Middle District of Florida
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Armed Meth Dealer Sentenced to More Than 20 YearsRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States District Judge Steven D. Merryday has sentenced Jonathan Budowski (48, Brooksville), a/k/a “Hard Times,” to 20 years and 8 months in federal prison for his role in selling multiple kilograms of methamphetamine as part of a drug trafficking conspiracy, while maintaining an arsenal of firearms and ammunition to protect his drug stash and proceeds. Budowski was also ordered to forfeit five firearms, including an assault rifle, and 196 rounds of ammunition.
Budowski had pleaded guilty on May 22, 2019.
According to court documents, Budowski sold methamphetamine in multi-ounce quantities to a wide range of lower-level drug suppliers for several years, usually while armed. In September 2017, Budowski faced multiple state charges unrelated to this case, including felony domestic battery. After he failed to appear in state court as required, law enforcement officers secured a warrant for his arrest and a tipster alerted law enforcement that Budowski was hiding out in a motel. Law enforcement observed Budowski using his vehicle and his motel room in a manner consistent with drug dealing and ultimately had to use tear gas to draw Budowski out of the motel room to arrest him. Upon searching the motel room, officers found three loaded firearms, more than 100 rounds of ammunition, a distribution quantity of methamphetamine, and narcotics packaging materials. Budowski later stated, in a recorded call, that he had strongly considered engaging the officers in a shootout rather than submit to arrest. When officers searched Budowski’s vehicle, they recovered three more loaded firearms, including an assault rifle, as well as ammunition and drug paraphernalia.
Budowski’s criminal record includes 41 prior convictions.
This case was jointly investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, and the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael M. Gordon.
Operators of U.S. Coin Bullion, LLC to Plead Guilty to More Than $7 Million in FraudRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces that brothers Salvatore Esposito (47, Orlando) and Joseph Esposito (43, Orlando) have agreed to plead guilty to an Information charging them with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud. Each faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. Their initial appearances and change of plea hearings have been scheduled for October 2, 2019.
According to court documents, the Espositos operated U.S. Coin Bullion, a local Orlando company formed in 2012. From 2014 to July 2019, the Espositos engaged in a conspiracy to defraud U.S. Coin Bullion’s customers. Instead of using the customers’ funds to purchase precious metals as had been promised, the Espositos caused U.S. Coin Bullion to use customer funds to pay other customers, to pay commissions and other business expenses, and to purchase silver for the company itself.
U.S. Coin Bullion used its customers’ funds to purchase silver on “margin,” or “leverage,” by which it acquired an interest in the silver by paying only a portion of its full price. The company took out loans to purchase the silver on margin and then used more customer funds to pay the interest associated with those loans, as well as storage fees for the silver. And, because it was buying on margin, U.S. Coin Bullion was subject to “margin calls”; if the market price for silver declined, the company might immediately have to deposit more (customer) funds into its accounts to maintain its interest in the silver.
U.S. Coin Bullion never told its customers that their funds were being used in this way. By at least 2016, it was regularly using its customers’ funds to buy millions of dollars worth of silver. When the price for silver fell from more than $35 an ounce (in 2012) to less than $15 an ounce during the conspiracy, the company experienced massive losses and had to spend customer funds due to margin calls.
To cover up U.S. Coin Bullion’s losses, the Espositos provided customers with false account statements making it appear that the company had purchased the silver for the customers (not itself) and that their accounts maintained value despite any drop in the market price of silver. Ultimately, U.S. Coin Bullion’s margin purchases resulted in a loss of nearly all the market value of the silver that its customers believed they had purchased and held.
An information 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.
To date, the United States Secret Service has identified more than 120 victims who have been defrauded as a result of this conspiracy, with total losses of over $7.9 million. A dedicated email address ([email protected]) has been established for victims to provide victim impact statements and any other information related to their losses.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service, with assistance from the Florida Attorney General's Office of Citizen Services – Consumer Assistance Program which has provided invaluable assistance with the victims. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg.
Tampa Woman Charged with Distributing Heroin and Fentanyl, Causing DeathRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces the return of an indictment charging Heidi Kalous (39, Dunedin) with conspiring to distribute a substance that contained a mixture of heroin and fentanyl, and distributing a substance that contained a mixture of heroin, fentanyl, and acetyl fentanyl, causing death. If convicted, Kalous faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 20 years, and up to life, in federal prison.
According to court documents, beginning no later than June 5, 2019, and continuing through June 28, 2019, Kalous conspired with others to possess and distribute heroin, fentanyl, and acetyl fentanyl.
On June 5, 2019, Kalous distributed two bags containing a mixture of heroin and fentanyl to an individual. The individual injected himself with the substance from the bags and died. A medical autopsy revealed that the cause of death was an accidental overdose caused by fentanyl toxicity.
Between June 5 and June 27, 2019, Kalous continued to distribute narcotics, including crack cocaine, fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl and heroin, out of a motel in Dunedin.
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 Middle District of Florida’s anti-opioid strategy to combat opioid trafficking and abuse. This case was investigated by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Pinellas County Medical Examiner’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diego F. Novaes.
Police Officer Arrested and Charged with Distribution and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces that Matthew Enhoffer (34, St. Petersburg) has been arrested and charged by federal criminal complaint with distribution and possession of child pornography. If convicted, Enhoffer faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 5 years, and up to 20 years, in federal prison. Federal agents arrested Enhoffer, a police officer with the St. Petersburg Police Department, yesterday without incident.
According to the
complaint , an individual using the screen name “thehoff727” distributed child pornography on Snapchat, a mobile web-based communications application. Further investigation revealed that the Internet Protocol (IP) address and subscriber information associated with that account was linked to Enhoffer’s residence.On September 11, 2019, agents from Homeland Security Investigations executed a search warrant at Enhoffer’s home and seized several electronic devices. An examination of Enhoffer’s cellphone revealed a collection of child-pornographic images and videos, including multiple images and videos involving children under the age of 12 in bondage, being raped, and forced to perform sex acts.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation 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 is being 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.
Pasco Woman Sentenced to 57 Months in Federal Prison for Cyberstalking and Making Online ThreatsRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Kovachevich has sentenced Tammy Marie Steffen (37, Holiday) to four years and nine months in federal prison for cyberstalking and sending threatening communications online.
Steffen had pleaded guilty on December 21, 2018.
According to the plea agreement, from at least August 2016 and continuing through July 2018, Steffen engaged in a course of conduct with the intent to harass or intimidate six victims. Specifically, Steffen cyberstalked, harassed, and threatened several of her former colleagues and associates through repeated emails, phone calls, text messages, and social media messages using numerous phone numbers and accounts. To date, the FBI has identified at least 369 Instagram accounts and 18 email accounts that Steffen had created and used to cyberstalk, harass, and threaten the victims. For example, Steffen threatened to “slice [the victim] up into little pieces” and told another victim that “all hell is gonna rain fire down on your world like never seen before” and then sent a picture of a female holding two knives, with a caption that read, “I’m coming.” In addition to the threatening messages online, Steffen made countless “spoofed” phone calls to the victims. She used voice-disguising software to mask her identity when she repeatedly called the victims at their homes and businesses.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Lisa M. Thelwell and Rachel K. Jones.
