Northern District of Florida

A federal jury in Pensacola, Florida, convicted a former U.S. Army soldier yesterday for the murder of a pregnant, 19-year-old fellow soldier on a U.S. Army base in Germany more than 22 years ago. 

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, on Nov. 3, 2001, Shannon L. Wilkerson, 43, beat and strangled Amanda Gonzales to death in her barracks room at Fliegerhorst Kaserne, then a U.S. Army base in Hanau, Germany. Wilkerson was a member of the U.S. Armed Forces at the time of the offense but was later discharged.

“The defendant violently beat and murdered Amanda Gonzales—a fellow soldier who was pregnant at the time—at a U.S. Army base in Germany in 2001,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “His conviction yesterday, more than two decades later, is a testament to the Justice Department’s unrelenting pursuit of justice. Many dedicated law enforcement officers and prosecutors persisted for years, pursuing every available lead and never wavering in their search for evidence to hold the victim’s killer to account for his heinous crime.”

“The murder of Amanda Gonzales and her unborn child was a horrific act of violence,” said U.S. Attorney Jason R. Coody for the Northern District of Florida. “This decades-long investigation and resulting prosecution demonstrate the unwavering resolve of our law enforcement partners and their commitment to use every tool available to protect Americans, especially those serving our country.”    

“Twenty-two years ago, Shannon Wilkerson brutally murdered Amanda Gonzales, who he believed was pregnant with his child,” said Executive Assistant Director Timothy R. Langan Jr. of the FBI’s Criminal, Cyber, Response, and Services Branch. “Yesterday’s conviction is a testament to our unwavering commitment of pursuing justice for victims of violent crime. Through the collaboration of law enforcement, the FBI and our partners will continue to seek justice for victims, no matter how long it takes.”

The jury convicted Wilkerson of second-degree murder. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 8 and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI New York Field Office investigated this case, with assistance from the Department of Army’s Criminal Investigative Division, which originally investigated the case.

Trial Attorney Patrick Jasperse of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney David L. Goldberg for the Northern District of Florida are prosecuting the case.

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Michael Anthony Sheppard, 45, of Gainesville, Florida, was sentenced to 96 months in federal prison, following his conviction for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, 28 grams or more of crack cocaine, oxycodone, and marijuana. Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the sentence.

“Our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners work tirelessly to keep us safe by removing addictive and deadly controlled substances from our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “We remain committed to support their efforts through the investigation and vigorous prosecution of criminals bringing drugs into North Florida. The imposed sentence illustrates the significant consequences of harming our citizens through illicit drug trafficking activities.”

Plea documents reflect that Sheppard, along with co-conspirators, conspired to receive and distribute powder and crack cocaine throughout the Northern District of Florida and elsewhere. Sheppard was also involved in the purchase and illegal resale of prescription oxycodone pills, as well as pound quantities of marijuana. Investigation led to the seizure of nearly two kilograms of powder cocaine, 150 grams of crack cocaine, approximately fifteen pounds of marijuana, and numerous oxycodone pills, along with $16,000 in U.S. currency and approximately $76,000 in jewelry. Sheppard’s prison sentence will be followed by five years of supervised release.

“DEA prioritizes the safety and health of our citizens by relentlessly pursuing those who distribute these destructive and illegal substances in our Florida communities and holding them accountable for their actions,” said DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne Reuter. “This sentence should serve as a warning to those who make the poor choice to distribute illegal drugs in Florida and reaffirms DEA’s commitment to working with our law enforcement partners to keep our communities safe and healthy.” 

This conviction was a result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Gainesville Police Department, Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney David Byron prosecuted the case.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

JACKSON COUNTY, FLORIDA -  In early 2023, Investigators with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office’s Narcotics Division, alongside Special Agents and Task Force Officers with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Panama City Residence Office, initiated an investigation targeting a drug trafficking organization (DTO) led by Michael Termaine Bell, Sr. from Jackson County. The investigation identified the command-and-control structure of the Bell DTO and its role in the distribution of multiple kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, cocaine, crack cocaine, ALPHA-PIHP (“molly”), and fentanyl, throughout the region. These illicit substances were distributed in wholesale quantities by the Bell DTO for several years to local retail distributors. The retail distributors sold them to citizens in Jackson County and the surrounding region, many of whom suffer from ongoing drug addictions.

Throughout the investigation, dozens of individual organizational members were identified, most of whom have numerous arrests for drug charges, weapon possession, and violence. Approximately 29 of those members were identified for arrest and indictment.

As of Thursday, April 18, 2024, 20 members of the Bell DTO have been arrested as a result of this investigation. Seventeen organizational members will face state charges, and three will face federal indictments. Throughout the course of this investigation, more than 3.7 kilograms of Marijuana, more than 430 grams of ALPHA-PIHP (“molly”), 1.4 kilograms of cocaine, 1,290 grams of methamphetamine, and 104 grams of fentanyl have been seized, as well as several firearms.

This is an ongoing investigation, and there will be more arrests made in this case. Michael Termaine Bell, Sr., who we believe to be the leader of this DTO, is still at large. If you have any information on his whereabouts, please call our office at (850) 482-9648 or Chipola CrimeStoppers at (850) 526-5000. We will not stop searching for him until he is in custody.

Sheriff Edenfield would like to thank Northern District of Florida United States Attorney Jason Coody, State Attorney for the 14th Judicial Circuit Larry Basford, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Resident Agent in Charge George Kissell of the DEA Panama City Resident Office, the Florida National Guard Counter Drug Program, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Florida Highway Patrol, the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the Seminole County, Georgia Sheriff’s Office, Chattahoochee Police Department, and Chipley Police Department for their assistance during this investigation.

“We will continue to fight against those who distribute drugs in our community and fight for the safety of our citizens,” Sheriff Edenfield said.

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Chase Gary, 30, and Joshua Gervais, 28, both of Okaloosa, Florida, were sentenced to 30 years and 14 years in federal prison, respectively, after previously pleading guilty to distribution of fentanyl resulting in the death of another. Each will be required to serve a term of three years supervised release following their imprisonment. The sentences were announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“Hundreds of individuals are killed every day in communities throughout our country due to the distribution of fentanyl,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “Each of these deaths are a tragedy, robbing individuals of their promise and crippling families left behind with unimaginable grief. We remain committed to working with our law enforcement partners to vigorously prosecute traffickers for their callous disregard for human life. This sentence serves as a significant deterrent to drug traffickers and demonstrates our continued resolve to hold them accountable.”

On the morning of December 24, 2022, Gervais notified jail staff that his cellmate at the Okaloosa County Jail was not breathing. The jail staff attempted CPR and other life-saving measures without success and the cellmate was pronounced dead. The ensuing investigation revealed that Gary, who was housed in the next cell, smuggled fentanyl pills into the jail inside his body. Once inside the jail, Gary gave some of the pills to Gervais, who traded them with his cellmate for some food items. The autopsy revealed that the cellmate died of acute fentanyl poisoning. 

“The ripple effect of the damage done by people who distribute fentanyl impacts virtually every facet of society,” said Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden. “The potential to cause another individual’s death with each dose handed out is a constant dark threat and those responsible for doling it out will suffer the consequences of playing fast and loose with other people’s lives. We’re proud to work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and other law enforcement partners to hold them accountable.”

“Drug overdose and poisoning deaths in our country are overwhelmingly caused by a synthetic opioid like fentanyl.  We need our communities to understand that all it takes is one pill, just one fake pill made from illicit fentanyl, to end a life,” said DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter. “DEA remains committed to working with our local law enforcement partners and using all of our available resources to identify the drug distributors in our communities and hold them accountable for their actions.”

This case resulted from an investigation by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Walter Narramore prosecuted the case.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced today the sentences of six defendants who were indicted in multiple cases and convicted for their participation in a drug trafficking ring previously active in Escambia County, Florida.  The prosecutions were the result of a large-scale multi-agency investigation spearheaded by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. 

“Our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners work tirelessly to keep us safe by removing addictive and deadly controlled substances from our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “We remain committed to support their efforts through the investigation and prosecution of criminals bringing drugs into North Florida. The imposed sentences illustrate the significant consequences of harming our citizens through their illicit drug trafficking activities.”

“We are proud of the combined efforts of our federal, state, and local partners,” said Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons. “This successful investigation will have a lasting impact on the availability of dangerous drugs in our area. Our commitment to safe communities remains strong.”

From November 2021 through March 2023, law enforcement seized over 26 kilograms of methamphetamine, over a kilogram of cocaine, over 1300 grams of fentanyl, multiple pounds of marijuana, a quantity of heroin, and 12 firearms. 

As a result of the joint investigation, the following defendants were convicted on drug trafficking charges and/or firearm offenses, and have been sentenced to the following in federal court:

• Brandon M. Anderson, 32, of Pensacola, Florida, 20 years in prison
• Oddie A. Mims, 35, of Pensacola, Florida, 12 years in prison
• Ackrulmauert P. Mims, 30, of Pensacola, Florida, 12 years in prison
• Keontre M. Dortch, 30, of Pensacola, Florida, 10 years in prison
• William Contreras, 27, of Pensacola, Florida, 7 years in prison
• Bryant Lee Williams, 43, of Pensacola, Florida, 5 years in prison

Each will also be required to serve a term of supervised release following their prison sentence.

“Addictive, destructive, and oftentimes deadly, illegal drugs like fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin can destroy families and ruin communities,” said DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne Reuter. “Strong partnerships between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies are vital to keeping Florida communities safe and healthy, and DEA remains committed to working with our partners to hold those who distribute this poison in our communities responsible for their actions.”

“I commend our law enforcement partners for their exceptional investigative efforts which led to the apprehension of several drug dealers and the seizure of firearms and dangerous illicit drugs,” said Juan A. Vargas, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Miami Division.  “We will continue to identify every level of these criminal enterprises, dismantle them, and hold them accountable.”

These cases resulted from a joint investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Explosives and Firearms, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Pensacola Police Department, the Florida Highway Patrol, the Gulf Breeze Police Department, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, and the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney J. Ryan Love.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

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

As part of its PSN strategy, the United States Attorney’s Office is encouraging everyone to lock their car doors, particularly at night. Burglaries from unlocked automobiles are a significant source of guns for criminals in the Northern District of Florida. Please do your part and protect yourself by locking your car doors.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Timothy S. Gilbert, 54, of Milton, Florida, was sentenced to three years in federal prison after having previously pled guilty to twenty-two counts of wire fraud, ten counts of money laundering, and four counts of tax evasion. Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the sentence.

“Abuse of trust, embezzlement, and tax evasion warrant significant criminal consequences” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “This defendant’s years-long theft from his employer and his efforts to launder and conceal his fraud proceeds are both illegal and offensive to the hardworking Americans who pay their taxes to defend our country and maintain its operations. It is fitting and proper that he pay restitution, unpaid taxes, and investigative costs for his criminal conduct.”

Court documents reveal while employed as a rehab manager for a local hospital and medical group, Gilbert used a corporate credit card to make unauthorized purchases of prepaid credit cards and gift cards. He would then convert funds from the fraudulently obtained cards using his personal PayPal, Stripe, and bank accounts to conceal his scheme, make personal purchases, and withdraw large amounts of cash to gamble at casinos. Gilbert concealed the credit card payments from his employer by circumventing company policies. Between 2019 and 2022, Gilbert stole and laundered over $607,000.

“Devising a scheme to conceal income from the IRS is blatant criminal activity, especially when you abuse your position of trust and embezzle funds from a hospital that serves the community,” said IRS-CI Acting Special Agent in Charge Lani I. Rosado-Espinal. “Taxpayers who pay their fair share need to be reassured that IRS Criminal Investigation will continue to devote the resources needed to uncover these types of schemes which defraud the honest taxpayers.”

In addition to serving three years in custody, Gilbert was ordered to pay over $607,000 in restitution to the victim hospital, over $160,000 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service for unpaid taxes, over $38,000 to the Internal Revenue Service and the Pensacola Police Department for costs of prosecution, and $3,700 in special monetary assessments.

