Middle District of Florida
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Tampa Gift Card King Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven has sentenced Stephen H. McIntyre (51, Tampa) to five years and three months in federal prison for conspiring to commit money laundering. The court also ordered McIntyre to forfeit more than $690,000, a 2014 Cadillac Escalade, and other funds that are traceable to the proceeds of the money laundering conspiracy.
McIntyre had pleaded guilty on January 21, 2020.
According to court documents, from March 2014 through February 2019, McIntyre operated SHM Gulf Enterprises, LLC, doing business as Tampa Gift Card King (“GCK”). Located in Tampa, GCK was a secondhand dealer where individuals sold their unused, or partially used, returned merchandise cards and retail gift cards, some of which were procured via theft or fraud, for a percentage of the cards’ face value in exchange for cash. Thereafter, McIntyre and his co-conspirators resold the returned merchandise cards and gift cards even though they knew some of the cards had been obtained via theft or fraud. McIntyre and his co-conspirators also conducted other illicit transactions involving the cards and used the proceeds for their personal enrichment.
In operating GCK, McIntyre violated certain state law requirements including operating without registering as a secondhand dealer, flouting the requirement to wait 15 days between the purchase and resale of a secondhand good, and failing to accurately report all secondhand good purchases in the designated computer database, Business Watch International. In fact, McIntyre could not register as a secondhand dealer because he has prior theft-related felony convictions that precluded such registration. When confronted by law enforcement about this fact, McIntyre orchestrated a purported sale of the GCK to a nominee owner, but he never relinquished control of the business.
McIntyre and his co-conspirators resold most of the merchandise and gift cards via online commercial platforms, direct internet sales, and other means. McIntyre generated more than $10 million in proceeds from the resales of the cards to unwitting third-party purchasers via online commercial platforms including Raise.com and CardCash.
McIntyre and co-conspirator Brandy Fuller later used the card numbers and PINs of some of the previously sold cards in order to identify residual balances on the cards. They then stole the residual balances, aggregated them, and used the proceeds to purchase new gift cards.
McIntyre and his co-conspirators used the proceeds of this fraud scheme to purchase and renovate real properties, acquire vehicles, finance business operations, and otherwise for their personal enrichment.
Fuller previously pleaded guilty to her role in this case. She was sentenced to 36 months’ probation and was ordered to pay $25,925 in restitution.
This case was investigated by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Secret Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rachelle DesVaux Bedke. The forfeiture was handled by AUSA Suzanne Nebesky.
Convicted Rapist and Armed Robber Arrested on Federal Charges After Assuming Another Identity for More Than 40 YearsRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces the arrest and filing of a criminal complaint charging Douglas E. Bennett (76, Clearwater) with passport fraud and aggravated identity theft. Bennett was arrested on November 4, 2020. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 12 years in federal prison.
According to the complaint, in or around July 2016, Bennett submitted a passport application using the name, date of birth, and Social Security number of an individual who had died in 1945. When applying for this passport, Bennett failed to disclose his true identity.
In 1975, Bennett was convicted by a jury in Connecticut of robbery, kidnapping, sexual contact, rape, and deviate sexual intercourse. He was sentenced to 9 - 18 years in Connecticut State Prison. Bennett, however, never turned himself in to begin his sentence. Records show, in 1977, he assumed the identity of the individual who had died in 1945 and remained a fugitive for more than 40 years.
On November 4, 2020, Bennett was arrested pursuant to both the federal and State of Connecticut warrants. A fingerprint comparison confirmed that Bennett was the same person convicted in Connecticut in 1975. At the time of his arrest, he was in possession of a Florida driver license bearing the false identifying information, but containing Bennett’s photograph.
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 is being investigated by the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, and with substantial support from the Department of State National Passport Center, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Connecticut U.S. Marshals Task Force. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin Favorit.
Armed Career Criminal Sentenced to 15 Years for Possessing A Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – Senior U.S. District Judge James S. Moody, Jr. has sentenced Danyel Megal Black (40, Bradenton) to 15 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon and for possessing with the intent to distribute cocaine. The court also ordered Black to forfeit the firearm and ammunition used in the offense.
A federal jury had found Black guilty on November 8, 2019.
According to testimony presented at trial, on February 19, 2019, Black was serving a term of probation from a state court sentence. His probation officer had scheduled a home compliance visit for that day.
On the day of the visit, law enforcement officers arrived at Black’s apartment. Black arrived at his residence more than half an hour late and let the officers into the apartment that he shared with his girlfriend and their two small children.
During a subsequent search, pursuant to the compliance visit, the officers recovered from Black’s nightstand nearly half an ounce of cocaine in a plastic bag with a razor, and several small baggies of individually wrapped cocaine. The officers also found a loaded 9mm magazine in the bedroom linen closet. In the kitchen, officers discovered an orange pot and scale, both with cocaine residue. They also located a stolen, loaded firearm in a dresser drawer in Black’s two-year-old son’s room. Two cellphones and $1,865 was found in Black’s car.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Florida Department of Corrections-Sarasota Circuit Office, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Sarasota Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Charlie D. Connally and Michael Sinacore.
This is another case prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN) — 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 Maria Chapa Lopez coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
Serial Armed Robber Sentenced to 24 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven has sentenced Terrian J. Knight (30, St. Petersburg) to 24 years in federal prison for brandishing and discharging a firearm during the course of several robberies. The court also ordered Knight to forfeit the firearm used in the offense.
Knight had pleaded guilty on June 10, 2020.
According to court documents, from January 14, 2019, to July 26, 2019, Knight committed a spree of four armed robberies of stores in the St. Petersburg area. On July 30, 2019, Knight attempted to rob the assistant manager of a St. Petersburg Family Dollar store as the manager was leaving. During the robbery, Knight produced a firearm then shot the manager as he laid on the ground, wounding him. Knight fled the scene, hiding in a retention pond area for approximately seven hours. He was later taken into custody by law enforcement and the firearm was recovered.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the St. Petersburg Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Callan Albritton.
This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence and enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes. For more information on Project Guardian visit www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
Idaho Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Attempting to Solicit Sexual Abuse Images of A 9-Year-Old ChildRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States District Judge Brian J. Davis has sentenced Aaron Kirk Woolman (58, Hagerman, Idaho) to 10 years in federal prison for attempting to entice a 9-year-old child to engage in sexual activity and produce pornographic images of herself. Woolman was also ordered to serve a 10-year term of supervised release and to register as a sex offender. He had pleaded guilty on June 16, 2020.
According to court documents, on August 7, 2019, an undercover FBI agent from Jacksonville, posing as a parent of a 9-year-old child, made online contact with Woolman in an online chat application. During several online chat sessions, Woolman solicited the “parent” to send him pornographic images of the purported child. Woolman also engaged in conversations via text messaging with an undercover FBI agent posing as the 9-year-old child. During these conversations, Woolman solicited the “child” to engage in sexual activity, produce explicit images of herself, and send these images to Woolman. Woolman tried to convince the “child” to comply with his requests by sending the “child” explicit images of himself and adult pornography.
On December 13, 2019, FBI agents and other law enforcement personnel executed a search warrant at Woolman’s home in Hagerman, Idaho, where he was arrested. Woolman admitted that he had sent the “girl” a picture of his penis and acknowledged that he had asked the “girl” for a picture of her in the shower and for other explicit pictures of her.
A search of Woolman’s online cloud storage account revealed that it contained several images and videos depicting young children engaged in sexual activity with adults. One of the videos depicted a 3 to 4-year-old child being forced to perform oral sex on an adult male. Woolman’s smart phone also contained child sex abuse images as well as images and videos depicting Woolman’s genitals.
“This defendant was not only willing to commit heinous crimes against a child, he was caught with horrific images that victimized others,” said Rachel L. Rojas, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division. “This case is a great example of the work that can be done when law enforcement agencies collaborate across state lines, and do everything in our power to stop additional children from being exploited in the future.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Jacksonville and Boise, Idaho, as well as the Gooding County (Idaho) Sheriff’s Office and the Twin Falls (Idaho) Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.
This is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Two Former Jacksonville City Council Members Sentenced to Federal Prison for Fraud and Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard has sentenced Katrina Brown (40, Jacksonville) to 33 months in federal prison and Reginald Brown (58, Jacksonville) to 18 months in federal prison. The Court also ordered Katrina Brown to pay a forfeiture money judgment of $425,335.68 and Reginald Brown to pay a forfeiture money judgment of $411,752.68, funds which are traceable to the offenses.
On October 2, 2019, a jury found Katrina Brown and Reginald Brown guilty of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, aiding and abetting mail and wire fraud, and aiding and abetting money laundering. The jury also found Katrina Brown guilty of attempted bank fraud and making false statements to a federally insured financial institution. Reginald Brown was also found guilty of failure to file an income tax return with the Internal Revenue Service for tax year 2014.
According to the evidence, in late 2013, Katrina Brown was the primary principal for two businesses (Basic Products, LLC and CoWealth, LLC), which in 2011 obtained a loan in the amount of $2,652,000 from the Small Business Administration (SBA), and both a loan of $380,000 and a grant of approximately $260,000 from the City of Jacksonville (COJ), to fund a small business that specialized in manufacturing, bottling, and selling barbecue sauce. As a member of the Jacksonville City Council, Reginald Brown voted in favor of City Ordinance 2011-290-E, which authorized the COJ loan and grant – proceeds of which he and Katrina Brown would later obtain by fraud.
Katrina Brown’s family had been in the barbecue business in Jacksonville for many years. The $3.2 million in financing was intended to fund an expansion of Basic Products and help create permanent manufacturing jobs in Northwest Jacksonville. Each time Katrina Brown sought money for Basic Products from BizCapital, the SBA-approved lender, she submitted a Loan Reimbursement Form that included the purported business expenses for which Basic Products sought reimbursement.
In late 2013, when the barbecue business was failing, Katrina Brown assisted Jacksonville City Councilman Reginald Brown in incorporating two businesses (A Plus Training and Consultants, LLC and RB Packaging, LLC) with the Florida Division of Corporations. A Plus Training and RB Packaging never performed any legitimate business. Instead of properly notifying BizCapital that Basic Products was in financial distress, Katrina Brown worked with Reginald Brown to submit fake invoices from A Plus Training and RB Packaging to the SBA lender, BizCapital, claiming that his businesses performed work for Basic Products requiring reimbursement, when the businesses did not.
BizCapital sent checks at times, larger than $60,000, to RB Packaging and A Plus Training, which, on paper, were headquartered at Reginald Brown’s home and his mother’s home, respectively. Reginald Brown deposited the checks into the bank accounts for A Plus Training and RB Packaging, then withdrew a significant portion of the money and provided it to Katrina Brown, who either kept the cash or laundered the money by depositing it back into the Basic Products bank account so that she could control the funds.
