Northern District of Florida
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Foreign National Arrested at Pensacola International Airport Pleads Guilty to National Security OffensesRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – United States Attorney Lawrence Keefe, of the Northern District of Florida, today announced that Colin Fisher, a citizen of the United Kingdom, pleaded guilty to federal charges of violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”) and attempted smuggling in relation to exporting power generating equipment to Iran. Fisher was arrested by federal agents when he arrived in Pensacola from the United Arab Emirates earlier this month to consummate the illegal transaction and get equipment for a buyer in Iran.
Fisher, 45, admitted in United States District Court in Pensacola that from October 1, 2017, to August 7, 2020, he worked to violate the Iranian embargo by attempting to export a Solar Mars 90 S turbine core engine and parts from the United States for delivery to an end user in Iran. This included participating in fraudulent invoicing and using coded language with conspirators to communicate about the illegal transactions. Despite these efforts, law enforcement authorities discovered the plan and were able to seize the turbine before its transatlantic journey to the end user in Iran, a conspirator in Iran who is linked to an Iranian energy company. The intercepted turbine, which was valued at half a million dollars, could be used to provide needed energy to the oil fields of Iran.
“Exporting technology to Iran is prohibited for a very good reason, yet this defendant chose to put his own self-interest above global and national security,” U.S. Attorney Keefe said. “This case should send a clear signal that the United States cannot and will not look the other way when persons endanger the safety of our nation and its people. We will enforce these laws, which are vital to our national security, against those both within the United States and abroad.”
James Meharg, CEO and president of Turbine Resources International, LLC, in Pensacola, was previously convicted of conspiring with Fisher to export a large turbine and parts from the United States to an Iranian recipient in violation of the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations. Meharg is currently serving a 40-month sentence in federal prison.
“The commitment of the Bureau of Industry and Security to protect our nation’s security against terrorist procurement networks in State Sponsors of Terrorism countries such as Iran remains unwavering,” said P. Lee Smith, Performing the Non-exclusive Functions and Duties of the Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement in the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security. “These continued efforts to bring all conspirators to justice are demonstrated in this most recent guilty plea.”
Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg has prosecuted the case following a joint investigation by the United States Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Fisher faces up to 20 years imprisonment for violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and up to 10 years imprisonment for attempted smuggling. A sentencing date has been set for November 10, 2020, at 9:00 a.m. at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola.
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 U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Factual Basis For Guilty Plea C. Fisher Press Release - Colin FisherDefendants in Pensacola Dog Fighting Prosecution Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
The last of four defendants to be convicted for their roles in a dog fighting conspiracy was sentenced today in federal court in Pensacola, Florida.
David Lee Moser, 37, of Waynesboro, Tennessee, was sentenced today to 12 months and one day in prison. Moser pleaded guilty to conspiring with the co-defendants to violate the dog fighting prohibitions of the federal Animal Welfare Act.
The other three defendants include:
- James “Tommy” Peek, 68, of Milton, Florida, was sentenced on Aug. 10, 2020, to serve 15 months in prison. Peek had pleaded guilty to unlawfully conspiring to violate the dog fighting prohibitions of the federal Animal Welfare Act, delivering a dog to co-defendant Shane Sprague for purposes of having the dog participate in an animal fighting venture, and possessing a dog for purposes of having the dog participate in an animal fighting venture.
- Haley Cook Murph, 25, of Milton, Florida, was sentenced on Aug. 12, 2020, to serve eight months in prison. Murph had pleaded guilty to unlawfully conspiring to violate the dog fighting prohibitions of the federal Animal Welfare Act, traveling to Alabama to purchase a fighting dog from a known dog fighter, and possessing that dog for purposes of using the dog in an animal fighting venture.
- Shane Patrick Sprague, 36, of Pensacola, Florida, was sentenced on Aug. 13, 2020, to serve 18 months in prison. A jury had convicted Sprague of felony conspiracy to violate the animal fighting prohibitions of the federal Animal Welfare Act.
Senior U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson in the Northern District of Florida imposed the sentences.
“Our division continues to aggressively pursue those who engage in the cruel and brutal practice of dog fighting, which is often linked with many other forms of violent and organized criminal activity,” said Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Bossert Clark of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “Today’s sentencing, along with the prior sentencings of other defendants in this case, sends a strong message that we are bringing to justice those who engage in illegal dog fighting and trafficking of fighting dogs. Anyone who engages in this conduct does so at the risk of significant jail time.”
“Federal prison sentences are absolutely appropriate for these criminals,” said U.S. Attorney Lawrence Keefe for the Northern District of Florida. “Each one of them knowingly contributed to the immeasurable fear, suffering and pain these helpless dogs experienced. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to pursue and prosecute those who violate the Animal Welfare Act to the fullest extent of the law.”
“The cruel and inhumane practice of dog fighting has no place in a civilized society and is against federal law,” said Special Agent in Charge Jason Williams of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Inspector General (USDA-OIG). “The outstanding work of the USDA-OIG agents who investigated this case made it possible to bring these operators of a major animal fighting venture and breeders who participate in such activities to justice. We will continue to vigorously investigate individuals who attend, facilitate, or profit from the misery inflicted upon animals during these barbaric fights.”
Evidence at trial, along with admissions made by the pleading defendants in conjunction with their plea agreements, established that Sprague arranged dog fights and trafficked in fighting dogs with Moser and others. Moser admitted that he and Sprague agreed to fight their dogs against one another and to prepare a dog for a dog fight, and had discussed concealing evidence that one of Moser’s dogs had killed another dog.
Peek was one of the suppliers of fighting dogs to the conspiracy. He used his reputation as a prominent dog fighter to sell fighting dogs to others around the country. A dog fighting book commonly seized as evidence in dog fighting investigations has a chapter devoted to Peek, which Peek would autograph and sell to customers. He admitted to having delivered a dog to Sprague, believing that the dog would be used for fighting purposes. He also admitted to selling a dog to an undercover agent after making representations about the fighting “bloodlines” and prior and upcoming dog fights scheduled for some of the dogs on his yard.
Murph’s role was that of a makeshift “veterinarian.” Although Murph at no time possessed a veterinary license, she admitted to offering and performing veterinary and surgical procedures on dogs belonging to members of the conspiracy, treating dogs injured in a dog fight, and surgically removing dogs’ ears, including for the purpose of dog fighting. Two dogs she treated died from their fighting injuries. Murph also admitted to supplying a “bait” animal to test the fighting abilities of one of the dogs of a co-defendant. Finally, Murph admitted to traveling to Alabama to receive a dog from a known dog fighter, and to keeping that dog for the purposes of having the dog participate in an animal fighting venture.
Trial Attorney Ethan Eddy and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Love prosecuted the case. The matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Inspector General.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
- James “Tommy” Peek, 68, of Milton, Florida, was sentenced on Aug. 10, 2020, to serve 15 months in prison. Peek had pleaded guilty to unlawfully conspiring to violate the dog fighting prohibitions of the federal Animal Welfare Act, delivering a dog to co-defendant Shane Sprague for purposes of having the dog participate in an animal fighting venture, and possessing a dog for purposes of having the dog participate in an animal fighting venture.
Pensacola Business Owner Ordered to Pay over $72,000 in Restitution and Fines for Defrauding the United StatesRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – United States Attorney Lawrence Keefe, of the Northern District of Florida, today announced that Pensacola business owner Gerald Mandel, 52, was sentenced to three years’ probation on federal charges of theft of government money and submitting false claims for overpayment to the United States. Mandel, owner and operator of DLUX Printing, in Pensacola, filed approximately 9 fraudulent invoices to the Government Publishing Office (GPO), an agency of the United States, resulting in over $47,000 of fraudulent payments. In addition to probation Mandel was ordered to pay full restitution as well as a $25,000 fine, for a total of $72,255.48.