Jacksonville Brothers Sentenced for Drug and Gun CrimesRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan has sentenced Allen Pernell Branch (32, Jacksonville) to five years and six months in federal prison for distributing crack cocaine. Branch’s brother, Brian Nathaniel Branch (33, Jacksonville), was sentenced to 10 years and 10 months in federal prison for distributing crack cocaine and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
Allen Branch had pleaded guilty on April 23, 2019, and Brian Branch had pleaded guilty on June 10, 2019.
According to court documents, Allen and Brian Branch, both previously convicted felons, were associated with a drug house on West 22nd Street in Jacksonville. On two occasions, Allen Branch cooked powder cocaine into crack cocaine and then sold it to a confidential informant who was working at the direction of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). On another occasion, Brian Branch sold crack cocaine to the confidential informant at an apartment in Arlington. During that transaction, Brian Branch displayed a pistol to the confidential informant. The pistol was recovered when ATF raided the apartment. Brian Branch’s previous felony convictions include possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, aggravated assault, possession of cocaine (four times), and attempted robbery. As a previously convicted felon he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Cofer Taylor.
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.
Two Members of Drug Trafficking Conspiracy Sentenced to Five and Seven YearsRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge G. Kendall Sharp today sentenced Dondi Kentrail Freeney (34, Sanford) to seven years and six months in federal prison, and Telvin Javon Williams (25, Sanford) to five years in federal prison, for their roles in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy. Freeney and Williams had pleaded guilty on June 25, 2019.
On August 9, 2019, a federal jury found Benjamin Greene Robinson (32, Daytona Beach) guilty for his role in this same conspiracy. A final conspirator, Antonio Toray Chandler (39, Belle Isle), has signed a plea agreement and is scheduled to appear in court on September 20, 2019.
According to court documents, and testimony and evidence presented during Robinson’s trial, in January 2016, the conspirators arranged for multiple shipments of cocaine to be sent through the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) from California to various addresses in Daytona and Sanford. During the investigation, the FBI and the USPS seized three packages of the packages, each containing two kilograms of cocaine hidden inside tubs of protein powder. Law enforcement identified five additional shipments that the conspirators had successfully shipped through the mail. In 2016, during the month of January, the conspirators were responsible for shipping 14 kilograms of cocaine through the mail, estimated to be worth of $490,000.
Freeney was involved in all aspects of the scheme, including arranging for payments and shipments and tracking down lost packages. Williams provided cash to Freeney and also received one of the 2-kilogram packages in Sanford.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Lake County Sherriff’s Office, and the Volusia Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dana E. Hill.
Palm Coast Felon Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Possessing Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida, – U.S. District Judge G. Kendall Sharp today sentenced Robert Wells (37, Palm Coast) to 18 months in federal prison for possessing a loaded handgun and ammunition as a convicted felon. The court also ordered Wells to forfeit the firearm and ammunition.
Wells was convicted on May 1, 2019, following a bench trial.
According to the stipulated facts and court documents, on the morning of February 3, 2018, a citizen contacted the Daytona Beach Police (DBPD) and reported that Wells was behaving suspiciously near her home and carrying a gun. DBPD identified Wells and, with the help of another citizen, determined that Wells had hidden the loaded firearm he had been carrying behind a trash can at a nearby shopping mall. Wells later admitted that he had come to Daytona Beach for drugs and had found the firearm. At the time of the incident, Wells had prior convictions for multiple felony offenses, including aggravated battery (2006); possession of cocaine (2008); battery on a law enforcement officer (2008); and resisting an officer with violence (2008).
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive and the Daytona Beach Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dana E. Hill.
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.
Georgia Man Sentenced to Four Years for Credit Card Fraud and Identity Theft at Resort and Theme ParksRead the Press Release
Orlando, FL – U.S. District Judge G. Kendall Sharp today sentenced Melvin Mack Gatlin (34, Tucker, GA) to four years in federal prison for committing credit card fraud and identity theft while visiting Orlando in early April 2018. The court also ordered Gatlin to forfeit the computer and credit card encoder he had used to commit the offense and, to pay $7,184.24 in restitution to his victims. Gatlin had pleaded guilty on June 17, 2019.
According to court documents, on April 1, 2018, Gatlin used a fake driver license and a counterfeit credit card, in the name of a victim, R.P., to check into a resort hotel. The following day, using the fake driver license and a counterfeit credit card, he purchased 11 theme park tickets. On April 3, 2018, he purchased 11 more theme park tickets using the fake driver license and a counterfeit credit card. Gatlin was arrested and admitted that he had obtained the fake credit cards and stolen account numbers on the dark web. Investigators found that Gatlin had incurred thousands of dollars in fraudulent transactions in just a few days in Orlando.
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, with assistance from the Orlando Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dana E. Hill.
Court of Appeals Affirms 120-Year Sentence of Former Live Oak Police Sergeant Convicted of Producing and Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – Maria Chapa Lopez announces that, on September 17, 2019, a three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed the 120-year federal-prison sentence of Kyle Adam Kirby (39, Live Oak), who was convicted of producing, attempting to produce, possessing, and accessing images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of minors. Kirby was arrested on October 28, 2015, at the Live Oak Police Department (LOPD) and has remained in custody since that date. A federal jury found him guilty on December 7, 2017.
According to testimony and evidence at trial, on October 22, 2015, FBI agents and other law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Kirby’s residence as a result of an online child exploitation investigation. At that time, Kirby was a sergeant with the Live Oak Police Department. That same morning, the LOPD chief authorized the agents to inspect and search the computer located inside Kirby’s patrol car. A forensic examination of this computer revealed that it contained images depicting young children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Kirby had used the patrol car’s computer to search for, download, access, and possess child pornography from as early as December 24, 2014.
A later search of an LOPD desktop computer used by Kirby revealed images depicting nude and partially undressed children in at least three different bathrooms. The evidence at trial revealed that Kirby had used one or more concealed cameras to surreptitiously film the unsuspecting minors. He had then transferred these images to the LOPD desktop computer and later had unsuccessfully attempted to delete them. Agents were able to locate folders on the computer named for several of Kirby’s victims.
In March 2018, United States District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan sentenced Kirby to serve 120 years in federal prison for these crimes. Kirby appealed his sentence to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, but that court affirmed, holding that the district court had not erred in calculating Kirby’s United States Sentence Guidelines advisory sentence of life imprisonment, which the court said, means a sentence that is “indefinite in duration.” The court said that Kirby’s 120-year sentence was “the closest available sentence to indefinite incarceration,” and concluded that, “when the Sentencing Guidelines recommend life imprisonment, they mean life imprisonment.”
The Court of Appeals also held that Kirby’s sentence was not unreasonably long, noting that, before imposing the longest sentence that it could, the District Court had “thoroughly discussed Kirby’s particularly heinous conduct and direct participation in the creation of child pornography, his breach of public trust as a police officer, and his total failure to take responsibility for his actions.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, with the full cooperation of the Live Oak Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown prosecuted the case in the District Court, and Linda Julin McNamara, Sara Sweeney, and Michelle Thresher Taylor represented the United States on appeal.
It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Georgia Supplier Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal Prison for Drug ChargeRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, FL – U.S. District Judge Brian J. Davis has sentenced Anthony Donta Jones (39, Atlanta) to 10 years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. Jones was found guilty on April 10, 2019.