From late 2013 to early 2015, Reginald Brown, A Plus Training, and RB Packaging served as a conduit to receive $264,419.04 in proceeds from the SBA loan and the COJ grant, then funneled at least $166,500 back to Basic Products. Reginald Brown kept the money not provided to Katrina Brown, despite performing no legitimate work or services for Basic Products, and used the majority of the money for personal expenses. Reginald Brown never filed a tax return for tax year 2014, and he also failed to disclose to the IRS that he had received tens of thousands of dollars from the SBA.
In December 2014, BizCapital sent all loan, including the numerous fraudulent A Plus Training and RB Packaging invoices draw information to the City of Jacksonville. That loan information was relied upon by the COJ to wire $210,549.99 in tax-payer funded grant money to BizCapital for the intended use of Basic Products. Before the money was sent to BizCapital, neither Katrina Brown nor Reginald Brown informed BizCapital or the city that Basic Products had fraudulently obtained loan payments to Reginald Brown’s shell companies (A Plus Training and RB Packaging). Reginald Brown was serving on the Jacksonville City Council when he facilitated fraudulently obtaining the $210,549.99 from the City of Jacksonville. Neither Katrina Brown nor Reginald Brown ever repaid those funds.
After BizCapital informed Katrina Brown that the SBA loan was in default status in January 2015, she then attempted to obtain two bank loans, in 2015 and 2016, by submitting doctored and false bank statements to loan brokers, seeking loans from WebBank to infuse cash into her family’s businesses. Instead of providing the actual bank statements of the businesses, Katrina Brown falsified the businesses’ bank statements in an attempt to make it appear to the lender that the businesses were credit worthy, when in fact they were not.
“The FBI takes our responsibility to investigate and pursue those who commit fraud for personal gain very seriously,” said Rachel L. Rojas, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division. “Katrina Brown and Reginald Brown chose to prioritize their greed at the expense of the taxpayers, and the FBI will continue working with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable anyone who uses illegal means and criminal behavior to advance their personal agendas.”
“Left unchecked, greed can be a dangerous motivator. Katrina Brown and Reginald Brown made conscious decisions to deceive and benefit personally at the expense of the citizens of Jacksonville,” stated Special Agent in Charge Brian Payne of IRS Criminal Investigation. “Reginald Brown further exposed his greed by failing to report his ill-gotten gains on his tax returns. We are committed to the collaborative effort to combat fraud and to prosecute those who take advantage of others for personal gain.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Tysen Duva and Michael J. Coolican.
Orlando Man Arrested for Submitting False Claim for FEMA Benefits Related to Hurricane IrmaRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces the return of an indictment charging Steven Rembert (48, Orange County) with disaster assistance fraud related to Hurricane Irma. If convicted, Rembert faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison, plus payment of restitution to the United States.
According to the
indictment , in September 2017, Rembert falsified records concerning his primary residence when submitting an application for assistance to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Individuals and Households Program for Hurricane Irma.An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case is part of the United States Attorney’s Disaster Fraud Task Force, which was announced in September 2017. This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security - Office of Inspector General, with assistance from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Terry B. Livanos.
Members of the public who suspect fraud, waste, abuse, or allegations of mismanagement involving disaster relief operations, or believe they have been the victim of fraud from a person or organization soliciting relief funds on behalf of disaster victims, should contact the National Disaster Fraud Hotline toll-free at (866) 720-5721 or complete the online complaint form by visiting www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/webform/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Thirteen Individuals Charged with Social Security Fraud in Operation Dead RingerRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces the filing of federal charges against 13 individuals in Operation Dead Ringer. The individuals are charged in 12 separate cases, with cumulatively stealing more than one million dollars in benefits paid by the Social Security Administration on behalf of beneficiaries who were deceased. If convicted, each faces a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment on each count.
Operation Dead Ringer, initiated in the Middle District of Florida, aggressively targets individuals who steal Social Security benefits inadvertently paid to deceased beneficiaries. To date, 35 individuals have been charged as part of the Operation.
According to the respective indictments:
Lauren McKay (28, Jacksonville) and Leah McKay (31, Jacksonville) are charged with theft of government funds. From July 2011 to June 2017, the McKays fraudulently collected approximately $96,055 of their mother’s Social Security benefits following her death on July 12, 2011.
Donna Sharpe Crowther (63, Jacksonville) is charged with theft of government funds. From January 2009 to May 2019, Crowther fraudulently collected approximately $223,869 of her husband’s Social Security benefits following his death on December 15, 2008.
Robin Elmore (44, St. Augustine) is charged with theft of government funds. From April 2012 to June 2019, Elmore fraudulently collected approximately $63,492 of her sister’s Social Security benefits following her sister’s death on March 20, 2012.
Pamela LaTrail Toliver (62, Jacksonville) is charged with theft of government funds. From July 2016 to June 2020, Toliver fraudulently collected approximately $52,224 of her mother’s Social Security benefits following the mother’s death on July 27, 2016.
Virginia Gay (48, Jacksonville) is charged with theft of government funds. From February 2015 to September 2019, Gay fraudulently collected approximately $99,840 of her mother’s Social Security benefits following the mother’s death on May 29, 2013.
Margie Ann Norris-Bell (62, Jacksonville) is charged with theft of government funds. From June 2015 to July 2019, Norris-Bell fraudulently collected approximately $66,185 of her sister’s Social Security benefits following the sister’s death on July 26, 2011.
Humeshia Latasha Butler (42, Jacksonville) is charged with theft of government funds. From February 2015 to December 2017, Butler fraudulently collected approximately $35,774 of a close friend’s Social Security benefits following his death on November 12, 2013.
Robert Bruce Barnes (63, Jacksonville) is charged with theft of government funds. From June 2015 to April 2019, Barnes fraudulently collected approximately $86,581 of his wife’s Social Security benefits following her death on November 7, 2011.
Linda Becraft (65, Naples) is charged with theft of government funds. From May 2013 to April 2019, Becraft fraudulently collected approximately $152,374 in Social Security benefits following the death of a Social Security beneficiary in April 2013.
Ciera McClain (30, Alabama) is charged with theft of government funds and aggravated identity theft. From October 2015 to January 2019, McClain fraudulently collected approximately $30,670 in Social Security benefits following the death of a Social Security beneficiary on August 29, 2015.
Jacqueline Eugene (46, Orlando) is charged with theft of government funds and aggravated identity theft. From March 2014 to February 2019, Eugene fraudulently collected approximately $51,360 of her mother’s Social Security benefits following her mother’s death on February 17, 2014.
Keana Everett (35, Tampa) is charged with theft of government funds. From April 2012 to March 2019, Everett fraudulently collected approximately $63,382 of her mother’s Social Security benefits following her mother’s death on April 10, 2012.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
These cases are being investigated by the Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General, with assistance from other federal and local law enforcement agencies. Special Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Huyler is coordinating the Operation. She, along with Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin Frein, David Mesrobian, and Yolande Viacava, will be prosecuting the cases.
Nassau County Fire and Rescue Employee Indicted on Three Counts of Receipt of Child Exploitation MaterialRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces the return of an indictment charging Robert Arthur Ginder (34, Callahan) with three counts of receiving child exploitation material and one count of accessing with the intent to view child exploitation material. If convicted on all counts, Ginder faces a minimum mandatory term of imprisonment of 15 years, and up to 80 years, in federal prison.
According to the
indictment , Ginder knowingly received child exploitation materials on February 6, 2020, December 4, 2019, and September 11, 2019. He also accessed with the intent to view child exploitation materials in June 2020.An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. It will be 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.justice.gov/psc.
Former Police Officer Turned Meth Distributor Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, FL – U.S. District Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger has sentenced Jason Kelly Register (42, Woodbine, GA) to 10 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The court also ordered Register to forfeit a .380 caliber pistol and 7 rounds of ammunition. Register had pleaded guilty on October 23, 2019.
According to court documents, in mid-August 2018, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, along with the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO), began investigating Brian Russell Schell, Brian Paul Davis, and Leslie Ericka Lewis for distributing methamphetamine in Nassau and Duval counties. Throughout the course of the investigation, an officer, acting in an undercover capacity, made controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Schell, Davis, and Lewis. Agents learned that Davis’s source of supply was Register and, on October 2, 2018, the agents conducted two controlled phone calls to Register placing an order for 3 ounces of methamphetamine. Register indicated that he was on his way, but that he only had two ounces. NCSO deputies stopped Register for a traffic violation, and he had a firearm in his waistband. A K-9 was deployed around the vehicle, gave a positive alert to the presence of illegal drugs, and a subsequent search revealed a marijuana grinder, scales, marijuana, fentanyl patches, hypodermic needles, and approximately 70 grams of methamphetamine. Throughout the course of the conspiracy, Register was accountable for distributing approximately 250 grams of methamphetamine.
Schell, Davis, and Lewis previously pleaded guilty and were sentenced for their roles in this case. Schell was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison, Davis was sentenced to 6 years in federal prison, and Lewis was sentenced to 4 years in federal prison.
This case was investigated by the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Beatriz Gonzalez.
Federal Jury Finds Orlando Man Guilty of Distributing, Receiving, and Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces that a federal jury has found Ryan Rusty Rodriguez (45, Orlando) guilty of two counts of receiving child pornography, two counts of distributing child pornography, and one count of possessing child pornography. Rodriguez faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 27, 2021.
Rodriguez had been indicted on June 13, 2018, and a superseding indictment was returned on November 15, 2018.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, during an undercover online investigation, FBI agents discovered that Rodriguez was using peer-to-peer networks to download and distribute child pornography. When agents executed a search warrant at Rodriguez’s home, he attempted to hide a hard drive as the agents were knocking on his door. Rodriguez also used his training in computers and specialized software to attempt to erase the evidence of his offenses. The FBI’s Computer Analysis Response Team uncovered evidence of thousands of files of child pornography stored on Rodriguez’s devices.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys John Gardella, Shawn Napier, and Ilianys Rivera Miranda.
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.
Chinese National Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Illegally Export Maritime Raiding Craft and Engines to ChinaRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – Ge Songtao (50, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China) has pleaded guilty to conspiring to submit false export information through the federal government’s Automated Export System and to fraudulently export to China maritime raiding craft and engines, and attempting to fraudulently export that equipment in violation of U.S. law. Ge Songtao faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to the
plea agreement , Ge Songtao was the chairman of Shanghai Breeze Technology Co. Ltd., a company headquartered in Shanghai, China. Beginning in 2018, he was interested in identifying a source of supply of U.S.-manufactured combat rubber raiding craft equipped with engines that can operate using gasoline, diesel fuel, or jet fuel. These vessels and multi-fuel engines are used by the U.S. military and can be operated after being launched from a submerged submarine or dropped into the ocean by an aircraft. No comparable engine is manufactured in China.One of Ge Songtao’s U.S.-based employees, co-defendant Yang Yang, attempted to order seven of the raiding craft equipped with these engines from a U.S. manufacturer. When the U.S. manufacturer suggested that Yang Yang purchase cheaper gasoline-fueled engines, she insisted that she wanted to purchase the military-model multi-fuel engines. To induce the manufacturer to sell this equipment, Yang falsely represented that her customer was an entity called United Vision Limited in Hong Kong, rather than Shanghai Breeze Technology Co. in Shanghai. One of Yang’s Chinese co-workers had told her that American manufacturers would be more likely to sell to an entity in Hong Kong rather than one in mainland China. By misrepresenting what company was buying the equipment, and where it was located, Yang caused the entry of false information in the Department of Commerce’s Automated Export System in violation of federal law.