“Gerald Mandel took advantage of the control he had over the direct mail services process to steal almost 50,000 taxpayer dollars from the federal government,” said U.S. Attorney Keefe. “His sentencing today sends a message that we expect, and demand, our government employees and contractors act with integrity and follow the law. Greed will not go unchecked in the Northern District of Florida.”
Mandel submitted approximately 115 invoices to GPO for payment between January 1, 2013, and May 15, 2018. According to the GPO’s Office of Inspector General, 33 of those invoices were submitted for direct mail services. Contracts for direct mail services require the contractor to print items for a government agency and then mail the majority of those items directly to individual consumers. Mandel schemed to receive overpayment for direct mail contracts by printing only about half the number of items ordered by the consumer. Mandel then falsified shipping documents to reflect that the orders were actually complete so that he would receive full payment from the GPO. Investigators identified 11 shipments containing falsified mailing documents which Mandel used to file 9 fraudulent invoices.
“The Government Publishing Office, Office of Inspector General is committed to ensuring the integrity of GPO contracts and financial expenditures,” said Inspector General Michael P. Leary. “We take allegations of false claims, overbilling and theft of government funds very seriously and will aggressively investigate these matters to ensure efficiency and effectiveness throughout GPO programs. We appreciate the efforts of the DOJ in pursuing these allegations and will continue our collaboration with the DOJ to investigative those who seek to defraud agency programs.”
Deputy United States Attorney Jeffrey Tharp prosecuted the case after an investigation by the Government Publishing Office, Office of Inspector General.
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 U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Mandel Statement of Facts Press Release - U.S. v. MandelFort Walton Beach Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Embezzling over $825,000Read the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Michael C. Greutman, 59, of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, was sentenced Tuesday afternoon to 42 months in federal prison on charges of wire fraud and tax evasion stemming from his embezzlement of funds from his employer. Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the sentencing.
“Thanks to the effective teamwork of federal and local authorities, a seven-year scheme to rip off a family-owned business will end in a federal prison,” said U.S. Attorney Keefe. “This criminal thought he would use a position of trust to steal from good people, but instead he will be paying a heavy price for his actions.”
Between 2009 and 2016, Greutman embezzled over $825,000 from his employer, a family-owned business in Shalimar, Florida. Greutman worked as the Chief Financial Officer and stole money by making unauthorized online payments on his personal credit cards with employer funds, using corporate credit cards for unauthorized personal purchases, and transferring company funds to his personal bank accounts. He used his position to create false documentation and manipulate accounting records to cover up his scheme. Greutman also failed to report the embezzled money as income on his federal income tax returns.
“If left unchecked, greed can be a powerful and dangerous motivator,” said Special Agent in Charge Brian Payne of IRS Criminal Investigation. “Financial crimes cause serious harm, not just in the pocket books, but in the emotional wellbeing of its victims. Our joint task force with the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office aims to continue to protect and improve our community by holding accountable those who perpetrate these devastating crimes.”
“Despite the defendant’s extensive and sophisticated attempts to conceal his embezzlement, it was not enough to escape the focused scrutiny and meticulous approach of Investigator Les Wolthers,” said Okaloosa County Sheriff Larry Ashley. “His investigation grew into a unified effort with our federal partners and we are proud of the successful outcome these relationships produced.”
Deputy United States Attorney Jeffrey Tharp prosecuted the case after a joint investigation by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation as part of the Emerald Coast Financial Crimes Task Force.
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. The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Press Release U.S. v. GreutmanLynn Haven Mayor and City Attorney Indicted for Corruption and Fraud Charges Stemming from Hurricane Michael Clean-up ActivitiesRead the Press Release
PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA – Lynn Haven City’s Mayor and Attorney are the subjects of a 64-count indictment returned yesterday by a federal grand jury in Panama City, Florida. Lynn Haven Mayor Margo Anderson, 65, of Jacksonville, Florida, and Lynn Haven City Attorney Joseph Adam Albritton, 33, of Lynn Haven, Florida, have been indicted for conspiring to commit wire fraud and honest services fraud, substantive counts of wire fraud, honest services fraud, and theft concerning federal programs. Anderson is also charged with making false statements to FBI agents. Albritton is charged with submitting a false invoice to an insurance company for hurricane debris removal from his residence.
United States Attorney Lawrence Keefe of the Northern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Rachel Rojas of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Jacksonville Division, and Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford made the announcement at a press conference held today.
“This indictment serves as a powerful message to all public officials and any other citizen who serves in a position of trust,” said U.S. Attorney Keefe. “Our Public Trust Unit, working alongside our federal, state and local law enforcement partners, are committed to investigating and prosecuting anyone who illegally abuses a position of trust for personal gain. The integrity of those who run our government is essential to our democracy.”
Anderson was arrested by FBI agents this morning at her Jacksonville, Florida, residence. Her initial appearance is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. EST today at the United States Courthouse in Jacksonville. Albritton was arrested by deputies of the Bay County Sherriff’s Office this morning in Lynn Haven, Florida. His initial appearance is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. EST today at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee.
"This case is an example of what happens when public servants becomes complicit in corrupt behavior rather than standing up to it," said Rachel L. Rojas, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division. "Anyone who puts personal greed above their responsibility to protect the public should be held accountable, and that is why rooting out corrupt public officials remains the FBI’s number one criminal investigative priority."
Following Hurricane Michael, on October 16, 2018, the City of Lynn Haven adopted a local state of emergency for post-disaster relief and planning. The City also approved a resolution waiving the procedures that are normally required under Florida law so that timely action could be taken to ensure the safety, welfare, and health of the citizens of Lynn Haven. The resolution delegated emergency powers to Mayor Anderson or her designee, meaning they could independently enter into contracts and spend public funds. Although the emergency declaration was ended by Lynn Haven two weeks later, the city entered into an emergency agreement with David White, owner of Erosion Control Specialists (ECS) to perform hurricane clean-up services.
The indictment returned yesterday alleges ECS was paid for services that were not authorized under the emergency contract. According to the indictment, unauthorized work valued at over $48,000 was performed at the private residences of Anderson, her mother, and a neighbor, and an additional $25,000 worth of unauthorized work was performed at the private residences of Albritton and his girlfriend. The indictment alleges that ECS invoices falsely claimed this work was provided to Lynn Haven public areas. After the unauthorized work was performed, Albritton went on to file a fraudulent claim with St. John’s Insurance Company that his residence had been damaged by Hurricane Michael, according to the indictment. Albritton is charged with providing the insurance company with a false invoice from ECS indicating he had paid for tree removal, debris removal, and installation of a tarp to his residence totaling $9,600.
Anderson and Albritton are also charged with devising a scheme to defraud Lynn Haven and its citizens of their right to honest services of Anderson, as Mayor, and Albritton, as City Attorney. The indictment alleges that both Anderson and Albritton solicited and received bribes or kickbacks from City projects that they approved.
After the initial emergency declaration by Lynn Haven expired, the indictment alleges Albritton conspired with then-City Manager Michael White to award a trash pick-up project to ECS. Although Lynn Haven waste trucks had the ability to perform the same work at no additional cost to the city, ECS was paid $300 per hour, per crew for this task. The indictment charges Albritton with demanding, and receiving, $10,000 in cash for each weeks of trash services billed to Lynn Haven by ECS from mid-October 2018 through January 2019. The city of Lynn Haven was ultimately billed $1.8 million for unnecessary trash pick-up according to the indictment.