According to court documents, on May 23, 2018, Jones traveled to Jacksonville, Florida from Atlanta, Georgia, after agreeing to deliver 15 pounds of methamphetamine to a confidential informant. Jones arrived in Jacksonville where he was detained. A Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office canine performed a narcotics “sniff” of Jones’ vehicle and alerted to the presence of narcotics near the vehicle’s trunk. Agents then searched the vehicle and located six gallon-sized plastic bags containing methamphetamine that was concealed in comforter bags. Agents also located a stolen, loaded Ruger .38 caliber revolver in the driver’s side door and seized a total of $2,611 in U.S. currency.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, along with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Beatriz Gonzalez.
Colombian Brothers Sentenced to Federal Prison for International Drug SmugglingRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Virginia M. Hernandez-Covington has sentenced Alfredo Milan Caceres-Lopez (44, Colombia) to 20 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine while onboard a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. On June 12, 2019, his brother, and co-defendant, Juan Carlos Caceres-Lopez (50, Colombia) was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for his involvement in the conspiracy.
According to court documents, since at least 2013, Alfredo Milan Caceres-Lopez, with the assistance of his brother, planned, organized, and coordinated the smuggling of almost four tons of cocaine into the United States from the Guajira region of Colombia and Venezuela, through the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean Sea. Alfredo Milan Caceres-Lopez dispatched seven cocaine smuggling ventures, three of which were interdicted by the United States Coast Guard.
This case was investigated by the Panama Express Strike Force, an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) comprised of agents and analysts from Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Coast Guard Investigative Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Southern Command's Joint Interagency Task Force South. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s drug supply. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diego F. Novaes.
Ponte Vedra Man Indicted on Twelve Counts of Wire Fraud for Investment SchemeRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Robert H. Hendricks (63, Ponte Vedra) with 12 counts of wire fraud. If convicted, Hendricks faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count. The indictment also notifies Hendricks that the United States is seeking a money judgment of at least $2,638,924.34, the proceeds of the charged criminal conduct.
According to the indictment, Hendricks solicited his friends and clients to invest in fraudulent and sham investments in real property and commercial business ventures. To convince the victims of the veracity of their investments, Hendricks provided falsified property documents that represented the purported investments and made statements to hide and conceal the purpose of his scheme. Hendricks spent the funds to personally enrich himself and others.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Washington.
Leader of Armed Robbery Crew Sentenced to 41 YearsRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States District Judge William F. Jung has sentenced Rashid Iman Turner (32, Ft. Myers) to 41 years in federal prison for his involvement in a string of armed robberies of banks and retail stores. Turner was also ordered to pay $103,782.78 in restitution to the victims. A federal jury had found Turner guilty on May 29, 2019.
According to evidence presented at trial, in August and October 2017, Turner and co-defendant Petrie Addison robbed Family Dollar and Dollar General stores in Lehigh Acres. In both retail robberies, shortly after closing time, Turner and Addison held the employees at gunpoint, threatened to kill them and their families, forced them to open the safes, and stole cash from the stores. Co-defendant Dakiriya Lias served as their getaway driver for the Dollar General robbery.
In November 2017, Turner and Addison robbed a Wells Fargo Bank in Spring Hill. And, in December 2017, co-defendant Zachary Gloster joined Turner and Addison and they robbed Seacoast Banks in Arcadia and Port St. Lucie. In each of the bank robberies, the defendants stormed through the bank’s front doors shortly after opening time, held the employees at gunpoint, looted the teller drawers, and fled less than two minutes later.
Addison, Gloster, and Lias pleaded guilty for their roles in this case prior to Turner’s trial. This morning, Gloster was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role. Addison and Lias are currently awaiting sentencing.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Ft. Myers Police Department, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Highway Patrol, the Arcadia Police Department, the Port St. Lucie Police Department, and the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael M. Gordon.
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.
Georgia Man Pleads Guilty to Using the Internet to Attempt to Entice A Child to Engage in Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – Douglas Scott Phillips (52, Richmond Hill, Georgia) has pleaded guilty to using the internet to attempt to entice a child to engage in sexual activity. Phillips faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, and up to life, in federal prison, and a potential life term of supervised release.
According to court documents, on November 15, 2018, a detective from the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office engaged in an online undercover operation to identify individuals seeking to meet children for sex. The detective posted a notice on an online bulletin board using the fictitious persona of a “mother” with “a young 11-year-old daughter.” Phillips responded to the notice and confirmed the age of the “daughter.” Phillips indicated that he was “very interested” and sent the “mother” an explicit photo of himself.
Over the next two months, Phillips and the undercover officer had several online conversations in which Phillips expressed his desire and intention to engage in sexual activity with the “child.” During the conversations, Phillips instructed the “child” how to masturbate and sent pornographic photos illustrating how to do so. Phillips stated that he wanted to teach the “child” about sex in person. On January 7, 2019, Phillips told the “mother” that he was “serious about making this [meeting with the “child”] happen” and confirmed that he had texted with the “child” about masturbation.
On January 18, 2019, Phillips was arrested at his home in Georgia. During an interview, Phillips admitted seeing the advertisement and following up “just to see what it was.” He also admitted to engaging in sexual conversations with the “mother” and sending explicit pictures of himself to the “child.”
This case was investigated by the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, the Liberty County (GA) Sheriff’s Office, and the Bryan County (GA) Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.
This is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Cape Coral Man Sentenced to 8 Years for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell today sentenced Warren Alan Baxter (54, Cape Coral) to eight years in federal prison for possession of child pornography. The court also ordered Baxter to forfeit his computer, hard drive, and cellphone, which he had used to facilitate the offense.
Baxter had pleaded guilty on June 20, 2019.
According to court documents, on June 5, 2018, law enforcement received a report that Baxter had asked a 17-year-old boy to send him nude photos. On July 5, 2018, pursuant to that report and a subsequent investigation, officers went to Baxter’s home. During an interview with officers, Baxter admitted that he had images of underage girls on his phone, and he provided the officers with his computer, hard drive, and cellphone. A search of those items revealed more than 700 videos and more than 900 images of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Baxter acknowledged that he knew there were images of young children engaged in sexually explicit conduct on his devices and that he had obtained all of the images over the internet.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Innocent Images Task Force, with assistance from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Charles D. Schmitz and Yolande G. Viacava.
This is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States 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.
High School Janitor Charged with Filming Students in Girls’ Locker RoomRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces the arrest of Jason Brian Goff (42, Starke) on a criminal complaint charging him with attempted production of child pornography. If convicted, Goff faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 15 years, and up to 30 years, in federal prison and a potential life term of supervised release.
According to the
complaint , beginning on July 24, 2018, Goff was employed as a custodian at Clay High School in Green Cove Springs. On August 22, 2019, two 14-year-old female students reported a suspected camera in an unassigned, locked locker in the girls’ gym locker room. When school administrators unlocked the locker, they discovered a cellphone taped to the inside wall of the locker with the camera lens pointed out of a pre-fabricated hole aimed at a changing area. As the school janitor, Goff had access to the area and the ability to unlock the type of locks on the locker containing the cellphone.A forensic review of the cellphone revealed images and videos of high school girls changing in the locker room. At the end of one of the videos, the phone pans down and a Clay County School identification badge can be seen hanging from the waist of the person holding the phone. The photo on the badge matches the photo on Goff’s Clay County School identification badge. The cellphone also contained “selfie” photos of Goff and text messages from Goff’s phone number.
Goff’s detention hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, September 17, at 2:00 p.m., before the Honorable U.S. Magistrate Judge James R. Klindt.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelly S. Karase.