This case resulted from a joint investigation by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and the Pensacola Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alicia Forbes and Jessica Etherton prosecuted this case.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Timothy Frederick Murphy-Johnson, 40, of Gainesville, Florida, and Olivia Ashford Henn, 21, of Orlando, Florida, entered guilty pleas to conspiracy to produce child pornography, and two counts of production of child pornography. Murphy-Johnson also pleaded guilty to transporting the child from Texas to Florida for the purpose of sexual abuse. The pleas were announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

At the plea hearings, Murphy-Johnson admitted to causing a child to be transported from Corpus Christi, Texas, to Gainesville, Florida in early June 2023.  Between June 11, 2023, and July 25, 2023, the child was maintained at Murphy-Johnson’s residence in Gainesville, Florida. The child was subjected to extreme sexual abuse which was filmed by both Murphy-Johnson and Henn. During this time, Murphy-Johnson and Henn engaged in numerous conversations—in person, by cell phone, and through internet-based messaging—in which they discussed the child’s physical and mental condition, sexual acts involving the child, and their mutual concern regarding being arrested if discovered by law enforcement. On July 25, 2023, law enforcement officers investigating the reported disappearance of the child from Texas executed a search warrant at Murphy-Johnson’s residence in Alachua County, Florida.  The child was rescued, and Murphy-Johnson and Henn were arrested.

Sentencing for both Murphy-Johnson and Henn is scheduled for June 25, 2024, at 11:30 a.m., at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville before United States District Judge Allen C. Winsor. 

Murphy-Johnson faces a sentence of 15 years to life imprisonment and five years to life on supervised release.  Henn faces a sentence of 15 to 90 years imprisonment and five years to life on supervised release.

The case resulted from a joint investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Department of Homeland Security Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney F.T. Williams.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Omar Josue Morales-Rodriguez, 44, of Freeport, Florida, Marcos Aguilar Gonzalez, 39, of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, and Edmar Agustin Gonzalez, 33, of Crestview, Florida, each entered guilty pleas to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine. Morales-Rodriguez and Aguilar Gonzalez also pled guilty to an additional count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.  Morales-Rodriguez also pled guilty to an additional count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. The pleas were announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

  Evidence introduced at the plea hearings established that between October 2019, and June 13, 2023, the three conspired together and with others to ship cocaine via the United States Mail from Puerto Rico to the Northern District of Florida.  During the investigation, law enforcement seized four (4) packages that were shipped via the United States Mail, of which, three contained one (1) kilogram of cocaine each and one contained 125 grams of cocaine. The investigation further revealed that twenty (20) United States Mail packages, believed to contain cocaine, were shipped as part of the conspiracy from Puerto Rico to various addresses in Okaloosa and Walton County. Those packages were similar in weight and size to the packages seized that contained one (1) kilogram of cocaine each. Evidence introduced at the plea hearings further established that a search of a storage unit in Walton County led to the seizure of four (4) firearms and various rounds of ammunition that were unlawfully possessed by Morales-Rodriguez. Evidence introduced at the time of the plea hearings established that Morales-Rodriguez is a convicted felon had been previously convicted in federal court in Puerto Rico for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.  Evidence introduced at the plea hearings established that Morales-Rodriguez conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, and Aguilar Gonzalez and Agustin Gonzalez each conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.

Sentencing hearings have been scheduled for May 23, 2024, and June 6, 2024.  Morales-Rodriguez faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment with a maximum term of life, and up to a lifetime of supervised release following any imprisonment.  Aguilar Gonzalez and Agustin Gonzalez each could face a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment with a maximum term of 40 years’ imprisonment, and up to a lifetime of supervised release following any imprisonment.

The case resulted from a joint investigation by the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Florida Highway Patrol.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney J. Ryan Love.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Hiawatha Laquinta Scott, III, of Tallahassee, Florida, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, two counts of distribution of 5 grams or more of methamphetamine, two counts of distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the sentence.

“Methamphetamine distribution is a scourge on large and small communities of our district,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “With our dedicated law enforcement partners, we are committed to identifying and aggressively prosecuting those who threaten our citizens’ health and safety by distributing such addictive, controlled substances. This sentence ensures that our community will be safer and sends a message that there are real and severe consequences for federal firearm and drug offenses.”

As part of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the North Star Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force, an undercover officer made a series of controlled purchases of drugs and guns from Scott in early 2023. On February 8, 2023, the undercover officer purchased a small amount of methamphetamine and fentanyl pills from Scott. Scott also loaned the undercover officer a .22 caliber pistol. Later that same day, the undercover officer purchased more methamphetamine and a 12-gauge shotgun. On February 9, 2023, the undercover officer purchased four ounces of methamphetamine. On February 16, 2023, the undercover officer purchased two ounces of methamphetamine and a sawed-off shotgun. On February 23, 2023, the undercover officer purchased 2.5 ounces of methamphetamine. On April 20, 2023, a search warrant was conducted at Scott’s house and officers recovered two ounces of methamphetamine and multiple digital scales.

“The Big Bend area is much safer with this violent offender behind bars,” said ATF Tampa Field Division’s Special Agent in Charge Kirk Howard. “The sentence reflects the severity of suspect’s crimes, as well as the determination of the North Star Task Force and U.S. Attorney’s Office.”

Scott qualified for enhanced sentencing as an Armed Career Criminal because he had three or more prior convictions for serious drug offenses and violent felonies, including a prior 20-year prison sentence for attempted first degree murder with a firearm. Scott had been released from prison in October 2021.

“A primary emphasis of the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office is the obtainment of sustained solutions to the various problems faced by Wakulla County, FL,” said Sheriff Jared Miller.  “The collaborative investigative and prosecutorial efforts of my agency’s Narcotics Unit, the NSMDTF, the ATF, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, followed by the conviction and sentencing of Mr. Scott, provides a sustained solution to the on-going threat Mr. Scott posed to the community as he refused to live a law-abiding existence following his release from prison in 2021.”

Scott’s prison sentence will be followed by 10 years of supervised release.

This conviction was the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the North Star Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force, and the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys James A. McCain and Joseph A. Ravelo prosecuted the case.

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

As part of its PSN strategy, the United States Attorney’s Office is encouraging everyone to lock their car doors, particularly at night. Burglaries from unlocked automobiles are a significant source of guns for criminals in the Northern District of Florida. Please do your part and protect yourself by locking your car doors.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Philip Beck, 47, Florence Beck, 46, and Joshua Martinez, 27, of DeFuniak Springs, Florida, were found guilty by a federal jury for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  The guilty verdict, returned after a four-day trial, was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. 

Trial testimony revealed on January 16, 2023, the DeFuniak Springs Police Department stopped a Ram truck operated by Philip Beck and discovered approximately 28 grams of methamphetamine. On March 10, 2023, the U.S. Postal Inspection service intercepted two packages mailed from California to addresses in Niceville and DeFuniak Springs, each containing approximately five pounds of methamphetamine. Subsequent investigation revealed that Philip Beck and Joshua Martinez were the intended recipients of the drug parcels and Florence Beck was assisting them. 

Sentencing is set for May 30, 2024, at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before the Honorable United States District Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.  Philip Beck and Florence Beck face minimum mandatory sentences of 10 years in federal prison. Joshua Martinez, due to a prior conviction, faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years. The maximum sentence for each is life in prison. 

This case resulted from a joint investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Walton County Sheriff’s Office, the DeFuniak Springs Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  Assistant United States Attorney Walter Narramore prosecuted the case.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Joseph Alexander Valdez, 30, Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced to 96 months in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to one count of wire fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft, and one count of stalking in connection with his phishing scheme. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“The defendant’s calculated invasion of the victims’ privacy is both despicable and illegal,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “Moreover, his attempts to shame, taunt, and in some instances extort his victims, demonstrate his predatory nature and desire to inflict harm. This sentence rightly punishes the defendant and should serve as a significant deterrent to others. With our law enforcement partners, we remain committed to identify and aggressively prosecute acts of online exploitation.”

Court documents reflect that between June 2021, and December 2022, Valdez identified college-aged females located throughout the United States—including two students at Florida State University and one student at the University of Florida—to deceive them into providing their Snapchat passwords.

Once he accessed the victims’ Snapchat accounts, Valdez took screenshots of the victims’ subscriber information—such as their name, phone number, email address—and downloaded their saved photographs, including private, nude photographs. In other instances, Valdez communicated in online chatrooms and forums with other individuals who used a similar scheme to unlawfully obtain the victims’ private, nude photographs stored on the victims’ Snapchat accounts and other social media platforms. These other individuals traded and shared photographs with Valdez.

“These types of crimes are often difficult to trace and challenging to prosecute,” said Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell. “However, this sentencing reinforces our commitment. Together with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, we will relentlessly pursue justice for the victims and send a resounding message to others that predatory behavior of this nature will not be tolerated in Tallahassee.”

After obtaining the victims’ private photographs, Valdez contacted the victims to taunt them by bragging that he obtained their private photographs and by commenting on their bodies. In total, Valdez victimized and attempted to victimize over 700 women.

"Every day, thousands of unsuspecting social media users fall victim to online scammers, who are using a variety of sophisticated guises and techniques to collect personal information about their victims," said Acting Special Agent in Charge Mark Dargis of the FBI Jacksonville Division. "This sentencing exemplifies the commitment of the FBI to protect Americans and investigate and pursue those who seek to exploit them.  We encourage anyone who believes they are a victim of an online scam or fraud to immediately report the incident to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov."

Valdez’s prison sentence will be followed by three years of supervised release, and he was ordered to pay restitution to the victims.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Tallahassee Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen prosecuted the case.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced today that the Northern District of Florida collected $3,654,556.70 related to local criminal and civil matters in Fiscal Year 2023. Of this amount, $3,078,183.32 was collected in criminal actions and $576,373.38 was collected in civil actions. 

“These impressive numbers are the result of the hard work by our office’s civil and criminal divisions, and strong coordination with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners,” said U.S. Attorney Coody.  “This office will always seek to recover every dollar possible from those who engage in illegal activities so that those funds can be restored to the federal treasury, and help victims recover from crimes perpetrated against them.”

The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.

The Northern District of Florida’s Civil Division recovered a total of $8,337,055 in affirmative civil enforcement cases during the last fiscal year. This amount has two components. In addition to its efforts in local civil cases which led to collections totaling $576,373.38, the District’s Civil Division also joins forces with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and with the Department of Justice Civil Frauds Section to address illicit conduct.  The Northern District’s Civil Division recovered an additional $7,760,682 in these jointly handled cases. 

Additionally, the Northern District of Florida’s Asset Forfeiture Unit, working with partner law enforcement agencies, forfeited $3,801,719 through criminal and civil asset forfeiture proceedings in fiscal year 2023. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.

For more information about the Crime Victims Fund, please visit https://ovc.ojp.gov/about/crime-victims-fund.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Dr. Mary C. Watson of Tallahassee, Florida, settled potential violations of the Controlled Substances Act (“CSA”) by agreeing to pay a fine of $60,000 after previously voluntarily surrendering her DEA Registration in October 2023. The settlement was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“This settlement, involving a fine and surrender of the physician’s DEA Registration, reinforces required compliance with the Controlled Substances Act,” said U.S. Attorney Jason R. Coody. “Accurate record keeping is not only required but helps ensure controlled substances are not abused by physicians and diverted for personal use. With the assistance of investigators in the Drug Enforcement Administration, Diversion Control Program, we remain committed to holding physicians accountable for their responsibilities under federal law.”

Dr. Watson entered into a civil settlement agreement with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida after the investigation revealed numerous potential violations of the Controlled Substances Act. The government contended that Dr. Watson issued at least 76 controlled substance prescriptions for Phendimentrazine (a diet drug) and failed to maintain any patient files for those prescriptions.

“The Controlled Substance Act requires DEA registrants to maintain accurate inventorying, tracking, and record keeping to prevent the diversion of controlled substances,” said DEA Miami Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter. “The DEA Miami Field Division remains committed to working with our law enforcement and regulatory partners to hold DEA registrants accountable to protect the safety and health of our Florida communities.”

This civil settlement agreement is not an admission of any liability by Dr. Watson, nor a concession by the United States that its potential claims were not well-founded.