The indictment alleges that Anderson halted progress on plans to permit a city-owned site for disposal of vegetative debris, even though using the city-owned site would have saved Lynn Haven millions of dollars in disposal fees. Instead, the indictment alleges Anderson told the City Manager to use a privately owned company (Company B) for vegetative debris disposal. According to the indictment, the city of Lynn Haven paid disposal fees in excess of $2 million to Company B. Additionally, the indictment charges that between 2015 and the present date, Anderson helped Company B win multiple other multi-million dollar contracts with the city of Lynn Haven. In return, the indictment charges Anderson with accepting things of value from the owner of Company B, including travel in a private airplane, lodging aboard a private yacht, meals and entertainment. According to the indictment, Anderson and her husband also received a $106,000 motorhome from Company B in February 2018.
During the time periods when the alleged crimes were being committed, neither Anderson nor Albritton filed required quarterly gift reports documenting that they received gifts in excess of $100 according to the indictment.
This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bay County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephen M. Kunz.
“I am proud of the efforts of the senior criminal investigators and analysts from the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, and at the expertise of the team assembled by U.S. Attorney Larry Keefe and Special Agent in Charge Rachel Rojas,” said Tommy Ford, Bay County Sheriff. “Through this partnership we will work to root out corruption and hold those responsible for taking advantage of us during our most vulnerable time. This investigation remains very active and ongoing.”
If convicted, both Anderson and Albritton face prison terms of up to 20 years for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and honest services fraud, substantive wire fraud and honest services fraud, and mail fraud, and 10 years for theft concerning programs receiving federal funds. Anderson could be sentenced to an additional 5 year term if convicted for making false statements to federal agents and Albritton faces a maximum of 20 years for submitting a false invoice to an insurance company.
This indictment is a follow-up to the indictment returned in November 2019 of five defendants, including former Lynn Haven City Manager Michael White, former Lynn Haven Community Services Director David Horton, and Erosion Control Specialists owner David White, for conspiring to commit wire fraud, substantive counts of wire fraud and honest services fraud, relating to post-Hurricane Michael clean-up activities in Lynn Haven. All five of the defendants indicted in November have pled guilty to charges from the first indictment, and are awaiting sentencing.
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.
Press Release - Anderson and Albritton Anderson Albritton IndictmentPensacola Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Firearms at Veterans Affairs FacilityRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – United States Attorney Lawrence Keefe, of the Northern District of Florida, yesterday announced that Pensacola resident Howell E. Camp, 58, pled guilty to carrying a concealed firearm and possession of firearms on federal property, stemming from a May 6 incident at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Joint Ambulatory Care Clinic in Pensacola. Camp admitted that he illegally possessed a 5.56 millimeter Del-Ton Incorporated rifle and a 9 millimeter Smith & Wesson pistol while at the federal facility.
Camp admitted that he became agitated while waiting for a prescription to be filled by the clinic, and left the federal facility to retrieve multiple firearms from his residence. When he returned, Camp approached the clinic doors armed with his rifle, which was loaded with 20 rounds, including one in the chamber. He was stopped at gunpoint by Veterans Affairs Police officers and taken into custody. The officers found a concealed Smith & Wesson pistol in Camp’s waistband.
“Tragedy was averted thanks to the diligence and professionalism of the VA Police officers on duty that day,” said U.S. Attorney Keefe. “We and our law enforcement partners are deeply committed to stopping gun violence and protecting federal facilities and the people who work and visit them. Veterans clinics are there to serve the brave men and women who have given so much to serve our nation, and those officers were truly heroes that day.”
Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg is prosecuting the case following a joint investigation by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General (VA OIG) joined by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).
“The VA Police officers on scene deserve the highest praise. They showed tremendous restraint, protected the public, and even protected Howard Camp. Because of their actions, lives were saved,” said Jack Massey, FDLE Pensacola Special Agent in Charge. “FDLE will continue working closely with our federal partners doing all we can to protect our community.”
“Camp’s dangerous actions risked the safety and well-being of veterans and VA employees,” said David Spilker, VA OIG Special Agent in Charge. “VA OIG is steadfast in ensuring that VA facilities remain a safe environment for veterans and their families to seek healthcare services and we will work with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable anyone who attempts to commit acts of violence or intimidation at VA facilities. I commend the swift and heroic actions of the VA Police officers, who prevented a potentially deadly outcome in this case."
Camp faces up to six years’ imprisonment following his guilty plea. As a convicted felon, he will be prohibited from possessing firearms in the future. His sentencing has been scheduled for October 29, 2020 at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola.
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 U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Press Release - Howard CampTwo Men Indicted for Conspiracy, Bank Fraud, and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – A federal grand jury returned an indictment on July 7, 2020, charging two men with conspiracy to commit bank fraud, 13 counts of bank fraud, and 1 count of aggravated identity theft. The indictment was announced by Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
The indictment charges Isaleb Anofils, 31, of Vero Beach, and Donyell Garland, 32, of Tallahassee. It alleges that Anofils and Garland conspired to defraud federally insured financial institutions between January 1, 2018, and April 9, 2018. Specifically, the indictment alleges that the two men used a combination of cell phone apps and various internet websites to obtain personally identifiable information on nine individuals. Anofils and Garland then allegedly used that information to make fraudulent cash withdrawals from ATMs at their victims’ financial institutions. In total, it is alleged that Anofils and Garland fraudulently obtained or attempted to obtain approximately $151,000 in funds to which they were not entitled.
Both men face a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison for the conspiracy to commit bank fraud and bank fraud counts, and an additional 2-year mandatory minimum prison sentence, consecutive to any other sentence imposed, for the aggravated identity theft count.
This case resulted from an investigation by the Leon County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the United States Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen is prosecuting the case.
A jury trial for Garland is scheduled for August 24, 2020, and Anofil’s jury trial is scheduled for September 28, 2020. Each defendant will be tried before the Honorable Chief United States District Judge Mark E. Walker at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee.
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.
Press Release - Anofil and GarlandTallahassee Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Sex Trafficking of A MinorRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA –A Tallahassee man was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison on July 23, 2020, after his conviction on sex trafficking charges. Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced that Dishay Henderson, 36, was sentenced last week following a January jury verdict finding him guilty of Enticement of a Minor to Engage in Prostitution and two counts of Sex Trafficking of a Minor.
“Sex trafficking of minors has absolutely no place in our society,” said U.S. Attorney Keefe. “It is a shameful, despicable practice, and the United States Attorney’s Office is committed to working closely with our federal, state, and local partners to pursue justice on behalf of the victims of this heinous crime.”
Henderson used his Tallahassee residence in early 2018 as a location for commercial sex trafficking and drug activity. He specifically harbored and solicited a 16-year-old girl, prostituting her to others for personal and financial gain. At times, his methods were violent and aggressive. In announcing the sentence, Chief United States District Judge Mark E. Walker noted that the sentence was, in part, aimed to deter others from “preying on the most vulnerable among us.”
Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Spaven prosecuted the case, which was jointly investigated by the Tallahassee Police Department (TPD) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
“I continue to be amazed by the outstanding work of TPD’s Special Victims Unit, specifically Investigator Beth Bascom. Once again, her tireless dedication to defend some of our most vulnerable citizens has resulted in a predator being taken off the streets. We appreciate the support and cooperation of HSI and our partner agencies,” TPD Chief Lawrence Revell said.
“This predator used sex trafficking to profit from the sexual abuse of young girls,” said Micah McCombs, acting Deputy Special Agent in Charge for HSI in Tampa. “The sentencing he received highlights the gravity of this crime, and we are proud the Tallahassee Police Department and our HSI special agents stopped him from doing more harm to young children.”
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.
Press Release - U.S. v. HendersonGainesville Gun Violence Initiative Secures Convictions for Three Men with Histories of Violence and Drug OffensesRead the Press Release
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Three Alachua County men, each with multiple prior felony convictions, were sentenced in late June, 2020, to federal prison terms ranging from 5 to 17 years followed by supervised release for firearm and drug offenses. United States Attorney Lawrence Keefe for the Northern District of Florida announced the sentences.