It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Pasco County Man Who Threatened Iraqi-American Family Pleads Guilty to Criminal Civil Rights ViolationRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – David Allen Boileau (58, Holiday) today pleaded guilty to criminal interference with a right to fair housing. He faces up to one year in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to court documents, over the course of several months, Boileau engaged in a course of conduct intended to threaten and intimidate an Iraqi-American family so that they would move out of their neighborhood and, more broadly, leave the United States. The family, now naturalized United States citizens, had immigrated to the United States from Iraq in 2015 through a refugee visa.
Boileau threw screws at a car parked on the family’s property, broke into their house, and went through the family’s mail. Boileau also made several derogatory statements regarding their national origin and religion, referring to them as “ISIS” and an “eyesore to this country,” adding that he disliked Muslims and people of Middle Eastern descent. Witnesses reported that, on one occasion, Boileau yelled at the family to get out of his neighborhood and country. Boileau reported that his goal was to “take care of that family” and to “clean up America.” Boileau also threatened to kill witnesses who reported his conduct to local law enforcement authorities. As a result of Boileau’s conduct, the Iraqi-American family was afraid to be in their house and, at one point, left their home to stay with extended family.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Murray.
Tampa Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for Selling Heroin and FentanylRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven has sentenced Arnold Gerard Nelson, Jr. (33, Tampa) to 5 years and 10 months in federal prison and James Thomas Lang, III (33, Tampa) to 11years in federal prison for conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute at least100 grams of heroin and fentanyl. As part of the sentence, the court also entered a money judgment against Lang for $19,350, and a money judgment against Nelson for $25,200, the proceeds of the conspiracy. Nelson and Lang had previously pleaded guilty to the offense.
According to court documents, from January 23 through October 30, 2018, Nelson and Lang conspired to sell substances containing heroin and fentanyl, and engaged in a series of transactions with an undercover officer (UC) and a confidential informant (CI). On January 23, 2018, Nelson and two other individuals met with the UC and CI at a residence in New Port Richey. During this meeting, Nelson sold the UC more than 28 grams of a substance containing heroin and fentanyl. Nelson said he had a source for heroin, and needed help moving the product.
On April 5, 2019, Nelson and the CI arranged to meet again to conduct another narcotics transaction. On this occasion, Nelson and Lang met with the UC and CI at the residence in New Port Richey, and sold the UC more than 55 grams of a substance containing heroin and fentanyl.
Nelson and Lang met with the UC and CI again at the same residence on April 19 and May 10, 2018, and sold heroin to the UC. On both occasions, they sold approximately 57 grams of heroin and, during the May 10 transaction, they also sold approximately 23 grams of tablets purported to contain the drug ecstasy (MDMA). According to laboratory analysis, the tablets actually contained methamphetamine.
On June 14, 2018, Nelson and Lang met the UC and CI at a restaurant in Tampa and sold the UC approximately 54 grams of heroin. After this transaction, Lang continued to communicate with the UC about possible narcotics and firearms sales. Lang met with the UC four additional times between July 12 and November 1, 2018. During these meetings, Lang sold the UC more heroin and tablets containing methamphetamine. Lang also sold the UC three firearms.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael Sinacore.
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.
Sanford Resident Sentenced to More Than Four Years for His Role in Fraud Schemes Targeting SeniorsRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr. has sentenced Rohan Brown (41, Sanford) to four years and three months in federal prison for mail fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identify theft related to his participation in two fraud schemes.
Brown had pleaded guilty on July 3, 2018. On September 10, 2018, he failed to appear for his sentencing hearing and absconded to Jamaica. He later self-surrendered to the U.S. Marshals Service.
According to court documents, between March 2014 and August 2016, Brown participated in two fraud schemes. He participated in a sweepstakes fraud scheme in which elderly victims were told they had won a sweepstakes but, in order to receive their winnings, they had to send money for “taxes” to Brown. In a second scheme, Social Security benefits were diverted into accounts opened in the name of multiple victims and sent to Brown’s address. Once Brown received the fraudulent debit cards for those accounts, he used them to purchase money orders or obtain cash. Brown’s specific role in both schemes was to receive mail containing victims’ money or fraudulent access devices (debit cards) loaded with Social Security benefits and, in turn, send a portion of the money to others in Jamaica. The cash and debit cards were sent to Brown’s home or another residence to which he had access.
During a search of Brown’s residence, law enforcement officers recovered documentation for fraudulent bank accounts and debit cards that had been opened in the names of multiple victims. As a result of the diversion scheme, the Social Security Administration suffered a loss of $135,377.80. Losses related to the sweepstakes scheme are still pending.
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General, the Seminole County Financial Crimes Task Force, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sean P. Shecter.
Orange Park Man Arrested and Charged with Offering Child Sex Abuse Images for Sale over the InternetRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – Antony Eugene Woody (31, Orange Park) has been arrested and charged by federal criminal complaint with advertising child pornography for sale using the internet. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years, and up to 30 years, in federal prison. Woody is currently detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for September 13, 2019.
According to the
complaint , in February 2019, the FBI in Boston received information that an individual there was using a particular social media application to distribute child pornography online. That individual was arrested, and agents identified another user, “imsoofreakyy,” who was offering child pornography for sale on the internet. Meanwhile, in Florida, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) had learned from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that the same user (“imsoofreakyy)” was using an email address to advertise for the sale images of children being sexually assaulted. Through further investigation, CCSO detectives identified this individual as Antony Eugene Woody.On March 22, 2019, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Woody’s residence. Woody was later located at a local supermarket. During an interview, Woody admitted that he had obtained images of child pornography from the internet, labeled these images with titles, prices, and his contact information, and then re-posted them using a social media app. He also admitted that online consumers responded to his advertisements intending to buy the images, and that he had received money for these sales using Venmo or CashApp. He further admitted that he had defrauded those individuals by refusing to send them the purchased image collections. A search of Woody’s cellphone revealed at least one video depicting the sexual abuse of a young child.
This case was investigated by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, the Westbrook (Maine) Police Department, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Boston and Jacksonville, with assistance from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.
It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 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.
New York Woman Charged with Possession of Credit Card Manufacturing EquipmentRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces the return of an indictment charging Changa Bush (41, New York) with possession of credit card manufacturing equipment. If convicted, Bush faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. Federal authorities arrested Bush on September 6, 2019. During the course of the court hearings, it was determined that Bush is currently on parole of out New York State for the crime of assault causing serious physical injury. Bush has been detained pending trial, which is set for November 4, 2019.
According to the
indictment , Bush possessed equipment that could be used to manufacture fraudulent credit cards.An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service (Jacksonville Field Office) and the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein.
Former Davenport Elementary School Teacher Charged Federally for Mailing Hoax Biological Agents and ToxinsRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Maria Bassi Lauro (65, Davenport) with six counts of mailing threatening communications and transmitting false information and hoaxes. If convicted on all counts, Lauro faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison.
FBI special agents arrested Lauro at her home in Davenport today. She made her initial appearance before United States Magistrate Judge Sean P. Flynn and has been released on restrictive bail conditions.
According to the
indictment and information presented in court, Lauro mailed threatening letters containing white powder to three different elementary schools in Polk and Lake Counties, where she had previously worked as an elementary school teacher. The recipients of the mailings had believed that the powder could be harmful and called for emergency assistance. Because anthrax, ricin, and other toxins can appear as a white powder, law enforcement and other first responders treated each of the mailings as hazardous and potentially lethal. Later analysis of the powder contained in the mailings, however, proved that it was harmless.An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Health, and various HAZMAT and Fire/Rescue teams. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel George.