To facilitate the purchase of the raiding craft and engines, Ge Songtao arranged for the wire transfers to a separate company in Hong Kong, Belt Consulting Company Limited, which in turn wired over $110,000 to the U.S. manufacturer. He also coordinated plans to send an employee to Hong Kong to receive the raiding craft and engines and transship them to mainland China.
On September 15, 2020, Yang Yang pleaded guilty to the same two charges to which Ge Songtao has pleaded guilty. On August 13, 2020, co-defendant Zheng Yan pleaded guilty to conspiring to submit false export information and to fraudulently export the raiding craft and engines in violation of U.S. law. The trial of remaining co-defendant Fan Yang, is scheduled to begin on February 1, 2021.
“As FBI Director Christopher Wray has stated previously, we will not tolerate it when China violates our criminal laws and international norms, much less enable it,” said Rachel L. Rojas, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division. “FBI Jacksonville and our partners throughout the U.S. government will continue working to hold China accountable and protect our nation’s innovation, ideas, and way of life.”
“Ge Songtao’s attempts to illegally acquire sensitive U.S. technology for illicit purposes threatened the operational readiness and safety of our nation’s military,” said Special Agent in Charge Thomas Cannizzo of the NCIS Southeast Field Office. “NCIS and our law enforcement partners remain committed to preserving Department of the Navy warfighter superiority by protecting our nation’s critical technologies and infrastructure from theft or compromise at home and abroad.”
“A top priority of the Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of Export Enforcement, is ensuring that the United States military always maintains its qualitative edge on the battlefield by preventing circumvention of U.S. export controls and export filing requirements,” said Acting Agent in Charge Alan Berkowitz. “In working with our law enforcement partners we disrupted Chinese illicit procurement of U.S. military combat raiding craft and protected our strategic commodities from falling into the wrong hands.”
This case was investigated by the FBI, the U.S. Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the U.S. Department of Commerce – Bureau of Industry and Security, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Coolican and Heather Schmidt, Senior Trial Attorney, Counterintelligence and Export Section, U.S. Department of Justice.
Armed Robber Arrested in TennesseeRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces the unsealing of a criminal complaint charging Shawn O’Neil Smith (22, Zephyrhills) with robbery. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.
According to the
complaint , on October 10, 2020, Smith, armed with a handgun, robbed the Shell gas station located at 4330 Lithia Pinecrest Road in Valrico. Smith threatened an employee with the handgun and also discharged the firearm during the robbery.The joint efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hillsborough County Sherriff’s Office led to Smith’s identification and his apprehension in Tennessee. Smith appeared in federal court in Nashville, Tennessee on October 29, 2020, and was ordered detained pending his removal to Tampa.
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 ATF and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jim Preston.
This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence and enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes. For more information on Project Guardian visit www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
Recently Released Federal Felon Indicted on Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces the return of an indictment charging David Levon Massey (31, Cape Coral) with possession with the intent to distribute heroin and 40 grams or more of fentanyl. If convicted, Massey faces a minimum mandatory term of 10 years, and up to life, in federal prison. Massey has two prior convictions for federal drug offenses.
According to court documents, in February 2020 Massey was released from federal prison and told his probation officer that he would be living at a house in northwest Cape Coral. However, law enforcement determined that Massey was secretly living in an apartment off Pine Island Road in Cape Coral, and he was dealing drugs again. On October 7, 2020, law enforcement officers arrested Massey as he was leaving his apartment. A subsequent search of the residence revealed approximately 50 grams of fentanyl, 36 grams of heroin, a cutting agent, scales, and nearly $8,000 in cash.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Cape Coral Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michel V. Leeman.
Jury Convicts Largo Man for Attempting to Entice Minor to Engage in Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces that a federal jury has found Asa Nall (50, Largo) guilty of attempted enticement of a child to engage in sexual activity. Nall faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 28, 2021.
Nall had been indicted on October 22, 2019.
According to evidence presented at trial, Nall communicated online and via text messages with someone he believed to be a 14-year-old girl. In reality, he was talking to an undercover agent. For more than a month, Nall repeatedly asked the child to produce sexually explicit images for him, specifying that he wanted to see her fully nude, including close up photos of her genitalia. Nall also repeatedly requested to meet the child for sex, asking her to “sneak away” and “skip school” to meet with him. In the conversations, Nall discussed in graphic detail the sex acts he would engage in when they met.
On October 16, 2019, Nall traveled to a location to meet the child for sex, and he was subsequently arrested. Law enforcement agents recovered two condoms from Nall’s pocket and the cellphone he had used to communicate with the child. A search of the phone revealed that Nall had also saved the child’s name to his contact list.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Largo Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Lisa M. Thelwell and Erin C. 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.
Four Individuals Plead Guilty in Tequila Cargo Theft RingRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – Lemuel Escobar (37, Clermont), Humberto Ramirez (39, Mascotte), Alberto Obaya (48, Plant City), and Vidal Estrada (68, Fort Lauderdale) have each pleaded guilty to charges involving cargo theft of an interstate shipment of goods, and receipt and possession of stolen goods. Each faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to court documents, on December 30, 2018, Escobar, Ramirez, Obaya, and Estrada stole a tractor trailer that was parked near U.S. Route 301 in Tampa. The trailer contained cases of Patron tequila, with a value of more than $500,000. The tequila was an interstate shipment from Texas that was en route to a business in Lakeland, Florida. The shipment had not yet reached its final destination when the trailer was stolen.
The trailer was relocated to Thonotosassa where the defendants proceeded to move cases of the tequila from the trailer to a nearby box truck. The box truck was registered to Escobar. Deputies from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office were alerted to the movement of the trailer and, when they arrived on scene, the deputies observed the defendants moving the cases of tequila from the trailer to the box truck. When the deputies commanded the individuals to stop, they fled but were later arrested near the scene. The cases of tequila were recovered.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (Cargo Theft Task Force) and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Maria Guzman.
Federal Grand Jury Returns Superseding Indictment Charging Fort Myers Business Owner with COVID Relief Fraud and Mortgage FraudRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces the return of a superseding indictment charging Casey David Crowther (35, North Fort Myers) with two counts of bank fraud, two counts of making a false statement to a lending institution, and three counts of illegal monetary transactions. If convicted, Crowther faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison on each bank fraud and false statement count, and up to 10 years’ imprisonment for each illegal monetary transaction count. The indictment also notifies Crowther that the United States intends to forfeit a 2020 40-foot catamaran, real property in St. James City, Florida, and $2,098,700, which are alleged to be proceeds of the offenses; the real property is also subject to forfeiture because it was involved in the illegal monetary transaction.
A federal grand jury had previously indicted Crowther for COVID relief fraud on September 23, 2020. The superseding indictment contains additional counts charging Crowther with mortgage fraud.
According to the
superseding indictment , as part of his scheme, beginning in June of 2020, Crowther submitted false and fraudulent Uniform Residential Loan Applications (URLA) to a mortgage broker and mortgage lender, causing the lender to disburse approximately $640,381 in loan funds. Specifically, Crowther intentionally misrepresented his liquid assets in the URLAs and created false and fraudulent bank statements which purported to show he had more assets than he actually had.A superseding indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Trent Reichling.
Palmetto Man Charged in Connection with Four Armed RobberiesRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces the return of an indictment charging Delon Joseph Adams (48, Palmetto) with four counts of interference with commerce by robbery, four counts of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and one count of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Because Adams has a prior federal conviction for carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, each brandishing count carries a minimum mandatory penalty of 25 years, and up to life, in federal prison, to run consecutive to any other term of imprisonment. The maximum penalty for each robbery count is 20 years’ imprisonment. The felon-in-possession count carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.
According to the indictment, between August 26 and September 15, 2020, Adams robbed four businesses at gunpoint —three in Manatee County and one in Hillsborough County. During each robbery, Adams stole cash and iPhones.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, and the Palmetto Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher F. Murray.
This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence and enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes. For more information on Project Guardian visit www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
International Firearms Trafficker Arrested in GeorgiaRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces the arrest of Ihor Radionov (51, Alpharetta, Georgia) pursuant to an indictment charging him with conspiracy and smuggling goods out of the United States in violation of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. If convicted on all counts, Radionov faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. On October 26, 2020, Radionov made his first appearance in federal court in Atlanta, Georgia.
According to the indictment, between 2014 and 2020, Radionov, co-conspirator Vladimir Volgaev, and a co-conspirator residing in Ukraine, conspired to export defense articles out of the United States, including gun barrels and slides, without a license or prior written approval from the United States Department of State.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carlton C. Gammons and Trial Attorney David Lim of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
Jacksonville Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Sexually Exploiting A ChildRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan today sentenced Lonnie Lawrence Mercer, Jr. (42, Jacksonville) to 20 years in federal prison, and a 15-year term of supervised release, for possessing images of child sexual abuse. Mercer had pleaded guilty on July 5, 2020.
According to court records, Mercer possessed images of child sexual abuse on his cellular telephone depicting the lewd and lascivious display of the genitals of a child younger than 12 years of age. The child’s mother told law enforcement that she discovered 8-10 explicit photos on Mercer’s phone and confronted Mercer, after which a physical altercation ensued.
"This child predator took advantage of a young child at their most vulnerable time,” said HSI Jacksonville Assistant Special Agent in Charge K. Jim Phillips. “Thanks to HSI special agents and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, he will now be held accountable for his criminal actions.”
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelly S. Karase.
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.
Convicted Felon Sentenced to More Than Four Years in Federal Prison for Possession of A FirearmRead the Press Release
Ocala, FL – Senior United States District Judge John Antoon II has sentenced Malcolm Straughter (35, Ocala) to four years and six months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The Court also ordered Straughter to forfeit the firearm and any associated ammunition. Straughter had pleaded guilty on July 14, 2020.
According to court records, on March 19, 2020, an officer from the Ocala Police Department stopped Straughter in his vehicle for a traffic infraction. After the officer smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle, a search revealed six bags of marijuana, a scale, and a loaded 9mm firearm under Straughter’s seat. The firearm had an altered serial number and was later confirmed as stolen.
Straughter has prior state felony convictions for possession of a short-barreled shotgun, possession of cocaine, and robbery with a firearm and is therefore prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Ocala Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tyrie Boyer.
This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence and enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes. For more information on Project Guardian visit www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
Convicted Felon Sentenced to Almost Four Years in Federal Prison for Possession of A Firearm/AmmunitionRead the Press Release
Ocala, FL – Senior United States District Judge John Antoon II has sentenced Curtis Duncan (30, Ocala) to 46 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. The Court also ordered Duncan to forfeit the firearm and ammunition. Duncan had pleaded guilty on July 14, 2020.