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 Gainesville Gun Violence Initiative gets results. There is still more work to be done, but I am confident that we will continue to remove violent felons from the streets and make our communities safer,” said U.S. Attorney Keefe. “My staff and I remain committed to supporting our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners and I applaud the dedicated professionals who brought these men to justice.”
Darris Orr, (33), of Gainesville, Florida, received concurrent federal prison sentences of 10 and 17 years on June 29, 2020, after pleading guilty on January 28, 2020, to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Eutylone (a synthetic cathinone, more commonly known as “bath salts”), and Marijuana. During a traffic stop on May 14, 2019, officers of the Gainesville Police Department searched a vehicle Orr was a passenger in and discovered a loaded 9 millimeter (9mm) pistol in the glove box. Orr admitted owning the gun and was arrested for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. He was indicted on August 6, 2019. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms conducted a follow-up investigation and a federal warrant was issued for Orr’s arrest. When Orr was later apprehended on September 5, 2019, he was in possession of 77 grams of Eutylone (more commonly known as “bath salts”), approximately 150 pills containing Methamphetamine, and approximately half a pound of Marijuana. Orr had prior felony convictions including drug possession with the intent to sell, felony battery, burglary, and victim/witness tampering.
"This is a result of excellent cooperation between local and federal authorities to address gun violence on the streets of Gainesville," said Chief Tony Jones of the Gainesville Police Department.
Curtis Lee Woods Jr., (29), also of Gainesville, was sentenced on June 30, 2020, after pleading guilty on January 28, 2020, to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. On July 29, 2019, Woods ran from Alachua County Sheriff’s Office warrant investigators as they attempted to apprehend him on an outstanding arrest warrant for Attempted Murder. As investigators caught up with Woods, they saw him throw something over the 15 foot wall that boxed him in. Once Woods was in custody, sheriff’s deputies located and recovered a loaded 9mm pistol from the other side of the wall. Forensics experts from the sheriff’s office recovered Woods’ fingerprint from the slide of the pistol. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms conducted a follow-up investigation. Woods had prior felony convictions including aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, robbery with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and false imprisonment.
“I applaud the hard work of everyone involved in the successful completion of this case,” said Alachua County Sheriff, Sadie Darnell. “Make no mistake, violent crime involving guns and drugs will not be tolerated in our community. We will continue to work with all our partners to make sure that those who choose to resort to violence with firearms are dealt with accordingly.”
Fermon Green III, (39), of Hawthorne, Florida, was sentenced on June 30, 2020, after pleading guilty on March 3, 2020, to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison. On September 28, 2019, Alachua County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call from a female who said Green threatened her with a firearm inside her own home, and that he was still on the porch outside her residence. When deputies arrived and questioned him, Green denied he had a firearm but a search revealed that he was in possession of a 9mm pistol that had previously been reported stolen. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms conducted a follow-up investigation. Green had prior felony convictions including child abuse, battery on a law enforcement officer, felony battery, burglary, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
“Our law enforcement partnerships play such a vital role in fighting violent crime and protecting the public,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge, Daryl McCrary, “This sentencing is another example that working jointly with our partners is making our communities safer.”
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.
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.
Press Release - Gainesville Gun Violence InitiativeLast Conspirator Pleads Guilty in $5 Million Fraud over Hurricane Michael Cleanup in Lynn HavenRead the Press Release
PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA – The last remaining defendant indicted in a $5 million fraud against the City of Lynn Haven has pled guilty to a charge stemming from the Hurricane Michael-related scheme. Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced that David Wayne Horton, who was the city’s Community Services Director at the time of the fraud, entered a guilty plea to wire fraud. The charge stemmed from a 35-count federal indictment that included the former Lynn Haven city manager.
The indictment, handed down by a federal grand jury, alleged that in the wake of Hurricane Michael, the City of Lynn Haven entered into contracts for debris removal. The indictment alleged that ECS and Greenleaf submitted invoices that were false and fraudulent, but then-City Manager Michael White approved them and directed city employees to immediately pay ECS and Greenleaf for those invoices. The other defendants took various actions to advance the conspiracy, which defrauded Lynn Haven of approximately $5 million.
In entering his guilty plea, Horton admitted to signing and certifying fraudulent time sheets that purported to show how various individuals had performed hurricane cleanup work for the city. According to a Statement of Facts entered with Horton’s plea, when he was interviewed by federal agents in 2018, Horton made false statements to agents claiming that he had signed and certified the time sheets and that the number of workers on the time sheets had actually provided the services represented.
“With today’s guilty plea, everyone who has been indicted thus far has admitted to their role in a shameless scheme to defraud the taxpayers. These individuals violated the public trust, and now they will pay the consequences. The plea closes this chapter of our ongoing investigation, but our Public Trust Unit will continue to pursue those involved in similar conduct within Bay County and throughout the Northern District,” U.S. Attorney Keefe said.
Four of the five defendants named in the indictment last November had previously pled guilty. They are former Lynn Haven City Manager Michael Edward White, ECS owner David Mitchelle White, Shannon Delores Rodriguez, a/k/a Shannon Delores Harris, and Joshua Daniel Anderson, owner of Greenleaf Lawn Care of Bay County, all of Panama City.
"The citizens of Florida are entitled to decisions based on the best interests of the public, not the best interests of corrupt public officials and the individuals who pay them bribes," said Rachel L. Rojas, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division. "The FBI is committed to aggressively pursuing those who violate the trust placed in them by the public, and holding them accountable for their actions."
As a result of his guilty plea, Horton faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special monetary assessment to be paid prior to sentencing. He also agreed to pay full restitution to his victims and to forfeit all property derived from the proceeds of the fraud or used to facilitate it. Sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 29, 2020, at 3:00pm at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee.
"I am pleased that those that took advantage of us in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael will be held accountable," Sheriff Tommy Ford said. "I look forward to our continuing investigation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Attorney's Office."
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Bay County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. The case has been prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen M. Kunz.
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.
Press Release - David HortonThree Charged in Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – A federal grand jury returned an indictment on July 7, 2020, charging three defendants with federal drug trafficking offenses. The indictment was announced by Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
The defendants are:
- Kammra Witt, 52, Silver Springs, Florida;
- Rebecca Newmeyer, 55, Perry, Florida; and
- Connie Sullivan, 50, Perry, Florida
The indictment and arrests resulted from an ongoing Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Operation which targeted a drug trafficking organization alleged to be responsible for the distribution of methamphetamine throughout northern Florida since the beginning of 2019.
The charged defendants face penalties ranging up to 40 years imprisonment and fines up to $10,000,000.
This case resulted from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration Tallahassee Resident Office, Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Baker County Sheriff’s Office, Williston Police Department, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Perry Police Department and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Assistant United States Attorney Gary Milligan is prosecuting the case.
The prosecution, part of an extensive investigation by the OCDETF, is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking. OCDETF 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.
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.
Press Release - WittBureau of Prisons Correctional Officer Indicted for Sexually Assaulting an InmateRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – A federal grand jury in Tallahassee returned an indictment on July 7, 2020, charging Phillip Golightly, 38, of Quincy, Florida, with two counts of Sexual Abuse of a Ward. Golightly, a U.S. Bureau of Prisons Correctional Officer at Federal Correctional Institution Marianna, is charged with sexually assaulting an inmate while on temporary duty at Federal Correctional Institution Tallahassee. The indictment was announced by Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
The indictment alleges that in November 2019, while on-duty as a Correctional Officer, Golightly sexually assaulted a female inmate at Federal Correctional Institution Tallahassee, while the inmate was under Golightly’s custodial, supervisory, and disciplinary authority.
The jury trial for Golightly is scheduled for August 24, 2020, at 8:15 a.m. before the Honorable Chief U.S. District Judge Mark E. Walker at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee. If convicted, Golightly faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison per count.