Florida Attorney Charged with Conspiracy and Multiple Obstruction of Justice OffensesRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – The United States Attorney’s Office announces the unsealing of an indictment charging attorney Nelson Israel Alfaro (48, Miami and Colorado) and Gilberto Eduardo De Los Rios (50, Miami) with conspiracy to defraud the United States, obstruct the administration of justice, make false statements to federal law enforcement officers, and six substantive counts of obstruction of justice and making false statements to federal law enforcement officers. If convicted on all counts, Alfaro faces a maximum penalty of 35 years in federal prison and De Los Rios faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Alfaro and De Los Rios that the United States intends to forfeit any money or other ill-gotten gains that are traceable proceeds of the offenses.
Alfaro is an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Florida. He represents criminal defendants in state and federal courts, including the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Between 2010 and 2011, Alfaro represented De Los Rios, a/k/a “Kiko,” in a criminal case in Miami-Dade County, Florida.
According to the
indictment , Alfaro and De Los Rios concocted a scheme to charge an already-sentenced defendant tens of thousands of dollars for information that they then fraudulently presented as “cooperation” and “substantial assistance” by the defendant in order to trigger a motion to the court for a sentencing reduction. The indictment also charges Alfaro and De Los Rios with obstructing justice by interfering with the sentencing process and with making multiple false statements to federal agents.An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has violated one or more of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Simon A. Gaugush and Josephine W. Thomas.
Cocaine and Heroin Trafficker Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard has sentenced Andrew Harris (58, Jacksonville) to 10 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute cocaine and heroin, the weight of cocaine being at least five kilograms.
Harris had pleaded guilty on June 3, 2019.
According to court documents, during 2016, Harris and others had received approximately 24 kilograms of cocaine. Harris was responsible for distributing a total of 10 kilograms in Jacksonville. He also distributed smaller quantities of heroin. On July 26, 2016, Harris was arrested by the Florida Highway Patrol.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Talbot.
Owners of Pasco County Marketing Firm Plead Guilty for Conspiring to Pay Healthcare KickbacksRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – Frank Monte (40, Valrico) and Kimberley Anderson (52, New Port Richey) today pleaded guilty to conspiracy to pay healthcare kickbacks. Each faces up to five years in federal prison and each has also agreed to forfeit $1,717,925.50 in assets.
According to the plea agreement, in May 2014, Monte and Anderson, acting on behalf of their marketing company Centurion Compounding, Inc., entered into a marketing agreement with the owners of a Pinellas County-based pharmacy called Lifecare. Centurion employed sales representatives to market compounded medications, specifically creams for pain and scars, among others, to beneficiaries of healthcare plans, especially TRICARE. These creams typically ranged in price from $900 to $21,000 for a one-month supply. Between June and November 2014, Monte, Anderson, the owners of LifeCare pharmacy (Carlos Mazariegos and Benjamin Nundy), and a Pinellas-based physician (Dr. Anthony Baldizzi), agreed that, in exchange for paying kickbacks to Baldizzi equal to 10% of the after-cost amount of each claim paid by TRICARE or other health care benefit programs, Baldizzi would write prescriptions for compounded medications filled by LifeCare for Centurion-recruited patients. Mazariegos, acting on behalf of the conspirators, made cash payments and provided other things of value to Baldizzi as kickbacks, including a new BMW M3.
During the conspiracy, Baldizzi wrote prescriptions for compounded creams and the conspirators caused the submission of claims for these creams to TRICARE, which resulted in TRICARE paying LifeCare more than $4.4 million. The profit to LifeCare for these creams was approximately $4 million. A substantial portion of these claims resulted from TRICARE patients recruited by Centurion. Pursuant to the agreement of the parties, LifeCare received 45% of the profits, Centurion expected to receive 45% of the profits, and Baldizzi was promised 10% of the profits.
Using the profits from the conspiracy, Monte and Anderson purchased real property and luxury automobiles. The following items were seized and forfeited: $8,730.50 in cash; a 2009 Bentley Continental; a 2012 Lamborghini Aventador; a 2012 Itasca motorhome, a 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG; a 2014 Maserati; a 2005 Ford GT; a 2012 Fisker Karma; real property in Land O Lakes; a 2010 Ferrari California; a 2013 McLaren 12C Spider; a 2012 Porsche Panamera; and real property in Plant City.
Separately charged co-conspirators Carlos Mazariegos and Benjamin Nundy previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Anthony Baldizzi previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and receiving healthcare kickbacks. Mazariegos, Nundy, and Baldizzi are scheduled to be sentenced in November and December 2019.
The guilty pleas of Monte and Anderson conclude a multi-agency investigation that lasted more than five years, resulting in the successful prosecution of 10 defendants. As a result of this investigation, TRICARE claims totaling more than $58 million have been repaid or reversed, and an additional $6 million has been repaid to TRICARE by the conspirators.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, the Defense Investigative Service, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, and U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Mandy Riedel, Colin McDonell, and Suzanne Nebesky.
Fort Myers Felon Sentenced to More Than 11 Years in Prison on Federal Drug and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, FL – U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell has sentenced Jo’Shwan Danquell Hamilton (26, Fort Myers) to 11 years and 6 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, distributing controlled substances, and carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime. The court also ordered Hamilton to forfeit a firearm and ammunition.
Hamilton had pleaded guilty on April 25, 2019.
According to court records, on three separate occasions in January and February 2018, Hamilton sold an undercover agent controlled substances (heroin, crack cocaine, and fentanyl). On one of those occasions, Hamilton also sold the undercover agent a stolen, loaded handgun. At the time of the offenses, Hamilton was a previously convicted felon and, therefore, was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law. Hamilton had been released from a state prison in Florida six months before committing these new offenses.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Fort Myers Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Simon R. Eth.
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.
Former Southwest Florida Real Estate Broker Sentenced to More Than Five Years for Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge John E. Steele today sentenced Aaron Eyerman (38, Cape Coral), a former southwest Florida real estate broker to 5 years and 10 months in federal prison wire fraud, money laundering, and false oath in relation to a bankruptcy proceeding. As part of his sentence, the court also entered a money judgment of $562,407.38, the proceeds of the charged criminal conduct.
Eyerman was found guilty by a jury on June 4, 2019.
According to the evidence presented at trial, Eyerman met the victim, a retired schoolteacher from Pennsylvania, working in the real estate industry. In 2015, Eyerman made false statements to the victim and convinced her to invest $300,000 in a real estate venture. Specifically, Eyerman indicated they would “flip” houses; that is, buy, rehab, and re-sell properties. Instead of using the money for that purpose, Eyerman gambled away a large portion of the money at casinos and, over a matter of seven weeks, spent the remainder on personal luxury goods, including a custom Porsche 911, a $12,700 Rolex watch, and a $50,000 down payment on his personal luxury waterfront residence in Cape Coral.
Without telling the victim that he had already spent all of her initial investment, Eyerman went back to her in August 2015, seeking seek more money. This time, Eyerman lied about a second business opportunity – a purported new home construction company. Eyerman convinced the victim to provide him with another $261,000, which he immediately spent for personal use, including gambling most of it away at the Seminole Indian Casino in Immokalee. In total, Eyerman defrauded the victim of $561,000.
After the victim sued to get her money back, Eyerman declared bankruptcy to avoid his debt, and lied under oath about how he had spent the money.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Charles Schmitz and Kyle Cohen.