Assistant United States Attorneys Mary Ann Couch and Marie Moyle represented the United States in this matter, which was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Diversion Control Program.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – The last of 12 federal defendants was sentenced for drug-trafficking and firearm charges related to a joint federal and state investigation into the 4K criminal street gang in the city of Alachua, Florida. The sentences were announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“Our law enforcement partners’ concerted investigation and prosecution of violent crime – here acts of murder and retaliatory gun violence by rival gang members – is central to our mission to protect the public,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “The sentences imposed in this investigation, some spanning multiple decades, illustrate our shared resolve to keep our communities safe and the significant consequences associated with gun violence by gang-affiliated drug traffickers.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Safe Streets Task Force began an investigation of the 4K gang following a number of gang-related shootings in the city of Alachua in 2018.  The FBI worked with the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office and the Alachua Police Department to investigate the initial shooting and numerous other shootings thereafter. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) aided through investigation of 4K’s drug-trafficking activity. Between February 22, 2020, and May 20, 2020, the United States Attorney’s Office, FBI, and DEA obtained six court-authorized Title III wiretaps on cellphones used by members of the drug-trafficking conspiracy. On May 20, 2020, federal search warrants were executed, and four individuals were federally arrested, with others being indicted in June and August 2020.

The federally sentenced defendants, which included 4K gang members and associates, as well as people selling drugs to the 4K gang, were:

• Roddrae Antonio Williams, 32, Alachua, Florida, 480 months in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release.
• Elboric Quadarius Robinson, 32, Alachua, Florida, 336 months in prison, followed by 8 years of supervised release.
• Decoda Kadarrell King, 36, Williston, Florida, 168 months in prison, followed by 8 years of supervised release.
• Eric Jermaine Williams, 42, Gainesville, Florida, 104 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.
• Daniel Heath Willis, 30, Alachua, Florida, 96 months in prison, followed by 8 years of supervised release.
• Morris Cordell Robinson, Jr., 58, Alachua, Florida, 78 months in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release.
• Gregory Lavough Williams, Jr., 44, Yorba Linda, California, 48 months in prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release.
• Rakeidra Alexandria Neal, 33, Gainesville, Florida, 14.5 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.
• Rayme Herhandez, 47, Morriston, Florida, 12 months and 1 day in prison, followed by 8 years of supervised release.
• Tomeka Necole Bryant, 44, Gainesville, Florida, 12 months and 1 day in prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release.
• Edward Lashawn Garrison, Jr., 27, Fort White, Florida, 10 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.
• Lorenza Durr, 33, Alachua, Florida, 8 months in prison in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.

"The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office recognizes the grave threats posed by drug trafficking and firearm violations,” said Sheriff Emory Gainey. “We understand that multi-agency cooperation is not merely a strategy but an essential approach to addressing these challenges.  Together, we stand united in our mission to protect our neighborhoods and uphold the rule of law."

"The sentencing of Roddrae Williams brings to a close a years-long joint investigation involving multiple law enforcement and investigative partners.”  “The cooperation between these agencies resulted in the successful prosecution of these 12 individuals who terrorized our local communities,” said Alachua Police Chief Jesse J. Sandusky.  “We are thankful for the assistance we received from our partners and hope that this can help bring closure to the victim's families."

Charges by the Eighth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office were brought against the following:

• Hakiem Brockman, 25, West Palm Beach, Florida, pled nolo contendere to second degree murder with discharge of a firearm causing death, conspiracy to commit first degree murder, and four counts of attempted murder in the first degree with discharge of a firearm. Brockman was sentenced to 35 years in prison, 25 of which will be served day-for-day.
• McKenzley Edwards, 30, Alachua, Florida, pled nolo contendere to six counts of attempted second degree murder with discharge of a firearm and actual possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, tampering with a witness, victim, or informant, and one count of conspiracy to commit first degree murder (premeditated) and attempted murder. Edwards was sentenced to 25 years in prison, 20 of which will be served day-for-day.
• Kenzel Edwards, 28, Alachua, Florida, pled nolo contendere to three counts of attempted second degree murder with a firearm and was sentenced to 15 years in prison, 10 of which will be served day-for-day.
• Jeffery Robinson, Jr., 29, Alachua, Florida, pled nolo contendere to accessory after the fact to the murder and was sentenced to 5 years in prison.
• Roddrae Williams pled guilty to conspiracy to commit first degree murder (premediated) and is pending sentencing.

“Each of these violent felony offenders posed a significant risk to the safety of our community.  Thanks to the professional, expert work of this task force and our prosecutors, this community will be protected from further violence by these offenders,” said Brian Kramer, State Attorney for the Eighth Judicial Circuit.

“These sentencings demonstrate the FBI's relentless determination to eradicate drug-fueled gang violence that is plaguing communities," said FBI Jacksonville Acting Special Agent in Charge Mark Dargis. "Disrupting organizations like this one is a critical part of the FBI mission, and we will use every legal means available to hold accountable those who threaten our neighborhoods. The rule of law is not optional, and we want to make clear to other gangs operating in our communities: the FBI and our local, state, and federal partners are coming for you, and the violence won't be tolerated."

“DEA’s top priority is protecting the safety and health of our Florida communities.  Drug trafficking and associated violence puts our communities in danger,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter. “The DEA Miami Field Division remains committed to working with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to reduce violent crime, remove dangerous drugs from our streets, and hold those responsible for distributing this poison in our communities accountable for their actions.”

These convictions were the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, Alachua Police Department, Gainesville Police Department, University of Florida Police Department, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ocala Police Department. The federal cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain, and the state cases were prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Daniel Owen.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

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

As part of its PSN strategy, the United States Attorney’s Office is encouraging everyone to lock their car doors, particularly at night. Burglaries from unlocked automobiles are a significant source of guns for criminals in the Northern District of Florida. Please do your part and protect yourself by locking your car doors.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Lina Alejandra Martinez-Munoz, 28, a Colombian National, was sentenced to 66 months in federal prison for conspiracy to bring an alien to the United States. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“International cartels and human smugglers employed by them pose a serious threat to our nation,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “These smugglers profit from the exploitation of others, often exposing them to violence, injury, and death.  With our law enforcement partners, we remain committed to identifying and aggressively prosecuting those who violate the sovereignty and security of our nation.  This sentence addresses the defendant’s conduct and illustrates the resulting punishment.”

According to court documents, between December 2020 and June 2023, Martinez-Munoz was part of a group connected to the Cartel Del Golfo (“CDG”), also known as the Gulf Cartel, based in Matamoros, Mexico that smuggled more than one hundred non-citizens into the United States illegally across the United States’ border with Mexico for the purpose of private financial gain.

This investigation resulted from a Florida Highway Patrol traffic stop of Martinez-Munoz’s co-defendant on Interstate 10 in Jefferson County, Florida. Troopers located bundles of U.S. currency, two firearms, numerous foreign passports, identification cards, and a notebook containing payments that listed smuggling fees for females, males, and children from different countries, including Cuba, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Colombia.

“Smugglers are opportunistic, greedy, and have sophisticated communications networks to illegally import people into the U.S. as if they were a commodity,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tallahassee Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nicholas Ingegno. “This smuggler was not able to thwart law enforcement detection, and thanks to our partnerships with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Florida Highway Patrol, she will now face the consequences of her actions.”

The case was investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and Homeland Security Investigations.  Assistant United States Attorney Corey J. Smith prosecuted the case.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Chason Michael Miles Johnson, 30, of Tallahassee, Florida, was sentenced to 13 years in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine; possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; and possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“This investigation demonstrates the effectiveness and collaborative efforts of our local and federal law enforcement partners, to identify and intercept shipments of illegal substances via the United States Mail,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “Moreover, the sentence should serve as a significant deterrent to those who would use the United States Postal Service to conduct illegal activities.”

Court documents reflect upon Johnson’s release from state prison in March 2022, he began receiving methamphetamine via the United States Postal Service from a source in Arizona. The United States Postal Inspection Service uncovered the plot after flagging one of the packages destined to Johnson, obtaining a search warrant, and discovering that it contained approximately half a pound of methamphetamine. A second package destined for Johnson was likewise intercepted, a search warrant obtained, and it was found to contain approximately a pound of methamphetamine. On August 24, 2022, a federal search warrant was executed at Johnson’s home, and officers found a .22 caliber pistol and ammunition, over an ounce of methamphetamine, and various other drugs.

“Many lives in America have been poisoned by the illicit drugs distributed by criminals such as Johnson,” said Juan A. Vargas, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Miami Division.  “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service will not stop targeting, disrupting, and dismantling every level of these drug trafficking organizations, which are poisoning the American people.”

“Deadly, dangerous, and highly addictive, methamphetamine has caused destruction in many communities,” said DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter. “This investigation highlights DEA Miami Field Division’s commitment to working with our local, state, and federal partners to track down those who bring this poison into our communities and hold them accountable for their actions.”

Johnson was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition, having been recently released from 5-year state prison sentence for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and trafficking in methamphetamine.

Johnson’s prison sentence will be followed by 10 years of supervised release.

This prosecution resulted from a joint investigation conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Tallahassee Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain prosecuted the case.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Justin Ray Crosby, 25, of Hawthorne, Florida, was sentenced to 320 months imprisonment for one count of production of child pornography and 240 months imprisonment for one count of distribution of child pornography, the terms to run concurrent with each other. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. 

“Crimes against children are among the most heinous types of offenses and deserving of the most significant sentences,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “Those who produce child pornography facilitate the abuse of children and rob them of not only of their innocence but their very childhood. We will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to investigate and vigorously prosecute those who engage in such vile conduct.”

In July 2022, law enforcement officers in Gainesville, Florida began an investigation related to the distribution of an image depicting the sexual abuse of a 12-year-old minor child on an instant messaging app.  Investigators determined the child resided in Gainesville, Florida.  The child was interviewed, and several social media accounts and electronic devices were obtained and examined, leading to Crosby’s identification. Investigators determined Crosby had met with the child on several occasions, and in one instance he filmed himself engaged in sexual contact with the child. He later distributed the video on an instant messaging application.   

Crosby’s prison sentence will be followed by a lifetime of supervised release. He was ordered to pay $20,000 in restitution to the victim. Crosby will also be required to register as a sex offender and be subject to all sex offender conditions.

The case was investigated by Internet Crime Against Children Task Force Gainesville Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Frank Williams prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. To commemorate this month, United States Attorney Jason R. Coody renews his Office’s commitment to prosecuting human traffickers, protecting victims, empowering survivors, and preventing the proliferation of these abhorrent crimes.

In recognition of Human Trafficking Prevention Month, the U.S. Attorney’s Office reaffirms that vindicating the rights of human trafficking victims and other vulnerable persons ranks among its highest priorities.

“Human trafficking is an abomination,” said United States Attorney Jason R. Coody. “With no regard for human dignity, traffickers inflict indescribable physical harm to their victims and often leave emotional scars that cannot be healed. With our law enforcement partners, our office remains committed to aggressively prosecuting those who must be held accountable for their despicable crimes.” 

Anyone who has information about a potential human trafficking situation or a person who may be experiencing human trafficking should contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733.

To enhance awareness and educate the community about human trafficking, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has released a Public Service Announcement on how to identify potential trafficking situations and where to report suspected human trafficking activity.

The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General.  To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website.  For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Keshawn Jarmarlin Robinson, 22, of Tallahassee, Florida, was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison for six counts of Hobbs Act Robbery, six counts of brandishing a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. 

“The investigation and prosecution of violent crime – in this case a series of armed robberies by a repeat offender – is central to our mission to protect the public,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “This sentence illustrates our shared resolve to keep our communities safe and the significant consequences associated with such federal crimes of violence.”

Over the span of seven days in November 2022, Robinson committed six separate armed robberies of Tallahassee businesses. The first, on November 15, 2022, was a Subway Restaurant. The second, on November 19th, was a Tobacco Outlet store. The third, on November 20th, of a Dollar General store, and the final three robberies were committed on November 22nd, at an Advanced Auto Parts store, a Firehouse Subs restaurant, and a Lemon Pepper restaurant. During each of the robberies, Robinson brandished a firearm. As a previously convicted felon, Robinson is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.  

"When crimes are committed in Tallahassee, our detectives work diligently and tirelessly to bring justice to the victim and their families," said Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell. “The collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the successful prosecution reflects our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our community. We hope this sentence serves as a strong deterrent, emphasizing that crime will not go unpunished."

In addition to the six-armed robberies charged federally, evidence was also presented to show that in August 2022 in Tallahassee, Florida, Robinson committed an armed carjacking weeks after being released from the Florida Department of Corrections after serving a prison term for robbery and grand theft of motor vehicle, and months before the charged November armed robbery spree.  Additionally, evidence showed that since age 12, Robinson has been a member of the Gangster Disciples national criminal street gang; during investigation of the November 2022 armed robbery spree, a distinct six-point star gang tattoo aided investigators in identifying and arresting Robinson.   

