Northern District of Florida

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Kendall Ivan Brown, 41, of Okaloosa County, Florida, was sentenced to twenty-five years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“I am proud of our federal, state, and local partners for their tireless efforts to keep us safe and serve a critical role in our efforts to remove addictive and deadly controlled substances from our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “We will continue to support the efforts our law enforcement partners as we work together to investigate and prosecute criminals bringing drugs into North Florida.”

In August 2021, U.S. Postal Inspectors identified multiple packages shipped from Puerto Rico to addresses in Okaloosa County, Florida, over several months, containing large quantities of cocaine.  Working with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration, investigators were able to identify Brown as the recipient and determine that he was receiving the packages at several different addresses in Fort Walton Beach, Shalimar, and Crestview.  On November 16, 2021, investigators executed search warrants at three locations associated with Brown and discovered over eight kilograms of cocaine.  At one of the locations, the cocaine was concealed with a loaded Sig Sauer 9mm pistol. 

This case resulted from a joint investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Walter Narramore 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, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

Charles Edward Rowe, 40, of Pensacola, Florida, was sentenced to thirty years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“Those who repeatedly commit serious crimes are deserving of significant prison sentences,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “This career criminal has demonstrated his unwillingness to abide by the law, committing repeated drug crimes. Given the outstanding work of our state, local, and federal law enforcement partners, he will no longer be distributing drugs in our community.”

On July 27, 2021, as part of an ongoing investigation, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Gun Crimes Unit and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives executed a search warrant at a Pensacola hotel.  Rowe, a Career Offender with several violent and narcotics-related prior convictions, was found in possession of distribution amounts of various controlled substances, including over two kilograms of pills containing methamphetamine, crystal methamphetamine, cocaine, cocaine base, and marijuana, as well as a loaded Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol and a loaded Hi-Point .40 caliber pistol.  At the time of his arrest, Rowe was on state probation for Grand Theft, Felony Battery, and Domestic Battery by Strangulation.   

Assistant United States Attorney Amanda Gordon prosecuted the case, which resulted from a joint investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

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.

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Jorge Mario Velasquez, 40, of Nayarit, Mexico, was sentenced to 211 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin and 400 grams or more of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the sentence.

“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 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.”

Velasquez was on State reporting probation at the time of the offense for possession of a controlled substance. The evidence showed that Velasquez, along with co-conspirators, conspired to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl pills and heroin throughout the Northern District of Florida and elsewhere. Investigation led to the seizure of over thousands of fentanyl pills, powder heroin, two pistols, and an AR-15 style rifle, along with multiple boxes of ammunition. Velasquez’s prison sentence will be followed by five years of supervised release.

“Synthetic opioids, like fentanyl, are the primary cause of drug overdose and poisoning deaths in our country.  The individuals responsible for bringing this poison into our Florida communities will be held accountable for their actions,” said Drug Enforcement Administration Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter. “The success of this investigation is a direct result of strength of our relationships with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners.  The DEA Miami Field Division is dedicated to continuing these partnerships to keep our Florida communities safe and healthy.”

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney David Byron 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.

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Two Alachua County men, each with multiple prior felony convictions, were sentenced on December 6, 2022, to federal prison terms ranging from 18 to 19.5 years followed by supervised release for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. The sentences were announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“The collaborative efforts of our partners in the Gainesville Gun Violence Initiative continue to produce impactful results, and we will continue working tirelessly to make North Florida safer,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “These sentences ensures that our community will be safer and sends a message that there are real and severe consequences for federal firearm offenses.”

“The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office will continue to work tirelessly in cooperation with our fellow law enforcement agencies to eradicate gun violence in our community,” said Alachua County Sheriff Clovis Watson, Jr.

Keith Dawayne Puryear, 42, of Gainesville, was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison followed by a term of supervised release. Puryear was observed by a Gainesville Police Department (GPD) officer running a stop sign just before 3:30 a.m. on the morning of April 13, 2022. When the officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop, Puryear pulled onto a residential street and then quickly exited the driver’s seat and fled on foot through residential yards in the neighborhood. The GPD officer observed that Puryear was carrying a pistol in his hand as he fled. A K9 officer responded to the scene and conducted a track, ultimately locating Puryear hiding inside a doghouse in another residential backyard, where he was apprehended. Puryear is a multi-time convicted felon and had outstanding felony arrest warrants out of Marion County. Officers located a Crown Royal bag near one of Puryear’s shoes along his path of flight which was found to contain crack cocaine. The firearm was not located that night, but an officer went back to the scene after sunrise and located a loaded 10-millimeter pistol that had been discarded by Puryear during the chase. This pistol had been reported stolen out of Lake County, Florida. DNA consistent with Puryear was recovered from the firearm. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms conducted a follow-up investigation. Puryear had prior felony convictions including Sale of Cocaine (x4), Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Sell (x4), Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon (x3), Sale of Cannabis, Possession of Cannabis with Intent to Sell (x4), Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Eluding Law Enforcement (x3), Possession of Cocaine (x5), Possession of Alprazolam, Grand Theft Auto, and Felony Driving While License is Suspended (x4).

Alphonso Columbus Richardson, 43, of Gainesville, was sentenced to more than 19.5 years in federal prison followed by a term of supervised release. Richardson matched the physical description of a wanted subject that was driving a relative’s vehicle without authorization. An Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) deputy located the vehicle at a gas station in Gainesville on the night of January 5, 2022. The deputy observed Richardson get into the driver’s seat and another man get into the front passenger seat. When Richardson started to drive through the parking lot, the deputy conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. Richardson initially attempted to flee the scene but was boxed in by other deputies responding to assist. Richardson then attempted to flee on foot but got tangled in the seat belt and then made furtive movements back into the area of the driver’s seat. Deputies detained him and eventually observed a revolver wedged between the driver’s seat and the center console. Deputies confirmed he was a convicted felon and arrested him. During a search of his person, deputies located an additional ten (10) rounds of ammunition and during a later search of Richardson’s person, they located multiple baggies of suspected methamphetamine, cocaine, MDPV, and marijuana. DNA consistent with Richardson was recovered from the firearm. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms conducted a follow-up investigation. Richardson had prior felony convictions including Sale of Cocaine (x3), Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Sell (x3), Sale of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Cannabis with Intent to Sell, Possession of Ammunition by Convicted Felon (x2), Felony Battery – Repeat Offender, Burglary of a Dwelling, Resisting an Officer with Violence, Sale of Substance in Lieu of Controlled Substance, Grand Theft Auto (x2), Possession of Cocaine (x2), Possession of MDMA, and Possession of a Controlled Substance without a Prescription. 

Assistant United States Attorney Chris Elsey prosecuted the cases, which were investigated by the Gainesville Police Department, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, all member agencies of the Gainesville Gun Violence Initiative.  

These federal convictions result from the joint efforts of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies that form the Gainesville Gun Violence Initiative (GVI).  The Gainesville GVI was established in April 2019, by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida in an effort to stem the escalating gun violence in Gainesville and the surrounding area.  As GVI partners, the State Attorney’s Office for the Eight Judicial Circuit, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Gainesville Police Department, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, the Alachua Police Department, the University of Florida Police Department, and the Florida Department of Corrections share this commitment to protecting public safety.   

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 – A federal grand jury has returned a six-count indictment against Joseph Harding, 35, of Williston, Florida. The indictment was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

The Indictment alleges that between December 1, 2020, and March 1, 2021, Harding committed two acts of wire fraud by participating in a scheme to defraud the Small Business Administration (SBA) and for obtaining coronavirus-related small business loans by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises, and for the purpose of executing such scheme, caused wire communications to be transmitted in interstate commerce. The Indictment alleges that Harding made and caused to be made false and fraudulent SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) applications, and made false representations in supporting loan documentation, in the names of dormant business entities, submitted to the SBA.  The Indictment further alleges that Harding obtained fraudulently created bank statements for one of the dormant business entities which were used as supporting documentation for one of his fraudulent EIDL loan applications. By this conduct, the indictment alleges that Harding fraudulently obtained and attempted to obtain more than $150,000 in funds from the SBA to which he was not entitled.  Harding is also charged with two counts of engaging in monetary transactions with funds derived from unlawful activity related to his transfer of the fraudulently obtained EIDL proceeds into two bank accounts, and two counts of making false statements to the SBA.

Trial for Harding is scheduled for Wednesday, January 11, 2023, at 8:30 a.m., at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville, Florida, before the Honorable United States District Judge Allen Winsor.

The maximum terms of imprisonment for the offenses are as follows:

• 20 years: Wire Fraud
• 10 years: Money Laundering
• 5 years:  Making False Statements

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

An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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 – Trevor Alec Hruby, 24, of Gainesville, Florida, was sentenced to 120 years in prison after pleading guilty to four 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.”

Between December 2020 and September 2021, while employed at a local preschool and daycare center, Hruby sexually victimized and produced sexually explicit images of numerous children in his care. The images were found in Hruby’s possession and involved minors under the age of 6.

Chief Lonnie Scott of the Gainesville Police Department issued the following statement: “One of the primary responsibilities of law enforcement is to protect our most precious resources; our children. I offer my sincere gratitude and appreciation for the collaboration between the Gainesville Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Attorney’s Office in removing this threat from our community. Together, working with our community we will diligently pursue those that prey on our children and make sure they never have the opportunity to victimize another child.”

If released from imprisonment, Hruby will be supervised for the remainder of his life. He will be required to register as a sex offender and will be subject to all sex offender conditions. The Court also ordered $142,500 in restitution to provide for counseling to the victims in the case.

"Instead of protecting vulnerable children in our community, this defendant chose to abuse his position of authority and sexually exploit them," said Sherri E. Onks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division.  "Today's sentencing demonstrates the unwavering dedication of the FBI and our law enforcement partners to seek justice for our most innocent victims."

Hruby is also facing separate, related state charges which are being prosecuted by the State Attorney’s Office for 8th Judicial Circuit.

The case was investigated by the Gainesville Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney F.T. Williams.

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 – A federal jury in Gainesville convicted Edwin Giovanny Mendoza-Verdugo, 20, of Sinaloa, Mexico, on one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, further finding Mendoza-Verdugo responsible for 40-400 grams of fentanyl, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.  The guilty verdict, returned at the conclusion of a three-day trial, was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

Evidence introduced during the trial revealed Mendoza-Verdugo, along with co-conspirators Helio Rolando Lopez-Elizalde and Jorge Mario Velasquez, conspired to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl pills throughout the Northern District of Florida and elsewhere. The Drug Enforcement Administration, based on a tip from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, began investigating Mendoza-Verdugo and his co-conspirators in April of 2022.

After conducting surveillance, the DEA and ACSO seized fentanyl pills, disguised as marked Oxycodone pills, as well as two pistols, from the three conspirators as part of a traffic interdiction in Alachua County, Florida. Further investigation led to the discovery of a shared hotel room where Mendoza-Verdugo and his co-conspirators stored additional fentanyl pills, an AR-15 style rifle, and multiple boxes of ammunition. Co-conspirators Lopez-Elizalde and Velasquez pled guilty prior to trial and are currently awaiting sentencing.

Mendoza-Verdugo’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 21, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville before United States District Judge Allen C. Winsor. Mendoza-Verdugo faces 10 to 60 years imprisonment, 4 years to life supervised release, and a fine of up to $5,250,000.

This conviction resulted from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney David P. Byron 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. Moore, 42, of Milton, Florida, has been arrested on a federal criminal complaint. Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charge today after Moore made his initial appearance in federal court in Pensacola.