Pawnshop Robber Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington today sentenced Terry Alonzo Wilson (53, Tampa) to 25 years in federal prison for planning and carrying out an armed robbery of a Tampa pawnshop. The court also ordered Wilson to forfeit $63,543, which includes the $61,943 in jewelry and $1,600 in cash that Wilson and his co-defendant, Jeremy Williams (35, Miami), had taken from the pawnshop during the robbery.
On June 18, 2019, a jury found Wilson guilty of conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery, brandishing a firearm during a robbery, and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
According to court documents and evidence presented during the trial and the sentencing hearing, Wilson recruited Williams to rob the Value Pawn & Jewelry, located at 5401 North 40th Street in Tampa. During the robbery, on September 14, 2018, Wilson pointed a loaded pistol at two employees and a customer who were inside the store and threated to kill them. Wilson also brought zip ties to the robbery and instructed Williams to tie up the employees and the customer. Wilson forced the store manager to disconnect the store’s security video recording system, which Wilson took with him when he left the store.
In total, Wilson and Williams took $63,543 worth of jewelry and cash from the pawnshop. At the time of the robbery, Wilson had recently completed a 20-year sentence for robbing another Tampa pawnshop at gunpoint. He was released from prison less than four months before committing the armed robbery of the Value Pawn & Jewelry.
Williams pleaded guilty to his role in the case and testified during Wilson’s trial. On July 16, 2018, Williams was sentenced to nearly 11 years in prison.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Tampa Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Taylor G. Stout.
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.
Orlando Man Sentenced to 40 Years for Sexually Exploiting ChildrenRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Carlos E. Mendoza has sentenced Carlos A. Rodriguez Fernandez (48, Orlando) to 40 years in federal prison for sexually exploiting a 14-year-old girl and for possessing child pornography. The court also ordered Rodriguez Fernandez to forfeit the electronic devices that he had used to commit the offenses.
A federal jury had found Rodriguez Fernandez guilty on June 14, 2019.
According to court documents and evidence presented during the trial and sentencing hearing, Rodriguez Fernandez hid a webcam in the victim’s bathroom and recorded sexually explicit videos of the child. He also used an online file-sharing program to download and view child pornography. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement Cybercrimes Task Force identified Rodriguez Fernandez after he had shared child pornography through a file-sharing program.
During the execution of a search warrant at Rodriguez Fernandez’s residence, agents recovered several electronic devices containing 160 images and 6 videos depicting the sexual abuse and exploitation of young children and teens. The agents also located a webcam that Rodriguez Fernandez had concealed behind an electrical outlet plate across from the toilet in the 14-year-old’s bathroom. Rodriguez Fernandez ran the camera’s USB cord through the bathroom wall to his office, where he had attached it to his computer. Rodriguez Fernandez recorded and saved the illicit videos of the child on his computer.
This case was investigated by the FDLE Cybercrimes Task Force, whose members include FDLE, Homeland Security Investigations, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the Clermont Police Department, the Kissimmee Police Department and the Altamonte Springs Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Karen L. Gable.
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.
Two Women Sentenced to Federal Prison for Credit Card Fraud Scheme Targeting Elderly VictimsRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Carlos E. Mendoza today sentenced Lenardra Griffin (30, Grand Island) to three years and four months in federal prison, and Christina Scott (35, Orlando) to two years and six months in federal prison, for access device (credit card) fraud. In addition, the court also ordered Griffin and Scott to pay restitution in the amounts of $812,909.53 and $703,483.50, respectively. Griffin had pleaded guilty to two counts of access device fraud on January 8, 2019, and Scott had pleaded guilty to one count of access device fraud on June 20, 2019.
On June 26, 2019, a third participant in the scheme, Shannon Bentley (34, Sorrento), was sentenced to nine years and three months in federal prison. She was also ordered to pay $812,990.53 in restitution.
According to court documents, from August 2014 through July 2018, the conspirators obtained personal identifying information (“PII”) from victims, obtained fake credit card accounts and cards in the victims’ names or linked to their accounts, and used those credit cards to obtain goods, gift cards, and cash at retail establishments and banks throughout Orlando and surrounding areas. Griffin was involved in all aspects of this scheme and, along with Bentley, exploited the advanced age of their elderly victims to steal their identities, causing them to incur fraudulent charges. Scott was involved in the use of, and trafficking in, fraudulent credit cards. The total amount of loss was estimated to be more than $812,000.
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, with assistance from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Secret Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dana E. Hill.
Combatting elder abuse and financial fraud targeted at seniors is a key priority of the Department of Justice. Together with our federal, state, local and tribal partners, the Department of Justice is steadfastly committed to combatting all forms of elder abuse and financial exploitation through enforcement actions, training and resources, research, victim services, and public awareness.
Ocala Armed Career Criminal Pleads Guilty to Firearm and Narcotics ChargesRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – Daprix Devon Gadson (29, Ocala) today pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it. Gadson, who qualifies as an Armed Career Criminal, faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years, and up to life, in federal prison for the firearm offense and up to 40 years’ imprisonment for the narcotics offense. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to the plea agreement, on April 16, 2019, Gadson led officers from the Ocala Police Department on a high-speed vehicle chase when they attempted to pull him over for a traffic offense. After fleeing for approximately two miles, Gadson crashed his car into a stop sign, disabling the car. Gadson then fled on foot, but was soon apprehend and arrested. During a subsequent search of Gadson’s vehicle, officers recovered a loaded semi-automatic handgun, 55 rounds of handgun ammunition, and at least 20 grams of methamphetamine. At the time of his arrest, Gadson had 13 prior felony convictions, including 5 for serious drug offenses, and was therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
This case was jointly investigated by the Ocala Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William S. Hamilton.
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.
Former Hospital Worker Sentenced to 14 Years for Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Carlos E. Mendoza today sentenced Vorarut Vorasiangsuk (37, Orlando) to 14 years in federal prison for receipt and possession of child pornography. The court also ordered Vorasiangsuk to forfeit multiple computers and hard drives, which he had used to commit the offenses.
A federal jury had found Vorasiangsuk guilty on May 14, 2019.
According to court documents, evidence presented at trial, and information discussed during the sentencing proceeding, Vorasiangsuk used an online file-sharing program to download and view child pornography for years. The FBI initially identified Vorasiangsuk after he distributed child pornography to an undercover agent through the file-sharing program.
Upon executing a search warrant at Vorasiangsuk’s residence, agents recovered numerous electronic devices that contained more than 3,800 images and more than 140 videos depicting the sexual abuse of children, including many young children. During an interview with agents, Vorasiangsuk admitted that he had been viewing child pornography for approximately 16 years. During that same timeframe, he had worked with infants and children as a respiratory therapist at a local hospital.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Emily C. L. Chang.
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.
Seffner Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearms and Arson ChargesRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – Joshua David Jordan (30, Seffner) today pleaded guilty to two counts of discharging a firearm during and in relation to attempted carjackings and one count of arson. The firearms charges each carry a minimum mandatory, consecutive sentence of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. The arson charge carries a minimum mandatory sentence of 5 years, and up to 20 years, in prison.
According to the
plea agreement , on the night of October 3, 2017, Jordan attempted to commit two armed carjackings in Hillsborough County, firing a semi-automatic handgun during each one. In the second attempted carjacking, Jordan shot the driver, who escaped and survived. Jordan then stole and set fire to a landscaping company’s spray truck, resulting in its destruction.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 Attorneys Christopher Murray and 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.
