2020, the FBI executed a search warrant at Alessandro Doreus’s home and seized notebooks that contained the PII of more than 300 identity theft victims, and credit cards issued in the names of identity theft victims. The FBI also seized $490,365, which are proceeds obtained from this conspiracy.

“No face, no case…  No More. This trio will now forever be known to law enforcement,” said FBI Tampa Special Agent in Charge David Walker. “The FBI and its law enforcement partners will never cease to bring to justice heartless fraudsters who exploit identity theft victims. If you suspect your personal information has been compromised, please contact the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.”

“The Doreus trio wrongly assumed that their crimes would be untraceable, hidden under a cloak of internet anonymity,” said IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Brian Payne. “Through sophisticated investigative techniques, IRS-CI and our partners uncovered a digital set of footprints leading to these three criminals. Today’s sentencing now holds them accountable for their crimes and should serve as a warning to others involved in this parasitic behavior.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Emily C. L. Chang.

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Derek Morales-Figueroa (26, Orlando) has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine. Morales-Figueroa faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years, and up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to the plea agreement and other court documents, beginning on September 11, 2020, Morales-Figueroa and a conspirator, Jacob Luis Bonilla-Rivera, engaged in a series of phone calls with individuals who they believed to be cocaine dealers but who were, in fact, undercover agents working on behalf of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). These discussions culminated in an agreement to purchase 20 kilograms of cocaine in Orlando. On September 16, 2020, HSI agents met with Bonilla-Rivera and Juan Omar Rodriguez, Jr. (21, Auburndale) where the conspirators showed to HSI agents the $600,000 in cash that they had brought to the deal in a hidden compartment in one of their vehicles. After doing so, Bonilla-Rivera and Rodriguez proceeded to a location where HSI agents had arranged to show them the 20 kilograms of cocaine. Morales-Figueroa participated in inspecting the cocaine by video conferencing on one of the conspirator’s phones. After inspecting the cocaine, Bonilla-Rivera and Rodriguez returned to their car to retrieve the cash from the hidden compartment, at which time they were arrested. Upon searching their vehicles, HSI agents found that both Bonilla-Rivera and Rodriguez had loaded firearms in their possession in the vehicles they had driven to the meeting along with a total of $639,325 cash. In his plea agreement, Morales-Figueroa agreed to forfeit the cash seized in connection with this arrest.

On September 17, 2020, Bonilla-Rivera and Rodriguez were charged for their roles in the conspiracy. Bonilla-Rivera and Rodriguez both pleaded guilty and were each sentenced to 15 years in federal prison. Morales-Figueroa was not located at the time. On March 10, 2021, Morales-Figueroa was identified during a traffic stop in Flagler County but fled from law enforcement. On January 3, 2022, Morales-Figueroa was arrested in Jacksonville in connection with a search of a residence and seizure of nine kilograms of cocaine. 

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Seminole County Sherriff’s Office, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dana E. Hill.

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Monica Clyburn has pleaded guilty to three counts of aiding in the filing of false tax returns. Clyburn faces a maximum penalty of three years in federal prison as to each count.

According to the plea agreement, Cyburn was a tax preparer working for a tax preparation business at its office location in Sarasota, Florida for tax years 2014, 2015, and 2016. In order to maximize the refunds that the IRS would have to pay her clients, Clyburn prepared Forms 1040 that falsely reported fictitious amounts in the Schedule A (Itemized Deduction) portion of those returns. Many of the tax returns she prepared for clients also contained false information as to dependents, and some contained fictitious information as to the Schedule C portion of the returns reflecting profit/loss from the operation of businesses. The inclusion of those false items helped to inflate fraudulently the refunds that the taxpayers would receive.

The information charged her with aiding in the filing of three such false tax returns. The tax loss for those three tax returns is approximately $11,921. The tax loss for other tax returns that the defendant had a role in preparing and which contained similar false statements was approximately $186,834.

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jay L. Hoffer.

Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found Nathanael Santiago (29, Ocala) guilty of possessing a firearm and ammunition as a previously convicted felon. Santiago faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. Santiago had been indicted on July 21, 2021.

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, deputies from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office encountered Santiago behind the driver’s seat of an idling vehicle in Marion Oaks. Deputies approached Santiago and saw a marijuana “blunt” in the ashtray, which Santiago admitted to smoking. When Santiago stepped out of the vehicle, deputies discovered a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol partially concealed under his right leg. Santiago had previously been convicted of three felony offenses and never had his civil rights restored by executive clemency.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

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

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the arrest of Dustin Eward (44, Live Oak) and Greg Eward (24, Live Oak) on a criminal complaint charging them with the possession and transfer of firearm silencers that are not registered to them in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. The complaint also charges Dustin Eward with threatening to assault and murder a federal law enforcement officer. If convicted on all counts, Dustin Eward faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and Greg Eward faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. 

According to the criminal complaint, the Ewards are father and son who live together in Live Oak. In filings with the State of Florida, they are identified as the corporate officers of Eward Research, Inc. Via their company website, the Ewards nominally market “solvent traps,” which, in actuality, are firearm silencers or suppressors.  Under federal law, it is illegal for any person to receive or possess firearm silencers that are not registered to that person in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.  It is also illegal to transfer firearm silencers in violation of the National Firearms Act.

The complaint alleges that during two separate transactions in 2022, an undercover federal agent purchased a total of three firearm silencers from the Ewards. The agent communicated with Dustin Eward via an email address listed on the Ewards’s company website. Surveillance video captured Greg Eward mailing one of two packages containing silencers to the undercover agent.

It is further alleged in the complaint that Dustin Eward has a history of threatening law enforcement officers and public officials with violence, including in posts on YouTube, a personal website that he hosts, by phone, and by email. For example, on April 15, 2022, he emailed a federal agent and stated, among other things, “Your actions are an act of war against all Americans, and I will respond accordingly.”  He also stated, “I have nothing left to lose.  Arrest me?  Kill me? .... Death is an upgrade.  The only dream I have left is to take you with me.”  He further stated, “You will call off your attack, or I will defend myself the only way I have left; with maximum violence.”  He concluded the email, “I’m willing to die in this fight.  Are you?  I will not submit to satanic traitors.”

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

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Live Oak Police Department, the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.  It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kirwinn Mike and Michael Coolican.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.