According to court records, on March 30, 2020, officers from the Ocala Police Department responded to a disturbance at an apartment complex. A victim told the officers that Duncan had brandished a firearm at her during an argument. The victim described the firearm and the vehicle that Duncan had been driving when he left the scene. A short time later, officers stopped Duncan in the same vehicle and recovered a loaded .380 caliber handgun from a bag that he had strapped around his torso.
Duncan has prior state felony convictions, including home invasion robbery, and is therefore prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Ocala Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tyrie Boyer.
This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence and enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes. For more information on Project Guardian visit www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
Dade City Man Charged with COVID Relief FraudRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces the unsealing of a criminal complaint charging Keith William Nicoletta (48, Dade City) with bank fraud and illegal monetary transactions. Nicoletta was arrested earlier this week. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 40 years in federal prison.
According to the
complaint , in or about May 2020, Nicoletta fraudulently secured more than $1.9 million in emergency funds associated with a Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loan.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 potentially forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through the PPP. In April 2020, Congress authorized over $300 billion in additional PPP funding.
The PPP 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.
Nicoletta’s PPP loan application falsely claimed that Nicoletta had a local scrap metal business with 69 employees whose purported monthly payroll expenses exceeded $760,000—or more than $9 million annually. In truth, Nicoletta had reported no wages to the State of Florida for any employees for 2019 or 2020.
Once the emergency loan was secured, Nicoletta did not use the PPP funds for qualified expenses. Instead, he immediately laundered the money, transferring it between various accounts at different financial institutions. He also withdrew over $100,000 in cash. Nicoletta then purchased a 2020 Mercedes for more than $106,000 and a 2020 special edition Ford F-250 pickup valued at over $66,000. He also wired approximately $537,000 to a property management company in south Florida. None of the money was used for payroll.
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 is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, Tampa Field Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kristen A. Fiore.
U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez Announces $356,196 in Justice Department Grants to Support Gun Prosecutors in Clay, Duval, and Nassau CountiesRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez today announced $356,196 in Department of Justice funding to hire a special prosecutor to try federal firearms cases originating in the Fourth Judicial Circuit of Florida. The award supports violence reduction efforts as part of Operation Legend and other Department-led initiatives in cities across the country.
“Keeping its citizens safe is the primary responsibility of government,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “Cities plagued by violent crime need the resources to tackle it, and these grant awards will help do that. On the enforcement side, Real Time Crime Centers will make policing more efficient and targeted; and on the prosecution side, Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys will help bring more federal firearms cases to justice.”
“We are proud to work alongside our federal, state, and local partners in combating violent crime,” said U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez. “This funding will allow us to strengthen our partnerships and leverage our resources to focus on firearms-related violence in our communities.”
Attorney General Barr announced that the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs is making up to $5.3 million available in grants to support Operation Legend sites nationwide. More than $1.3 million will fund special prosecutors who have been cross-designated to try federal firearms cases originating in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Kansas City, Missouri; Memphis, Tennessee; and St. Louis, Missouri. In addition, these and other Legend cities will be eligible for grant funding to support Real Time Crime Centers. These centers are a considerable financial investment for any law enforcement agency. The funding being made available to each Legend city can assist police departments in purchasing critical equipment and paying for the overtime to keep these centers staffed around the clock.
“We are pleased to support the outstanding work being undertaken through Operation Legend to reduce violent crime by focusing on cases involving illegal firearms,” said OJP Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “The Office of Justice Programs is pleased to make these resources available to support the brave crime-fighters who work so hard to deter violence and keep our communities safe.”
“We remain committed to addressing the violent gun crime plaguing our community and are grateful for this opportunity to expand our partnership in this public safety effort,” said State Attorney Melissa Nelson.
A grant to the State Attorney’s Office, Fourth Judicial Circuit will support the hiring of a full-time local prosecutor who will be empowered to try firearms cases in federal court. Prosecuting gun crimes is central to the Justice Department’s strategy under Operation Legend and other violence reduction initiatives led by the Department. These efforts follow a sustained, systematic and coordinated approach to gun violence in which federal law enforcement agencies work closely with state and local officials to fight violent crime. Funding comes from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, a component of the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs.
The Department of Justice launched Operation Legend in July, following the murder of four-year-old LeGend Taliferro, who was shot and killed while he slept in his Kansas City home. The initiative was subsequently expanded from Kansas City to Albuquerque, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Memphis, Milwaukee, St. Louis and Indianapolis. Since the summer launch, officials in Operation Legend sites have made more than 5,500 arrests, including approximately 276 for homicide, and seized more than 2,000 firearms. Of the more than 5,500 individuals arrested, approximately 1,124 have been charged with federal offenses. More than 600 of those defendants have been charged with firearms offenses.
More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
Tampa Felon Sentenced to More Than Six Years for Possessing A FirearmRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge William F. Jung has sentenced Zachary A. Jones (22, Tampa) to six years and five months in federal prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. The court also ordered Jones to forfeit the firearm and ammunition used in the offense.
Jones had pleaded guilty on August 11, 2020.
According to court documents, on February 18, 2019, officers from the Tampa Police Department were looking for Jones, who had active warrants for his arrest. As officers approached Jones, he fled. While running from the officers, Jones discarded a loaded firearm. Officers later arrested Jones and recovered the firearm.
Jones has multiple prior convictions for narcotics-related felonies and is therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law. At the time of this offense, Jones was on community control in the state of Florida.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Tampa Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Callan Albritton.
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 Maria Chapa Lopez coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
Methamphetamine Distributors Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, FL – U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard has sentenced Nicholas Paul Mattox (50, Jacksonville) to 10 years in federal prison for distribution of 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine, and Keith Wallace Williams (61, Middleburg) to 5 years in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. In addition, a total of $32,200 was forfeited, which is traceable to proceeds of the offenses.
Mattox had pleaded guilty on April 6, 2020, and Williams had pleaded guilty on July 13, 2020.
According to court documents, in May 2019, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration began investigating Mattox, who was distributing ounce to kilogram quantities of crystal methamphetamine in Duval and Clay counties. Agents used a confidential source to make a series of controlled purchases from Mattox, who is accountable for more than 600 grams of methamphetamine.
The investigation revealed that Williams had purchased methamphetamine from Mattox. As a result, DEA and Clay County Sheriff’s Office continued the investigation jointly. On October 31, 2019, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Williams’s home. The officers found more than 200 grams of methamphetamine hidden inside a rubber duck chlorine tablet holder on Williams’s porch. Williams is accountable for more than 200 grams of methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration Jacksonville District Office and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Beatriz Gonzalez.
Kissimmee Accountant Pleads Guilty to Embezzling Funds from Two Different EmployersRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – Kavita L. Harack (34, Kissimmee) has pleaded guilty to committing wire fraud. She faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to the plea agreement, in approximately May 2017, Harack was hired to work as an accountant in the Orlando office of a display services company. Between April 2018 and May 2019, Harack directed 74 fraudulent payments from the display services company to four bank accounts held in her or her husband’s name. Harack disguised the transfers to these personal accounts as vendor payments. After Harack was terminated by the display services company in May 2019, she was hired to work in the accounting department of a project design company in Orlando. Between July 2019 and December 2019, Harack directed four fraudulent payments from the project design company into two of her personal accounts, again disguising the transactions as vendor payments.
In total, between 2018 and 2019, Harack fraudulently paid herself $604,637.25 from accounts belonging to her employers. Harack used the funds to purchase a home, as well as home improvement projects, travel, retail purchases, restaurants, and beauty expenses.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Chauncey A. Bratt.
Vero Beach Man Pleads Guilty to over $40 Million in FraudRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – David John Ridling (58, Vero Beach) has pleaded guilty to 10 counts of wire fraud, 4 counts of bank fraud, 8 counts of money laundering, and 2 counts of aggravated identity theft. Ridling faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison for each bank fraud count; 20 years’ imprisonment for each wire fraud count; 10 years in prison for each money laundering count; and a mandatory minimum of 2 years’ imprisonment for the aggravated identity theft counts. Ridling also will be ordered to pay restitution. In addition, the United States is seeking a forfeiture money judgment of over $40 million and the forfeiture of approximately $348,000, a Chevrolet Silverado truck, a Peterbilt truck, and a Featherlite trailer seized from Ridling as well as real property in St. Lucie County.
According to court documents, Ridling is a farmer. Over the course of three years, Ridling attempted to defraud five financial institutions, one financial services provider, and one local Orlando business out of over $50 million. Ridling’s scheme involved the use of false brokerage account statements, fabricated tax returns, and false financial statements, to obtain loans and lines of credit.
As part of his scheme, Ridling falsely claimed that three individuals were his account representatives at a financial brokerage company and set up fake email accounts for two of those individuals without their consent or knowledge. Assuming the identities of those two individuals, Ridling then sent emails from the fake email accounts in an effort to convince lenders that he had millions of dollars in his two brokerage accounts. In fact, Ridling only had one brokerage account, which never had more than $2,000 in it. During the last year of Ridling’s scheme, he was able to obtain three loans totaling over $25 million, based in part on his claim that his brokerage accounts had millions of dollars. During that timeframe, Ridling’s brokerage account had less than $2.00.
In total, Ridling was successful in receiving over $40 million in proceeds from his scheme. He used some of the proceeds that he obtained from his victims to pay amounts that he owed to other victims, prolonging his scheme.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg. Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Andrejko is handling the criminal forfeitures.
Suwannee County Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Submitting A False Claim for FEMA Benefits Related to Hurricane IrmaRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – Senior U.S. District Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger today sentenced Deannajo White (39, Suwannee County) to 24 months in federal prison for disaster assistance fraud. The Court also ordered White to pay $15,331.74 in restitution to FEMA. White, a 19-time convicted felon, had pleaded guilty on January 24, 2020.
According to court documents, on September 27, 2017, White, while in Suwannee County, made an application for disaster assistance benefits to FEMA over the internet. In the application, White falsely claimed that her primary residence in Branford, Florida had suffered storm damage due to Hurricane Irma, when a tree fell through the roof, forcing her to leave the residence and begin living at a rental property in Branford. White subsequently contacted FEMA and falsely stated that she had moved to a different rental property with a higher rent. White submitted multiple documents to FEMA in support of her application, including rent receipts, leases, and letters.
On August 13, 2019, law enforcement officers interviewed White about her disaster assistance application. During the interview, she repeatedly lied to agents. When confronted with evidence showing that she had lied on her disaster assistance application, White admitted to making false statements on her application. She also admitted to submitting multiple false documents to FEMA to include fraudulent rent receipts and leases.
“It is especially offensive for someone to commit disaster assistance fraud because so many in our communities were in desperate need of that relief,” said HSI Jacksonville Assistant Special Agent in Charge K. Jim Phillips. “This case highlights the importance the Department of Homeland Security places on the integrity of disaster assistance programs.”