Jury Convicts Armed Robbery Getaway Driver/LookoutRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – A federal jury has found Dajor Marquis Atkins (27, Tampa) guilty of four offenses related to a takeover-style armed robbery. The jury found Atkins guilty of one count of conspiring to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery, one count of interference with interstate commerce by robbery, one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, and one count of possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. Atkins faces a minimum mandatory penalty of seven years, and up to life, in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 4, 2019.
According to evidence presented during the five-day trial, on June 2, 2018, Atkins served as the lookout and getaway driver while his co-defendant, Riley Harris, entered the AT&T store located at 21561 U.S. Highway 19 North in Clearwater. Harris held the employees at gunpoint, forced them to open the inventory storage locker and cash register, bound the employees’ hands and feet with packing tape, and stole cash and merchandise worth more than $47,000. Harris then fled the store in the waiting vehicle as Atkins drove the pair from the scene. Law enforcement officers tracked the getaway vehicle as it fled the scene and identified Harris and Atkins as the robbery team.
This was the fourth in a series of similar takeover-style armed robberies of AT&T stores committed by Harris between December 2017 and June 2018. Atkins only participated in the fourth and final armed robbery.
Harris previously pleaded guilty. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 6, 2019.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Clearwater Police Department, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, and the Tampa Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael M. Gordon.
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.
Federal Jury Convicts Colombian Female of International Cocaine Smuggling ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – A federal jury has found Lelia Vanessa Perdomo Zapata (26, Colombia) guilty of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute at least five kilograms of cocaine while onboard a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, as well as one count of possession with the intent to distribute at least five kilograms of cocaine on that vessel. She faces up to 10 years in federal prison on each count. Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 5, 2019.
According to evidence presented at trial, Perdomo Zapata was part of an international maritime drug smuggling operation involving at least 440 kilograms of cocaine worth approximately $13 million. Perdomo Zapata was the Colombian load guard for a Cartagena, Colombia-based cocaine smuggling crew. Prior to their interdiction by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), Perdomo Zapata and one of her co-conspirators were transporting 18 bales of cocaine onboard a 60-foot sailing vessel from Cartagena, Colombia to Cancun, Mexico. Ultimately, USCG law enforcement officers from Tactical Law Enforcement Team (TACLET) Pacific boarded the sailing vessel and discovered the 18 bales of cocaine and multiple electronic devices consistent with cocaine trafficking. Subsequent analysis of these devices yielded crucial digital evidence of the cocaine smuggling operation.
This case was investigated by the Panama Express Strike Force, an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) comprised of agents and analysts from the United States Coast Guard Investigative Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and U.S. Southern Command's Joint Interagency Task Force South. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s drug supply. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diego F. Novaes and Special Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas DeRenzo.
Turkish National Charged with Bulk Cash SmugglingRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Ahmet Sakarya (30, Istanbul, Turkey) with bulk cash smuggling. If convicted, Sakarya faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Sakarya that the United States intends to forfeit any assets that are traceable to the offense.
According to the indictment, on August 13, 2019, Sakarya attempted to board a flight from Tampa International Airport to Frankfort, Germany after falsely declaring that he was only carrying $14,000 in U.S. Currency. Upon further investigation, U.S. Custom and Border Patrol officers discovered that Sakarya was transporting $55,000 in cash that was hidden in his luggage.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael C. Baggé-Hernández.
Tampa Man Charged with Distributing Fentanyl Resulting in DeathRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Aaron Michael Rohrer (25, Tampa) with distribution of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl that resulted in the death of an individual, B.G. If convicted, Rohrer faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 20 years, and up to life, in federal prison.
According to the indictment, on March 10, 2019, Rohrer distributed a substance containing fentanyl to B.G. B.G. used the substance containing fentanyl, and subsequently overdosed and died. The distribution took place within 1,000 feet of Time of Wonder Academy, a primary school, and the National Louis University.
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 Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael C. Baggé-Hernández.
Jacksonville Tax Return Preparer Pleads Guilty to More Than $1 Million in Tax FraudRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – Nicole Johnson (37, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to aiding and assisting in the filing of a false tax return. She faces a maximum penalty of three years in federal prison.
According to the plea agreement, Johnson was the owner and operator of Financial Asset Tax Service, which offered tax return preparation services. For the tax years 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017, Johnson prepared returns for individuals in which she falsified the amounts of deductions and tax credits owed to the taxpayers. As a result, those taxpayers received undeserved tax refunds. Johnson fraudulently claimed the General Business Credit and False Tax Credit for taxpayers who were not entitled to them, and inflated itemized deductions. As a result of the false returns prepared by Johnson, the IRS issued more than $1.3 million in undeserved refunds. Johnson has agreed to repay the IRS that amount in restitution.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David B. Mesrobian.
Illegal Alien Sentenced to Two Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Re-Entering the United StatesRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – Senior United States District Judge James D. Whittemore, Jr. has sentenced Raul Alfaro-Muniz (44, Ocala) to 24 months in federal prison for illegally re-entering the United States after previously being deported. Alfaro-Muniz had pleaded guilty on April 9, 2019.
According to the facts described in court, on February 4, 2019, Alfaro-Muniz was arrested for battery in Marion County. Agents soon discovered that Alfaro-Muniz had previously been deported from the United States four times. He is a citizen of Mexico and is illegally in the United States. After Alfaro-Muniz serves his prison sentence, he will be deported from the United States.
This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William S. Hamilton.
Illegal Alien Sentenced to Seven Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – Senior United States District Judge James D. Whittemore, Jr. has sentenced Missael Gonzalez Terrazas (23, Ocala) to seven years in federal prison for possessing at least 500 grams of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it. Terrazas had pleaded guilty on May 28, 2019.
According to the facts described in court, Terrazas was apprehended by law enforcement while in possession of more than four kilograms of pure methamphetamine and $9,000 in cash. Terrazas is a citizen of Mexico and is residing in the United States illegally. After serving his prison sentence, he will be deported from the United States.
This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William S. Hamilton.
Illegal Alien Sentenced to 17 Months in Federal Prison for Illegal Re-EntryRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – Senior United States District Judge James D. Whittemore, Jr. has sentenced Jesus Gonzalez-Villanueva (35, Ocala) to 17 months in federal prison for illegally re-entering the United States after previously being deported. Gonzalez-Villanueva had pleaded guilty on May 16, 2019.
According to the facts described in court, in March 2019, Gonzalez-Villanueva was cited for a traffic offense in Lake County. Agents soon discovered that Gonzalez-Villanueva had previously been deported from the United States on two occasions and had previously been convicted of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Gonzalez-Villanueva is a citizen of Mexico and is illegally in the United States. After he serves his prison sentence, he will be deported from the United States.
This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William S. Hamilton.
Armed Career Criminal Sentenced to 10 Years on Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – Senior United States District Judge James D. Whittemore has sentenced Marco Glover (40, Gainesville) to 10 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Glover had pleaded guilty on May 21, 2019.
According to court records, on February 22, 2019, Glover and his co-defendant, Harry Covert, Jr., sold three firearms to an undercover ATF agent. On March 1, 2019, Glover sold four ounces of methamphetamine to the same undercover agent. Glover’s extensive criminal record—which includes prior state convictions for sale of cocaine and a federal conviction for conspiracy to distribute cocaine—qualified him as an Armed Career Criminal for federal sentencing purposes.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael P. Felicetta.