Assistant United States Attorney Lazaro P. Fields is prosecuting the case, which resulted from an investigation by the Department of Justice Office of Inspector General.
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 U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Press Release - GolightlyLevy County Man Sentenced to 19 Years in Prison for "Sextortion" of Washington Teen and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - Dustin Lee Norman, 23, of Trenton, Florida, was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison after pleading guilty on March 3, 2020, to Sexual Exploitation of a Child, Possessing Child Pornography, and Sending Interstate Transmissions of Extortionate Communications. The Court also ordered lifetime-supervised release following Norman’s prison term and that he register as a sex offender upon his release. United States Attorney Lawrence Keefe for the Northern District of Florida announced the sentence.
“The Justice Department is committed to combating the sexual exploitation of children,” said U.S. Attorney Keefe. “The community plays a critical role in protecting our loved ones as well. We ask that you vigilantly monitor your children’s cell phones and computer activity as well as their social media accounts, and report any suspected offenses to law enforcement. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to do everything within the scope its authority to support our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners as we investigate and prosecute these offenders.”
Beginning in September 2018 through October 2018, Norman persuaded, induced, enticed and coerced a female minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of that conduct. Norman contacted the minor female, who resided in the state of Washington, through a social media site and engaged her in conversations of a sexual nature, during which sexually explicit photographs were sent to him. During the same time, Norman knowingly used his cell phone and the internet to extort the minor female by threatening to post the photographs she had already provided, along with information which would identify her, on Facebook unless she sent him additional, and even more explicit, photographs and videos of herself.
“The heinous acts of this defendant will have an impact on his victim for the rest of her life,” said Rachel L. Rojas, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division. “He not only abused and exploited a vulnerable child, but he re-victimized her over and over again through the online circulation of her image. The FBI will continue to do everything in its power to find justice for innocent victims like her, but we must also work to stop child exploitation. I encourage parents and guardians to set aside time to teach their kids how to identify potential online predators and report them to law enforcement. Together, we can prevent other innocent children from being victimized.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Levy County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen.
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.
Press Release U.S. v. Dustin Lee NormanFormer Florida State University C.A.R.E. Students and Former University of Florida Football Player Indicted for Conspiracy, Bank Fraud, and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging seven defendants with conspiracy to commit bank fraud, 17 counts of bank fraud, and 8 counts of aggravated identity theft. The indictment was announced by Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
The defendants named in this indictment are:
- Kh’lajuwon Amari Murat, 21, Miramar, Florida;
- Kadeem Wysler Joseph Telfort, 22, Miramar, Florida;
- Jada Tisean Barton, 22, Titusville, Florida;
- Ariel Apperlyn Smith, 22, Coral Springs, Florida;
- Deshauan Antwaniece Sanders, 22, Miami, Florida; and
-
Voshon Howard, 22, Miramar, Florida
The indictment alleges that Telfort, a student and football player at the University of Florida, and the other defendants who were all students at Florida State University (“FSU”) in the Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement (“C.A.R.E.”), conspired to defraud federally insured financial institutions between July 1, 2017, and October 31, 2017. The indictment further alleges that Murat and Telfort used the Internet and text messaging to unlawfully obtain credit card and debit card account numbers belonging to third parties, and that they used those account numbers to fraudulently deposit funds into the student accounts of FSU students, including accounts belonging to Barton, Smith, Sanders, and Howard. The indictment also alleges that the group communicated by cell phone and text messaging to plan the execution of the scheme. Specifically, the indictment alleges that Murat requested the student account numbers from FSU students and also requested that the FSU students purchase merchandise from the FSU Bookstore using funds that he and Telfort had fraudulently deposited or would later fraudulently deposit into those students’ accounts. It is alleged that the FSU students gave the purchased merchandise to Murat and others, and were permitted to keep any remaining balance of the funds that Murat and Telfort fraudulently deposited into their student accounts for their own personal use. In total, it is alleged that the group fraudulently obtained and attempted to obtain approximately $53,000 in funds to which they were not entitled.
All defendants face a potential maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each conspiracy to commit bank fraud and bank fraud count, and Murat faces an additional 2-year mandatory minimum prison sentence, consecutive to any other sentence imposed, for each aggravated identity theft count.
This case resulted from an investigation by the Florida State University Police Department and the United States Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen is prosecuting the case.
The jury trial is scheduled for August 17, 2020, at 8:15 a.m. before the Honorable Judge Robert Hinkle at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee.
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, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Press Release Murat, et al.Department of Justice Announces $42 Million to Combat Illegal Manufacture and Distribution of Methamphetamine and OpiodsRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – The Department of Justice‘s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services
(COPS Office) Tuesday announced nearly $42 million in funding to support state-level law
enforcement agencies in combating the illegal manufacturing and distribution of methamphetamine,
heroin, fentanyl, carfentanil, and prescription opioids.In the Northern District of Florida, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement will receive
$2,208,052.00 million in funding to support investigations into trafficking in heroin, fentanyl, or
carfentanil or the unlawful distribution of prescription opioids.“The award of this funding to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is a tangible demonstration
of the Justice Department and U.S Attorneys’ commitment to our partnerships with law enforcement
agencies at all levels. We will continue to implement every tool at our disposal to combat the
national epidemic of opioid abuse and misuse,” said Lawrence Keefe,
U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.“The scourge of opioid and methamphetamine use continues to take a devastating toll on our nation’s
communities,” said COPS Office Director Phil Keith. “By providing these resources to law
enforcement to help combat the further spread, the COPS Office is demonstrating our commitment to
this Administration’s priority of reducing drug use and protecting our citizens from this public
health and safety crisis.”Drug overdose deaths and opioid-involved deaths continue to increase in the United States. Deaths
from drug overdose are up among both men and women, all races, and adults of nearly all ages, with
more than three out of five drug overdose deaths involving an opioid. More than 130 people die
every day in the United States after overdosing on opioids, while methamphetamine continues to be
one of the most commonly misused stimulant drugs in the world and is the drug
that most contributes to violent crime.The COPS Office is awarding more than $29.7 million in grant funding to 14 state law enforcement
agency task forces through the Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF). AHTF provides three years
of funding directly to state-level law enforcement agencies with multijurisdictional reach and
interdisciplinary team (e.g., task force) structures, in states with high per capita rates of primary
treatment admissions for heroin, fentanyl, carfentanil, and other opioids. This funding will support
the location or investigation of illicit activities through statewide collaboration related to the distribution
of heroin, fentanyl, or carfentanil or the unlawful distribution of prescription opioids.Through the COPS Anti-Methamphetamine Program (CAMP), the COPS Office is also awarding
$12 million to 12 state law enforcement agencies. These state agencies have demonstrated numerous
seizures of precursor chemicals, finished methamphetamine, laboratories, and laboratory dump
seizures. State agencies are being awarded three years of funding through CAMP to support the
location or investigation of illicit activities related to the manufacture and distribution of
methamphetamine, including precursor diversion, laboratories, or methamphetamine trafficking.The AHTF and CAMP funding has a tremendous impact on state investigative and seizure work. During
the five month period between October 2019 and February 2020, current AHTF grantees reported the
seizure of over $4 million in cash and 1,213 firearms. Similarly, for CAMP, grantees reported
seizures of more than $7 million in cash and 1,577 firearms.The complete list of Anti-Heroin Task Force Program award recipients, including funding amounts,
can be found here: https://cops.usdoj.gov/ahtfThe complete list of COPS Anti-Methamphetamine Program award recipients, including funding amounts,
can be found here: https://cops.usdoj.gov/campThe COPS Office is a federal agency responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. Since
1994, the COPS Office has invested more than $14 billion to advance community policing, including
grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the
hiring and redeployment of approximately 135,000 officers and provide a variety of knowledge
resource products including publications, training and technical assistance. For additional
information about the COPS Office, please visit www.cops.usdoj.gov.The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the
history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.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 for
the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Stealing Trade Secrets and Online Extortion of Pensacola CompanyRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Timothy J. Smith, 43, of Mobile, Alabama, was sentenced to 18 months’
imprisonment late Wednesday afternoon in the United States District Court in Pensacola on charges
of theft of trade secrets and interstate extortionate communications. Lawrence Keefe, United States
Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the sentencing today.During the trial, a jury received evidence that Smith was a software engineer in Mobile, Alabama.