This case is part of the United States Attorney’s Disaster Fraud Task Force, which was announced in September 2017. This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security - Office of Inspector General with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein.
Members of the public who suspect fraud, waste, abuse, or allegations of mismanagement involving disaster relief operations, or believe they have been the victim of fraud from a person or organization soliciting relief funds on behalf of disaster victims, should contact the National Disaster Fraud Hotline toll-free at (866) 720-5721 or complete the online complaint form by visiting www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/webform/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Plant City Man Pleads Guilty to Murder in Park, Next to Elementary SchoolRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – Wilmer Rosales, a/k/a “DoubleU,” (22, Plant City) has pleaded guilty to conspiring to traffic in controlled substances; conspiring to commit robbery; committing robbery; using a firearm and causing the first degree murder of Grant Urquhart in furtherance of the drug conspiracy; and possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. Rosales faces up to life in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. Rosales’s co-defendant, Joel Sierra, a/k/a “Jojo,” (25, Plant City) is scheduled to plead guilty on November 12, 2020.
According to court documents, Rosales and Sierra lured Urquhart to Springhead Park, adjacent to an elementary school, in Plant City. Rosales and Sierra claimed they wanted to purchase marijuana from Urquhart, but they in fact planned to rob him. Rosales and other co-conspirators waited in nearby vehicles, armed—Rosales with a 7.62 mm rifle—while Sierra got into Urquhart’s vehicle for the robbery. Sierra robbed Urquhart of marijuana and money and then fled. When Urquhart chased Sierra, Rosales drove by and repeatedly fired the weapon at Urquhart, hitting him multiple times. Rosales and the other co-conspirators then left the scene. Rosales returned to the scene shortly after the shooting and again fired at Urquhart, who was lying on the ground while others were attempting to help him. Urquhart died from his gunshot wounds.
Prior to the murder, Rosales was previously convicted of possessing methamphetamine and possessing 20 grams or more of marijuana. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Natalie Hirt Adams.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In the Middle District of Florida, U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
Nassau County Fire and Rescue Employee Arrested and Charged with Accessing with Intent to View Child Exploitation MaterialRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces that Robert Arthur Ginder (34, Callahan) has been charged by federal criminal complaint with access with intent to view child exploitation material. Ginder faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a potential life term of supervised release. Ginder has been detained pending a hearing scheduled for October 23, 2020.
According to the complaint, an investigation was initiated by law enforcement after they gained access to a cloud platform and a group chat where users were actively involved in the distribution of child exploitation material. Law enforcement observed that when one particular user joined the group chat, numerous image and video files depicting child exploitation material were shared between various members of the group.
Further investigation by Homeland Security Investigations identified Ginder’s residence as the source of the IP addresses that had been used by the account on the cloud platform. On October 20, 2020, HSI agents executed a search warrant at Ginder’s residence, and he was subsequently arrested.
A criminal complaint is only an allegation and every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Washington.
This is another case that was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Former Police Officer Sentenced to 8 Years for Distribution and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven today sentenced Matthew Enhoffer (35, St. Petersburg), a former police officer with the St. Petersburg Police Department, to 8 years and 1 month in federal prison for distribution and possession of child pornography. The court also ordered Enhoffer to pay a $10,000 special assessment pursuant to the Justice for Victims Trafficking Act of 2015. The court will determine restitution to the victims at a later date.
Enhoffer had pleaded guilty on February 11, 2020.
According to court documents, agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) received a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that an individual had distributed child pornography on a web-based social media application. The investigation led agents to Enhoffer’s residence.
On September 11, 2019, HSI agents executed a search warrant at Enhoffer’s home and seized several electronic devices. An examination of Enhoffer’s devices revealed that he possessed a total of approximately 390 child pornographic images, 7 child pornographic videos, and 290 child erotic images. The images and videos depicted the sexual abuse of young children. A forensic analysis of Enhoffer’s laptop also revealed that he had distributed child sex abuse material to another individual via the internet in June and July 2018.
“It is especially disheartening when a law enforcement officer becomes the criminal but no person is above the law,” said Acting Deputy Special Agent in Charge Micah C. McCombs. “Thanks to HSI special agents and outstanding support from the St. Petersburg Police Department, this child predator will be held accountable for his crimes.”
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lisa M. Thelwell.
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.
Former Clay County Sheriff’s Deputy Pleads Guilty to Producing and Possessing Child Sexual Abuse ImagesRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, FL –Travis Ryan Pritchard (37, Green Cove Springs) today pleaded guilty to one count of producing an image of a child being sexually abused and one count of possessing an image of a prepubescent child being sexually abused. He faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 15 years, and up to 50 years, in federal prison, as well as a life term of supervised release.
Pritchard was indicted on May 20, 2020.
According to the plea agreement, at the time of the offenses, Pritchard was employed as a deputy with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and was assigned to the DUI unit. From December 2019 through May 2, 2020, Pritchard used an online chat application to communicate in a sexual manner with a 15-year-old child. Beginning on April 29, 2020, an undercover detective from the Green Cove Springs Police Department assumed the child’s identity and continued chatting with Pritchard using the online chat application. Late in the night of May 1, 2020, and into the early morning hours of the next day, Pritchard encouraged the “child” to sneak out of the child’s home to meet with him for a “quickie.” In anticipation of their meeting, he sent the “child” a photograph of himself from the waist down, wearing only boxer shorts. At approximately 2:00 a.m. on May 2, 2020, Pritchard arrived near the child’s home in his patrol vehicle, and sent the “child” a message saying, “I’m here.” A short time later, Pritchard was arrested by officers from the Green Cove Springs Police Department.
A forensic review of Pritchard’s cellphone yielded multiple conversations between the child and Pritchard, as well as an encrypted secure digital folder that contained multiple depictions of child sexual abuse.
This case was investigated by the Green Cove Springs Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelly S. Karase.
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 Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Defraud SNAP ProgramRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces that Ahmad Al Saleh (57, Tampa) has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) and to make false statements to the USDA. Al Saleh faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to the
plea agreement , Al Saleh and others engaged in a conspiracy to defraud the USDA by falsely representing that Al Saleh was the new owner of the Express Family Food Market (“EFFM”) in St. Petersburg, Florida. The USDA had approved EFFM to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (“SNAP”) payments from customers. SNAP allows low income individuals to purchase eligible food items with federal funds through the use of a SNAP Electronic Benefit Transfer card, which works like a debit card. Al Saleh falsely represented himself as the new owner of the EFFM so that the prior owner, who had been permanently disqualified from SNAP participation due to earlier SNAP fraud activity at the store location, could continue to operate and manage the store and continue to unlawfully redeem SNAP cards for cash. Al Saleh was also involved in the preparation and signature of numerous documents that falsely and fraudulently represented the terms of the alleged “sale” of EFFM to Al Saleh. In actuality, Al Saleh had no role in the management or operation of the store and had never paid to “purchase” the store.This case was investigated by the USDA - Office of Inspector General and Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the St. Petersburg Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jay L. Hoffer.
U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez Appoints Election Officer for the Middle District of FloridaRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL - United States Maria Chapa Lopez announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Robert Mosakowski will lead the efforts of her Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 3, 2020, general election. AUSA Mosakowski has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Middle District of Florida, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of complaints of election fraud and voting rights abuses in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
United States Attorney Chapa Lopez said, “Every citizen should be free to vote without interference or discrimination and to have their vote count, without the fear that it will be stolen because of fraud. The Department of Justice will act promptly and aggressively to protect the integrity of the electoral process. It is imperative that those who have specific information about discrimination or election fraud make that information available to my Office, the FBI, or the Civil Rights Division.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring election fraud and discrimination at the polls, and combating these violations whenever and wherever they occur. The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program furthers these goals, and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while the polls are open on election day.
Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them. For example, actions of persons designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them, under the pretext that these are actions to uncover illegal voting may violate federal voting rights law. Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or illiteracy).
The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of election fraud or voting rights abuses on November 3, 2020, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, United States Attorney Chapa Lopez stated that AUSA/DEO Mosakowski will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. He can be reached by the public at the following telephone number: (813) 274-6129.
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. Local FBI field offices can be reached by the public at (813) 253-1000 (Tampa Division) or (904) 248-7000 (Jacksonville Division).
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by phone at 800-253-3931 or by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/.
Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
U.S. Attorney Announces Results of Fiscal Year 2020 Firearms ProsecutionsRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces the results of firearms prosecutions for fiscal year 2020 (FY20). In FY20, the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) for the Middle District of Florida (MDFL) has charged more than 200 individuals with violations of federal firearms laws. Charges arose from armed robberies, possession of firearms and ammunition by convicted felons, possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking and violent crimes, and false statements in relation to gun purchases.
“Fighting violent crime and keeping our citizens safe continues to be a paramount priority for the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida,” said United States Attorney Chapa Lopez. “Despite some recent changes in priorities in some of our local law enforcement agencies, we hope to continue to work together with our dedicated and courageous law enforcement partners to remain laser-focused on holding violent criminals accountable, reducing gun violence, and protecting our communities.” Several firearms cases have resulted in significant sentences in FY20, throughout all five divisions of the MDFL. Highlights from each division are summarized below.
United States vs. Jimmy Ray Lightsey
On September 17, 2020, in Jacksonville, Jimmy Ray Lightsey (40, Jacksonville) was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, possessing controlled substances with the intent to distribute them, and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. According to testimony presented at trial, on June 24, 2018, officers from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office arrested Lightsey for driving without a valid license. A 9mm pistol and a bag of marijuana were observed, in plain view, inside Lightsey’s car. A search of the vehicle revealed additional marijuana, cocaine, crack cocaine, and empty baggies used for packaging narcotics. The pistol was later determined to have been stolen from a home in Jacksonville approximately two weeks earlier. At the time of the incident, Lightsey had multiple prior felony convictions, including for the sale or delivery of cocaine and attempted armed robbery with a weapon. This case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and ATF. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David B. Mesrobian and Beatriz Gonzalez. For additional details, see press release.
United States vs. Anthony Kenty Soto-Lopez et al
In Orlando, on September 29, 2020, Anthony Kenty Soto-Lopes was sentenced to 11 years and 3 months in federal prison for charges arising from the straw purchase of firearms. Soto-Lopes’s co-defendants, Misael Adorno-Ortega, Ivan Jomar Melendez-Ortiz, and Jose Gonzalez-Rodriguez were sentenced to federal prison – 84 months, 37 months, and 8 months, respectively. According to court records, between October 2018 and July 2019, Adorno-Ortega and Soto-Lopes employed Gonzalez-Rodriguez and Melendez-Ortiz as straw purchasers to purchase 52 firearms. The straw purchasers falsely indicated on ATF forms that they were the actual transferees/buyers of the firearms, when in fact, they were purchasing the firearms for Adorno-Ortega and Soto-Lopes, who were prior convicted felons on supervised release. This case was investigated by ATF and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chauncey Bratt and Amanda Daniels. For additional details, please see press release.