The criminal complaint alleges that Moore engaged in “Illicit Sexual Conduct in Foreign Places” from March 2013 through February 2016.  Specifically, Moore is alleged to have 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 on Friday in Santa Rosa County.

Moore was ordered detained and will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service.

The case is being investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the New York State Police.  If you have any relevant information involving Jason R. Moore and his contact with minors, and would like to speak with an investigator, please contact Homeland Security Investigations and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement at 850-595-2100 - Attn: Special Agents Ed Vincent/Vanessa Carmona/Andrew LaFlam.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg and Trial Attorney Adam Braskich of the Department of Justice’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section. 

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.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation by a sworn affiant that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to due process, to include a fair trial, during which it is the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

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 – William Cater Elliott, 61, of Gulf Breeze, Florida was sentenced to one year in federal prison after pleading guilty on May 4, 2022, to three counts of tax evasion for the years of 2015, 2016, and 2017.  Elliot was a former attorney and the sole proprietor of William C. Elliott Associates, P.A., law firm, in Gulf Breeze, Florida.  The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“The United States relies on the payment of taxes to defend our country and maintain its operations,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “We will investigate and prosecute those who falsely misrepresent their income – whether by traditional evasion or the filing of fraudulent documents.”

In addition to the federal imprisonment, Elliot was ordered to pay $211,073.00 in restitution, and $116,896.25 in cost of prosecution fees. Elliot’s imprisonment will be followed by three years of supervised release – with the first three months to be served on Home Confinement.  

“Devising fictitious loan documents intended to conceal the true facts from the IRS isn't just bending the rules; it's fraud,” said IRS-CI Acting Special Agent in Charge Ron Loecker.  “Every American who pays their taxes should be offended by individuals such as Mr. Elliott who use similar schemes to avoid paying their fair share. Today’s sentencing should serve as a warning to others considering following Mr. Elliott’s poor example – the risk of being caught will only increase.” 

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation Division. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Grogan 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 – A federal grand jury has returned a one-count indictment charging Phillip Timothy Howard, 61, of Tallahassee, Florida, with racketeering (RICO).  The indictment was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

According to the indictment, 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.).  The indictment further alleges that 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. Specifically, the indictment alleges that Howard engaged in such racketeering activity in three ways. 

First, it is alleged that Howard represented former NFL players in a class-action lawsuit who were eligible for settlement payouts from the NFL, and as part of that representation, Howard fraudulently enticed his clients to invest their retirement funds with his investment companies.  However, it is also alleged that 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.  It is further alleged that Howard failed to disclose and misrepresented the true nature of investment companies’ funds and the actual investments made by the former NFL player investors.  The indictment also alleges that 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 home mortgages, and otherwise personally enrich Howard.  It is alleged that Howard and others fraudulently obtained and attempted to obtain over $4 million through such conduct.

Second, the indictment alleges that 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 also to Howard as litigation funding for the NFL class-action lawsuit.  To obtain such funds for himself and his clients, it is alleged that Howard provided false and fraudulent information, including numerous material misrepresentations and omissions, to the lenders. It is alleged that Howard and others fraudulently obtained and attempted to obtain over $10 million from third-party lenders through such conduct.

Third, the indictment alleges that Howard solicited a person to invest in a real estate project located in Jacksonville, Florida, and in doing so, promised the investor certain returns on the investment within a specified period of time.  It is further alleged that after the investor money transferred money to the investment company, Howard and an employee falsely told the investor that additional money was needed in order to close that real estate deal, and that the investor was guaranteed to receive a certain return on that investment within a specified period of time.  In reliance on this false promise, it is alleged that the investor transferred additional proceeds to the investment company.  The indictment alleges that several months later, the investor was falsely told by Howard that the real estate investment funds were secure and would be returned to her.  It is alleged that Howard fraudulently obtained and attempted to obtain over $520,000 from this investor through this conduct.

Trial for Howard is scheduled for January 30, 2023, at 8:15 a.m., at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee before the Honorable United States Chief District Judge Mark E. Walker. 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.  Assistant United States Attorneys Justin M. Keen and David Byron are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

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 – Lorenzo Joshua Johnson, Jr., 41, of Gainesville, Florida, was sentenced to 27.25 years in federal prison after he was convicted at trial of drug trafficking and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon on April 8, 2022.  The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“The collaborative efforts of our partners in the Gainesville Gun Violence Initiative continue to produce impactful results, and we will continue working tirelessly to make North Florida safer,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “This sentence ensures that our community will be safer and sends a message that there are real and severe consequences for federal firearm offenses.”

Johnson will serve concurrent sentences of 5 years for the Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana and 27.25 years for the Possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon charges.  Johnson’s prison sentence will be followed by 10 years of supervised release

“On behalf of the Gainesville Police Department, I want to express my appreciation to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the successful prosecution of this case,” said Chief Lonnie Scott, Gainesville Police Department.  “The collaboration exhibited by the law enforcement agencies involved in this investigation is an exemplar of the power of teamwork. Thank you all for helping to keep our community safe.”

“We are more effective in our efforts to combat gun violence when we work together with our fellow law enforcement partners and will continue to make public safety a number one priority for our community,” said Alachua County Sheriff Clovis Watson, Jr.

On December 5, 2019, detectives with the Gainesville-Alachua County Drug Task Force conducted a surveillance operation in the Porter’s neighborhood in Gainesville, Florida, after receiving citizen complaints about narcotics activity.  These complaints included specific information about Johnson being one of the primary drug dealers in the neighborhood.  During the surveillance operation that day, detectives observed Johnson engaging in hand-to-hand transactions and collecting cash from other street-level dealers.  They also observed Johnson to be wearing a distinctive backpack and driving a white Chevrolet Impala.  Towards the end of the surveillance operation, detectives called in marked patrol units to detain several suspects who had been observed engaging in suspected drug transactions, to include Johnson.  A search of Johnson’s person revealed over $600 cash and the key to the white Chevrolet Impala he had been seen driving.  Johnson was arrested that day for driving on a suspended driver’s license, he bonded out of jail while the investigation into the Impala was still ongoing. 

A certified narcotics detection K-9 conducted an open-air sniff of the Impala, which was parked nearby, and positively alerted to the odor of narcotics.  The Impala was towed and later searched pursuant to a search warrant.  During the search, detectives located the backpack Johnson had been wearing and discovered it to contain a loaded Bersa 9 millimeter pistol with cocaine residue on the slide, two bags containing about one ounce of marijuana, a small baggie containing crack cocaine, a baggie containing over ten grams of tablets (later determined to contain a mixture of methamphetamine and Eutylone), two smart phones, empty baggies, digital scales, and personal documents belonging to Johnson.  One latent fingerprint recovered from one of the digital scales was identified to Johnson.  Detectives confirmed that Johnson is a multi-time convicted felon.  An arrest warrant was obtained for state charges relating to the drugs and firearm recovered from the Impala, and it remained outstanding until Johnson was arrested on November 10, 2020.  At that point, the case was brought to the attention of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms adopted the case for federal prosecution and conducted additional investigation, to include execution of a federal search warrant for Johnson’s DNA, which was compared to DNA recovered from the Bersa firearm by an analyst at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.  A mixed DNA profile recovered from the firearm was determined to include Johnson as a possible contributor.  Johnson had multiple prior felony convictions, including Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Sell, Sale of Cocaine, Possession of Cocaine x2, Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer x2, Resisting an Officer with Violence x2, Child Abuse, Burglary Structure, Felony Criminal Mischief, and Felony Driving on Suspended License. Johnson had served two state prison sentences, including seven years in prison from 2010 to 2017.  Johnson was determined to qualify as an Armed Career Criminal, which provided for an enhanced sentence, including a fifteen-year minimum mandatory term of imprisonment.

This sentencing resulted from the collaborative work of the Gainesville Police Department, Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Chris Elsey. 

The Gainesville GVI was established in April 2019, by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida in an effort to stem the escalating gun violence in Gainesville and the surrounding area.  As GVI partners, the State Attorney’s Office for the Eight Judicial Circuit, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Gainesville Police Department, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, the Alachua Police Department, the University of Florida Police Department, and the Florida Department of Corrections share this commitment to protecting public safety.

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 – Charles E. Posey, Jr., 33, of Pensacola, Florida, was sentenced to 26.5 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to federal drug trafficking and firearms offenses. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“Those who repeatedly commit serious crimes are deserving of significant prison sentences,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “This career criminal has demonstrated his unwillingness to abide by the law, committing repeated drug crimes. Given the outstanding work of our state, local, and federal law enforcement partners, he will no longer be distributing drugs in our community.”

During his plea in federal court, Posey admitted being present at a residence in Pensacola on December 3, 2020, which contained over $20,000 in United States currency, ten firearms, and large amounts of cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana. Posey’s white Lexus was also present on scene, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives located large amounts of methamphetamine and marijuana within it along with a Glock .40 caliber pistol with an attached “drum” acting as an extended magazine with 27 live rounds inside.

“This sentencing is great news for the Florida Panhandle communities,” said ATF Tampa Field Division’s Assistant Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Harrell. “A dangerous felon – a repeat drugs and firearms offender -- will be locked up for a long time, thanks to our incredible partnership with Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Attorney’s Office-Northern District of Florida.”

Posey is a multi-convicted felon who has been to state prison previously.  His prior state convictions also involve drug trafficking and firearms offenses.

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

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David L. Goldberg and Kaitlin Weiss. 

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.

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Matthew Lee Ostrander, 36, of Missouri, was sentenced to fourteen years in federal prison following his conviction for possession of obscene visual depictions of minors. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“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,” said U.S. Attorney Coody.  “We will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those who prey upon our children.”

Ostrander was convicted by a federal jury on May 12, 2022. Evidence introduced at trial revealed that in September 2020, Ostrander was arrested in Gainesville, Florida for an outstanding warrant from Missouri. At the time of his arrest, he had also failed to register as a sex offender in the State of Florida. He knowingly possessed electronic devices that contained over three hundred computer-generated images depicting children engaged in sexual activity. The activity included sadistic and masochistic abuse and sexual intercourse with children.  

According to court documents, Ostrander is a registered sex offender who was previously convicted of possession of child pornography on October 18, 2017.

“This twice-convicted sexual predator saved hundreds of heinous computer-generated images depicting children being sexually abused,” said HSI Jacksonville Assistant Special Agent in Charge K. Jim Phillips.  “Working with our law enforcement partners, such as the Gainesville Police Department, HSI will continue to focus on identifying and prosecuting those who prey on our most vulnerable. This sentencing is another exemplary example of those efforts.”

Ostrander’s prison sentenced will be followed by lifetime supervised release. He will also be required to register as a sex offender and will be subject to all sex offender conditions. 

This conviction was the result of an investigation by the Homeland Security Investigations, the Gainesville Police Department, and the United States Marshal Service. Assistant United States Attorney Frank Williams 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.

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – James Leroy Smith Jr., 38, of Pensacola, Florida, was sentenced to 134 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of an unregistered short-barreled rifle, and multiple violations of his federal supervised release conditions. Smith was sentenced to 10 years in prison on the firearm charges, and he was sentenced to an additional 14 months for his supervision violations to run consecutively to his firearm case. The sentence was announced today by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“Senseless violence by armed felons endangers the pubic and results in serious consequences,” stated U.S. Attorney Coody.  “Our partners at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office are to be commended for their swift actions in apprehending this violent felon.  Due to their efforts our community is safer, and this repeat offender is exactly where he belongs – back behind bars.”

Court records indicate Smith was arrested by Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies on April 24, 2021, after shooting a black AR-style rifle loaded with rounds in a 100-round double-drum magazine at another car while driving through a Pensacola residential area. At the time, Smith was being supervised by the U.S. Probation Office following a prison sentence imposed for failure to register as a sex offender. In addition to that federal offense, he had nine other felony convictions, including a prior conviction for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and a conviction for sexual battery.