“The vast majority of the Panhandle’s gun crime is fueled by a small number of people,” said ATF Tampa Field Division’s Special Agent in Charge Kirk Howard. “And thanks to solid policework and the community’s support, one of Tallahassee’s most prolific offenders will be locked up for a long time.”

Robinson’s imprisonment will be followed by 5 years of supervised release.

This case was investigated by the Tallahassee Police Department and the United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Eric K. Mountin prosecuted the case.

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

As part of its PSN strategy, the United States Attorney’s Office is encouraging everyone to lock their car doors, particularly at night. Burglaries from unlocked automobiles are a significant source of guns for criminals in the Northern District of Florida. Please do your part and protect yourself by locking your car doors.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Andrew John Ewing, 39, of Tallahassee, Florida, was found guilty by a federal jury for possessing images and videos of child pornography. The guilty verdict returned on Wednesday afternoon, at the conclusion of a two-day trial, was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

Between October 21, 2022, and November 3, 2022, a Tallahassee Police Department detective on the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force conducted a proactive investigation into the peer-to-peer file-sharing network called BitTorrent to identify users who possessed child pornography material which was available for sharing. Ewing’s computer was identified as a user who had multiple child pornography image and video files available for download. Upon further investigation, it was determined that Ewing resided in Leon County but outside of the city limits, so the case was referred to the Leon County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) for further investigation. LCSO deputies—who were also Task Force Officers with Homeland Security Investigations—obtained a search warrant for Ewing’s residence and electronic devices and executed it in early 2023.  LCSO’s digital forensic specialist conducted a forensic examination of Ewing’s devices and discovered that several of them contained child pornography depicting children as young as 6 years of age engaged in sexually explicit conduct or who were lewdly exhibiting their genitals. Additionally, investigators discovered evidence of Ewing’s Internet search history which showed that he was specifically seeking child pornography. The jury also heard evidence that in 2014, Ewing was investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for using BitTorrent to possess and share child pornography depicting children under 13 years of age, and that Ewing was convicted of ten counts of possession of child pornography in Leon County in 2016.

Sentencing is scheduled for April 11, 2024, at 1:00 p.m., at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee before United States District Judge Robert L. Hinkle. Based on his prior child sex offense conviction, Ewing faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years in federal prison, with a maximum of 20 years imprisonment, followed by a term of 5 years to life of supervised release.

This conviction was the result of an investigation conducted by the Tallahassee Police Department, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Jeffrey L. Pybus, 41, of Shalimar, Florida, was found guilty by a federal jury for receiving and possessing images and videos of child pornography. The guilty verdict returned yesterday morning, at the conclusion of a two-day trial, was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

Between February 18, 2022, and May 4, 2022, Pybus received material containing child pornography through a Peer-to-Peer file sharing program.  On May 4, 2022, Pybus’ residence was searched by law enforcement, and he was found to be in possession of over 23,000 images and/or videos of child pornography. 

Sentencing is set for March 13, 2024, at 3:00 p.m., at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before the Honorable United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers. Based on his convictions, Pybus faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 5 years in federal prison, with a maximum of 20 years.

This case was investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, and the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey M. Tharp prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Quinton L. Pete, 35, of Ocala, Florida, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison, for Attempted Hobbs Act Robbery and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. A federal jury found Pete guilty of all charges related to the incident in August 2023 after a three-day trial. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. 

“The investigation and prosecution of violent crime – in this case by an armed repeat offender – is central to our mission to protect the public,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “This sentence illustrates our shared resolve to keep our communities safe and the significant consequences associated with such federal crimes of violence.”

The evidence produced at trial revealed that, on March 9, 2022, a few minutes before 4:00 a.m., two employees at Coyote’s Sports Bar on Bayou Blvd. in Pensacola were shot at point blank range by the defendant during an attempted robbery of the business.  The victims were not able to identify the shooter at the time because of their wounds, but they provided a general description to law enforcement.  Law enforcement obtained surveillance videos from surrounding businesses and noticed a white Jeep Grand Cherokee in the area at the time of the crime.  The Pensacola Police Department put out a BOLO (be on the lookout), and the defendant was apprehended the next day in Dallas, Texas, driving a matching white Jeep Grand Cherokee that was registered to him.  The defendant was in possession of the firearm that was used in the commission of the robbery, as later identified by ballistics comparison. The defendant’s phone location also placed him in the area at the time he committed the crime.  The defendant has prior felony convictions for Burglary of a Dwelling with a Firearm, Grand Theft, and Shooting at within or into a Dwelling, and was released from prison only seven months prior to these offenses.  He is also pending other firearm related charges in central Florida.

“This is a huge win for public safety in Northwest Florida,” said Special Agent in Charge Kirk Howard of ATF’s Tampa Field Division. “The sentencing decision matches the severity of the crimes, and we’re glad to have contributed our expertise in federal firearm laws to the joint investigation.”

“This case is another excellent example of the collaboration between local, state and federal partners working together to ensure the safety of our community,” said Chief Eric Randall, Pensacola Police. “We will continue to utilize every resource available to ensure our community is safe. This sentence should serve as a reminder there are consequences for your actions.”

Pete’s imprisonment will be followed by 3 years of supervised release. 

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the assistance of multiple other law enforcement agencies to include the Pensacola Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, Grand Prairie Police Department in Dallas, Texas, the United States Marshals, and the Office of the State Attorney, First Judicial Circuit. Assistant United States Attorneys David Goldberg and Jessica Etherton prosecuted the case.

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

As part of its PSN strategy, the United States Attorney’s Office is encouraging everyone to lock their car doors, particularly at night. Burglaries from unlocked automobiles are a significant source of guns for criminals in the Northern District of Florida. Please do your part and protect yourself by locking your car doors.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Harold Lavern Benedict, 73, of Crestview, Florida, was sentenced to 19.5 years in federal prison for receipt and attempted receipt of child pornography. In imposing the sentence, the Court cited the need to protect the public when it sentenced the defendant above the required 15-year mandatory minimum.  The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“Protecting innocent children from sexual predators remains one of our highest priorities,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “I commend our law enforcement partners and prosecutors who work tirelessly to identify these predators and bring them to justice so that they may never exploit a child again. Due to their collective efforts, our community is safer, and this repeat offender is exactly where he belongs – back behind bars.”

On June 27, 2022, a father was at Yellow River Park with his children in Milligan, Florida, and purchased gasoline for an older man who was stranded. The older man requested the father’s address and phone number to send him money, and when the father declined, the older man, who claimed to refurbish computers for a living, offered the father a laptop for his children. Upon arriving home, the father vetted the computer prior to giving it to his children, only to discover it contained child pornography. The father immediately contacted the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office (OSCO) and provided the laptop. Through the investigation, law enforcement was able to link a phone number, provided by the older man, to Harold Lavern Benedict, a local registered sex offender due to prior convictions for Attempted Sexual Battery on a Child Under 12, and Lewd and Lascivious Act. OCSO Investigators interviewed Benedict on September 2, 2022, and he admitted to using foreign internet web browsers to obtain child pornography at least once per month. Law enforcement obtained search warrants for several of Benedict’s electronic devices and determined that Benedict possessed over 700 images of child pornography. Benedict was engaged in such conduct from at least 2019 through 2023.

“This is a case where all the pieces fell into place to expose the ongoing disturbing and criminal conduct of this individual,” said Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden. “Once again, due to the dedication and expertise of our investigators and federal partners with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, another child pornography consumer will be taken off our streets.”

“Sexual predators who repeatedly victimize children have no place in our society or in our communities,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tallahassee Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nicholas Ingegno. “Thanks to our outstanding partnership with Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, we were able to stop another pedophile from targeting our children.”

Benedict’s prison sentence will be followed by a Lifetime of supervised release. Benedict will continue to be required to register as a sex offender and be subject to all sex offender conditions.

This conviction was the result of an investigation conducted by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and the Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Callahan prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Willie Frank Gordon, 41, of Pensacola, Florida, was found guilty by a federal jury of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The guilty verdict was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

On March 15, 2022, Gordon was arrested during a traffic stop for driving without a license. During an inventory search of the vehicle, law enforcement located a black backpack containing approximately 200 grams of methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl, and associated drug paraphernalia, along with a loaded, chambered pistol. Law enforcement also located a firearm holster in the glove box of the vehicle, three cell phones, and over $2,000 on Gordon’s person. Gordon denied knowledge of the controlled substances and the firearm, but ultimately admitted to his possession of the items during a custodial interview with investigators. Law enforcement also located surveillance footage of Gordon approximately 30 minutes prior to the traffic stop where he was observed carrying the black backpack to a vehicle before driving away.

Prior to committing this offense, Gordon had been convicted in six state felony cases and one federal felony case, which included a prior drug trafficking conviction and firearms convictions. Trial testimony revealed that Gordon had previously shot people, and that law enforcement had information he was connected to fentanyl overdoses in Okaloosa County. At the time of his current offense, Gordon was on federal supervised release for his federal conviction of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. 

Sentencing is currently set for February 14, 2024, at 9:00 a.m., at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers. Gordon faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in federal prison, with a maximum of life imprisonment.

This conviction was the result of an investigation conducted by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Callahan prosecuted the case.

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

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Phillip Timothy Howard, 62, of Tallahassee, Florida, was sentenced to fourteen years in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to racketeering (RICO). The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. 

“The defendant should have been protecting the interest of his injured clients, rather than swindling their investments,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “Today’s sentence both punishes the defendant’s criminal conduct and should serve as a significant deterrent to others who would selfishly steal to unlawfully enrich themselves. With our law enforcement partners, we remain committed to investigating and prosecuting those who engage in such fraudulent conduct.”   

Court documents reflect between December 2015, and January 2018, Howard, a Florida attorney, along with associates and employees of his Tallahassee law firm (Howard & Associates, P.A.) engaged in a criminal Enterprise to defraud his clients of funds from an NFL class-action lawsuit. In addition to his law firm, Howard used several Tallahassee investment companies (Cambridge Capital Group, LLC; Cambridge Capital Wealth Advisors, LLC; Cambridge Capital Advisors, LLC; Cambridge Capital Funding, Inc., Cambridge Capital Group Equity Option Opportunities, L.P.; and Cambridge Capital Partners, L.P.) under his control to steal from clients. Howard, and others conducted and participated in the affairs of the Enterprise, through a pattern of racketeering activity, namely, wire fraud and money laundering. As part of his representation, Howard fraudulently enticed his clients to invest their retirement funds with his investment companies while failing to disclose the structure of the Enterprise, the conflicts of interest, the criminal background of persons associated with or employed by the Enterprise, and the true nature of the investment companies’ funds.

Despite reassuring investors that their money was secure, Howard never informed them that almost none of the investment funds yielded a return and failed to disclose that the investment funds had been commingled with funds used to operate his law firm and to issue payroll for its staff, pay Howard’s personal mortgages, and otherwise personally enrich Howard.

“Phillip Howard weaponized the trust of others,” said Sherri E. Onks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division. “As an attorney, he should have been helping his ailing clients invest in a better future, but instead he stole from their pocketbooks for his own personal gain. And when that wasn’t enough, he exploited the trust of third-party lenders, destabilizing businesses that were reliant on his honesty and integrity. The FBI and our partners will never stop working to protect innocent people and companies from fraud like this.”

In addition, the former NFL player investors were provided fraudulent quarterly and year-end investment statements which indicated that investor funds were allocated into two separate investment funds, including a fund designed specifically to invest in equities. In reality, there were no separated, dedicated investment funds, and the bank accounts for the Enterprise had little or no money. Howard and others fraudulently obtained over $4 million through such conduct.

“IRS-CI agents put a full blitz on Phillip Howard; today’s sentencing is another example of IRS-CI’s ability to quickly tackle those who lie and mislead victims for their own personal enrichment,” said Tara K. Reed IRS-CI Acting Special Agent in Charge.  “As an attorney, Howard should have been protecting the interest of his clients rather than intentionally sacking their investments.”

Additionally, Howard sought third-party lenders that would be willing to lend money to Howard’s former NFL clients in advance of their potential NFL concussion settlements as part of the NFL class-action lawsuit, and to Howard as litigation funding for the NFL class-action lawsuit. To obtain such funds for himself and his clients, Howard provided false and fraudulent information, including numerous material misrepresentations and omissions, to the lenders. Howard and others fraudulently obtained and attempted to obtain approximately $8 million from third-party lenders through such conduct.