StrikeLines, the victim in the case, is a Pensacola based company that uses commercial side scan
sonar equipment to locate fishing reefs in the Gulf of Mexico and sells the coordinates using an
interactive map on their website. StrikeLines also provides public coordinates for free to those
interested in finding valuable spots to fish in the Gulf.The evidence showed that between April and November 2018, Smith obtained private information valued
at hundreds of thousands of dollars from the local company by using sophisticated cyber techniques
in order to gain the trade secrets and decrypt information of the company from its website. After
hearing how Smith stole private sonar coordinates of reefs, the jury received testimony and
exhibits showing how Smith then tried to extort the two owners of StrikeLines for more valuable
information. During this entire time, the victims did not know Smith’s identity or why he was
trying to harm them. Federal and state law enforcement were able to trace all the criminal acts
back to Smith in Mobile where he committed the cyber theft against the Pensacola company.At sentencing, United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers announced that she thought Smith’s
acts were based upon “spite” and “arrogance.” In addition to his term of imprisonment, Judge
Rodgers sentenced Smith to a one-year term of supervision once released from custody. Smith was
also ordered to forfeit all the electronic devices he utilized to commit his crimes.“The U.S. Attorney’s Office takes very seriously cyber crimes of all kinds, ranging from protecting
our national security to the secrets of private companies,” said U.S. Attorney Keefe. “In our
increasingly online society, cyber security is vital to all of us as we conduct Internet
transactions and conversations so that we can be confident our identities and personal
information are protected. Our office is pleased that the jury held the defendant to account for
victimizing a small local business.”“This is the first time we’ve investigated a case like this and it most likely won’t be the last,”
said FDLE Pensacola Special Agent in Charge Jack Massey. “I applaud our FDLE agents and the
U.S. Attorney’s Office for always working to stay at the forefront of technology and one step ahead
of the bad guys.”This case resulted from an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Federal
Bureau of Investigation, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney
David L. Goldberg prosecuted the case."Trade secrets are the cornerstone of American innovation and a driver of the nation's economy,"
said Rachel L. Rojas, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division. "When a corporation
invests in developing new products and processes, the theft of those developments is a clear threat
to that company's future. The FBI will continue to work vigorously alongside our partners at FDLE
and the U.S. Attorney's Office to combat intellectual property theft and bring those responsible to
justice."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.U.S. Attorney Keefe Encourages North Floridians to Use New Online Portal to Report Civil Rights ViolationsRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – United States Attorney Lawrence Keefe today encouraged residents across
the Northern District of Florida to utilize a new Department of Justice online portal to report
potential violations of individuals’ civil rights. The nationwide Civil Rights Reporting Portal,
unveiled this week, will make it easier for the public to report civil rights violations by
eliminating confusion over how Americans should report violations.“Until now, there have been more than 30 different pathways for citizens to report suspected civil
rights violations, and this new tool will ease the burden on victims to identify the proper
reporting channel,” said U.S. Attorney Keefe, who oversees activities in the 23 counties of the
Northern District of Florida. “The Department of Justice is committed to upholding the civil rights
of every person, and making it easier for the public to report suspected violations will in turn
make it easier for us to pursue cases.”The Civil Rights Reporting Portal – located at civilrights.justice.gov – will dramatically ease the
burden on victims to identify the proper reporting channel for civil rights violations. The form is
fully accessible to people with disabilities. It is available in both English and Spanish, with
more languages to be added over the next year.Individuals who believe they may have been a victim of a civil rights violation can learn how to
report violations to the Department by visiting civilrights.justice.gov. When appropriate, the
Civil Rights Division staff will refer complainants to other agencies that are responsible for
handling specific types of complaints.The Department of Justice has an entire division dedicated to defending civil rights nd pursuing
violations, and Keefe’s office has attorneys working with the Civil Rights Division.Individuals who believe they are a victim of criminal violation of their civil rights, such as
misconduct by law enforcement officers, a hate crime, or human trafficking, should contact their
local FBI office.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 Attorne ’s Office for
the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.Tallahassee Man Sentenced for Possession of A Firearm by A Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida
announced the sentencing of Willie Powell, 31, of Tallahassee, Florida. Powell has been sentenced
to serve 15 years in federal prison after being convicted at a jury trial of possession of a
firearm by a convicted felon. Powell qualified for sentencing under the Armed Career Criminal Act
because of multiple prior convictions for drug distribution charges, including prior federal
convictions from 2012.Powell was initially stopped by the Tallahassee Police Department for traffic infractions and
officers learned that Powell did not have a valid license. Following a positive canine alert,
indicating the presence of drugs in the car, officers discovered PIHP (a substituted cathinone,
sometimes referred to as “bath salts”), drug paraphernalia including baggies, sifters, and a scale,
a stolen laptop, and a stolen firearm with an extended magazine.“Working together, the Tallahassee Police Department and federal agencies have removed a dangerous
criminal from the streets of the community,” said U.S. Attorney Keefe. “Our agencies are committed
to using our resources in partnership with local law enforcement to assist them however we can to
enhance public safety.”Assistant United States Attorneys James A. McCain prosecuted the case, which was jointly
investigated by the Tallahassee Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and
Explosives, with laboratory assistance from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.“Our law enforcement partnerships play such a vital role in fighting violent crime and protecting
the public,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge, Daryl McCrary. “This sentencing is another example
that working jointly with our partners is making our communities safer.”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 At orney’s Office, Northern District of
Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.U.S. Attorney Keefe Joins Department of Justice in Observing 15th Annual World Elder Abuse Awareness DayRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida,
joins Attorney General William P. Barr and the entire Department of Justice in observing the 15th
Annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The Department echoes voices around the world condemning
elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.“The Northern District of Florida is home to more than 300,000 residents age 65 and older, and they
have earned the loving support of all our communities,” U.S. Attorney Keefe said. “The sad truth is
that some people see these elders as a prime target, someone they can take advantage of, and we are
committed to stopping them and pursuing justice for our older neighbors.”The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for our country and the world, but among
those most severely affected by the threat of the coronavirus are our senior citizens. During this
time when seniors are most vulnerable and often isolated from their families and loved ones by
social distancing and quarantine restrictions, bad actors have jumped in to exploit this
international tragedy by preying on the elderly through a host of scams and fraud schemes. As the
world takes this day to remember the elderly during these uncertain times, the Department of
Justice remains relentlessly committed, through its department-wide Elder Justice Initiative, to
prevent and prosecute fraud against America’s seniors.The Department will aggressively prosecute fraudsters exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic and
targeting seniors through such ploys as offering them fake testing kits and fake help in obtaining
stimulus and Paycheck Protection Program Funds. On this day dedicated to recognizing our seniors,
the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Department of Justice are sending a strong message that they
continue the fight to keep seniors safe as a top priority.Earlier this year Attorney General Barr declared “Prevention and Disruption of Transnational Elder
Fraud” to be an Agency Priority Goal, making it one of the Justice Department’s four top
priorities.Major strides have already been made to that end:
• National Elder Fraud Hotline: 833-FRAUD-11
Earlier this year Attorney General Barr launched a National Elder Fraud Hotline. Staffed by
experienced case managers who provide personalized support to callers, the hotline serves to assist
elders and caretakers who believe they have been a victim of fraud by reporting and providing
appropriate services.• Annual Elder Justice Sweep: In March of this year, the Attorney General announced the largest
coordinated sweep of elder fraud cases in department history. The Department, together with every
U.S. Attorney’s office, charged more than 400 defendants, causing over $1 billion in loss through
fraud schemes that largely affected seniors. In the Northern District of Florida, three Tampa
Bay-area men – Edward Newton, 45, of Lutz, Christopher Mayes, 29, of Tarpon Springs, and Christian
Pantazonis, 31, of Largo – pled guilty to charges of defrauding elderly Northwest Florida
homeowners whose homes suffered damage from Hurricane Michael. The men fraudulently
contracted to make home repairs in the Panama City area but instead, stole approximately
$319,000 in down payments. The Tampa Bay-area company owned by Newton hired Mayes and
Pantazonis in November 2018 to go door to door in Bay County soliciting home repair contracts.