The sentence resulted from a joint investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alicia Forbes prosecuted this 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, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Scott P. Haines, 50, of Milton, Florida, was sentenced to one year and a day in federal prison, following his previous guilty plea on the charge of making material false statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation during an elder exploitation investigation.  United States Attorney Jason R. Coody announced the sentence. 

“Criminal conduct by those sworn to uphold the law represents a betrayal of the public trust,” stated U.S. Attorney Coody. “The corrupt acts of an individual law enforcement officer can erode the public’s trust in the legions of brave men and women who faithfully honor their oaths’ and place their lives on the line each day to keep our communities safe. We will vigorously investigate and prosecute any officer who betrays their sworn oath and the public’s trust.”

During his plea in federal court, Haines admitted that he became personally involved in the real property management and finances of an elderly woman in Santa Rosa County and deposited rental payments from tenants of the elderly woman into his own bank account without authority to do so.  When confronted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Haines made material false statements regarding his involvement with the rental properties, the depositing of rental payments into his personal account, and his knowledge and involvement with the Last Will and Testament of the elderly woman of which he became a beneficiary.

"Police officers are given immense trust and responsibility, and are therefore held to a higher standard,” said Sherri E. Onks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division, “so there are serious consequences when one tarnishes the badge by breaking the law.  Scott Haines disgraced the uniform when he abused his authority to victimize an elderly individual for his own personal gain, and his sentencing affirms that the FBI has zero tolerance for officials who prey on the citizens they have sworn to protect.”

The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office cooperated fully with the FBI/FDLE investigation and immediately relieved Haines of his duties prior to the filing of criminal charges.

Haines will be required to serve one year on federal supervised release following his incarceration.  He was formally adjudicated guilty by the United States District Court and is now a felon.  Haines previously relinquished his criminal justice certifications.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg 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 – Beyah Islam “Bear” Basha, 44, of Perry, Florida, was sentenced to thirty years in federal prison after being convicted following a jury trial on August 23, 2022, on charges of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“Those who repeatedly commit serious crimes are deserving of significant prison sentences,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “This career criminal has demonstrated his unwillingness to abide by the law, committing repeated drug crimes. Given the outstanding work of our state, local, and federal law enforcement partners, he will no longer be distributing drugs in our community.”

Evidence introduced at trial demonstrated that Basha was distributing methamphetamine from his home in Perry, Florida, while Basha was on house arrest for state charges including possession of cocaine with intent to sell/deliver. Multiple witnesses testified that they had purchased methamphetamine from Basha at his home, citing his then state court restrictions.  The Perry Police Department and Taylor County Sheriff’s Office made three controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Basha at or outside his residence. On August 25, 2021, an undercover DEA agent and a confidential source also purchased three ounces of methamphetamine from Basha at his residence.

Basha’s imprisonment will be followed by ten years of supervised release.

“The DEA Miami Field Division remains committed to doing everything we can to prevent drug misuse and poisonings, including working with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, to hold those who threaten the safety and health of our Florida communities accountable for their unlawful actions,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter. “I commend the hard work and dedication of these investigators who worked tirelessly to bring Beyah Basha to justice.”

Basha qualified as a Career Offender and had an enhanced mandatory minimum sentence based on his prior criminal history. Basha had been to prison on seven prior occasions, primarily for drug-trafficking offenses. In 2018, Basha finished serving an 84-month federal prison sentence for distribution of cocaine and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. Basha subsequently violated supervised release and served an additional 18-months in federal prison.

“Beyah Basha has been involved in the illicit drug trade in Taylor County and the City of Perry for at least two decades, said Chief Jamie Cruse, Jr., Perry Police Department.  “This is not his first conviction for such crimes, having chosen to follow a career as a criminal, participating in the drug trade and committing offenses that are closely associated with the illicit sale of drugs the entire time. Basha’s conviction and incarceration will remove him from a society to which he has distributed dangerous drugs for years. The Perry Police Department is proud to partner with The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, The Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and other Federal and State partners in a concerted effort to remove this and other dangerous career criminals that continuously spread the poison of dangerous drugs to the youth and other Citizens of North Florida.”

The case resulted from a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, and the Perry Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation named Operation Arrowhead. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. More information about OCDETF may be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF and more information about Operation Arrowhead may be found at https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl/pr/georgia-man-arranging-methamphetamine-transactions-within-federal-prison-sentenced-300.

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 – John E. Evans, 55, of Eastpoint, Florida, was sentenced on Monday to ten years in federal prison followed by ten years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“Those who repeatedly commit serious crimes are deserving of significant prison sentences,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “This career criminal has demonstrated his unwillingness to abide by the law, committing repeated drug crimes. Given the outstanding work of our state, local, and federal law enforcement partners, he will no longer be distributing drugs in our community.”

Court documents reflect that Evans conspired to distribute approximately ten pounds of methamphetamine along with other federal defendants. On September 28, 2021, and October 9, 2021, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office made controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Evans.

"We are thankful for the partnership with the U.S. Attorney's Office,” said Franklin County Sheriff A.J. Smith. “This kind of sentence sends a clear message that the sale of meth in our community will not be tolerated."

Evans qualified as a Career Offender and had an enhanced mandatory minimum sentence based on his prior criminal history. Evans had previously been to prison on multiple occasions, primarily for drug-trafficking offenses and had ten prior convictions involving the sale of a controlled substance.

“Methamphetamine is a highly addictive and destructive substance.  This sentence highlights our commitment to ensuring that those who bring this poison into our communities are brought to justice,” said Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter. “The DEA Miami Field Division remains steadfast in our commitment to working with our law enforcement partners to protect the safety and health of our Florida communities.”

The case resulted from a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain.

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 – Frederick Bush, 44, of Tallahassee, Florida, was sentenced on Monday to 37 months in federal prison after being convicted of escaping from custody at a Tallahassee halfway house, following a jury trial on August 30, 2022. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“Whether serving a sentence in a correctional institution or completing the sentence in a halfway house, defendants must abide by the terms of their confinement,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “Escaping by scaling a wall or walking away will result in additional prison time, especially for those defendants found to be in engaged in further criminal conduct upon apprehension.”

Evidence introduced during the trial revealed that Bush was serving an 84-month sentence in federal prison for distribution of a controlled substance. The Bureau of Prisons placed Bush in a halfway house to complete his sentence, with an estimated release date of September 12, 2021.  Bush signed a written acknowledgement of the rules of the halfway house which included notice that he could be prosecuted for escape if he failed to remain at the facility. On June 21, 2021, Bush walked away from the halfway house and was listed as an escapee. Halfway house staff conducted escape procedures which included contacting Bush telephonically and telling him to return to the facility. Bush stated he would not return to the facility. On July 28, 2021, Bush was arrested near Tifton, Georgia on unrelated narcotics charges.

“Any time that a federal prisoner escapes custody, whether by tunneling out of a cell or walking away from a halfway house, the U.S. Marshals Service will immediately investigate, and not stop until the escapee is recaptured.”

Bush’s additional term of imprisonment will be followed by three years of supervised release.

This case resulted from an investigation by the United States Marshal Service. Assistant United States Attorney Meredith L. Steer 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 – A federal jury in Tallahassee convicted Johnson Saint-Louis, 37, of Deerfield Beach, Florida of armed bank robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. The guilty verdict, returned yesterday afternoon at the conclusion of a 3-day trial, was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

Evidence introduced during the trial revealed that Saint-Louis was a former ATM technician who traveled around the southeast tampering with ATMs serviced by his former employer. Over a two-year period, Saint-Louis robbed four ATM technicians sent out to fix problems apparently caused by Saint-Louis, including the ATM technician dispatched to the Bank of America at 5676 Thomasville Road in Tallahassee on September 29, 2021. The Government introduced evidence of similar robberies in Boca Raton, Florida in November 2019, Longwood, Florida in February 2021, and Raleigh, North Carolina in August 2021.

As part of the FBI’s investigation into the bank robberies, Saint-Louis was surveilled by Seminole County Sheriff’s Office deputies on November 4, 2021, who observed Saint-Louis traveling to various Bank of America locations. Deputies eventually stopped Saint-Louis and, during that traffic stop, they observed a firearm and notes listing the locations of Bank of America branches in Jacksonville, Florida. The Bank of America branches were annotated with whether the ATM at that location was manufactured by Saint-Louis’ former employer or by another company, and included notes like “too open,” “not enough exit route,” two man job,” and “posible” (sic).

The FBI’s financial investigation revealed that Saint-Louis, who had been unemployed since mid-2019, was making large cash deposits into his bank accounts (e.g. $89,939 in 2021) and gambling large amounts of money (e.g. losing $189,814 in 2021). Saint-Louis lost $39,480 gambling in the week following the Tallahassee bank robbery.

Saint-Louis’ sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 23, 2023, at 1:00 p.m., at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee before United States District Judge Robert L. Hinkle. Saint-Louis faces up to twenty-five years in prison for armed bank robbery followed by a mandatory consecutive sentence of between seven years’ and life imprisonment for brandishing a firearm during the offense.

This conviction was the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Tallahassee Police Department and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys James A. McCain and Christopher M. Elsey represented the United States at trial.

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.

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Andrew J. Grogan will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 8, 2022, general election.  AUSA Grogan has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Northern District of Florida, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the district’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.

“Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election,” stated U.S. Attorney Coody. “Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”

The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.

Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).  

To respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA/DEO Grogan will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. He can be reached by the public at 850-216-3838. In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at (904) 248-7000.

Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by phone at 800-253-3931 or by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/

Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.

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 – Mark Robert Clow, 54, of Tallahassee, Florida, has been sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for receiving material constituting child pornography. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“The safety and well-being of our children is paramount,” stated U.S. Attorney Coody. “Those who seek to view and maintain child pornography facilitate the abuse of children by those who produce and profit from this illegal content, robbing our children of their innocence and their very childhood. With our law enforcement partners, we will hold such offenders accountable.”

Between June 2017, and September 2021, Clow distributed, received, and possessed material containing child pornography. The pornographic material found in Clow’s possession involved a minor under the age of 12.

“A teacher holds a position of great responsibility and trust, violating that trust by preying on the innocent destroys the fabric of a healthy and conducive leaning environment for our children,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Jacksonville Assistant Special Agent in Charge K. Jim Phillips. “To collect and distribute this illicit child exploitation material supports the evil industry that creates it. Thanks to our partnership with Leon County Sheriff’s Office, this predator now faces the consequences of exploiting the innocence of our children.”

Clow’s prison sentence will be followed by 5 years of supervised release. He will also be required to register as a sex offender and will be subject to all sex offender conditions

“This sentencing reflects the dedication of prosecutors and our law enforcement agencies to vigorously pursue justice in these cases,” said Sheriff Walt McNeil. “The Leon County Sheriff’s Office is committed to working with our partners to ensure anyone who is sexually abuses children and/or produces, obtains or shares images of such abuse faces justice.”

This conviction was the result of an investigation conducted by the Homeland Security Investigations and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meredith L. Steer.

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 – Tyron Columbia Watson, 39, of Tallahassee, Florida was sentenced to Life in federal prison for two counts of Sex Trafficking of a Minor Under the Age of 14. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

Watson’s sentence was the result of a three-day federal jury trial resulting in a guilty verdict on April 27, 2022, finding Watson guilty on two counts of Sex Trafficking of a Minor Under the Age of 14.

“This sentence is yet another example of the unwavering commitment to the protection of our most vulnerable, and it should serve as a significant deterrent to those who would attempt to harm them,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “Through concerted efforts like Operation Stolen Innocence we will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those who prey upon our children.”