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.
Orlando Woman Sentenced to More Than Seven Years in Federal Prison for Stolen Identity Refund FraudRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge G. Kendall Sharp has sentenced Scharlene Alisa Hudson to 7 years and 10 months in federal prison for fraudulent possession of unauthorized access devices (credit cards) and aggravated identity theft. Hudson had pleaded guilty on May 23, 2019.
According to court documents, in February 2015, law enforcement officers discovered Hudson squatting in an Orlando residence. At the time, Hudson had in her possession approximately 50 debit cards in other people’s names, a notebook, and other documents containing ledgers listing the names, Social Security numbers, and dates of birth of numerous victims. Hudson used the personal identification information of the victims to file false tax returns and claim fraudulent tax refunds. The total loss to the government exceeded $297,000. During the sentencing hearing, the government presented evidence that many of the victims were elderly.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and the Orlando Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Emily C. L. Chang.
Multi-Convicted Felon Sentenced to 16 Years in Federal Prison on Gun, Ammunition ChargesRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – Senior United States District Judge James D. Whittemore has sentenced Winyontis Quavari Gordon (29, Ocala) to 16 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. Gordon had pleaded guilty on May 16, 2019.
According to court documents, on July 5, 2018, detectives from the Ocala Police Department attempted to arrest Gordon on an outstanding state warrant. Upon seeing the approaching detectives, Gordon exited the driver’s side of a parked car and fled on foot. Following a brief chase, the detectives took Gordon into custody and discovered a loaded .45 caliber handgun on the driver’s seat of the car, where Gordon had been sitting. During a subsequent interview with law enforcement, Gordon admitted that he had possessed the loaded firearm and repeatedly told the agent, “I’ll take that charge.” He also admitted to having an assault rifle in the trunk of the car.
A records check confirmed that Gordon had prior state felony convictions for aggravated battery with a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, domestic battery by strangulation, and felony battery. These felony convictions prohibit Gordon from lawfully possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law. They also qualified Gordon for an enhanced sentence as an Armed Career Criminal.
The City of Ocala Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives jointly investigated this case. 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.
Marion County Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – Travis Antwan Yates (31, Anthony) today pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. Yates had been indicted on August 14, 2019.
According to court documents, on June 27, 2019, Yates was driving a vehicle with a suspended driver license. During a traffic stop, a canine unit alerted to the presence of illegal drugs inside the car. When officers searched the vehicle, they located a black bag containing cocaine, a loaded handgun, a digital scale, a black cotton ski mask, several pair of black gloves, and Yates’s wallet. Yates admitted that these items belonged to him and that he cannot lawfully possess firearms because he is a convicted felon. A records check subsequently confirmed that Yates has two prior state burglary convictions from 2011.
This case was jointly investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the City of Ocala Police Department. It is being 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.
Georgia Woman Sentenced to 14 Years for Trafficking Large Amounts of Methamphetamine into the Middle District of FloridaRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr. today sentenced Barbara Caylor-Hernandez (48, Dalton, Georgia) to 14 years in federal prison for conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Caylor-Hernandez had pleaded guilty on January 9, 2019.
According to court documents, in April 2017, the FBI, and later the DEA, started an investigation into the drug trafficking organizations (DTO) that supplied motorcycle clubs operating in the Middle District of Florida with distribution amounts of methamphetamine. To date, 21 individuals have either pleaded or been found guilty as a result of the joint investigation.
As a result of this investigation, law enforcement learned that Caylor-Hernandez was one of the leaders of a DTO that was distributing kilogram amounts of methamphetamine from Georgia to other DTOs and individuals located in central Florida. Members of the Caylor-Hernandez DTO transported methamphetamine from Georgia to various cities in central Florida, including St. Augustine, Holly Hill, and Daytona Beach, for further distribution.
As part of the conspiracy, one of the members of the Caylor-Hernandez DTO distributed methamphetamine to members of the Pagans and Thunderguard Motorcycle Gangs. Georgia Highway Patrol troopers arrested Caylor-Hernandez on May 9, 2018, after she was found in a vehicle with approximately 3.8 kilograms of methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by the FBI, the DEA, the Volusia Bureau of Investigation, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, and the Daytona Beach Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sean P. Shecter.
Former NASA contractor employee convicted for substituting foreign materials for domestic materials to be used by NASARead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces that a federal jury today found Jonathan Hipps (34, Warner Robins, Georgia) guilty of mail fraud, concealment of material facts from a federal agency, and providing a false document to a federal agency. Hipps faces a maximum penalty of 40 years in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 4, 2019. Hipps had been indicted on January 16, 2019.
According to evidence presented at trial, Hipps was an employee at STAT Industry, Inc., a company that provided parts and materials to the aerospace industry, including NASA. In the summer of 2014, Hipps handled a contract that required STAT to provide steel rods for use in support of NASA’s Space Launch System/Orion project at Kennedy Space Center. The contract required that the steel rods originate from the United States. During the procurement, Hipps received steel rods originating from India. Instead of replacing the rods with materials from the United States, Hipps used a box cutter to cut off all of the labels from the shipment indicating that the rods were made in India, thus making them to appear that they had originated from the United States. Hipps then shipped the steel rods to the Kennedy Space Center with a certification falsely certifying that the steel rods conformed to all of NASA’s requirements.
“The NASA Office of Inspector General will continue to aggressively investigate those who undermine and defraud NASA efforts to build the SLS launch vehicle and it’s systems,” said Special Agent in Charge John Corbett, Central Field Office. “This jury verdict serves as a staunch reminder that such conduct will not be tolerated. The NASA OIG applauds the efforts of the entire investigative and prosecution team during this investigation, and we look forward to our continued cooperation with our law enforcement partners in the pursuit of justice.”
This case was investigated by the NASA Office of Inspector General and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Vincent S. Chiu.
Former Controller Sentenced to Two Years in Federal Prison for Stealing over $750,000Read the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – Senior U.S. District Judge G. Kendall Sharp has sentenced Jeffrey McKinney (62, Minneola) to two years in federal prison for wire fraud. McKinney was also ordered to serve two years of supervised release and to pay $828,894.25 in restitution.
McKinney had pleaded guilty on May 16, 2019.
According to court documents, McKinney is a Certified Public Accountant and was the Controller of a local business. In addition to serving as the Controller, McKinney was responsible for moving funds between various accounts held by the business and one of its executives. For more than 18 months, McKinney used his position to embezzle over $750,000 from those accounts on 12 different occasions. To cover up his thefts, McKinney falsified check stubs, moved money between accounts to hide what he had stolen, and provided the executive with reports that inflated the amount of money that remained in the executive’s accounts.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg.
Felon Found in Possession of A Stolen, Loaded Firearm Sentenced to More Than Seven Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge G. Kendall Sharp has sentenced Marvas Aurelien (22, Orlando) to seven years and eight months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as convicted felon. Aurelien had pleaded guilty on May 22, 2019.
According to court documents, on March 14, 2019, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Gang Enforcement Unit located and apprehended Aurelien, who was wanted on an active arrest warrant stemming from aggravated assault with a firearm. While securing Aurelien, deputies located a fully loaded FMK 9 mm semi-automatic handgun in Aurelien’s front pocket. Law enforcement later learned that the firearm had been stolen. Aurelien is a previously convicted felon and, therefore, is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sean P. Shecter.
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.