They promised that the repair work would begin immediately, telling homeowners they required a
down payment to obtain building materials and permits or to “place the homeowner at the front of the
line” for repairs. As part of the fraud, they occasionally sent workers to complete small projects, such
as removing damaged drywall or replacing shingles, in order to lead the homeowners to believe the
major repairs were underway. When homeowners began to complain about the lack of work, Newton
told them in writing or by phone that he would return the money he collected for the work never
performed. However, on May 25, 2019, he sent each homeowner a letter stating that he did not intend
to complete any of the contracted work and would not return any money.
• Money Mule Initiative: In October 2018, the Department and its law enforcement partners began a
concentrated effort across the country and around the world to disrupt, investigate, and prosecute
money mule activity used to facilitate fraud schemes, especially those victimizing senior citizens.
In 2019, actions were taken to halt the conduct of more than 600 domestic money mules, exceeding a
similar effort against approximately 400 mules in the previous year. In the Northern District of
Florida, three Bay County men – Delroy Williams, 52, of Lynn Haven, Vivian Walters, 33, of Lynn
Haven, and Jevaughn Williams, 22, of Panama City Beach – were sentenced on federal fraud charges
stemming from activities meant to induce elderly victims with false promises of sweepstakes prizes.
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. Between 2014 and 2017, the defendants conspired together to
receive wire transfers and packages mailed by victims. They then took a percentage of the funds for
themselves before forwarding the remainder to co-conspirators in Jamaica. Multiple victims have
been identified through wire transfer records and searches of the defendants’ electronic devices.For more information on enforcement actions, training and resources, research, and victim
services, please visit www.justice.gov/elderjustice.
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 Attorne ’s Office for
the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.U.S. Attorney Keefe Announces Additional Grants to North Florida Communities to Address COVID-19 PandemicRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida,
today announced the award of grants to four law enforcement agencies in the district, with a
combined total of $975,300. Department of Justice grants are awarded to help those agencies respond
to the public safety challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19.The grants – awarded to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, Tallahassee Police Department, Panama
City Police Department, and Escambia County Sheriff’s Office – are being provided under the
Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, authorized by recent stimulus legislation
signed by President Trump. Numerous other communities within the Northern District of Florida are
eligible for funding under the grant program, and the Justice Department is moving quickly to award
grants on a rolling basis, aiming to have funds available for drawdown as soon as possible after
receiving applications.“Throughout the many weeks our district and the nation have been dealing with the threat of
COVID-19, our public safety first responders have worked tirelessly to make sure members of the
public are safe,” U.S. Attorney Keefe said. “The resources of local agencies have been stretched
thin, and these grant funds will help ease the financial burden on public safety agencies so they
can continue protecting and serving our citizens.”
The grant awards announced include:
• Escambia County Sheriff’s Office: $370,107
• Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office: $127,963
• Panama City Police Department: $73,818
• Tallahassee Police Department: $403,412“The outbreak of COVID-19 and the public health emergency it created are sobering reminders that
even the most routine duties performed by our nation’s public safety officials carry potentially
grave risks,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the
Office of Justice Programs. “These funds will provide hard-hit communities with critical
resources to help mitigate the impact of this crisis and give added protection to the brave
professionals charged with keeping citizens safe.”The law establishing the grant program allows jurisdictions considerable latitude in the use of
these funds for dealing with COVID-19. Potential uses include hiring personnel, paying overtime,
purchasing protective equipment, distributing resources to hard-hit areas, and addressing inmate
medical needs.Agencies that were eligible for the fiscal year 2019 State and Local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice
Assistance Grant Program are candidates for receiving the emergency funding. Local units of
government will receive direct awards separately according to their jurisdictions’ allocations.The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance,
and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims,
and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal and juvenile justice systems. More
information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that
serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access
available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern
District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorne ’s Office for
the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.Registered Sex Offender in Pensacola Arrested for New Federal Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Steven J. McLendon, 36, of Pensacola, was arrested this morning on federal
charges related to the distribution, receipt, and possession of child pornography. McLendon
is a registered sex offender in the state of Florida stemming from prior convictions for lewd and
lascivious conduct with a minor and child pornography in 2007. Lawrence Keefe, United States
Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges today after McLendon
made his initial appearance in federal court in Pensacola.The allegations against McLendon stem from a months long investigation by the Florida Department of
Law Enforcement in Pensacola. The charges allege that from February through June, 2020, McLendon
was utilizing peer to peer software to distribute and receive child pornography in Pensacola. Upon
the execution of a search warrant at his residence in Pensacola this week, law enforcement is
alleged to have seized multiple pieces of digital evidence containing child pornography. This
includes a device McLendon is alleged to have attempted to hide in his refrigerator.“Protecting the children of our community against those who would do them harm is a difficult and
serious task. My office is grateful to the men and women of law enforcement who work tirelessly to
rescue children from online sexual exploitation,” U.S. Attorney Keefe said.“FDLE’s Cyber Squad began this investigation in March and found child pornography involving young
children being victimized,” said FDLE Special Agent in Charge Jack Massey. “McLendon is already on
Florida’s Sex Offender Registry and I appreciate the hard work and dedication of our cyber squad
agents.”McLendon, because of his prior convictions, faces the following enhanced penalties if convicted:
• Distribution of Child Pornography – A mandatory minimum of 15 years up to a maximum of 40 years
in prison;
• Receipt of Child Pornography – A mandatory minimum of 15 years up to a maximum of 40 years in
prison;
• Possession of Child Pornography – A mandatory minimum of 10 years up to a maximum of 20 years in
prison; and
• Forfeiture of his all the electronics used to commit the offenses.The case was investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Homeland Security
Investigations, Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the North
Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant
United States Attorney David L. Goldberg.A criminal complaint is merely an allegation 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, Northern
a, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.Perry Man Sentenced for Armed Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Justin Michael Williams, 34, of Perry, Florida, has been sentenced to serve
13½ years in federal prison after pleading guilty to multiple offenses related to armed drug
trafficking. When he was arrested, Williams was found in possession of several firearms,
methamphetamine, marijuana, and assorted drug paraphernalia. The sentence was announced by
Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.“Working together, the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office and federal agencies have removed a
serious and dangerous drug criminal from the streets of the community,” said U.S. Attorney Keefe.