“We are grateful to see justice prevail for the victim in this case,” said Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell. “Watson’s sentencing is a testament to the judicial system’s tireless efforts to hold accountable those who break the law and reiterate to the community that human trafficking will not be tolerated.”

“This sentence recognizes both the horror of the crime and the incredible work of the investigative and prosecution team,” said State Attorney Jack Campbell. “Too often, we think that sexual trafficking only happens in other parts of the world. Through the tireless efforts of the investigators and prosecutors, we literally saved the life of a child held in sexual slavery on the streets of Tallahassee. We must all recognize that she was not alone, and we shall bring freedom to such victims and justice to their oppressors.”

“Operation Stolen Innocence has produced a torrent of prosecutions of child predators who destroy the hopes of successful futures for our children,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tampa Special Agent in Charge John Condon. “This life sentence is a testament to the partnership, dedication, and commitment of the investigators from HSI, the Tallahassee Police Department, and the Northern District of Florida U.S. Attorney’s Office who aggressively fight to dismantle the sexual exploitation of children in Florida. We are obviously all in on this fight.”

He will also be required to register as a sex offender and will be subject to all sex offender conditions.

This conviction was the result of a collaborative investigation by the Tallahassee Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations as part of Operation Stolen Innocence, a multi-agency coordinated effort by the United States Marshals Service, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, and the Office of State Attorney, Second Judicial Circuit, to combat human trafficking in the Tallahassee area.  First Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Spaven and Special Assistant United States Attorney Khari James 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.

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Joseph Fletcher Lee, Jr., 47, of Defuniak Springs, Florida, was sentenced last week to serve a mandatory minimum term of fifteen years in federal prison after pleading guilty to the charges of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“Communities throughout our district are plagued by methamphetamine distribution,” stated U.S. Attorney Coody. “We are committed to work with our law enforcement partners to identify and aggressively prosecute drug traffickers who distribute these addictive, controlled substances. This sentence is further proof of this resolve.”

On October 14, 2021, law enforcement executed two federal search warrants at Lee’s residence and property located in Walton County, Florida. Inside the residence, law enforcement located and seized approximately 466.5 grams of methamphetamine, a digital scale, and approximately $23,419 in U.S. Currency. 

Lee’s imprisonment will be followed by ten years of supervised release.

The case resulted from a joint investigation by the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It was 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 – Johntavious Tiller, 31, of Wewahitchka, Florida, was sentenced to ten years in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release after being convicted at jury trial of possession with intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and pleading guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“I am proud of our federal, state, and local partners for their tireless efforts to keep us safe and serve a critical role in our efforts to remove addictive and deadly controlled substances from our communities,” stated U.S. Attorney Coody. “We will continue to support the efforts our law enforcement partners as we work together to investigate and prosecute criminals bringing drugs into North Florida.”

On September 21, 2019, officers of the Panama City Police Department arrested Tiller after discovering nine small baggies of methamphetamine, a small baggie of heroin, a small digital scale, and a .45 caliber pistol during a traffic stop.

After bonding out of state custody, Tiller was arrested on October 29, 2019, by officers of the Bay County Sheriff’s Office in possession of 31 small baggies of cocaine and a .44 caliber revolver.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms adopted the case for federal prosecution and conducted additional investigation. Tiller had eleven prior felony convictions, including multiple convictions for drug and firearm offenses. Tiller had only been out of prison for six months at the time of the September 21, 2019, offense. Tiller was determined to qualify as a Career Offender, which provided for an enhanced sentence.

This sentencing resulted from the collaborative work of the Panama City Police Department, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, the Panama City Beach Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. 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 for the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – John E. Acker, 53, formerly of Santa Rosa Beach, was sentenced to 135 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to 37 counts of wire fraud and 7 counts of money laundering. The sentence was announced today by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“This sentence should serve as a significant deterrent to those who would defraud our citizens of their hard-earned savings to unlawfully enrich themselves,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “Our local and federal law enforcement partners are to be commended for their teamwork and dedication during the course of this investigation and prosecution. Through their collective efforts, the culprit has been held accountable and justice has been obtained for his victims.”

Between 2013 and 2020, Acker induced numerous individuals and corporations to invest over $4 million with him by making various fraudulent misrepresentations, including that the investment was for a real estate or other business-related “deal” with high guaranteed returns. He told would-be investors the “deal” was for a purchase and sale, or “flip,” of a property or business. However, Acker instead used funds meant for investments to pay for his personal expenses or pay back prior investors whose funds he had previously misused. Acker made other false statements to gain investors’ trust and influence them to invest, such as mischaracterizing or falsifying his relationship with attorneys, business owners, or other prominent members of the community and claiming he had independent wealth from a trust fund. He used multiple shell corporations to commit the fraud, including Miracle Strip Holdings X LLC, Miracle Strip Holdings XV LLC, Fujimo Development LLC, and Shipwreck Road LLC. Acker further laundered the ill-gotten proceeds of his investment fraud scheme by making large payments and monetary transfers in excess of $10,000.

“John Acker repeatedly defrauded people who trusted him over a period of many years,” said Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden. “I want to applaud the combined tireless, methodical investigative efforts of the FBI and our OCSO Investigator Michael Kruger, along with the dedication of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Their painstaking work to unravel and expose a very complicated Ponzi scheme has now helped achieve some justice for the victims who lost their lifesavings.”  

"John Acker took advantage of investors by knowingly and wittingly creating a deceptive investment scheme for his own personal gain," said Sherri E. Onks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division.  "The FBI is committed to aggressively pursuing scam artists like him, who mislead and defraud innocent citizens, and will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to seek consequences that deter others from engaging in these types of schemes."

In addition to his prison sentence, Acker was ordered to pay approximately $3.2 million in restitution to the victims of his fraud scheme, many who are from the Okaloosa County area.

This case resulted from a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alicia Forbes 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.

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – With the sentencing of the last of 16 defendants, federal prosecutors concluded prosecution of a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking organization operating primarily within Franklin and Gulf Counties. The convictions and sentences were announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“Cooperative and concerted efforts enable our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to identify and investigate those distributing addictive and deadly controlled substances in both our urban and rural communities,” stated U.S. Attorney Coody. “We remain vigilant to support their investigative efforts and will aggressively prosecute those engaged in drug trafficking throughout North Florida.”

In November 2018, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, and the United States Attorney’s Office began a joint investigation into methamphetamine-trafficking in the Franklin County area. The investigation uncovered an organization that was obtaining up to 20–25 kilograms of methamphetamine per week from Atlanta, Georgia, and reselling it in North Florida, along with a web of methamphetamine dealers buying and selling methamphetamine in Franklin and Gulf Counties. A total of 16 defendants were charged in a series of separate drug-trafficking indictments.

“We are extremely grateful for the local/Federal partnership that enables repeat meth traffickers to receive sentences which keeps them out of our communities longer, thus making them safer,” said Franklin County Sheriff A.J. Smith.

“Methamphetamine is a highly addictive and destructive synthetic drug, which poses a grave danger to Florida communities,” said DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter. “DEA remains committed to working with our local, state, and federal partners, using every resource at our disposal, to ensure the individuals bringing this poison into our communities are held accountable for their actions.”

The Defendants and their sentences were:

• Gerry Carter, 36, of Atlanta, Georgia, 30 years in prison
• Ruben Fuller, 45, of Port Saint Joe, Florida, 30 years in prison
• Brandon Williams, 39, of Port Saint Joe, Florida, 15 years in prison
• Fabian Frazier, 27, of Port Saint Joe, Florida, 15 years in prison
• Roderick Robinson, 55, of Port Saint Joe, Florida, 14 years in prison
• Arthur Desean North, 29, of Port Saint Joe, Florida, 10 years in prison
• Allen O’Neal, 38, of Apalachicola, Florida, 10 years in prison
• Omarsharek “Reek” Harris, 39, of Apalachicola, Florida, 8 years in prison
• John Lynn, 43, of Kinard, Florida, 8 years in prison
• Robert Hill, 31, of Apalachicola, 6.5 years in prison
• Carlos “Famee” Morris, 50, of Apalachicola, Florida, 6 years in prison
• Shelton Hutchins, 36, of Eastpoint, Florida, 5 years in prison
• Larry Warren, 49, of Eastpoint, Florida, 36 months in prison
• Rachael Caudle, 23, of Eastpoint, Florida, 24 months in prison
• Ronald “Bubba” Sanders, 35, of Eastpoint, Florida, 325 days in custody followed by 12 months of home detention
• William Martina, 43, of Apalachicola, Florida, 3 months in custody

“Once again, these cases show the value of cooperation by all the agencies involve,” said Gulf County Sheriff Mike Harrison. “I appreciate U.S. Attorney Coody and his team for their hard work in putting these drug dealers behind bars for a long time.”

All will be on a term of supervised release when they are released from custody.

This case resulted from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Gulf County Sheriff’s Office, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain prosecuted the cases.

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 – In the wake of extreme devastation caused by Hurricane Ian, the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) today issued a reminder that as with any major disaster, there are unscrupulous thieves who seek to take advantage of the environment to line their own pockets.

“Fraudsters targeting individuals who are already suffering from the impact of Hurricane Ian is despicable and an inexcusable crime,” said U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Gathe, Jr., who serves as the Executive Director of the NCDF. “We are still in hurricane season, and it is important for people to be on the lookout for fraudsters who seek to profit from natural disasters through identity theft schemes and solicitations for fake charities. This is especially true for the citizens of Florida, South Carolina, and other states impacted by Ian. The Department of Justice, through U.S. Attorney Offices across all states and territories of the United States, are committed to detecting this type of fraud and will aggressively prosecute the offenders.”

“We do not tolerate fraud,” said United States Attorney Jason R. Coody, of the Northern District of Florida. “Individuals, families, and businesses have suffered, and will continue to suffer, tremendous losses. Dozens of agencies, investigators, and prosecutors are ready to respond to credible allegations of fraud and abuse, and we will continue to prosecute those who attempt to prey on the good people of Florida. If you are aware of fraud, I urge you to call the National Disaster Fraud Hotline.”

The NCDF, a national coordinating agency, was created by a partnership between the Department of Justice and various law enforcement and regulatory agencies. Its goal is to improve and further the detection, prevention, investigation, and prosecution of fraud related to natural and man-made disasters, and to advocate for the victims of such fraud.

Historically, the NCDF has echoed federal, state, and local law enforcement messaging designed to assist individuals to avoid becoming the victim of crimes related to disaster fraud. This messaging has included warnings regarding electronic (email, internet, phone/robocall, social media, etc.) communications designed to obtain information and money from individuals affected by disasters. These communications are frequently disseminated prior to a disaster striking (e.g., targeting individuals in the potential path of hurricanes and wildfires) or immediately after disaster strikes (now for victims of Ian).

In the wake of Hurricane Ian, there is no indication that criminals will slow down their efforts to commit fraud on individuals already victimized by the storm. The following examples of disaster-related fraud are based on over 200,000 historical complaints submitted to the NCDF:

• Fake charities immediately soliciting donations using the names of well-known charities or appearing reasonable as related to a disaster
• Individuals impersonating government officials and insurance company representatives advising that disaster assistance will be made available should the potential victim provide a sum of money or personal identifiers such as date of birth, social security number, and bank account information (name of financial institution, routing number, and account number)
• Individuals soliciting victims to invest in non-existent businesses and ventures offering recovery efforts such as cleanup, rebuilding, and making structures, such as homes, more resistant to future disasters by elevating structures to minimize future flood risks
• Individuals overcharging for goods and services needed by victims of disaster, also known as price-gouging

In addition, based on the type of disaster, individuals are frequently victimized by theft of property from businesses and residences abandoned because of a disaster (either pre-disaster evacuation or to obtain living accommodations because of damaged apartments and homes).