Howard also solicited investment in a real estate project located in Jacksonville, Florida, and in doing so, promised the investor certain investment returns within a specified period. After the investor transferred money to the investment company, Howard and an employee falsely told the investor that additional money was needed to close the real estate deal. In reliance on this false promise, the investor transferred additional proceeds, only to be told several months that the real estate investment funds were secure and would be returned to her.  Howard fraudulently obtained and attempted to obtain over $520,000 from this investor through this conduct.

Howard’s prison sentence will be followed by three years of supervised release, and he will also be required to pay restitution in the amount of $12.64 million.

This conviction was the result of a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service–Criminal Investigations, with assistance from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Justin M. Keen and David P. Byron.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Eglin Air Force Base active-duty member, Lazarus Wallace, has agreed to settle allegations that he violated the False Claims Act (“FCA”) by knowingly providing false information in support of a Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loan. Wallace agreed to pay $63,327.54 in treble damages under the FCA. The settlement was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“Serving our nation as a member of the military is a position of honor, deserving of high esteem,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “The fraudulent acts of this individual are incompatible with such service. We remain committed to hold accountable all who abused this crisis-based loan system.” 

The United States contends that in March 2021, Wallace prepared and submitted fraudulent documents and a false and fraudulent application to obtain a PPP loan totaling $20,833, in the name of Beaming Detailing LLC. The loan was forgiven and paid by the United States Small Business Administration (“SBA”), plus interest of $277.18, for a total of $21,109.18. The United States contends that Wallace fraudulently obtained the PPP loan based on multiple false and fraudulent statements, to include the date Beaming Detailing LLC was established, the amount of Beaming Detailing LLC’s gross income, and the purpose of the loan.

This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mary Ann Couch and Marie Moyle from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, with assistance from the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Kevin Paul McMains, 43, of Pace, Florida, plead guilty to theft of government money and providing false statements. The plea was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“By falsely claiming he suffered catastrophic service-related injuries, McMains selfishly defrauded the federal government, but more significantly stole resources that were intended for the brave men and women who have valiantly served our country,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “With our law enforcement partners, we remain committed to investigating and prosecuting those who engage in such despicable conduct.”

Court documents introduced at the plea hearing established that McMains served approximately eight years in the United States Army before separating from service on April 27, 2009.  On April 28, 2009, McMains received a 100% disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”) for post-traumatic stress disorder (“PTSD”). From May 2009 to February 2023, McMains received money from the United States, namely benefits payments and services from the VA, the Social Security Administration (“SSA”), and the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”). 

An investigation revealed that McMains provided false information to medical personnel during his examination at the VA clinic in Pensacola, Florida. McMains falsely stated he had been severely injured in an explosion while serving in Iraq, which he claimed resulted in paralysis and his confinement to a wheelchair since 2007.  In addition, McMains altered a VA form that was submitted to a mental health counselor which gave the impression that McMains medical condition relating to PTSD was much more severe than it was. McMains also provided false information to the VA in documents and forms in support of his PTSD disability rating. The VA relied on the statements, documents, and forms provided by McMains in determining his disability rating. As a result, McMains received a 100% disability rating from the VA for PTSD.  Based on his false statements and submission of fraudulent documents, McMains received $683,068.30 in benefit payments and services from the VA, SSA, and HHS, to which he was not entitled.

“The VA Office of Inspector General remains committed to ensuring that VA benefits are administered to deserving veterans based on legitimate military service,” said Special Agent in Charge Jason Root with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Northwest Field Office. “The VA OIG thanks the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and our law enforcement partners for their efforts in this joint investigation.”

“With fabricated documents that falsely reported his medical condition, Mr. McMains defrauded the government of more than $680,000, of which $357,847 was from the Social Security Administration (SSA). This admission of guilt results from an in-depth joint investigation by several Federal agencies; my office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to pursue those who commit fraud against SSA,” said Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General for SSA. “I thank the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General and Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General their invaluable work in this investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for holding this individual accountable for his criminal actions.”

“Individuals who take advantage of federal healthcare benefits to which they are not entitled divert valuable resources away from their intended recipients,” said Steven Ryan, Special Agent in Charge at the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to ensure that those alleged to be defrauding federal health care programs are thoroughly investigated.”

Sentencing in this case is set for January 17, 2024, at 3:00 p.m., at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before the Honorable United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers. McMains faces a maximum penalty of ten years’ imprisonment for the theft of government money charge and a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment for each of the false statement charges.

This case resulted from a joint investigation by the Department of Veterans Affairs-Office of Inspector General, Social Security Administration-Office of Inspector General, and Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney J. Ryan Love.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Stephen Edward Cobb, 62, of Gainesville, Florida, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“Protecting innocent children from sexual predators remains one of our highest priorities,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “I commend our law enforcement partners and prosecutors who work diligently to identify these predators and bring them to justice so that they can no longer exploit any child again. Due to their efforts, our community is safer, and this repeat offender is exactly where he belongs – back behind bars.”

In December 2021, law enforcement officers in Gainesville, Florida received information that Cobb was involved in sharing a video of child pornography using the Internet. Cobb is a convicted sex offender required to register under both state and federal law. In June 2022, Cobb was located, and search warrants were obtained for his cell phones and social media accounts. The devices and social media accounts were examined and found to contain hundreds of images and videos of child pornography.

Cobb is a registered sex offender based on a prior state conviction in 2018 for Lewd and Lascivious Assault on a Child.  

“The decades long sentence in this case is based in part on the history of victimization caused by the offender, including harm to a child in this community,” said­­­­ North Florida ICAC Task Force Commander Chris King.  “We are thankful for our partnership with the U.S Attorney’s Office which helped achieve this result.”

“This predatorial recidivist didn’t learn his lesson the first time and continued to victimize children,” said HSI Jacksonville Assistant Special Agent in Charge K. Jim Phillips. “Thanks to the diligence of HSI and the Gainesville Police Department, we were able hold Cobb accountable for his deviant actions once again.”

Cobb’s prison sentence will be followed by a Lifetime of supervised release. Cobb will continue to be required to register as a sex offender and be subject to all sex offender conditions.

The case was investigated by Internet Crime Against Children Task Force Gainesville Police Department and Department of Homeland Security. Assistant United States Attorney Frank Williams prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Justin Harold Krumwiede, 42, of Gainesville, Florida, was sentenced to 60 years imprisonment for two counts of production of child pornography. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“There is no greater charge than the protection of our children,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “This sentence is yet another example of the unwavering commitment to the protection of our most vulnerable and should serve as a significant deterrent to those who would attempt to harm them. We will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those who engage in such heinous conduct.”

In March 2022, law enforcement officers in Gainesville, Florida commenced an investigation of alleged sexual abuse of a minor girl by Krumwiede. A search warrant was obtained for Krumwiede’s cell phones and computers. The devices were examined and found to contained hundreds of images of child pornography. Further investigation led to the identification of two different children whose sexual abuse had been filmed by Krumwiede in New Mexico in 2016 and Texas in 2017.  The children had since become adults and were located and interviewed by law enforcement. They confirmed they had been the victim of sexual abuse by Krumwiede and identified themselves in the images that he had created. 

“This significant sentence is a result of HSI’s relentless pursuit of those who choose to victimize children,” said HSI Jacksonville Assistant Special Agent in Charge K. Jim Phillips. "Law enforcement partnerships, like the one between HSI and the Gainesville Police Department, as well as our HSI partners in Waco and Pittsburg, are key to identifying and removing predators from our communities.”

“This successful prosecution is the result of the hard work and dedication of many law enforcement professionals from both state and federal agencies,” said­­­­ North Florida ICAC Task Force Commander Chris King. “The safety of our children is a common priority and through unified effort this dangerous child predator was ultimately brought to justice.”

Krumwiede’s prison sentence will be followed by a Lifetime of supervised release.  He will also be required to register as a sex offender and be subject to all sex offender conditions.

The case was investigated by Internet Crime Against Children Task Force Gainesville Police Department and Department of Homeland Security. Assistant United States Attorney Frank Williams prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Marcus D. Flintroy, 32, of Pensacola, Florida, was sentenced to thirty-five years in federal prison after previously having been found guilty by a federal jury of two counts of distribution of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“Hundreds of individuals are killed every day in communities throughout our country due to the distribution of fentanyl,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “Each of these deaths is a tragedy, robbing individuals of their promise and crippling families left behind with unimaginable grief.  We remain committed to working with our law enforcement partners to identify and aggressively prosecute those who distribute these addictive, controlled substances. This sentence serves as a significant deterrent to drug traffickers and demonstrates our resolve to hold them accountable.”

Between December 8, 2022, and January 5, 2023, Flintroy distributed and possessed with intent to distribute approximately 200 grams of fentanyl in Pensacola. The evidence against Flintroy culminated with a traffic stop conducted by law enforcement, which Flintroy tried to evade by ramming his vehicle into multiple undercover law enforcement vehicles. Flintroy then ran on foot when his vehicle became disabled, but he was caught by law enforcement officers. In his vehicle, law enforcement located approximately 100 grams of fentanyl, numerous items of drug paraphernalia, a loaded assault rifle, a loaded pistol, and over 180 rounds of ammunition.

“Illicit fentanyl is the most dangerous drug threat facing our county, and Florida is not immune to its devastating effects.  We need to be doing all we can to keep our Florida communities safe and healthy, including holding those who bring this poison into our communities accountable for their actions,” said DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter. “The DEA, in collaboration with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, will continue to aggressively pursue and bring to justice those who distribute these deadly drugs.”

Flintroy had prior state felony convictions for offenses including aggravated assault with a firearm; sell, manufacture, deliver, or possess with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver a controlled substance; and others. Flintroy had just been released from state prison in late 2021 before engaging in the new federal offenses.

Flintroy’s imprisonment will be followed by 8-years of supervised release.

This conviction was the result of an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Highway Patrol, the Pensacola Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives. Assistant United States Attorneys David L. Goldberg and Jessica S. Etherton prosecuted the case.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Cameron Dain Gillilan, 31, of Navarre, Florida, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“This sentence ensures that our community will be safer and sends a message that there are real and severe consequences for federal firearm offenses,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. "Thanks to the outstanding work of our law enforcement partners, this armed felon has been called to account for his continued criminal conduct."

During the evening hours on October 25, 2022, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a structure on Mobile Highway in Pensacola, Florida. Bail bondsmen of Billy Clark Bail Bonds were executing a warrant service on Gillilan, who had failed to appear for court in Santa Rosa County. The failure to appear warrant related to a case against Gillilan involving trafficking of methamphetamine and fentanyl. After the bail bondsmen handcuffed Gillilan behind his back and walked him outside, Gillilan pulled a loaded and chambered firearm out of his backside waistband. Fortunately, the bail bondsmen quickly seized the firearm, cleared it, and set it aside. Gillilan had previously been convicted of several felony offenses to include three drug trafficking convictions, an additional conviction for carrying a concealed firearm, and a prior misdemeanor crime of domestic violence battery involving strangulation. Such prior convictions prohibited Gillilan from possessing firearms. Gillilan was well-known to the law enforcement community as a drug dealer who often carried weapons on his person.

“This is a huge public safety win for residents of Northwest Florida,” said ATF Tampa Field Division Special Agent in Charge Kirk Howard. “It’s also a reminder of the risks law enforcement officers face every day to protect their communities.”

This conviction was the result of an investigation conducted by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Callahan prosecuted the case.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Joseph T. Holbert, 54, of Pensacola, Florida, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to producing multiple images and videos of child pornography. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“Crimes against our children are among the most sinister types of offenses and deserving of the most significant sentences,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “Those who produce child pornography facilitate the abuse of children, robbing them of their innocence. We will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those who engage in such heinous conduct.”

In February 2023, Holbert was caught using hidden cameras to film two minor females in various stages of undressing, and using an outdoor shower to clean themselves, in order to capture images and videos of them without clothes.  The victims were 8 and 9 years old.  Law enforcement was alerted to this behavior and seized hidden cameras and Holbert’s cellular telephone.  A forensic review of the seized items revealed the child pornography Holbert produced for his own pleasure.

“This sentencing confirms the FBI’s commitment to seek justice for our kids,” said Sherri E. Onks, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Jacksonville. “Together with our partners, we have ensured one less predator is victimizing the most innocent and vulnerable members of our community, and we will continue to dedicate every available resource to identifying and stopping those who exploit our children.”