United States vs. Charlie Lee Wright, Jr.
In Ocala, on August 28, 2020, Charlie Lee Wright, Jr. (52, Summerfield) was sentenced to 17 years and 7 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. According to the evidence presented at the trial, Wright has 28 prior felony convictions. On January 16, 2019, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Wright’s home looking for stolen jewelry. During the search, detectives located numerous firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. One of the recovered firearms was a mini-14 rifle, a semi-automatic firearm capable of accepting a high-capacity magazine. This case was investigated by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and ATF. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert E. Bodnar, Jr. For additional details, please see press release.
United States vs. Jarquel Jenkins
In Fort Myers, on February 20, 2020, Jarquel Jenkins (28, Fort Myers) was sentenced to 19 years and 7 months in prison for drug distribution and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. According to court documents, on three separate occasions in January and February 2019, Jenkins sold heroin and cocaine to confidential informants. In February 2019, following a controlled purchase of narcotics from Jenkins, law enforcement officers attempted to arrest Jenkins, who fled from a parked vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, officers seized various quantities of heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine, as well as a loaded firearm from the vehicle’s cup holder. The case was investigated by ATF and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Trent Reichling. For additional details, please see press release.
United States vs. Jordan Rodriguez et al
In Tampa, on February 5, 2020, Jordan Rodriguez (Bradenton, 26) was sentenced to three life terms of imprisonment for gang racketeering and murder. His co-defendants, Alfonzo Churchwell (Bradenton, 32) and Andrew Thompson (Bradenton, 25), were also sentenced to multiple life terms. According to evidence presented during the three and half week jury trial, the defendants had engaged in a violent and deadly rivalry with others in Oneco, a community in Bradenton. The individuals worked together to traffic in controlled substances and to control and protect their drug business with violence and murder. Rodriguez, Churchwell, and Thompson were responsible for at least four murders. Their racketeering enterprise maintained a “trap house” that was used to distribute heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, marijuana, and other drugs. This case was investigated by ATF, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, and the State Attorney’s Office (Twelfth Judicial Circuit). It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natalie Hirt Adams and Christopher F. Murray. For additional details, please see press release.
Reducing gun violence and enforcing federal firearms laws are amongst the Department’s highest priorities. In order to develop a new and robust effort to promote and ensure public safety, the Department has reviewed and adapted some of the successes of past strategies to curb gun violence. Project Guardian draws on the Department’s earlier achievements, such as the “Triggerlock” program, and serves as a complementary effort to the success of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). In addition, the initiative emphasizes the importance of using all modern technologies available to law enforcement to promote gun crime intelligence.
The USAO-MDFL works closely with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to vigorously enforce federal laws related to violent crime and the illegal possession of firearms. Recently charged cases are summarized in the table below.
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.
Name
Charges
AUSA/Division
Kermon Williams (42, St. Petersburg),
Jahphre Higgs (36, St. Petersburg),
James Higgs (40, St. Petersburg)
See press release.
1. Conspiring to commit a murder for hire, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1958 (All)
2. Committing a murder for hire, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1958 and 2 (All)
3. Conspiring to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846 (All)
4. Attempting to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846 (The Higgs)
5. Felons in possession of ammunition, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) (Both Higgs)
6. Use and discharge of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes , in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c) and (j), and 2 (All)
7. Use and discharge of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c) and (j), and 2 (All)
8 .Felon in possession of firearm and ammunition, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) (Jhaphre Higgs)
9. Felon in possession of firearm and ammunition, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) (Jhaphre Higgs)
Natalie Adams, Tampa
Wilmer Rosales (23, Plant City),
Joel Sierra (25, Plant City)
See press release.
1. Drug conspiracy, 21 U.S.C. § 846 (both defendants)
2. Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, 18 U.S.C. § 1951 (both defendants).
3. Hobbs Act robbery, 18 U.S.C. § 1951 (both defendants)
4. Discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, causing the death of Grant Urquhart, 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) and (j) (Rosales).
5. Felon-in-possession of a firearm and ammunition, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) (Rosales).
6. Possession of a firearm in a school zone, 18 U.S.C. § 922(q)(2) (Rosales)
Natalie Adams, Tampa
Jullian Williams (28, Tampa),
Torie Daniels (33, Tampa)
1. Conspiring to distribute marijuana, 21 U.S.C. § 846 (both defendants)
2. Conspiring to commit money laundering, 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h) (both defendants)
3. Possessing with intent to distribute marijuana, 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(D) (both defendants)
4. Possessing, brandishing, and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)(iii) (both defendants)
5. Possessing with intent to distribute marijuana, 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(D) (Williams)
6. Possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)(i) (Williams)
Natalie Adams, Tampa
Michler Gabriel (28, Brandon)
See press release.
Felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)
Callan Albritton, Tampa
Steven Sinadinoa (32, Tampa)
1. Felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)
2. Possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)
Callan Albritton, Tampa
Tavares Speaight (24, Tampa)
Felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)
Callan Albritton, Tampa
Deveon Jenkins (27, Ocala)
Felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)
Robert Bodnar, Ocala
Cory Lamar Cohen, Jr. (22, Ocala)
Felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)
Robert Bodnar, Ocala
Vladimir Isidor St. Louis (38, Orlando)
Felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)
E. Jackson Boggs, Orlando
Xavier Youvark Sims (35, Ocala)
Felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)
Tyrie Boyer, Ocala
David Stephen Shaw (36, Ocala)
See press release.
Felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)
Tyrie Boyer, Ocala
Darrell Pete (31, Ocala)
Felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)
Tyrie Boyer, Ocala
Justin Ruth (28, New Port Richey)
See press release.
Felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)
Charlie Connally, Tampa
Lorenzo Johnson (29, St. Petersburg)
Felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)
Charlie Connally, Tampa
Brandon Clark (34, Sarasota)
Felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)
Charlie Connally, Tampa
Max Bennett Chambers (21, Sarasota)
Possession of a machinegun, 18 U.S.C. § 922(o)
Amanda Daniels, Orlando
Omar Lupian Barajas (40, Groveland)
Felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)
Michael Felicetta, Ocala
Michael Kendrick (34, Ocala)
1. Felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)
2. Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)
Michael Felicetta, Ocala
James Johnson (31, Summerfield),
Brittany Johnson (28, Summerfield)
Felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)
Michael Felicetta, Ocala
Joshua Sams (19, Orange Park)
See press release.
1. Hobbs Act Robbery, 18 U.S.C. § 1951(a)
2. Possession of a firearm in relation to crime of violence, 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)(ii)
Kevin Frein, Jacksonville
Brandy Rayburn (40, Jacksonville)
Duane McCray (42, Jacksonville)
1-2. Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)
3. Distribution of Crack Cocaine & Heroin, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)
Betty Gonzalez, Jacksonville
John Hurley (33, St. Augustine)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)
Betty Gonzalez, Jacksonville
Lamar Curtis (34, Jacksonville)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)
Betty Gonzalez, Jacksonville
Recardo Clark (38, Winter Haven)
Hobbs Act robbery conspiracy, 18 U.S.C. § 1951(a)
Michael Gordon, Tampa
Frank Eiland (43, Tampa)
1. Felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)
2. Possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)
Michael Gordon, Tampa
Keon Moore (28, Tampa)
1. Felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)
2. Possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)
3. Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)
Michael Gordon, Tampa
Spencer Walker (40, Palatka)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)
Julie Hackenberry, Jacksonville
Corey Carnegie (33, Ocala),
Nishera Johnson (39, Ocala)
Felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)
William Hamilton, Ocala
Matthew Zachariah Humphrey (26, Daytona Beach
See press release.
1. Possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)
2. Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)
Dana E. Hill, Orlando
Janee Reve Najee Kelly (31, Daytona Beach)
See press release.
1. Possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)
2. Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)
Dana E. Hill, Orlando
Gregory Baker (32, Jacksonville Beach)
1. Possession with intent to distribute, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)
2. Distribution of steroids, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)
3. Possession of a firearm by a convicted Felon, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)
4. Sale of firearms to a convicted felon, 18 U.S.C. § 922(d)
Kelly Karase, Jacksonville
Deangelo Howard (36)
1. Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)
2. Theft of Government Funds, 18 U.S.C. § 641
Kelly Karase, Jacksonville
Samuel Davis, Jr. (38, Bradenton)
Felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)
Randall Leonard, Tampa
Alphonso Woodie (38, Bradenton)
Felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)
Randall Leonard, Tampa
Wilmer Eduardo Mejia-Palacios (36, Orlando)
See press release.
Four counts of making false statements to a federally licensed firearms dealer, 18 U.S.C. § 924(a)(1)(A)
Terry Livanos, Orlando
Frederick Aaron (38, Jacksonville)
1. Distribution of a Controlled Substance, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)
2. Possession of a firearm by a convicted Felon, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)
David Mesrobian, Jacksonville
Demarcus Daniels (24)
1. Bank Robbery, 18 U.S.C. § 2113(a)
2. Carrying a firearm in relation to a crime of violence, 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)(ii)
David Mesrobian, Jacksonville
Christopher Dozier (39, Jacksonville)
1,3. Hobbs Act Robbery, 18 U.S.C. § 1951(a)
2,4. Possession of a firearm in relation to crime of violence, 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)(ii)
David Mesrobian, Jacksonville
Gabriel Thompkins (25, Tampa)
False Statement to a federally licensed firearms dealers, 18 U.S.C. § 924(a)(1)(A).
Christopher Murray, Tampa
Kevin Speights (26, Tampa)
Felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)
James C. Preston, Jr., Tampa
Davion Rivers (25, Bradenton)
Felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)
Michael Sinacore, Tampa
Jarrod Austin (33, Orange Park)
False statements to an FFL, records, 18 U.S.C. § 924(a)(1)(A)
Frank Talbot, Jacksonville
Kelly Villalobos (50, Ponte Vedra)
See press release.
False Statements to an FFL, records, 18 U.S.C. § 924(a)(1)(A)
Frank Talbot, Jacksonville
Vonshea Hartley (37)
1,3,5. Distribution of cocaine base, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)
2,4,6. Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)
7,8. Distribution of cocaine, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)
Laura Taylor, Jacksonville
Bruce Jefferson (46, Jacksonville)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)
Laura Taylor, Jacksonville
Elizabeth Rivera (52, Jacksonville)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)
Laura Taylor, Jacksonville
Raekwon Cannon (24, Jacksonville)
1-3. Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)
Ashley Washington, Jacksonville
Christopher Carter (32, Jacksonville)
Sale of Cocaine, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)
2-3. Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)
Ashley Washington, Jacksonville
Derrick Ivory (48, Jacksonville)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)
Ashley Washington, Jacksonville
Orlando Man Pleads Guilty to Multi-Million Dollar Investment Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces that Edison Denizard (40, Orlando) has pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Denizard faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to the plea agreement, between March 2016 and June 2017, Denizard raised millions of dollars from dozens of victims who believed that they were investing in specific music concerts through legitimate businesses owned by Denizard and a co-conspirator, Andres Fernandez. Fernandez and Denizard lured investors by guaranteeing them large returns and promising that all of the funds that they provided would be invested in events by top artists, including Drake, Garth Brooks, Pitbull, The Weeknd, and Maná. In fact, neither Denizard nor Fernandez was involved in most of the events.