Recommended measures to avoid becoming a victim of disaster fraud:

• Only make donations to known charities and only after contacting the charity directly and not in response to an email, instant message, phone call, text, etc. A recommended step is to research the charity by visiting recognized charity information/rating websites such as the Give.org, CharityNavigator.org, and CharityWatch.org 
• Never click on a link in an unsolicited email, instant message, text, etc.
• Never assume that charity solicitations posted on the internet and social media are legitimate
• Avoid cash donations to charities - use a credit card or pay with a check
• Never transmit donations to a specifically named individual
• Charities do not seek donations via electronic fund (financial institution)/wire transfers, so do not wire donations
• Avoid being victimized by impersonators of government officials, insurance companies, investment companies, etc., by terminating the phone call or other exchange of information (e.g., email, texts) and calling the actual government agency, insurance company, and/or investment company directly using a well-advertised phone number or email address

Individuals who have been targeted by fraudsters or been the victim of disaster-related fraud are strongly encouraged to contact the NCDF at (866) 720-5721 or online at  www.justice.gov/DisasterComplaintForm.

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 –Jonathan High, 30, of Steinhatchee, Florida, has been convicted of two counts of use of a child to produce child pornography. The guilty verdict, returned yesterday, at the conclusion of a one-day bench trial, was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. Prior to the trial, High pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography. 

In August 2021, law enforcement officers received a Cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that a user of a cloud storage account uploaded files constituting child pornography. An investigation revealed the account belonged to High. Law enforcement officers obtained a search warrant for High’s cell phones and desktop computer, and after an examination of their contents, confirmed that High was in possession of multiple child pornography images and videos that depicted prepubescent boys engaged in sex acts or exposing their genitals in a lascivious manner.  Further investigation revealed that some of these images and videos were produced by High personally; High produced separate video recordings of two young boys using the bathroom in a Perry, Florida church where High served as a deacon.

High’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 9, 2023, at 1:30 p.m., at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee before United States District Judge Allen Winsor. High faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years in prison and a combined maximum of 70 years in prison for all three counts.

This conviction was the result of a joint investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Assistant United States Attorneys Justin M. Keen and Kaitlin Weiss 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 – The Justice Department announced today the results of its efforts over the past year to protect older adults from fraud and exploitation. During the past year, the Department and its law enforcement partners tackled matters that ranged from mass-marketing scams that impacted thousands of victims to bad actors scamming their neighbors. Substantial efforts were also made over the last year to return money to fraud victims. Today, the Department also announced it is expanding its Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force to amplify efforts to combat scams originating overseas.

 “We are intensifying our efforts nationwide to protect older adults, including by more than tripling the number of U.S. Attorneys’ offices participating in our Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force dedicated to disrupting, dismantling and prosecuting foreign-based fraud schemes that target American seniors,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This expansion builds on the Justice Department’s existing work to hold accountable those who steal funds from older adults, including by returning those funds to the victims where possible.”

"Given our large elder population, Florida experiences far too many instances of fraud against unsuspecting, vulnerable seniors,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. With the assistance of our dedicated law enforcement partners, we are committed to investigating and vigorously prosecuting those who seek to steal the hard-earned savings of our senior citizens."

During the period from September 2021 to September 2022, Department personnel and its law enforcement partners pursued approximately 260 cases involving more than 600 defendants, both bringing new cases and advancing those previously charged.

This past year, as part of this effort, the Northern District of Florida successfully prosecuted multiple defendants who victimized older adults, including: Jeremie Saintvil, who was found guilty following a jury trial of bank fraud, making false statements to a federally insured financial institution, aggravated identity theft, and making false statements to a federal agency and eventually sentenced to 17 years in federal prison for fraudulently using the identities of elderly residents of senior living facilities to submit multiple false applications for COVID-19 relief program loans; Scott Haines, a former Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s deputy who pled guilty to federal and state charges stemming from his involvement in and misuse of the real property management and finances of an elderly woman and is currently awaiting sentencing; and Trevor Green, who pled guilty to embezzlement by a credit union employee and was sentenced to 33 months after using his position to steal almost $275,000 over a two-year period from dormant accounts of credit union members who were 65 or older.

The Department also highlighted three other efforts: expansion of the Transnational Elder Fraud Task Force, success in returning money to victims and efforts to combat grandparent scams. 

The Department announced that as part of its continuing efforts to protect older adults and bring perpetrators of fraud schemes to justice it is expanding the Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force, adding 14 new U.S. Attorney’s Offices. Expansion of the Strike Force will help to coordinate the Department’s ongoing efforts to combat largest and most harmful fraud schemes that target or disproportionately impact older adults.

In the past year, the Department has notified over 550,000 people that they may be eligible for remission payments. Notifications were made to consumers whose information was sold by one of three data companies prosecuted by the Department and were later victims of “sweepstakes” or “astrology” solicitations that falsely promised prizes or individualized services in return for a fee. More than 150,000 of those victims cashed checks totaling $52 million, and thousands more are eligible to receive checks. Also notified were consumers who paid fraudsters perpetrating person-in-need scams and job scams via Western Union. In the past year, the Department has identified and contacted over 300,000 consumers who may be eligible for remission. Since March of 2020 more than 148,000 victims have received more than $366 million as a result of a 2017 criminal resolution with Western Union for the company’s willful failure to maintain an effective anti-money laundering program and its aiding and abetting of wire fraud.

Over the past year, the Department pursued cases against the perpetrators of “grandparent scams,” otherwise known as “person-in-need scams.” These scams typically begin when a fraudster, often based overseas, contacts an older adult, and poses as either a grandchild, other family member or someone calling on behalf of a family member. Call recipients are told that their family member is in jeopardy and is urgently in need of money. When recently sentencing one of eight perpetrators of a grandparent scam indicted under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, a federal judge described such scams “heartbreakingly evil.” The Department is working with government partners and others to raise awareness about these schemes.

Reporting from consumers about fraud and fraud attempts is critical to law enforcements efforts to investigate and prosecute schemes targeting older adults. If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 or (833) 372-8311. This Department of Justice Hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professional who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting or connect them with agencies, and provide resources and referrals on a case-by-case basis. The hotline is staffed seven days a week from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Eastern. English, Spanish, and other languages are available. More information about the Department’s elder justice efforts can be found on the Department’s Elder Justice website, www.elderjustice.gov.

Some of the cases that comprise today’s announcement from the Department are charges, which are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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 – William Harrison Quarterman, III, 33, of Gainesville, Florida, was sentenced on September 20, 2022, to 21 years in federal prison after he pled guilty to drug trafficking, possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon on May 9, 2022.  The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

Quarterman will serve concurrent sentences of 16 years for the Possession with Intent to Distribute Eutylone (a Schedule I controlled substance) and Possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon charges, followed by a consecutive 5 years for the Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking charge.  The Court also ordered six years of supervised release following Quarterman’s prison term. 

“The collaborative efforts of our partners in the Gainesville Gun Violence Initiative continue to produce impactful results, and we will continue working tirelessly to make North Florida safer,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “This sentence removes a habitual felon from our community and sends a clear message that there are real and severe consequences for federal firearm offenses.”

On April 15, 2021, deputies from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched in reference to a domestic disturbance after Quarterman’s girlfriend called 911 and then left their shared apartment for fear of her own safety. Responding deputies made contact with the victim near the apartment, and while speaking with her about the incident, were alerted that Quarterman was leaving the area in their shared vehicle. After learning that Quarterman had exchanged vehicles with a relative to avoid arrest, deputies again located him on foot in the Veteran’s Memorial Park. When Quarterman noticed a deputy had spotted him, Quarterman fled from deputies on foot and was eventually apprehended by a K9 deputy after he became entangled in dense vegetation in a wooded area near the park.

Alachua County Sheriff Clovis Watson, Jr. added, “We are more effective when we work together in our efforts to combat gun violence and will continue to make public safety a number one priority for our community.”

“We’re always excited to collaborate with partners like the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office,” said ATF Tampa Division Special Agent in Charge Craig W. Saier. “No one law enforcement agency can combat violent crimes alone, which is why the Gainesville Gun Violence Initiative is so important.”

When deputies took Quarterman into custody, he was wearing a multicolored backpack. A search of that backpack revealed a loaded .22 caliber revolver, almost 50 grams of Eutylone packaged for sale in multiple baggies, marijuana, and parsley that Quarterman had dyed red to attempt to sell as “spice.”  Quarterman made statements while on scene that the items in the backpack would send him back to prison. Quarterman is a convicted felon, and he was arrested on numerous state charges stemming from this incident.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms adopted the case for federal prosecution and conducted additional investigation. Quarterman had multiple prior felony convictions, including two convictions for selling cocaine, possessing cocaine, a felony domestic battery conviction, and a host of felony convictions related to an armed home invasion robbery he committed with other codefendants.  Quarterman had only been out of prison for less than two years after serving a fourteen-year sentence in the Florida Department of Corrections. Quarterman was determined to qualify as an Armed Career Criminal, which provided for an enhanced sentence, including a fifteen-year minimum mandatory term of imprisonment.

This sentencing resulted from the collaborative work of the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Chris Elsey. 

The Gainesville GVI was established by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida to stem the escalating gun violence in Gainesville and the surrounding area.  As GVI partners, the State Attorney’s Office for the Eight Judicial Circuit, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Gainesville Police Department, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, the Alachua Police Department, the University of Florida Police Department, and the Florida Department of Corrections share this commitment to protecting public safety.

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 – Mario Antwan Brewer, Jr., 29, of Pensacola, Florida, was sentenced to 17 ½ years in federal prison for firearms offenses, after pleading guilty on December 17, 2021. The sentence was based upon two federal indictments stemming from violations of federal firearms laws in 2020 and 2021. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“Our law enforcement partnerships play a vital role in fighting violent crime and protecting the public,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “This sentencing is another example that working jointly with our partners is making our communities safer.”

Court documents reflect that on December 28, 2020, a shoot-out took place between two vehicles at a gas station on the corner of Fairfield and North Davis Highway in Pensacola. Multiple discharged shell casings of 9-millimeter ammunition were left behind at the crime scene which were collected as evidence by the Pensacola Police Department. Thereafter, one of the involved vehicles was located in Alabama and linked to Brewer. On January 28, 2021, Brewer was located at an apartment in Pensacola along with multiple firearms. One of those firearms, a Smith & Wesson 9-millimeter pistol, ballistically matched the firearm that left behind the spent shell casings during the December 2020 shooting. That same firearm had Brewer’s DNA on it when seized. 

“Today’s sentencing reflects the collaboration and partnerships required to combat violent crimes in our communities today,” said ATF Tampa Division Special Agent in Charge Craig W. Saier. “This case also demonstrates how ATF’s National Integrated Ballistic Information Network — or NIBIN — can help investigators link shootings and take violent offenders off of our streets.”

Brewer was again caught with a loaded firearm on August 27, 2021. This time, he was apprehended by the United States Marshals Service along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, and the Pensacola Police Department. Brewer was taken into federal custody at that time.

“Violent crime is impacting too many lives,” said Pensacola Police Chief Eric Randall. “Today’s announcement of this sentencing is another example of our commitment to hold accountable, those who commit violent acts in our community.”

The cases were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the United States Marshals Service, and the Pensacola Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David L. Goldberg and Jennifer H. Callahan.

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.