Holbert’s prison sentence will be followed by lifetime of federal supervised release, and he will be required to register as a sex offender.

This conviction was the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Joseph Harding, 36, of Williston, Florida, was sentenced to 4 months in federal prison for wire fraud, money laundering, and making false statements in connection with COVID-19 relief fraud. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. 

“The theft of any amount of taxpayer funds is inexcusable,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “However, the defendant’s deceptive acts of diverting emergency financial assistance from small businesses during the pandemic is simply beyond the pale. Today’s sentence both punishes the defendant’s criminal conduct and should serve as a significant deterrent to others who would selfishly steal from their fellow citizens to unlawfully enrich themselves. With our law enforcement partners, we remain committed to investigating and prosecuting those who engage in acts of COVID-19 related fraud.”

Court documents reflect Harding participated in a scheme to defraud the Small Business Administration (SBA) and obtained a coronavirus-related small business loan by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises, and while executing such scheme, caused wire communications to be transmitted in interstate commerce. Harding also made a false and fraudulent SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) application, in the name of one of his dormant business entities, that he submitted to the SBA.  By this conduct, Harding fraudulently obtained $150,000 in COVID-19 relief funds from the SBA to which he was not entitled.  After obtaining the EIDL proceeds, Harding conducted three monetary transactions each involving more than $10,000 in fraudulently obtained funds: a transfer to his joint bank account, a payment to his credit card, and a transfer into a bank account of a third-party business entity. 

"Mr. Harding egregiously betrayed the public trust by stealing from COVID relief funds meant to help the very people who elected him.,” said Special Agent in Charge Brian J. Payne, IRS Criminal Investigation, Tampa Field Office. “Greed and public service should never meet, but when they do, we stand ready to ensure bad actors are held responsible for their actions.”

“Today, Mr. Harding was held accountable for swindling money out of COVID-19 relief programs created to help small businesses, including Mr. Harding’s own constituents, recover from the economic hardships of the pandemic,” said Special Agent in Charge Kyle A. Myles of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC OIG). “The FDIC OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to bring to justice anyone who steals from such programs and threatens to undermine the integrity of our Nation’s financial institutions.”

Harding’s imprisonment will be followed by two years of supervised release. 

“SBA OIG will follow the evidence to root out fraud in SBA’s pandemic response programs and bring wrongdoers to justice,” said SBA OIG’s Eastern Region Special Agent-in-Charge Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite. “This sentence demonstrates there is significant consequence for fraudulently accessing SBA programs to steal from taxpayers. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s office and our law enforcement partners for their support and dedication to pursuing justice in this case.”

“Mr. Harding abused a program that was designed to ease the suffering of the constituents who elected him to serve in their best interests,” says Sherri E. Onks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division.  “Instead of using thousands of dollars in federal funds to help keep struggling businesses afloat and honest workers employed, he selfishly diverted it for his own personal gain.  The FBI will hold accountable anyone who takes advantage of those in need, and we remain committed to working with our partners to ensure fraudsters are brought to justice.”

The conviction jointly conducted by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Office of Inspector General, the Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Justin M. Keen and David P. Byron.

The PPP, administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”), was designed to provide low-interest, forgivable loans to applicants to help fund certain permissible expenses for qualifying businesses amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, which included payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities.  The EIDL program, also administered by the SBA, was designed to provide low-interest loans to small businesses in regions affected by declared disasters. The CARES Act authorized the SBA to provide EIDLs, up to $2 million, to eligible small businesses experiencing substantial financial disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General.  To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website.  For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

A Florida man was sentenced today in federal court for his racially-motivated attack on a group of Black men who were surveying land along a public road in Rosewood, Florida.

David Emanuel, 63, of Cedar Key, was sentenced to one year and a day in prison followed by two years of supervised release for his bias-motivated attack on six men who were surveying land owned by one of the victims at the time of the offenses. 

“Racially-motivated hate crimes run contrary to our values as Americans and simply have no place in our society today,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This defendant violently and callously sought to strike a group of Black men with his truck because of their race. As we mark 100 years since the horrific 1923 Rosewood Massacre, the Justice Department stands resolute in its commitment to holding accountable those who commit violent racially-motivated hate crimes in our country.”

“This sentencing sends a clear message that committing hate crimes has serious consequences,” said U.S. Attorney Jason R. Coody for the Northern District of Florida. “Despicable, hate-fueled crimes such as these have no place in our state or country. The violence directed toward these victims, based solely on their race, is abhorrent and will not be tolerated. With the dedicated assistance of our law enforcement partners, we will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute civil rights violations to ensure justice for those victimized by hate.”

“There is no place for hate and racism in this community,” said Special Agent in Charge Sherri E. Onks of the FBI Jacksonville Field Office. “No one should ever fear they could be targeted in an act of violence based on how they look, where they’re from or any part of their identity. Hate crimes are not only an attack on the victim; they are meant to threaten and intimidate an entire community, and because of their wide-ranging impact, investigating hate crimes is among the FBI’s highest priorities. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to seek justice for victims and their communities.”

On July 26, after a two-day trial, a jury in Gainesville convicted Emanuel for driving his truck toward the group of six elderly or adult Black men because of their race, and because they were using a public road.

Evidence at trial proved that on Sept. 6, 2022, Emanuel found the victims surveying land adjacent to a public roadway near the location of the 1923 Rosewood Massacre. When the defendant came upon the victims, who were on the public roadway, he shouted racial slurs and expletives at them, including “[racial slur] get out of these woods” before driving a pickup truck directly at the group, nearly striking one of them. At trial, one witness testified that Emanuel admitted that he “came at those [expletives],” and that he “would have [expletive]d up all those Black [expletive].” Video evidence showed that after he was arrested, Emanuel complained that he was “getting treated like this [expletive] over a [expletive] [racial slur].” One witness testified that the defendant came “within inches” of striking one of the victims and that one victim, “nearly lost his life that day.” No victims suffered physical injury as a result of the Emanuel’s racially-motivated attack.

The FBI Jacksonville Field Office and Gainesville Resident Agency investigated the case, with assistance from the Levy County Sheriff’s Office. 

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kaitlin Weiss and Frank Williams for the Northern District of Florida and Trial Attorney Laura-Kate Bernstein of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section prosecuted the case.

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Garret D. Hodnett, 34, of Tallahassee, Florida, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to possessing firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon, manufacturing unregistered National Firearms Act (NFA) Weapons, and possessing an illegal machinegun. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“Removing manufactured machineguns from the hands of felons and those who supply them directly addresses violent crime and makes our communities safer,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “With the assistance of our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners were are committed to identifying and aggressively prosecuting those who illegally manufacture and distribute firearms to prohibited persons. This sentencing represents both the severe consequences of illegal firearms trafficking and our resolve to remove these weapons from our streets.”

After recovering two illegal short-barreled rifles which had been modified to function as fully automatic machineguns, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) began investigating the origin of the firearms. ATF learned that those two firearms and others had been manufactured by Garrett Hodnett. ATF learned that Hodnett was a suspect in a July 27, 2022, shooting of a dog in Gadsden County, as well as an incident on July 31, 2022, in Tallahassee, in which someone was threatened with a firearm.

On August 10, 2022, ATF and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office executed a federal search warrant at a residence where Hodnett was living. Various firearms, firearm parts, and ammunition were found, including an AK-47-style rifle which had been modified to fire as a machinegun, and an AK-47 drum-magazine. A handgun found during the search of the residence matched a shell casing recovered from the scene in Gadsden County on July 27, 2022, at which the dog had been shot.

“North Florida is much safer with this violent criminal behind bars,” said ATF Tampa Field Division Special Agent in Charge Kirk Howard. “This complex, year-long investigation ended in a success only because of a hardworking and talented team of agents, local partners and federal prosecutors.”

Hodnett was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he was a convicted felon. Hodnett had six prior felony convictions, including prior convictions involving the illegal possession of firearms, but his longest prior prison sentence had been 15 months’ incarceration.

Following his 120-month prison sentence, Hodnett will be on federal supervised release for three years.

This conviction was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Tallahassee Police Department, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, and the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain.

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

As part of its PSN strategy, the United States Attorney’s Office is encouraging everyone to lock their car doors, particularly at night. Burglaries from unlocked automobiles are a significant source of guns for criminals in the Northern District of Florida. Please do your part and protect yourself by locking your car doors.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA – Rx Express of Panama City, Florida, a locally owned and operated retail pharmacy, agreed to pay $60,000 to resolve allegations that it unlawfully filled controlled substances.  Laura Ann Gould, owner of Rx Express of Pharmacy of Panama City, Inc., entered into the civil settlement agreement with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida.  The settlement was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. 

“Pharmacies play a vital role in ensuring controlled substances are properly handled, accounted for, and dispensed.  They are a critical component in guarding against the diversion of controlled substances,” said Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.  “This settlement demonstrates our commitment to holding every level of the distribution chain, including pharmacies, accountable for Controlled Substance Act violations.  Our office will continue to work to actively combat the opioid crisis in our local communities.” 

Rx Express settled potential violations of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) by agreeing to pay a civil fine of $60,000 and entering into a compliance monitoring agreement with Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for a period of two (2) years.  Under the CSA, entities registered with the DEA who purchase, distribute, dispense, transfer, or sell controlled substances must comply with strict inventory, dispensing, and documentation requirements.  Regulations promulgated under the CSA require that each DEA registrant, including pharmacies, must maintain detailed and accurate records of each substance manufactured, received, sold, delivered, dispensed, or otherwise disposed of by the registrant.  These requirements play a vital role in ensuring the appropriate handling, accounting, and distribution of controlled substances for those with legitimate medical needs, while simultaneously preventing the diversion and abuse of controlled substances.  During its investigation of Rx Express, DEA identified at least 58 prescriptions that were filled outside the course of normal practice, including high dosage, high quantity, and combination therapeutic controlled substances issued by practitioners and providers located over 300 miles away from RX Express’s registered address, without corresponding documentation.   

“One of DEA’s top priorities is to ensure all DEA registrants, including pharmacies, follow the mandates of the Controlled Substances Act, including the accurate inventorying, tracking, and recordkeeping of controlled substances.  Failure to comply with these regulations can lead to the diversion of controlled substances, which jeopardizes the safety and health of our communities” said DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter. “This settlement underscores our commitment to combat the opioid crisis by working with our regulatory partners to ensure these rules and regulations are followed.”

This civil settlement agreement is not an admission of any liability by Rx Express of Panama City, nor a concession by the United States that its potential claims were not well-founded.

Assistant United States Attorneys Marie Moyle and Mary Ann Couch represented the United States in this matter, which was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Diversion Control Program.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Maurice Pearce Head, 38, of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“Hundreds of individuals are killed every day in communities throughout our country due to the distribution of fentanyl,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “Each of these deaths is a tragedy, robbing individuals of their promise and crippling families left behind with unimaginable grief.  We remain committed to working with our law enforcement partners to identify and aggressively prosecute those who distribute these addictive, controlled substances. This sentence serves as a significant deterrent to drug traffickers and demonstrates our resolve to hold them accountable.”

 Evidence introduced at the sentencing hearing established that Head conspired with others to distribute over 50 kilograms of methamphetamine and thousands of pills containing fentanyl in the Northern District of Florida and elsewhere.  On June 8, 2021, Head was found in possession of over a kilogram of a mixture of drugs containing methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin, during a federal search warrant at a warehouse in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Evidence introduced at the sentencing hearing also established that, while Head’s case was pending, he obstructed justice by attempting to offer to pay a witness $10,000 if that witness would agree not to testify against Head.

“Fentanyl remains the deadliest drug threat facing our communities.  Last year, over 110,000 American lives were lost to drug poisonings, with a majority of these deaths due to a synthetic opioid like illicit fentanyl,” said DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter. “The DEA Miami Field Division remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to aggressively pursue those who bring this poison into our Florida communities and to hold drug traffickers accountable for their crimes.”    

“We all know fentanyl alone, and/or laced with other drugs, is deadly. People dealing these drugs simply don’t care. We must continue to work to educate the public, but law enforcement agencies and their partners like the U.S. Attorney’s Office know putting dealers behind bars and out of business is a critical component of the multi-pronged attempt to hold dealers accountable for their crimes and try to save lives,” said Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden.

FDLE Pensacola Special Agent in Charge Chris Williams said, “Our agents proactively investigate drug dealers and trafficking organizations to intercept these dangerous drugs.  Still, fentanyl and methamphetamines kill thousands of Floridians each year. There is no doubt that investigating and arresting Maurice Head helped stop the flow of these dangerous drugs into our Northwest Florida communities.” 