Denizard used most of the funds that he had received from investors to pay fraudulent “investment returns” to earlier investors and for his own personal use, including to purchase a new lakefront residence and luxury hotel stays. The total amount of victims’ losses attributable to Denizard are $7,479,453.
Fernandez previously pleaded guilty to 12 counts of wire fraud and was sentenced earlier this year to 10 years in federal prison.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Chauncey A. Bratt.
Florida Man Who Financed and Patronized Child Sex-Trafficking Ring in the Philippines Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – Christopher John Streeter (63, Land O’ Lakes) today pleaded guilty to sex trafficking of a minor under the age of 14. He faces a mandatory penalty of 15 years, and up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to the
plea agreement , from September 2018 through June 2019, Streeter directly participated in a scheme that sexually exploited children in the Philippines in order to produce child sex abuse videos for his consumption. Over that period, Streeter communicated and transacted with Philippines-based facilitators to recruit children to engage in sex acts on camera. The child victims—some of whom were as young as 12 and 13 years old—were particularly vulnerable due to poverty and illness.Streeter sent payments to the Philippines in exchange for depictions of the victims engaging in sex acts. The money that Streeter remitted covered various recording and production costs, such as hotel rooms, transportation, and a commission for the recruiters. In return, Streeter received videos and images of minors involved in various sex acts. Streeter negotiated and paid a premium for videos and images depicting female minors losing their virginity. He also negotiated and paid a premium for media depicting female minors being placed at risk of pregnancy, including additional payment for emergency contraception pills, and, occasionally, for abortions.
One of Streeter’s victims was a 12-year-old female from Ozamis, Philippines. In 2018 and 2019, Streeter communicated with a Philippine recruiter in Ozamis named Analyn Tababini. On multiple occasions, while in the Tampa Bay area, Streeter paid Tababini to arrange for sex abuse videos to be made of the victim. The monies covered production costs, including the male abuser, money for the victim, hotel expenses, and a commission for Tababini. In return, Tababini sent Streeter several videos of the sexual abuse of the victim. At one point, Streeter voiced displeasure with the videos not depicting insemination of the victim and ordered Tababini to purchase emergency contraception and make the victim take it for future videos.
In addition to working for Streeter, Homeland Security Investigations Transnational National Criminal Investigative Unit in Manila discovered that Tababini has facilitated internet sex shows of minors in exchange for payment from an array of international clientele. In a recent, coordinated operation conducted by the Philippine National Police in Ozamis, Philippines, six of Tababini’s child sex-trafficking victims (including Streeter’s 12-year-old victim) were rescued by the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development. Philippine authorities also arrested Tababini and executed three search warrants in support of their continuing investigation.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (Tampa and Manila), with assistance from the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Murray. The Philippines victim-rescue operation was conducted by the Philippine National Police (Manila), with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations (Tampa and Manila), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (National Targeting Center), the Philippine National Police Woman and Children Protection Center (Mindanao Field Unit), and the Ozamis City Police Office.
Drug Dealer Sentenced to More Than 15 Years in Prison for Possessing A Firearm and DrugsRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Susan C. Bucklew has sentenced Juan Daniel Martinez (38, Arcadia) to 15 years and 1 month in federal prison for possessing approximately six ounces of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it and for possessing a loaded pistol and additional ammunition. Martinez, a previously convicted felon for armed kidnapping, had pleaded guilty on June 30, 2020.
According to information presented during the sentencing hearing, in July 2019, Martinez was arrested after a law enforcement officer pulled him over for a traffic infraction and discovered that Martinez was driving without a valid driver license, an offense Martinez has been convicted of seven times. A subsequent search of Martinez’s car revealed a loaded gun stashed under the driver’s seat and approximately six ounces of 98% pure methamphetamine in a bag, along with other items used for drug distribution.
During an interview with law enforcement, Martinez admitted that, prior to his arrest, he had sold approximately a pound of methamphetamine daily or every other day. Martinez acknowledged that while engaging in criminal activity, including narcotics trafficking, he carried the pistol to protect himself, his drugs, and his money. Martinez confessed that he had been working to expand his drug trafficking territory and before he was arrested, he was on his way to Nokomis to sell drugs.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael M. Gordon.
This case was 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 Maria Chapa Lopez coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
DOJ Charges More Than 14,200 Defendants with Firearms-Related Crimes in FY20Read the Press Release
Tampa, FL – This week, the Department of Justice announced it has charged more than 14,200 defendants with firearms-related crimes during Fiscal Year (FY) 2020, despite the challenges of COVID 19 and its impact on the criminal justice process. These cases have been a Department priority since November 2019 when Attorney General William P. Barr announced his commitment to investigating, prosecuting, and combatting gun crimes as a critical part of the Department’s anti-violent crime strategy. These firearms-related charges are the result of the critical law enforcement partnership between United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, led by Acting Director Regina Lombardo, who has made firearms-related investigations a priority.
“The number one priority of government is to keep its citizens safe,” said Attorney General Barr. “By preventing firearms from falling into the hands of individuals who are prohibited from having them, we can stop violent crime before it happens. Violating federal firearms laws is a serious crime and offenders face serious consequences. The Department of Justice is committed to investigating and prosecuting individuals, who illegally buy, sell, use, or possess firearms. Reducing gun violence requires a coordinated effort, and we could not have charged more than 14,000 individuals with firearms-related crimes without the hard work of the dedicated law enforcement professionals at the ATF, our U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country, and especially all of our state and local law enforcement partners.”
“Protecting the public from violent crime involving firearms is at the core of ATF’s mission,” commented ATF Acting Director Regina Lombardo. “Every day the men and women of ATF pursue and investigate those who use firearms to commit violent crimes in our communities, many of whom are prohibited from possessing firearms from previous convictions. ATF, in collaboration with the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the nation, is committed to bringing these offenders to justice for their egregious and violent criminal acts.”
“Fighting violent crime and keeping our citizens safe continues to be a paramount priority for the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida,” said United States Attorney Chapa Lopez. “Together with our dedicated and courageous federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, we hope to continue to remain laser-focused on holding violent criminals accountable, reducing gun violence, and protecting our communities.”
Of the more than 14,200 cases charged, more than 200 cases have been brought by the Middle District of Florida, announced U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez.
Under federal law, it is illegal to possess a firearm if you fall into one of nine prohibited categories including being a felon, illegal alien, or unlawful user of a controlled substance. Further, it is unlawful to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense or violent crime. It is also illegal to purchase – or even to attempt to illegally purchase - firearms if the buyer is a prohibited person or illegally purchasing a firearm on behalf of others. Lying on ATF Form 4473, which is used to lawfully purchase a firearm, is also a federal offense. The Department is committed to prosecuting these firearms offenses as well as using all modern technologies available to law enforcement such as the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, known as NIBIN, to promote gun crime intelligence. Keeping illegal firearms out of the hands of violent criminals will continue to be a priority of the Department of Justice and we will use all appropriate, available means to keep the law abiding people of this country safe from gun crime.
For more information on the lawful purchasing of firearms, please see: https://www.atf.gov/qa-category/atf-form-4473.
Former Office Manager Sentenced to More Than 5 Years in Federal Prison for Stealing $790,600Read the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Paul G. Byron has sentenced Richard Barrett Dale Walker (38, The Villages) to five years and five months in federal prison for wire fraud and bank fraud. Walker was also ordered to pay $790,600 in restitution and an $839,305.30 forfeiture order.
Walker had pleaded guilty on June 23, 2020.
According to court documents, Walker was the part-time office manager of a locally owned business where he worked 10 hours a week and was responsible for paying bills and managing the finances of the business. He was paid $500 per week. Walker also had two companies of his own: RBD Distributors LLC and Shotgun Shooting Supply LLC.
Walker’s scheme consisted of two parts. First, from January 2014 to July 3, 2018, Walker used the business’s bank account, without authorization, to write $751,824.29 in checks to himself and his two companies. In total, there were more than 500 checks, ranging from $145.89 to $16,981.03, each of which included the forged signature of the owner of the business.
The second part of the scheme occurred from March 19 to July 3, 2018. During that time period, Walker used the business’s personal and corporate credit cards to charge $301,328.65 in fraudulent/unauthorized credit card transactions that were paid to Walker’s company, RBD Distributors. Walker sometimes paid for those credit card transactions by writing a check or initiating a transfer from the business’s bank account.
Walker engaged in a series of actions to hide and cover up his fraudulent scheme including changing the address for the business’s credit card statements from the actual location of the business to the address of a relative of Walker (so that the owner of the business would no longer receive credit card statements); adding himself as “Treasurer” of the business by sending an annual report to the Florida Secretary of State that falsely represented that he had that position with the company; adding his email and phone number to an account for the business’s corporate card; and adding an email address to another of the business’s corporate cards.
After deducting the amounts returned by Walker during his scheme and the reversal of some of the unauthorized credit card charges, the total amount of restitution in the case is $790,600.
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the United States Secret Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg.
Tampa Pill Mill Owners Sentenced to Prison for Illegal Distribution of OpioidsRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven has sentenced Ernest Gonzalez (68, Tampa) to 46 months in federal prison and Rosa Colon (30, Tampa) to 24 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute and dispense controlled substances for no legitimate medical purpose and not in the usual course of professional practice. As part of their sentences, the court also entered money judgments of $47,780.96 against Gonzalez and $765,356.76 against Colon which were for the proceeds of the conspiracy to illegally distribute and dispense controlled substances.
Gonzalez and Colon had pleaded guilty on September 11, 2018.
According to court documents, Gonzalez served as the president and owner of Health and Pain Center (HPC), a pain management clinic. In June 2011, Gonzalez transferred his executive title and ownership of HPC to Colon. Gonzalez and Colon hired physicians who routinely prescribed controlled substances outside the scope of professional practice and for no legitimate medical purpose to HPC’s patients. Gonzalez and Colon participated and facilitated the physicians’ illegal prescribing practices by instructing HPC employees to overlook failed urine screens and by procuring MRI studies that the physicians used to justify their opioid prescriptions. Additionally, Gonzalez and Colon operated HPC as a cash-only business that had little to no medical equipment on site, staffers with no medical training, and a high volume patient base. Gonzalez and Colon actively participated in the management and administration of HPC through October 2016 when the Drug Enforcement Administration executed a search warrant at the clinic.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration—Tampa District Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Greg Pizzo. The forfeiture was handled by Assistant United States Attorney James Muench.