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Brian Brainard Wedgeworth (a/k/a “Dr. Brian Anderson,” a/k/a “Dr. Anthony Watkins,” a/k/a “Dr. Brian Adams,” a/k/a “Dr. Edward Chen,” a/k/a “Dr. Brian Chris,” a/k/a “Dr. Chris Williamson,” a/k/a “Dr. Brian Christopher Williamson,” a/k/a “Dr. Brian Edmonds,” a/k/a “Dr. Brian Ammerson,” a/k/a “Dr. Brian Lamar Wilson,” a/k/a “Dr. Brian Wilson,” a/k/a “Dr. Brian Mims,” a/k/a “Dr. Brian Lamar Sims”), 47, formerly of Tallahassee, Florida, and Center Point, Alabama, was sentenced to 9 years in federal prison after pleading guilty on May 19, 2022, to twenty-five counts of wire fraud, mail fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering. Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney, for the Northern District of Florida announced the sentence.

“Our citizens should not be preyed upon by fraudsters who steal through overtures of affection,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “With the assistance of our dedicated law enforcement partners, we are committed to investigating and vigorously prosecuting those who engage in all acts of fraud. Moreover, today’s sentence should serve as a significant deterrent to criminals of like mind.”

According to court documents, between October 2016 and March 2021, Wedgeworth devised a scheme to defraud women located across the country who he met through online dating forums by falsely representing that he was a physician in order to fraudulently obtain money and property from them. In so doing, Wedgeworth made promises to the women to induce them to send him money and buy him jewelry and watches. Wedgeworth admitted to causing, or intending to cause, a total loss of over $1.3 million to over 30 women who he victimized as a result of his scheme.

“Rooting out fraudulent schemes furthered by the U.S. Mail, such as romance scams, remains a top priority for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service,” said Juan A. Vargas, Acting Inspector In Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Miami Division. “Our agency will continue to investigate those that target innocent individuals and abuse their trust for financial gain.”

Wedgeworth’s federal prison sentence will be followed by three years of supervised release. He will also be required to pay $1,161,325.82 in restitution. 

The conviction and associated sentence was the result of a joint investigation conducted by the United State Postal Inspection Service and the Internal Revenue Service–Criminal Investigations. 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 for the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Stephen Lance Gamble, 46, of Perry, Florida, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, on August 31, 2022, after previously pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine or 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“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. This sentence is further proof of that resolve.”

Court documents reflect that Gamble drove an individual into North Florida in a vehicle containing approximately 700 grams of methamphetamine. Gamble was also obtaining methamphetamine from two other individuals and selling the narcotics in Taylor County.  Ultimately, while arresting Gamble on a federal warrant at his residence, law enforcement observed drug paraphernalia which led to them obtaining a search warrant for his residence.  During the execution of that search warrant, law enforcement discovered approximately 80 grams of methamphetamine under Gamble’s pillow.

“The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office appreciates the coordinated efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration and Federal prosecutors, along with our local partner agencies in fighting the meth epidemic that is destroying our community,” said Taylor County Sheriff Wayne Padgett.  “Our office will continue to fight this ongoing battle, with the help of concerned citizens of our community. Remember, if you see something, say something.”

“The Perry Police Department is proud to partner with the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and other Federal and State partners in a concerted effort to remove this and other dangerous criminals that continuously spread the poison of dangerous drugs to the youth and other Citizens of North Florida,” said Perry Police Chief Jamie Cruse.

Gamble’s imprisonment will be followed by five years of supervised release.

“Methamphetamine continues to be one of the most destructive drugs in our communities, posing a serious danger to the safety and health of our residents,” 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 hold those who bring this poison into our communities accountable for their actions.”

This sentence was the result of an investigation conducted by the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, the Perry Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Criminal Chief Gary Milligan, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, 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 for the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – A federal jury in Tallahassee convicted Frederick Bush, 44, of Tallahassee, Florida of escaping from custody at a Tallahassee halfway house. The guilty verdict, returned today, at the conclusion of a two-day trial, was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

Evidence introduced during the trial revealed that Bush was serving an 84-month sentence in federal prison for distribution of a controlled substance. The Bureau of Prisons placed Bush in a halfway house to complete his sentence, with an estimated release date of September 12, 2021.  Bush signed a written acknowledgement of the rules of the halfway house which included notice that he could be prosecuted for escape if he failed to remain at the facility. On June 21, 2021, Bush walked away from the halfway house and was listed as an escapee. Halfway house staff conducted escape procedures which included contacting Bush telephonically and telling him to return to the facility. Bush stated he would not return to the facility. On July 28, 2021, Bush was arrested near Tifton, Georgia on unrelated narcotics charges.

Bush’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 14, 2022, at 3:00 p.m., at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee before Senior United States District Judge Robert L. Hinkle. Bush faces up to five years imprisonment.

This conviction resulted from an investigation by the United States Marshal Service. Assistant United States Attorney Meredith L. Steer prosecuted the case.

Bush’s conviction follows the plea and sentencing of Anthony Orlando Gibbs, 46, of Lansing, Michigan, who escaped from the same Tallahassee halfway house on July 3, 2021, and was later arrested on November 10, 2021, in Lansing, Michigan, on unrelated charges. Gibbs plead guilty on April 28, 2022, and was sentenced by Senior United States District Judge Robert L. Hinkle on July 21, 2022, to four months federal prison to be followed by three years of supervise release. The sentence was ordered to be served consecutive to the remaining portion of the prior sentence Gibbs was serving when he absconded.

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 – Michael Lee Finn, Jr., 35, of Hawthorne, Florida, was sentenced to fifteen years in federal prison after pleading guilty on June 14, 2022, to production of child pornography. Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the sentenced.

“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,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “We will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to investigate and vigorously prosecute those who prey upon our children.”

Court documents reflect that on October 17, 2021, law enforcement officers were dispatched to a domestic disturbance at a residence in Gainesville, Florida. Upon arrival, officers spoke with the complainant, who advised she had been in a lengthy relationship with Michael Lee Finn, Jr. The complainant borrowed Finn’s cell phone, and while reviewing images stored on the phone observed numerous pornographic images of adults. She also located videos which appeared to depict a minor child victim laying partially naked on a couch as well as naked in the shower. It did not appear that the child victim was aware she was being videorecorded. The complainant confronted Finn about the videos, and an argument commenced during which Finn left the residence. Officers canvassed the area and located Finn, then advised him of his Miranda rights. Finn admitted to taking the photos and videos of the child victim without her knowledge. He further stated the pictures “might have been for personal gratification.” Finn was arrested on state charges for possession of child pornography. A state search warrant was obtained for the contents of the cell phone. In the “Hidden” Folder, there were several videos of the child victim which focus on her nude body and genitalia. Further investigation determined that the child victim was unaware that the images had been created.

“Parents must remain ever-vigilant, even in the confines of their own homes, as predators use technology to secretly exploit and victimize children,” said HSI Jacksonville Assistant Special Agent in Charge K. Jim Phillips. “We are in the throes of a societal epidemic with regard to the sexual exploitation of children.  Thanks to partners like the Gainesville Police Department, we were able to put a stop to this deviant’s behavior.”

Finn’s prison sentence will be followed by a lifetime of supervised release. He will be required to register as a sex offender and will be subject to sex offender conditions.

This conviction was the result of a collaborative investigation by the Homeland Security Investigations and the Gainesville Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Frank Williams 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 – Jermaine Lee Walker, 45, of Quincy, Florida, was sentenced to 262 months in federal prison after he pled guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The prison term will be followed by 5 years of supervised release.  Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the sentence.

“Those who repeatedly commit serious crimes are deserving of significant prison sentences,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “Our brave law enforcement partners work tirelessly to keep us safe and are to be commended for apprehending this armed career criminal and bringing his reign of violence to an end. This sentence ensures that our community will be safer and sends a message that there are real and severe consequences for federal firearm offenses.”

Court documents reflect that on April 5, 2021, the Quincy Police Department (QPD) and Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) responded to a 911 call regarding a man holding a woman at gunpoint. QPD officers arrived on scene and made contact with residents who explained a man and woman were inside, struggling over a firearm. QPD officers entered the house and found Walker struggling with his girlfriend over control of a revolver. Walker ignored commands to drop the firearm and told officers to give him five minutes and then come back. Walker kept his girlfriend between himself and officers, using her as a human shield. Walker pointed the firearm at his girlfriend and pointed the firearm at officers. GCSO deputies arrived on scene and entered the residence. One deputy was able to get a clear shot at Walker and shot him in the hip/buttock area. Walker then dropped the firearm, was arrested, and given medical attention. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigated the officer involved shooting.

“This sentencing is a testament to the effectiveness of the law enforcement community—local, state, and federal alike—when we partner with the United States Attorney’s Office and the community to prevent and solve community-related problems together, as well as to hold those accountable who violate the laws of our state and nation,” said Chief Timothy Ashley, Quincy Police Department.

Walker qualified for enhanced sentencing because he had previously been convicted of arson of a structure, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, and two separate incidents of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Walker had been to prison on four separate occasions and was released from prison approximately six months before this offense. He was on state probation at the time of this offense.

This sentencing resulted from the collaborative work of the Quincy Police Department, the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. 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.

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – A federal jury in Tallahassee convicted Beyah Islam Basha, 44, of Perry, Florida, of two counts of distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The guilty verdict, returned yesterday, at the conclusion of a two-day trial, was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

Evidence introduced during the trial revealed that Basha sold drugs to confidential sources working for law enforcement on multiple occasions: on July 7, 2021, a confidential source purchased approximately ¼ ounce of methamphetamine from Basha at his residence; on August 12, 2021, a second confidential source purchased approximately ¾ ounce of methamphetamine from Basha at his residence; on August 20, 2021, the second confidential source purchased an ounce of methamphetamine from Basha at his residence; and on August 25, 2021, an undercover DEA agent accompanied the second confidential source as they purchased 3 ounces of methamphetamine from Basha at his residence. During the period of the controlled purchases, Basha was on house arrest for prior state court drug charges. Several cooperating witnesses testified that Basha had sold them methamphetamine from his home. One witness also described how Basha had provided them with $4000 and directions to purchase 9 ounces of methamphetamine in Tallahassee, given his travel limitations.

Basha’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 14, 2022, at 11:00 a.m., at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee before United States District Judge Allen C. Winsor. Basha faces twenty-five years to life imprisonment, ten years to life supervised release, and a fine of up to $20,000,000.

This conviction resulted from a joint investigation by the Perry Police Department, the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain prosecuted the case.

The prosecution, part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) OCDETF, is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to take down criminal organizations and seize assets.

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 – A federal jury in Pensacola has convicted Kenneth Ingram, 62, and Kadeem Ingram, 32, both of DeFuniak Springs, Florida for the offenses of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and 28 grams or more of cocaine base and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. Kadeem Ingram was also convicted of distribution of cocaine or cocaine base which occurred on two occasions in July 2019. The guilty verdict returned on August 17, 2022, at the conclusion of a three-day trial, was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“This prosecution demonstrates the collaborative efforts of our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, who work tirelessly to remove addictive and deadly controlled substances from our communities,” stated U.S. Attorney Coody. “We are grateful for their dedicated public service and remain committed in our efforts to investigate and vigorously prosecute criminals bringing drugs into North Florida.”

Evidence introduced during the trial revealed that the Ingrams conspired with others to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base. In 2019, the Ingrams took monthly trips to South Florida to procure large quantities of cocaine. The cocaine purchased, which was, in part, converted to cocaine base, was then distributed by Kadeem Ingram and a co-conspirator. A months-long investigation culminated in law enforcement seizing approximately 1.5 kilograms of cocaine from a vehicle the Ingrams possessed on July 13, 2019.