“The Florida Highway Patrol is committed to enforcing the laws of Florida with an intentional effort to interdict and remove illicit controlled substances along Florida roadways that poison our communities,” said Colonel Gary Howze, Director of the Florida Highway Patrol. “The collaborative relationships between our partner federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies are key in the successful arrest and prosecutions of criminals.”

Head’s prison sentence will be followed by 5 years of supervised release.

This prosecution resulted from a combined investigation conducted by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Florida Highway Patrol.  Assistant United States Attorneys J. Ryan Love and Alicia H. Forbes prosecuted the case.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Nicholas Allen Walker, 30, of Pensacola, Florida, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to receiving and distributing child pornography. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“Protecting innocent children from sexual predators remains one of our highest priorities,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “I commend our law enforcement partners and prosecutors who work diligently to identify these predators and bring them to justice so that they can no longer exploit any child again. Due to their efforts, our community is safer, and this repeat offender is exactly where he belongs – back behind bars.”

On January 28, 2021, and February 18, 2021, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received information from a social media company regarding the defendant uploading files of child pornography. On April 8, 2021, investigators with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office interviewed the defendant and obtained a search warrant for his cellular telephone. The search of his cellular telephone revealed between December 16, 2020, and April 8, 2021, the defendant received and distributed numerous images and videos of child pornography using a social media application and text messages. 

Walker is a registered sex offender based on a prior state of Florida conviction relating to the offense of traveling to engage in sexual activity with a minor.

“This sentencing confirms that the FBI and our partners will stop at nothing to protect our children from predators who seek to exploit them," said Sherri E. Onks, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Jacksonville.  "Together, we have ensured one less predator is victimizing the most innocent and vulnerable members of our community.”

Walker’s prison sentence will be followed by a Lifetime of supervised release. Walker will continue to be required to register as a sex offender and be subject to all sex offender conditions.

This conviction was the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey M. Tharp prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

A Florida man was sentenced today to 60 years in prison for sexually abusing a child while traveling in Fiji.

According to court documents, Jason R. Moore, 43, of Milton, sexually abused a child on multiple occasions during trips to Fiji in 2013 and 2016. In late 2022, Moore was arrested in Santa Rosa County by special agents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).

Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Jason R. Coody for the Northern District of Florida, and Special Agent in Charge John Condon of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tampa made the announcement.

HSI, FDLE, and the New York State Police investigated the case.

Trial Attorney Adam Braskich of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney David L. Goldberg for the Northern District of Florida prosecuted the case.

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

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Jason R. Moore, 43, of Milton, Florida, was sentenced to sixty years in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to two counts of “Illicit Sexual Conduct in Foreign Places.” The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“There is no greater charge than the protection of our children,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “This sentence is yet another example of the unwavering commitment to the protection of our most vulnerable and should serve as a significant deterrent to those who would attempt to harm them. We will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those who engage in such heinous conduct.”

Moore engaged in “Illicit Sexual Conduct in Foreign Places” from March 2013 through February 2016.  Specifically, Moore engaged in these crimes in the Republic of Fiji.  Moore was arrested by Special Agents from the Department of Homeland Security and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in Santa Rosa County in late 2022 after victims of Moore’s crimes came forward regarding their sexual abuse.

Moore’s prison sentence will be followed by a Lifetime of supervised release. He will also be required to register as a sex offender and be subject to all sex offender conditions.

“Individuals who masquerade under a disguise of public trust and prey on the vulnerability of children in their own home should expect to be held fully accountable for their actions,” said HSI Tallahassee Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nicholas Ingegno. “I commend the victim for having the courage to come forward. HSI’s strong partnerships with HSI Buffalo and the New York State Police were key in holding this sexual predator responsible for turning a child into a lifelong victim.”

This case resulted from a joint investigation by the Department of Homeland Security, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the New York State Police.  Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg and Trial Attorney Adam Braskich of the Department of Justice’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section prosecuted the case.

FDLE Pensacola Special Agent in Charge Chris Williams said, “As a former preacher, Moore had plenty of access to children in a role that placed him in a position of trust for parents and the community.  Taking this dangerous predator off the streets was a priority for our agents.  I thank them for their commitment to this case as well as that of our partners. I’m glad to know Moore will be in prison for years to come.”

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Harold Lavern Benedict, 73, of Crestview, Florida, was found guilty by a federal jury for receiving and possessing images of child pornography. The guilty verdict returned Wednesday afternoon, at the conclusion of a three-day trial, was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“Protecting innocent children from sexual predators remains one of our highest priorities,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “I commend our law enforcement partners and prosecutors who work tirelessly to identify these predators and bring them to justice so that they may never exploit a child again. Due to their collective efforts, our community is safer, and this repeat offender is exactly where he belongs – back behind bars.”

On June 27, 2022, a father was at Yellow River Park with his children in Milligan, Florida, and purchased gasoline for an older man who was stranded. The older man requested the father’s address and phone number to send him money, and when the father declined, the older man, who claimed to refurbish computers for a living, offered the father a laptop for his children. Upon arriving home, the father vetted the computer prior to giving it to his children, only to discover it contained child pornography. The father immediately contacted the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office (OSCO) and provided the laptop. Through the investigation, law enforcement was able to link a phone number, provided by the older man, to Harold Lavern Benedict, a local registered sex offender due to prior convictions for Attempted Sexual Battery on a Child Under 12, and Lewd and Lascivious Act. OCSO Investigators interviewed Benedict on September 2, 2022, and he admitted to using foreign internet web browsers to obtain child pornography at least once per month. Law enforcement obtained search warrants for several of Benedict’s electronic devices and determined that Benedict possessed over 700 images of child pornography. Benedict was engaged in such conduct from at least 2019 through 2023.

“This is an unusual case where all the pieces fell into place to expose the ongoing and disturbing criminal conduct of this individual,” said Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden. “Once again, due to the dedication and expertise of our investigators and federal partners with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, another child pornography consumer will be taken off our streets.”

“This recidivist sexual offender fed his perversion through a vast collection of explicit imagery depicting the sexual abuse of children,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tallahassee Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nicholas Ingengo. “This case is yet another example of the unwavering commitment of HSI, alongside our law enforcement partners in Florida’s Panhandle, to investigate and vigorously prosecute those who prey upon our children.”

Sentencing is scheduled for November 15, 2023, at 2:00 p.m., at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before United States District Judge T Kent Wetherell, II. Based on his prior child sex offense conviction, Benedict faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years in federal prison, with a maximum of 40 years imprisonment.

This conviction was the result of an investigation conducted by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Department of Homeland Security. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Callahan prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

WASHINGTON – A former federal correctional officer was sentenced to three months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release – the first three months of supervised release will be on home detention – for sexual abuse of an individual in federal custody. He will also pay a $1,000 fine, a $5,000 Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act assessment, a $100 special monetary assessment, and be required to register as a sex offender and be subject to all sex offender conditions.

According to court documents, between October 2021, and August 2022, Lenton Jerome Hatten, 54, of Tallahassee, Florida, engaged in repeated sexual acts with an inmate while employed as a sports specialist for the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) at the Federal Correctional Institution in Tallahassee (FCI Tallahassee). Immediately after being reported, a forensic examination was conducted of the victim by a sexual assault nurse examiner. DNA evidence confirmed a likely link between Hatten and the victim.

At the time of the report, Hatten was on vacation leave and when made aware, he resigned his position. As such, Hatten had no further contact with inmates.

“As this prosecution demonstrates, the Department of Justice remains dedicated to rooting out sexual misconduct at the Bureau of Prisons,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “Any BOP employee who abuses their position of authority and mistreats those in their custody will be held accountable.”

“No inmate should ever experience sexual abuse or abuse of any kind at the hands of a Bureau of Prisons employee. My office will continue to aggressively pursue justice for victims of such heinous acts,” said Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz.

“Without exception, all people, including those serving sentences in correctional facilities, are entitled to protection of their physical safety and civil rights” said FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate. “This defendant repeatedly sexually abused an inmate in his care and thanks to the victim’s bravery in coming forward, future abuse has been prevented. Today’s case shows that the FBI will investigate anyone who violates federal law, regardless of their position, and hold those responsible for enforcing it to the highest standard.”

“The abuse of any inmate by correctional officers is intolerable,” said U.S. Attorney Coody for the Northern District of Florida. “Sentences of confinement are imposed to account for the inmate’s criminal conduct and afford educational and vocational skills to aid in rehabilitation. The inmate’s dignity and safety are not surrendered at the prison door. This office will vigorously investigate and prosecute any officer who violates their oath through abuse of inmates entrusted to their care and custody.”

The DOJ-OIG and FBI investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney James A. McCain for the Northern District of Florida prosecuted the case.

PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA – Real Estate Broker Chad Wade, 41, of Panama City, Florida, along with his companies Ideal Property Holdings, LLC; Grand Panama Resort Properties, LLC; Beach Life Properties PCB, LLC; First Texas Mortgage, LLC; PCB Limousine, LLC; South Houston Vending Company, LLC; and Emerald Oak Stables, LLC, have agreed to settle allegations that they violated the False Claims Act (“FCA”) by knowingly providing false information in support of multiple Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (“EIDL”) loans. The settlement was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“The theft of any amount of taxpayer funds is inexcusable,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “However, the defendant’s deceptive acts of diverting millions of dollars in emergency financial assistance from small businesses during the pandemic is beyond the pale. This civil resolution and the forthcoming criminal sentence will punish the defendant’s criminal conduct and should serve as a significant deterrent to those who would steal from hardworking taxpayers to unlawfully enrich themselves. With our law enforcement partners, we remain committed to investigating and prosecuting those who engage in acts of COVID-related fraud.”

The United States alleged that from in or about April 2020, through June 2021, Wade prepared and submitted, or caused to be submitted, false and fraudulent applications and documents to obtain four EIDL loans and fourteen PPP loans totaling $1,506,803.  Wade submitted numerous false documents, including false federal tax documents, false state tax documents, and false employee wage reports.  The United States further alleged that Wade used the EIDL and PPP funds to grow his real estate businesses by purchasing and paying off properties; purchasing a vacation villa in Mexico; buying a red 1981 Ferrari (among other luxury items); paying personal expenses; and otherwise funding a lavish lifestyle, in direct violation of the terms of the EIDL and PPP programs.  The United States also alleged that Wade prepared and submitted, or caused to be submitted, false and fraudulent forgiveness applications wherein he falsely certified that the entire loan amounts were used to pay eligible business costs.

“Falsifying information to gain access to vital federal funds intended to support American small businesses is deplorable,” said SBA OIG’s Eastern Region Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite. “Today’s settlement sends a strong message that those responsible will be held accountable. I want to thank the U.S. Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners for their dedication and pursuit of justice.”

On July 7, 2023, Wade plead guilty to three criminal counts in connection with the fraudulent EIDL and PPP loans: (1) Wire Fraud; (2) Money Laundering; and (3) Bankruptcy Fraud.  His sentencing is scheduled for October 19, 2023.

Wade agreed to pay $4,027,804.69 in damages and penalties under the FCA, of which $1,579,531.25 is restitution.

The civil matter was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Mary Ann Couch and Marie Moyle and the criminal matter was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Corey J. Smith from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, with assistance from the U.S. Small Business Admission Office of General Counsel and the U.S. Small Business Admission Office of Inspector General.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Phillip Timothy Howard, 62, of Tallahassee, Florida, plead guilty today to racketeering (RICO).  Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the guilty plea.

Court documents reflect between in or about December 2015, and in or about January 2018, Howard, a Florida attorney, along with others, was associated with and employed by an Enterprise, that is, his Tallahassee law firm (Howard & Associates, P.A.), and several Tallahassee investment companies (Cambridge Capital Group, LLC; Cambridge Capital Wealth Advisors, LLC; Cambridge Capital Advisors, LLC; Cambridge Capital Funding, Inc., Cambridge Capital Group Equity Option Opportunities, L.P.; and Cambridge Capital Partners, L.P.).  During this time, Howard, along with others, knowingly, willfully, and unlawfully conducted and participated in the conduct of the affairs of the Enterprise, through a pattern of racketeering activity, namely, wire fraud and money laundering. Howard engaged in such racketeering activity through multiple acts of wire fraud related to his representation of former NFL players in a class-action lawsuit. These clients were potentially eligible for settlement payouts from the NFL, and as part of his representation, Howard fraudulently enticed his clients to invest their retirement funds with his investment companies. However, Howard failed to disclose and misrepresented to these former NFL player investors the structure of the Enterprise, and the conflicts of interest and the criminal background of persons associated with or employed by the Enterprise. 