Ocala Convicted Felon Receives Almost Six Years in Federal Prison for Possessing A FirearmRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – Senior United States District Judge James Whittemore has sentenced Kwasi Francis (30, Ocala) to 5 years and 10 months in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The court also ordered Francis to forfeit the firearm and all ammunition associated with the offense.
Francis had pleaded guilty to the offense on January 30, 2020.
According to court documents, officers from the City of Ocala Police Department arrested Francis on state burglary and drug possession charges on May 7, 2019. While he was being processed at the Marion County Jail, the jail staff discovered that Francis had concealed a 9mm firearm on his person, between multiple pairs of pants. The firearm was loaded, including a bullet in the chamber. Francis, who has prior felony convictions for burglary and heroin distribution, is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the City of Ocala Police Department, and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Bodnar, Jr.
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 Maria Chapa Lopez coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
Ocala Armed Career Criminal Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Possession of A Firearm/AmmunitionRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – Senior United States District Judge James Whittemore has sentenced Shelley Devaughn Cook (42, Ocala) to 15 years in federal prison for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. The court also ordered Cook to forfeit the firearm and all ammunition associated with the offense.
Cook had pleaded guilty on January 8, 2020.
According to court documents, detectives from the City of Ocala Police Department observed Cook with an open container of an alcoholic beverage in a public area—a violation of a city ordinance. Cook ignored repeated requests from the detectives to pour out his drink, then fled on foot when the detectives approached him. Once apprehended, the detectives discovered a loaded semi-automatic pistol in Cook’s waistband. He also had quantities of MDMA (ecstasy), heroin, fentanyl and marijuana on his person.
Cook has eight prior state felony convictions, including for robbery with a deadly weapon (firearm), aggravated battery, felony battery, fleeing and eluding law enforcement, and illegal drug possession. Because of these felony convictions, Cook is prohibited from possessing either firearms or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Ocala Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Bodnar, Jr.
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 Maria Chapa Lopez coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
Jury Convicts Three Time Felon of Illegally Possessing A Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – A federal jury has found Valdez Williams (61, Altamonte Springs) guilty of one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. Williams faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 15 years, and up to life, in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 28, 2020.
Williams had been indicted on November 20, 2019.
According to evidence presented at trial, during the execution of a search warrant at his apartment, law enforcement officers recovered a .380 caliber firearm and ammunition from a safe in Williams’s bedroom. The officers also found a plate of cocaine base and stolen property in the apartment. Williams admitted that he sold cocaine base and had purchased the stolen property, and he said that he had obtained the firearm for protection because his apartment had been burglarized about a month earlier.
Williams was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law both because he had prior felony convictions and because he was still on federal supervised released.
This case was investigated by the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Daniel P. Jancha and Karen L. Gable.
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 Maria Chapa Lopez coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez Announces over $1 Million to Improve Services for Crime Victims in Middle District of FloridaRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez today announced $1,095,330 in Department of Justice grants to improve services for crime victims in the Middle District of Florida. The grants, awarded by the Department’s Office of Justice Programs, are part of over $144 million distributed to enhance the district's response to victims of crime throughout the United States.
“The Department of Justice is steadfast in its commitment to protecting public safety and bringing justice to those who have been victimized,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “The investments we are making today will support service providers as they work to secure the legal rights of victims and put survivors of criminal acts on the road to recovery.”
“Prosecuting crimes is but one aspect of delivering justice,” said U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez. “Whenever and wherever possible, we must assist victims in the recovery and restoration process of their lives. The grant awards made today will assist our communities in rendering justice complete.”
The awards made to organizations in the Middle District of Florida will advance the use of technology, improve community preparedness and law enforcement training and provide emergency and transitional shelter to assist victims of crime. Programs will also support victims of child abuse and fund research projects related to perpetrators and victims of elder abuse. Approximately $64.3 million was awarded under Office for Victims of Crime grant programs; over $54.1 million was awarded under Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention programs; over $19.9 million was awarded under Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking grant programs; and nearly $5.7 million was awarded under two National Institute of Justice grant programs.
“As lockdowns and lawlessness fuel crime in America’s homes and communities, more people are vulnerable to victimization and those who have been victimized face new hurdles,” said OJP Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “The Office of Justice Programs is committed to giving our victim service partners the tools they need to better serve their clients and protect victims’ rights.”
The following organizations received funding:
- City of St. Petersburg ($390,832)
- Hillsborough County ($704,498)
More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
Third Jacksonville Woman Pleads Guilty in Scheme to Defraud Retail MerchantsRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – Sierra Marvette Townsend (33, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. She faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and payment of restitution to her victims. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to court documents, Townsend and others traveled to north Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina to commit fraud involving HomeGoods, TJ Maxx, and Marshalls. Over the course of multiple years, Townsend used five different identities when making fraudulent returns at these stores. These fraudulent returns resulted in the stores issuing gift cards to Townsend and others worth thousands of dollars. After obtaining the store gift cards, Townsend and others typically sold or pawned them.
On February 18, 2020, co-defendant Katrina Monique Morris (39, Jacksonville) pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. On July 30, 2020, co-defendant Lashundra Monyett Gibbs (38, Jacksonville) pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Morris and Gibbs are both scheduled to be sentenced on December 2, 2020.
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service - Jacksonville Field Office, with assistance from the Altamonte Springs Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein.
Ponte Vedra Man Pleads Guilty to Multiple Counts of Wire Fraud for Investment SchemeRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – Robert H. Hendricks (64, Ponte Vedra) has pleaded guilty to four counts of wire fraud. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for each count. Hendricks has agreed to pay at least $2,682,924.34 in restitution to his victims. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to the
plea agreement , Hendricks was a licensed real estate broker in the Middle District of Florida. Hendricks told two of his victims, a husband and wife, who were his longtime friends, that he had been successful with commercial property development and needed money for another commercial property deal in central Florida. In October 2014, the husband paid Hendricks $300,000 as an investment into two commercial property ventures. Hendricks never used the funds for an investment. Instead, he used the funds for his personal benefit.On March 21, 2016, Hendricks received a wire transfer of $200,000 from another victim, who was also a friend. He told the victim that Wawa, a chain of convenience stores and gas stations, was establishing locations in Jacksonville and offered the victim a deal for four to five stores. The victim believed that three of the five locations were completed based, in part, on a contract from Hendricks that referenced a Wawa store at the St. Johns Town Center (SJTC), and other representations made by Hendricks. However, the store at the SJTC had already been built at the time of the investment. Hendricks was not involved in that Wawa project or any other Wawa deal involving the SJTC.
On April 18, 2016, Hendricks received a wire transfer of $490,000 from a lender for a property he had obtained from a longtime friend through misrepresentations. The victim agreed to temporarily transfer the property to Hendricks to enable him to pay for cleanup and obtain special insurance, but Hendricks did not need to pay for any cleanup and no special insurance was required. Instead, once the property was placed in Hendricks’s name, he obtained a $500,000 mortgage for his benefit, which he failed to repay and the property was awarded to the lender at auction.
On February 13, 2017, Hendricks received a wire transfer of $388,962.17 from a victim for a commercial property venture. Hendricks falsely claimed he had an interest in an LLC that owned a Home Depot and the victim could invest in it. However, the LLC was merely an LLC incorporated by Hendricks to further his fraudulent Home Depot investment scheme, and he did not own an interest in the LLC that owned the Home Depot.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Washington.
Father and Son Charged in Relation to Scheme to Transport Minor Between Croatia and Florida for the Purpose of Engaging in Sexual ConductRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Jordan Jysae Pulido (26, Trinity) with enticement and coercion of a minor traveling out of the country to engage in illicit sexual conduct, and transporting a minor into the country to engage in sexual activity. Pulido and his father, Roberto Santana Jimenez (61, Trinity) have also been charged with conspiracy to transport a minor into the country to engage in sexual activity. If convicted on all counts, Pulido and Jimenez face a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, and up to life, in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Pulido and Jimenez that the United States intends to forfeit electronic devices, which are alleged to have been used in the commission of the offense.
According to the indictment, for nearly a year, Pulido used the internet to entice and coerce a minor victim, under the age of 16, to engage in sexual activity with him. In June 2018, Pulido traveled from Florida to Croatia for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with the victim. In the month that followed, Pulido and his father, Jimenez, conspired to transport the victim from Croatia to Florida, again so that Pulido could engage in sexual activity with the victim. In July 2018, Pulido transported the victim from Croatia to Florida for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, the Koprivnica-Križevac County Police Administration of the Republic of Croatia Ministry of the Interior Criminal Police, and the International Police Organization. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided investigative assistance. It will be 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.gov.
Tampa Man Sentenced to More Than 12 Years in Prison for Laundering Drug MoneyRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Brian J. Davis has sentenced Arafat Aljubeh (55, Tampa) to 12 years and 7 months in federal prison for conspiring to launder the proceeds of a conspiracy to distribute AB-FUBINACA, a type of synthetic marijuana. The court also ordered Aljubeh to forfeit his interest in five parcels of real property in the Tampa Bay area, which are traceable to proceeds of the offense.
Aljubeh had pleaded guilty on June 7, 2019.
According to the plea agreement, in April 2017, in Baker County, a Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) trooper conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Thair Zatar. Zatar was issued a warning and gave the trooper consent to search his vehicle. When the trooper looked in the back of Zatar’s vehicle, he discovered nine large black garbage bags, weighing approximately 415 pounds, which were stuffed with 27,000 individual packets labeled as “potpourri.” The packets were branded with names including “Outer Space” and “Geeked Up.” The trooper suspected the packets contained synthetic marijuana, and the Drug Enforcement Administration later confirmed that fact. Zatar was arrested and informed the DEA that his supplier was Aljubeh.
Zatar pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute AB-FUBINACA and was sentenced in 2018 to four years and three months in federal prison. Zatar’s sentence was later reduced to 33 months in prison based on his cooperation in the investigation of Aljubeh.
As part of his cooperation, Zatar admitted to DEA that he had served as a drug mule at the direction of Aljubeh on previous occasions and provided documents and evidence showing that Aljubeh directed Zatar to deposit the proceeds of the AB-FUBINACA sales into accounts controlled by Aljubeh and Aljubeh’s conspirators. A separate investigation of those accounts by Homeland Security Investigations revealed that the involved accounts were receiving deposits of thousands of dollars in cash from around the United States that were the proceeds of the sale of AB-FUBINACA. Those accounts were then used to transfer the proceeds back and forth between the accounts in a complex series of transactions designed to obfuscate the nature, location, source, ownership and control of the drug money. Ultimately, tracing of the funds showed that they were used to purchase five pieces of real property in the Tampa Bay area.
“This criminal has repeatedly shown disregard for our nation’s laws,” said HSI Tampa Assistant Special Agent in Charge Michael Cochran. “As a result of the effective teamwork with HSI, the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Highway Patrol and the DEA, this repeat offender will face the consequences for his crimes.”
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Florida Highway Patrol, and the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Cofer Taylor. The criminal forfeiture was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Bonnie Glober.