The Ingrams are scheduled to be sentenced before United States District Court Judge M. Casey Rodgers on November 16, 2022, at 9:00 a.m., at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola, Florida. Both defendants face not less than five years imprisonment to 40 years and not less than four years on supervised release for the conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute convictions. Kadeem Ingram also faces a maximum of 20 years imprisonment and not less than three years on supervised release for the drug distribution convictions.

"It's been a long time coming for this father and son duo," said Sheriff Michael Adkinson. "This conviction, which stems from an investigation started more than two years ago, is the result of the hard work of men and women in our agency and the DEA. We are ready to see this case put to rest and are pleased with the jury's verdict."

“Drug trafficking plagues our communities, threatening the safety and health of all of our citizens,” said DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter. “Through our partnerships with our local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, we will continue to hold those who bring this poison into our north Florida communities accountable for their actions.”

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Walton County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of the Office of Homeland Security Investigations, the  

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the Lynn Haven Police Department, the Panama City Police Department, and the Panama City Beach Police Department. First Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Spaven prosecuted the case. 

The prosecution, part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) OCDETF, is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to take down criminal organizations and seize assets.

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 – William K. Gordon, Jr., 28, originally of Cairo, Georgia, but living in Tallahassee, Florida, at the time of his arrest, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to a conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, one count of distribution of more than 50 grams of a mixture containing methamphetamine, and one count of distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“Methamphetamine distribution is a scourge on large and small communities of our district,” stated U.S. Attorney Coody. “We are committed to work with our law enforcement partners to identify and aggressively prosecute recidivist offenders who continue to distribute such these addictive, controlled substances. This sentence is further proof of this resolve.”

Evidence introduced at the sentencing hearing demonstrated that Gordon was obtaining methamphetamine from Georgia and selling it in Tallahassee, Florida. On March 17, 2021, members of the North Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Capital Area Drug Response & Evaluation (CADRE) Initiative used a confidential source to purchase two ounces of methamphetamine from Gordon. Three days later, Gordon fled from officers of the Tallahassee Police Department, who were able to catch and arrest him. TPD officers found that Gordon had $2705 in his pants pocket at the time of his arrest, including twenty of the bills used for the March 17 controlled purchase. Despite being released on bond for his state charges, Gordon continued his narcotics distribution activities. On August 4, 2021, the North Florida HIDTA CADRE Initiative used a second confidential source to purchase three additional ounces of methamphetamine from Gordon. When arrested on August 6, 2021, officers identified and recovered 23 of the bills from Gordon which were used during the August 4 controlled purchase.

“Methamphetamine is a dangerous synthetic drug that has an incredibly destructive effect on our communities,” 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 ensure Florida communities remain safe and healthy.”

Gordon’s federal prison sentence will be followed by 15 years of supervised release.

“The arrest and conviction of William K. Gordon is a major step in getting some of the most addictive and deadly drugs out of Leon County,” said Sheriff Walt McNeil. “I am grateful for the hard work of our deputies and detectives who assisted in this case. LCSO and our law enforcement partners will continue to work closely to identify, arrest and prosecute these dealers to keep our communities safe.”

This case resulted from a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the North Florida HIDTA CADRE Initiative, with assistance from the Leon County Sheriff’s Office 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, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Fabian Tomaz Frazier, 27, of Port Saint Joe, Florida, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to charges of conspiracy to distribute marijuana and over 500 grams of a mixture containing methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“Communities throughout our district are plagued by methamphetamine distribution,” stated U.S. Attorney Coody. “We are committed to work with our law enforcement partners to identify and aggressively prosecute armed drug traffickers who distribute these addictive, controlled substances. This sentence is further proof of this resolve.”

Evidence introduced during the sentencing hearing demonstrated that Frazier was distributing multiple pounds of methamphetamine and marijuana in the area of Port Saint Joe, Florida. On March 15, 2021, the Florida Highway Patrol conducted a traffic stop of Frazier near Lake City during which they discovered 11 pounds of marijuana and a loaded .45 caliber handgun. Frazier was arrested on state charges and subsequently released. Despite his arrest and narcotics seizure, Frazier continued his illegal drug trafficking activities. On May 22, 2021, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office used a confidential source to conduct a controlled purchase of 18 ounces of methamphetamine from Frazier, removing the drugs from the community and giving rise to the charges to which he has been sentenced.

“I appreciate U.S. Attorney Coody and his team for their hard work and dedication,” said Gulf County Sheriff Mike Harrison. “Armed Drug Traffickers like Frazier needs to be off the streets and serving time in prison. Good job by all involved in this case.”

“We are extremely grateful for the local/Federal partnership that enables repeat meth traffickers to receive sentences which keeps them out of our communities longer, thus making them safer,” said Franklin County Sheriff A.J. Smith.

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

“Methamphetamine is destroying lives and tears at the fabric of our families and community,” said Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford. “We are proud to work with our partners to hold those that traffic in these destructive drugs accountable.”

“FHP is proud of our partnerships with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies,” said Colonel Gene Spaulding, Director of the Florida Highway Patrol. “I am especially proud of our troopers who put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe and secure.”

“Highly addictive and incredibly destructive, methamphetamine can have a devastating effect on our communities. DEA remains committed to keeping this destructive drug off of our streets,” said DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter. “This sentencing demonstrates how strong law enforcement partnerships are integral to keeping our communities safe and healthy.”

This case resulted from an investigation by the Gulf County Sheriff’s Office, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Highway Patrol, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. 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, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – A federal jury in Tallahassee convicted Gretchen Buselli (a/k/a “Gretchen Yarbrough”), 48, of Tallahassee, Florida, of use of an interstate commerce facility in the commission of murder-for-hire and making a false statement to a federal officer. The guilty verdict, returned today, at the conclusion of a five-day trial, was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

Evidence introduced during the trial revealed between on or about June 17, 2021, and on or about September 16, 2021, Buselli used the U.S. mail and a facility of interstate commerce, a cellular phone, with the intent that a murder be committed in violation of the laws of the State of Florida. Testimony revealed that Buselli communicated with an acquaintance via the U.S. mail, telephone calls, text, and an encrypted mobile application to solicit the murder of her estranged husband. The acquaintance reported Buselli’s request to law enforcement, who then engaged an undercover agent to further the investigation. Buselli communicated her desire to have her estranged husband killed to the undercover agent, providing a description of the intended victim, his whereabouts, and his routines. In subsequent conversations with the undercover agent, Buselli negotiated the price for committing the murder and discussed the manner in which the act would take place, acknowledging that she would be interviewed by law enforcement thereafter. Buselli was later surveilled depositing the agreed upon $5,000 payment at a public park. Following her delivery of the payment, agents observed Buselli dispose of the clothing she had worn during delivery of the payment. After being advised by the undercover agent that her estranged husband had been killed, Buselli stated, thank you. When later questioned by law enforcement, Buselli made multiple false statements denying her involvement in the plot and her desire to have her estranged husband killed.

Buselli’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 27, 2022, at 10:00 a.m., at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee before United States Chief District Judge Mark E. Walker. Buselli faces up to ten years’ imprisonment for the use of interstate commerce facility in the commission of murder-for-hire charge and up to five years imprisonment for making the false statement to a federal officer.

This conviction was the result of a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Tallahassee Police Department, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Eric Mountin and Kaitlin Weiss.

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 – Eugene Huelsman, 59, of Thousand Oaks, California, was sentenced to six months home confinement on one count of transmission of a threat in interstate commerce, announced Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“The free exercise of speech is central to our democracy,” stated U.S. Attorney Coody. "However, the communication of threats of physical violence, in this case by an individual who had previously made and been investigated for similar threats of violence, is clearly unlawful. With our law enforcement partners, we are committed to protecting public safety for all citizens. Today’s sentence acknowledges the defendant’s repeated threats of violence and should serve as a significant deterrent to those who would threaten violence against others rather than engage in lawful debate.”

At the hearing, Huelsman was sentenced for telephonic threats he made, on January 9, 2021, when he called United States Congressman Matthew Gaetz’s congressional district office in Pensacola, Florida. When no one answered the call, Huelsman left a profanity laced voicemail threatening to kill Congressman Gaetz. This included threatening to “put a bullet in” Congressman Gaetz and members of his family. Huelsman also threatened that he was “coming for” the Congressman, and that he hoped the Congressman would “die in a shallow grave.”

The United States Capitol Police were contacted when the threat was made, which triggered security protocols related to the victim. The investigation revealed this was not the first time Huelsman made threats involving political figures. Huelsman had previously been investigated by the United States Secret Service for threatening a member of a former President’s family on social media.   

"Words matter," said Sherri E. Onks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division, "and this sentencing should serve as a warning. Everyone has the right to express their opinion, but when you harass, intimidate, and threaten violence against others, it's a federal crime that will not be tolerated. The FBI and our law enforcement partners will work to hold you accountable."

Huelsman’s home confinement will be followed by five years’ probation, and a $10,000 fine.    

The case was investigated by the United States Capitol Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg.   

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 – A federal jury in Tallahassee convicted Jason Earl Kirkland, 44, of Cottonwood, Alabama of attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity and interstate travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. The guilty verdict, returned yesterday, at the conclusion of a two-day trial, 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,” stated U.S. Attorney Coody. “This multi-agency investigation and the related prosecution 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 2021, investigators from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Panama City Beach Police Department, Walton County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and Homeland Security Investigations conducted an undercover online operation to identify individuals seeking to engage in sexual activity with minors. Evidence introduced during the trial revealed that on May 12, 2021, a person with the username "Mark from Cottonwood" and who claimed to be 41 years old, later identified as Jason Earl Kirkland, sent a private message to an undercover (UC) law enforcement profile, claiming to be a 14-year-old girl located in Marianna, Florida, using a social media and messaging application. Kirkland and the UC officer exchanged several messages before having voice communications over the phone and through text messaging.

“The internet is a dangerous place for sexual predators who choose innocent children as their victims when it’s an uncover agent on the other end,” said HSI Jacksonville Assistant Special Agent in Charge K. Jim Phillips. “The investigative power of HSI, and our law enforcement partnerships Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Panama City Beach Police Department, Bay County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, is why this predator will spend some much-deserved time behind bars.”

“Nothing is more important than the safety of our children and we will work diligently with our law enforcement partners to ensure they do not become victims,” stated Jackson County Sheriff Donnie Edenfield.

On May 13, 2021, Kirkland resumed contact with the UC, where the conversation became sexual in nature and Kirkland expressed his desire to engage in sexual acts with the UC (who he believed to be a 14-year-old girl). Kirkland also sent a nude photograph of himself and of his genitals to the UC through text messages. Kirkland then traveled to Marianna, Florida to meet the UC so he could drive her back to his residence to engage in sexual activity. Kirkland was arrested upon his arrival at the designated meeting location.

“Unfortunately, we see too many cases like this, where children are potentially being preyed upon by sexual predators. These predators have the ability to camouflage themselves online, and they can seem friendly and non-threatening,” stated Chief Talamantez.  “We urge parents to remain diligent in their children’s use of social media and have those difficult conversations with your kids about the dangers of the Internet. There is a huge threat out there and we need to do everything we can to protect our children and prevent them from becoming victims. The Panama City Beach Police Department aggressively pursues these cases to protect our children and our community. This is one more predator off the street, but the threat never goes away. Our department is honored to work with other law enforcement agencies who are committed to the arrest and prosecution of these predators.”

Kirkland’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 7, 2022, at 1:30 p.m., at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee before United States Chief District Mark E. Walker. Kirkland faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years in prison, and a maximum of life in prison, for the attempted enticement charge. For the charge interstate travel to have sex with a minor, Kirkland faces a maximum of 30 years in prison.  