Howard failed to disclose and misrepresented the true nature of investment companies’ funds and the actual investments made by the former NFL player investors. Despite reassuring investors that their money was secure, Howard never informed them that almost none of investment funds yielded a return and failed to disclose that the investment funds had been commingled with funds used to operate his law firm and to issue payroll for its staff, pay Howard’s personal mortgages, and otherwise personally enrich Howard. The former NFL player investors were provided quarterly and year-end investment statements which were inaccurate. These investment statements indicated that investor funds were allocated into two separate investment funds, including a fund designed specifically to invest in equities. In reality, there were no separated, dedicated investment funds, and the bank accounts for the Enterprise had little or no money. Howard and others fraudulently obtained over $4 million through such conduct.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 6, 2023, at 9:00 a.m., at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee before the Honorable United States District Judge Allen Winsor. Howard faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for racketeering and a maximum term of 3 years of supervised release following any prison sentence that is imposed.

This case resulted from a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service–Criminal Investigations, with assistance from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Justin M. Keen and David P. Byron.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – After a three-day trial, a federal jury in Pensacola, found Quinton L. Pete, 34, of Ocala, Florida, guilty of Attempted Hobbs Act Robbery and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. The guilty verdict was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

On March 9, 2022, a few minutes before 4:00 a.m., two employees at Coyote’s Sports Bar, which is next to Cordova Mall in Pensacola, were shot at point blank range by Pete during an attempted robbery of the business. The victims were not able to identify the shooter at the time because of their wounds, but they provided a general description to law enforcement. Law enforcement obtained surveillance videos from surrounding businesses and identified a white Jeep Grand Cherokee in the area at the time of the crime.  Pete was apprehended the next day in Dallas, Texas driving a matching white Jeep Grand Cherokee that was registered to him. Pete was in possession of the firearm that was used in the commission of the robbery, as later identified by ballistics comparison. Pete’s phone location also placed him in the area at the time he committed the crime. 

Pete has prior felony convictions for Burglary of a Dwelling with a Firearm, Grand Theft, and Shooting at within or into a Dwelling, and was released from prison only seven months prior to these offenses.

Sentencing in the case is set for October 26, 2023, at 1:00 p.m., at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before United States District Judge T.K. Wetherell. Pete faces a maximum of 30 years imprisonment.

This conviction was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Pensacola Police Department, Department of Homeland Security, Grand Prairie Police Department in Dallas, Texas, the United States Marshals, and the Office of the State Attorney, First Judicial Circuit. Assistant United States Attorneys David L. Goldberg and Jessica S. Etherton prosecuted the case.

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

As part of its PSN strategy, the United States Attorney’s Office is encouraging everyone to lock their car doors, particularly at night. Burglaries from unlocked automobiles are a significant source of guns for criminals in the Northern District of Florida. Please do your part and protect yourself by locking your car doors.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Foster Darnell Johnson, Sr., 37, of Pensacola, Florida, was sentenced to eight years in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and for possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, hydrocodone, and large volumes of marijuana.  The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“Removing firearms from the hands of violent felons, here an intoxicated drug trafficker who had twice been convicted of domestic battery, undoubtedly makes our community safer,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “The deputies of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office are to be commended for their swift response to this volatile situation. With their dedicated efforts, we remain committed to fighting violent crime and holding criminals accountable for their conduct.”

On August 13, 2022, in the early morning hours, Johnson returned home with his wife from an evening of drinking.  A domestic dispute ensued, and Johnson fired a pistol down the hallway of the second story of the residence where three minor children had been sleeping.  Johnson then entered one of the minor children’s bedrooms with the pistol, at which point his wife dialed 911, in fear of her and her children’s lives.  Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the residence and secured a search warrant.  During the search of the residence, law enforcement discovered two shotguns, one of which was an AR-style shotgun, co-located with over eighteen pounds of marijuana, crack cocaine, hydrocodone, digital scales, and Ziploc baggies, in Johnson’s bedroom.  Deputies also located the pistol used during the domestic violence incident, the discharged casing, and a significant volume of ammunition.  Johnson was a prior convicted felon, had two previous convictions of battery domestic violence, and was prohibited from possessing firearms. 

Johnson’s imprisonment will be followed by 3-years of supervised release during which he will be required to participate in anger management and domestic violence counseling.

This conviction was the result of an investigation conducted by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Callahan prosecuted the case.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Christopher E. Hoffman, 35, of Milton, Florida was sentenced to life in federal prison after an earlier guilty verdict for engaging in a child exploitation enterprise, receiving child pornography, and distributing child pornography.  The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“There is no greater charge than the protection of our children,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “This sentence is yet another example of the unwavering commitment to the protection of our most vulnerable and should serve as a significant deterrent to those who would attempt to harm them. We will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those who engage in such heinous conduct.”

In May of 2021, while investigating an online child pornography chat group, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agents saw a message from the defendant’s online persona “Insario” indicating that he had access to a child that he was sexually abusing and grooming for future abuse.  Investigators were able to trace the online profile back to the defendant at his address in Milton, Florida.  The arrest of the defendant and the search of his home resulted in the seizure of several electronic devices, which contained multiple images of child pornography, in addition to over 2,000 images stored in his online account. 

“This case is another example of the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office partnering up with our federal agencies to get an animal off the streets,” said Sheriff Johnson. “The number one responsibility of government is the protection of its citizens. This case is a perfect example of that.”

Agents were able to identify the child victim.  Specially trained investigators interviewed the child and revealed details of the abuse.  When confronted, the defendant admitted to it as well. 

 “This well-deserved life sentence should serve as a notice to all who victimize our children -- you will be held accountable,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tallahassee Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nicholas Ingegno. “This is a testament to the professional partnerships with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, and the Northern District of Florida U.S. Attorney’s Office.”

FDLE Pensacola Special Agent in Charge Chris Williams said, “This is a just sentence resulting from the hard work of multiple law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The FDLE is proud to work alongside our partners seeking justice daily.”

If ever released, Hoffman will be on supervised release for the remainder of his life, and he will be required to register as a sex offender. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys David L. Goldberg and Walter E. Narramore prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

After two hours of deliberation, a jury in Gainesville, Florida, convicted David Emanuel, 62, on all counts for committing hate crimes for his racially motivated attack on a group of Black men who were surveying land along a public road in Rosewood, Florida.

On March 15, Emanuel was charged with willfully intimidated of the victims, F.D.D., and attempted to injure and intimidate F.D.D. through the use Emanuel’s vehicle, because of F.D.D.’s race and color and because F.D.D. was using a public facility. Emanuel was also charged for willfully intimidating and attempting to intimidate five additional victims, through the use of Emanuel’s vehicle because of the victims’ race and color and because the victims were using a public facility.  According to the indictment, all six victims were Black males who were surveying land owned by one of the victims at the time of the offenses.

Evidence at trial proved that on Sept. 6, 2022, Emanuel found the victims surveying land adjacent to a public roadway near the location of the 1923 Rosewood Massacre. When the defendant came upon the victims, who were on the public roadway, he shouted racial slurs and expletives at them, including “[racial slur] get out of these woods” before driving a pickup truck directly at the group, nearly striking one of them. At trial, one witness testified that Emanuel admitted that he “came at those [expletives],” and that he “would have [expletive]d up all those Black [expletive]. Video evidence showed that after he was arrested, Emanuel complained that he was “getting treated like this [expletive] over a [expletive] [racial slur].” One witness testified that the defendant came “within inches” of striking one of the victims and that one victim, “nearly lost his life that day.” No victims suffered physical injury as a result of the defendant’s racially motivated attack.

“This defendant is being held accountable for intimidating a group of men and weaponizing his vehicle to attack them,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “As we marked 100 years since the horrific 1923 Rosewood Massacre, this verdict should send a strong message that violent, racially motivated conduct will not be tolerated in our society. The Justice Department is committed to aggressively enforcing our federal civil rights laws.”

“Despicable, hate-fueled crimes such as these have no place in our state or country,” said U.S. Attorney Jason R. Coody for the Northern District of Florida. “The violence directed toward these victims, based solely on their race, is abhorrent and will not be tolerated. With the dedicated assistance of our law enforcement partners, we will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute civil rights violations to ensure justice for those victimized by hate.”

“Horrific acts of hate-motivated violence like this are devastating to families and communities,” said Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “The FBI is fiercely committed to investigating civil rights violations and holding perpetrators accountable.”

The FBI Jacksonville Field Office and Gainesville Resident Agency investigated the case, with assistance from the Levy County Sheriff’s Office. 

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kaitlin Weiss and Frank Williams for the Northern District of Florida and Trial Attorney Laura-Kate Bernstein of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – A federal judge sentenced the fourth defendant in a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking organization operating primarily in Washington County.  The convictions and sentences were announced by Jason R. Coody United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. 

The defendants and their sentences were:

•  Ashley Zurica, 43, of Caryville, Florida, 220 months in prison
•  Ashley Brown, 41, of Caryville, Florida, 180 months in prison
•  Donald Skipper, 55, of Chipley, Florida, 180 months in prison
•  William Carter, 52, of Wausau, Florida, 168 months in prison

“Methamphetamine distribution is a scourge on large and small communities of our district,” stated U.S. Attorney Coody. “With our dedicated law enforcement partners, we are committed to identifying and aggressively prosecuting those who threaten our citizens’ health and safety by distributing such addictive, controlled substances. These sentences demonstrate that resolve.”

All will be on supervised release when they are eventually released from custody.

In 2019, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Panama City Resident Office Task Force initiated an investigation targeting the distribution of multiple kilograms of methamphetamine by Ashley Zurica, Ashley Brown, Donald Skipper, William Carter, and others in Washington county and surrounding areas of north Florida.  Over the course of the three-year investigation, DEA, working with state and local partners, compiled evidence to secure indictments on four Federal defendants in the Northern District of Florida in addition to indictments in other federal districts and multiple State of Florida defendants.  The investigation led to the seizure of several kilograms of methamphetamine, and the identification of illegal drug sources in Florida, Alabama, and Georgia. 

“Our work with the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Northern District of Florida and DEA is resulting in convictions and removing illegal narcotics from our community,” said Washington County Sheriff Kevin Crews. “We remain committed to working with our federal, local, and state law enforcement partners to keep these highly addictive and destructive drugs out of our community.”

“Methamphetamine is a highly addictive and destructive substance, which can inflict great harm to our communities,” said DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter.  “The success of this investigation is a direct result of the collaboration between the DEA Miami Field Division and our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, working together to keep our communities safe and healthy.”

This case resulted from a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Chipley Police Department, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Washington County State’s Attorney Office. Assistant United States Attorney Walter Narramore prosecuted the case.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Marcus D. Flintroy, 32, of Pensacola, Florida, was found guilty by a federal jury Wednesday afternoon on two counts of distribution of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The guilty verdict was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

Between December 8, 2022, and January 5, 2023, Flintroy distributed and possessed with intent to distribute approximately 200 grams of fentanyl in Pensacola. As revealed at trial, this was an extremely large amount of a lethal controlled substance. The evidence against Flintroy culminated with a traffic stop conducted by law enforcement, which Flintroy tried to evade by ramming his vehicle into multiple undercover law enforcement vehicles.  Flintroy then ran on foot when his vehicle became disabled, but he was caught by law enforcement officers. In his vehicle, law enforcement located approximately 100 grams of fentanyl, numerous items of drug paraphernalia, a loaded assault rifle, a loaded pistol, and over 180 rounds of ammunition.   

Flintroy has prior state felony convictions for offenses ranging from fleeing and eluding law enforcement, aggravated assault with a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, grand theft auto, and sell, manufacture, deliver, or possess with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver a controlled substance. Flintroy had just been released from state prison in late 2021 before engaging in the new federal offenses.

Sentencing in the case is set for October 19, 2023, at 9:00 a.m., at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers. Based on his prior criminal history, Flintroy faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years in federal prison with a maximum of up to life imprisonment.

This case resulted from a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Highway Patrol, the Pensacola Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives. Assistant United States Attorneys David L. Goldberg and Jessica S. Etherton prosecuted the case.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. 

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.