This conviction was the result of a joint investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Panama City Beach Police Department, Bay County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. 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 – Former Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office deputy Joseph Barnes, Jr., 54, of Chattahoochee, Florida, was sentenced to 10 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to one count of giving a false statement to a federal officer. The sentenced was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“Criminal conduct by those sworn to uphold the law represents the greatest and most harmful betrayal of public trust,” stated U.S. Attorney Coody. “The corrupt acts of an individual law enforcement officer endanger, rather than protect, the public. Moreover, such illegal conduct erodes the public’s trust in the legions of brave men and women who faithfully honor their oaths and place their lives on the line each day to keep our communities safe. We will vigorously investigate and prosecute any officer who betrays both their oath and the public’s trust.

Court documents reflect that during an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation, agents determined that then-deputy Barnes was actively aiding an individual involved in the distribution of narcotics in the Gadsden County area. Covert recordings captured Barnes physically examining the drug trafficker’s vehicle to determine if law enforcement had attached a GPS tracking device prior to the vehicle’s use to transport illegal drugs. In a subsequent covert recording, Barnes used his Gadsden County K-9, which was trained to detect the odor of narcotics, to determine if a K-9 would alert to drugs within a hidden compartment of the drug trafficker’s vehicle. Barnes’ K-9 alerted to the presence of the narcotics, but Barnes took no law enforcement action. Instead, Barnes gave the trafficker advice on how to evade law enforcement detection in the future. When questioned later by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Barnes made multiple false statements regarding his awareness of the drug trafficking activity and his efforts to facilitate the criminal conduct. Upon Barnes’ arrest he was immediately terminated by the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office.    

“Law enforcement officers are given incredible power to enforce the law and ensure justice," said Sherri E. Onks, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Jacksonville.  "The FBI and our law enforcement partners will always work together to stop abuse of power to insure the public's continued confidence in law enforcement. Any officer who tarnishes the badge by taking advantage of their position for personal gain must and will be held accountable.”

“Law enforcement officers take an oath to protect their community. When one violates that oath, it betrays the trust of the very people they are sworn to protect,” said DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter. “This sentence sends a clear message that DEA will continue to work with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to hold those who participate or aid in the distribution of illegal narcotics accountable for their actions.”

The case stemmed from an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a joint federal, state, and local cooperative, which targets drug trafficking organizations. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration. OCDETF Lead Task Force Attorney, Assistant United States Attorney Eric K. Mountin 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 – Romario Mark Anthony Murray, 27, of Montego Bay, Jamaica was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud, four counts of wire fraud, and three counts of mail fraud.   The convictions stemmed from activities designed to defraud elderly victims of their money through false promises of sweepstakes prizes. The sentence was announced by United States Attorney Jason R. Coody for the Northern District of Florida.

"Americans are fed up with the constant barrage of scams that maliciously target the elderly and other vulnerable citizens," said U.S. Attorney Coody. "Given our large elder population, Florida experiences far too many instances of fraud against unsuspecting, vulnerable seniors. With the assistance of our dedicated law enforcement partners, we are committed to investigating and vigorously prosecuting those who seek to steal the hard-earned savings of our senior citizens."

Since the late 1990s, telemarketers in Jamaica have been engaging in a scam in which they contact victims in the United States and falsely claim their targets have won large sweepstakes prizes. Victims, who are primarily elderly, are induced to send cash or cash equivalents in order to release their supposed prizes. The victims’ funds are often transported by wire transfers and United States Postal Service packages. 

Court documents reflect that between 2017 and 2019, Murray and others conspired together to receive wire transfers and packages mailed by victims, totaling $608,801.99. The conspirators then took a percentage of the funds for themselves before forwarding the remainder to Murray in Jamaica. Nineteen victims were identified through banking records and law enforcement analysis. 

Murray’s prison sentence will be followed by 3 years of supervised release.

“This sentencing should send a clear message to criminals defrauding American residents,” said Juan A. Vargas, Acting Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Miami Division. “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service will relentlessly pursue them, regardless of international borders, and bring them to justice.”

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Spaven prosecuted the case following a joint investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Panama City Police Department.

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 – Quinton L. Pete, 33, of Ocala, Florida, was indicted by a federal grand jury charging him with attempted Hobbs Act robbery and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The indictment was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. Pete was arrested on this case in Dallas, Texas, a day after the armed robbery in Pensacola.

The federal indictment alleges that on or about March 9, 2022, Pete attempted to rob persons at the Coyote’s Sports Bar, which is next to Cordova Mall in Pensacola. It also alleges Pete did so with a firearm after previously being convicted of a felony. The Pensacola Police Department was the first to respond to and investigate the crime scene. Working in conjunction with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the United States Marshals Service, the Pensacola Police Department was able to locate Pete in Dallas, Texas, and have him taken into custody without incident. 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg. 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.

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.

An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

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 – Scott P. Haines, 50, of Milton, Florida, pled guilty to multiple federal and state felony charges this week, announced Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. Haines entered his guilty pleas in federal court and state court separately. In federal court, Haines pled guilty to making material false statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation during the course of its investigation. In state court, Haines pled guilty to the unauthorized access or use of a computer system or network in relation to law enforcement systems.

During his plea in federal court, Haines admitted that he became personally involved in the real property management and finances of an elderly woman in Santa Rosa County and deposited rental payments from tenants of the elderly woman into his own bank account without authority to do so. When confronted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Haines made material false statements regarding his involvement with the rental properties, the depositing of rental payments into his personal account, and his knowledge and involvement with the Last Will and Testament of the elderly woman of which he became a beneficiary.

During his plea in state court, Haines admitted to his personal misuse of the National Crime Information Center database utilized by law enforcement officers and analysts for official purposes.   

Sentencing is currently set for October 17, 2022, at 9:00 a.m., at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before the Honorable United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers. Haines faces up to five years’ federal imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. He will also pay over $45,000 in investigative and prosecutive costs and relinquish his criminal justice certifications pursuant to the state prosecution.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg and Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Guillermo L. Vallejo.   

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 —Ahmad T. Ismail, 70, of Bonifay, Florida, settled potential violations of the Controlled Substances Act by agreeing to pay a fine of $130,000 and surrendering his Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration.  The settlement was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“A physician’s failure to adhere to the safeguards of the Controlled Substances Act can facilitate the diversion of addictive drugs, illegal distribution of those substances, and risk of overdose,” said U.S. Attorney Jason R. Coody. “With our law enforcement partners, we will continue to utilize both the civil and criminal provisions of the Controlled Substances Act to protect our communities and hold violators responsible.”

Ismail entered into a civil settlement agreement with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida. The terms of the settlement include a provision that Ismail will surrender his DEA registration and will not reapply for a period of at least three years. In addition, Ismail will pay a fine of $130,000. 

Beginning in December 2018, DEA investigators conducted a routine inspection of Ismail’s practice in Bonifay, Florida. During that inspection and subsequent investigation, they discovered numerous potential civil violations of the Controlled Substances Act, including:

1. Failing to keep complete and accurate records, revealing significant discrepancies between the number of dosage units in inventory and the number of dosage units purchased using Dr. Ismail’s DEA registration number;
2. Failing to complete a biennial inventory;
3. Failing to maintain accurate and complete records of dispensation/administration of controlled substances;
4. Failing to maintain complete and accurate dispensing records to include the name of the substance, quantity, date dispensed, address of person whom it was dispensed, the written or typewritten name or initials of the individual who dispensed the substance, the drug strength, and units in each container; and
5. Failing to sign and date a controlled substance prescription on the date of issuance on at least two occasions.

“As trusted members of the community, medical professionals are required to adhere to the federal laws regarding controlled substances as set forth in the Controlled Substances Act,” said DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter. “Our communities can rest assured that DEA will pursue civil actions against any DEA Registrant who violates these federal laws as well as the trust of the American public.”

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

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

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 – Trevor Alec Hruby, 24, of Gainesville, Florida, was indicted by a federal grand jury charging him with four counts of production of child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography. The indictment was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. Hruby was remanded to federal custody following his arraignment on the charges.

The indictment alleges that, between December 2020 and September 2021, Hruby produced and possessed material containing child pornography. The pornographic material allegedly found in Hruby’s possession involved minors under the age of 12.

Trial for Hruby is set for August 3, 2022, at 8:30 a.m., at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville before the Honorable United States District Judge Allen Winsor.

Hruby is also facing separate, related state charges which are being prosecuted by the State Attorney’s Office for 8th Judicial Circuit.

An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

The case was investigated by the Gainesville Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney F.T. Williams.

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 – Jonquayvias Davon Givens-Moore, 21, of Miami, Florida, has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison after he pled guilty to carjacking, brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon following his guilty plea on March 8, 2022. The prison term will be followed by 5 years of supervised release.  Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the sentence.

“The horrific beating and armed carjacking perpetrated by this recently released felon is beyond the pale and he is unquestionably deserving of the imposed sentence,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “Due to the valiant efforts of the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, this violent felon has been held accountable for his continued criminal conduct, and our community is safer as a result.”

Court documents reflect that on August 30, 2021, Givens-Moore requested a ride using the Uber rideshare app. The Uber driver responded, picked him up, then began proceeding towards his pre-set destination. Along the way, Givens-Moore feigned confusion about their path of travel and directed the Uber driver to pull into an apartment complex. When the driver did so, Givens-Moore produced a Glock .40 caliber pistol, pointed it in the driver’s face, and climbed into the front passenger seat. From that position, Givens-Moore demanded the vehicle and threatened to kill the driver if she did not give it to him. When the driver resisted and pleaded with Givens-Moore to not steal her vehicle, he attempted to forcibly eject her from the vehicle and ultimately struck her in the head with his firearm repeatedly. These blunt force strikes to the driver’s head caused significant injury and almost caused her to lose consciousness. Givens-Moore was eventually able to remove the driver from the vehicle and he fled from the apartment complex in the driver’s vehicle, striking other vehicles in the process.

Civilian witnesses in the complex observed the struggle and called 911 to report the incident and provided aid to the driver. A responding deputy from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) quickly spotted the vehicle being driven from the scene by Givens-Moore. As he did so, Givens-Moore accelerated and eventually entered onto I-75 southbound, with multiple deputies giving chase. During the high-speed chase that ensued, Givens-Moore travelled at speeds in excess of 110 mph and drove in an incredibly reckless and dangerous manner as he attempted to elude law enforcement. Givens-Moore attempted to exit I-75 at the Micanopy exit, but lost control on the shoulder of the exit ramp. ACSO deputies arrived shortly after his vehicle became stuck and removed him from the vehicle. A subsequent search of the vehicle led to recovery of the loaded Glock .40 caliber pistol with an extended magazine.

“This case highlights the value of law enforcement and the community working together to hold violent criminals accountable as violent crime will not be tolerated in our neighborhoods,” said Alachua County Sheriff Clovis Watson, Jr. “We will continue to work with all our law enforcement and judicial partners to ensure Alachua County remains a safe community.”

“This case is a direct result of the commitment by the FBI and the Alachua County Sheriff's Office to protect and keep our streets safe by identifying, investigating and arresting violent criminals," said Sherri E. Onks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation adopted the case for federal prosecution and conducted additional investigation. Givens-Moore had multiple prior felony convictions, including two-armed robbery convictions and an attempted robbery conviction from 2017. Givens-Moore had been released from the Florida Department of Corrections just three months prior to this carjacking and he was still on supervision resulting from those convictions at the time of this offense. Givens-Moore also had additional prior felony convictions, including grand thefts of automobiles and burglary. 

This sentencing resulted from the collaborative work of the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Chris Elsey. 

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.