“Our agencies are committed to using our resources in partnership with local law enforcement to
assist them however we can to enhance public safety.”Williams was arrested by the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office on an outstanding warrant for
failure to appear in state court. During this encounter with Williams and his girlfriend, deputies
observed methamphetamine and a firearm. After obtaining a search warrant, deputies located over two
ounces of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia used for the sale of methamphetamine including
baggies and scales, and four firearms, including a TEC-DC9 with two high capacity magazines.“Our law enforcement partnerships play such a vital role in fighting violent crime and protecting
the public,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge, Daryl McCrary. “This sentencing is another example
that working jointly with our partners is making our communities safer.”“I am proud of the hard work and the thorough investigation conducted by the Lafayette County
Sheriff's Office,” said Sheriff Lamb. “I am also proud of our partnerships we have with our Federal
Partners. This combined effort has led to bringing this individual to justice. His days of peddling
poison and possessing illegal firearms are over.”Williams pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine,
possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm and
ammunition by a convicted felon. Williams had multiple prior convictions for weapons and drug
charges. This sentencing followed a joint investigation by the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office
and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with laboratory assistance from the
Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain prosecuted the case.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 At orney’s Office, Northern District
of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.Former Florida Prepaid College Program Contractor Indicted for Conspiracy, Mail Fraud, and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Jamilla Ciar Hall, 30, of Tallahassee, Florida, was arrested yesterday after
a federal grand jury in Tallahassee returned an indictment charging Hall with conspiracy to commit
mail fraud, 5 counts of mail fraud, and aggravated identity theft. The offenses are alleged to have
been committed in the Northern District of Florida. The indictment was announced by Lawrence Keefe,
United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.The indictment alleges that the Florida Prepaid College Board, which administers the Florida
Prepaid College Program (“Florida Prepaid”), contracted with Intuition College Savings Solutions
(“ICSS”) to provide customer service and records administration services for Florida Prepaid
College Program. The indictment further alleges that Hall was an employee of ICSS and that between
on or about July 1, 2018, and on or about December 31, 2018, Hall accessed and viewed the personal
identification information of Florida Prepaid account owners and beneficiaries, and then
fraudulently changed mailing addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses associated with existing
Florida Prepaid plans. The indictment further alleges that Hall fraudulently completed cancellation
forms using the personal identification information of Florida Prepaid account owners and
beneficiaries. In doing so, Hall fraudulently caused Florida Prepaid refund checks to be mailed and
delivered by the United States Postal Service, which she personally cashed or which she gave to
others to fraudulently cash. In total, it is alleged that Hall fraudulently obtained and attempted
to obtain approximately $42,000 in funds to which she was not entitled.Hall faces a potential maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment for conspiracy to commit mail fraud
and mail fraud, and a 2-year mandatory minimum prison sentence consecutive to any other sentence
imposed for aggravated identity theft.
This case resulted from an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the
United States Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen is prosecuting the
case.The jury trial for Hall is scheduled for July 29, 2020, at 8:30 a.m. before the Honorable Judge
Alan Winsor at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee.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 Attor ey’s Office, Northern
District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.Department of Justice Awards Almost $2 Million for Community Policing in Northern FloridaRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Lawrence Keefe, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of
Florida, today announced that three local law enforcement agencies in the district will share in
almost $2 million in federal grants to fund additional deputies and officers to keep their
communities safe. The grants, through the Justice Department’s Office of Community Oriented
Policing Services (COPS Office) COPS Hiring Program (CHP), will provide additional personnel in
Jefferson and Walton counties and the City of Fort Walton Beach.The three agencies are among 26 in Florida and 596 around the nation to receive funding awards,
part of are a portion of $51 million in grants announced in May as part of the Department of
Justice’s Operation Relentless Pursuit.“Sheriff’s offices and police departments across the Northern District of Florida are at the heart
of keeping our communities safe, and these grants will make a meaningful difference in helping them
protect and serve the good people of their cities and counties,” U.S. Attorney Keefe said.The grants announced by Keefe are:
• $329,595 to the Fort Walton Beach Police Department to fund 3 law enforcement positions
• $118,838 to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office to fund 1 law enforcement position
• $1,500,000 to the Walton County Sheriff's Department to fund12 law enforcement positions“The Department of Justice is committed to providing the police chiefs and sheriffs of our great
nation with needed resources, tools, and support. The funding announced today will bolster their
ranks and contribute to expanding community policing efforts nationwide,” said Attorney General
William P. Barr. “A law enforcement agency’s most valuable assets are the men and women who put
their lives on the line every day in the name of protecting and serving their
communities.”The COPS Hiring Program is a competitive award program intended to reduce crime and advance public
safety through community policing by providing direct funding for the hiring of career law
enforcement officers. In addition to providing financial support for hiring, the program provides
funding to state and local law enforcement to enhance local community policing strategies and
tactics. In a changing economic climate, this funding helps law enforcement agencies maintain
sufficient sworn personnel levels to promote safe communities. Funding through this program had
been on hold since the spring of 2018 due to a nationwide injunction that was lifted earlier this
year.COPS Hiring Program applicants were required to identify a specific crime and disorder problem
focus area and explain how the funding will be used to implement community policing approaches to
that problem focus area. Of the awards announced today, 43% will focus on violent crime, while the
remainder of the awards will focus on a variety of issues including school-based policing to fund
school resource officer positions, building trust and respect, and opioid education, prevention,
and intervention. The COPS Office received nearly 1,100 applications requesting more than 4,000 law
enforcement positions.The complete list of awards can be found here. To learn more about the program, please visit
https://cops.usdoj.gov/chp. For additional information about the COPS Office, please
visit www.cops.usdoj.gov.The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the
history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.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.U.S. Attorney Keefe and FBI Warn That Those Inciting Violence and Crime Will Face Federal ChargesRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Attorney General William P. Barr has directed federal law enforcement
actions aimed at apprehending and charging violent criminal agitators who have taken over peaceful
protests and are engaging in violations of federal law. While to date, communities within the
Northern District of Florida have not encountered the level of unrest seen in other parts of the
state and nation, United States Attorney Lawrence Keefe and the Federal Bureau of Investigation
(FBI) are employing the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) to identify any criminal organizers
and instigators, coordinate federal resources with state and local partners, and seek federal
prosecutions.“Citizens across the Northern District of Florida are exercising their right to protest guaranteed
by the Constitution, and we will do everything possible to ensure that they are allowed to do so in
a safe, secure environment,” U.S. Attorney Keefe said. “However, we cannot condone – and will not
tolerate – agitators who attempt to hijack peaceful rallies in order to incite violence and
criminal behavior. Working with our federal, state, and local partners, we will stop them, arrest
them, and prosecute them whenever and wherever necessary.”“A duty and privilege of the FBI is to protect citizens as they exercise their First Amendment
rights," said Rachel Rojas, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division. "While we
fully support the rights of peaceful protestors, when people abuse those rights to invoke violence,
federal law will be enforced. We will continue to work with our local, state, and federal partners
to apprehend and charge violent instigators, and coordinate with the U.S. Attorney’s offices to
address any federal violations. We advise individuals taking part in protest activities to remain
aware of their immediate surroundings and to report any suspicious activity to law
enforcement.”Attorney General Barr’s May 31 statement is available here:
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-william-p-barrs-statement-riots-and-domestic-terrorism.For more information on the FBI Joint Terrorist Task Force, go to
https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/terrorism/joint-terrorism-task-forces.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.U.S. Attorney Keefe Announces Additional Grants Awarded to Local Communities to Address COVID-19 PandemicRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida,
today announced that grants were awarded to five additional law enforcement agencies in the
district with a combined total of more than $500,000 in Department of Justice grants to respond to
the public safety challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19.The grants, awarded to Gainesville Police Department, Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, Santa Rosa
County Sheriff’s Office, Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, and Pensacola Police Department, were
provided under the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, authorized by the recent
stimulus legislation signed by President Trump. These awards are among $1.3 million directed to 14
Florida counties and cities under the program, which also provided $31.8 million to the Florida
Department of Law Enforcement for use statewide. Numerous other communities within the Northern
District of Florida were eligible for funding under the grant program, and the Justice Department
is moving quickly to award grants on a rolling basis, aiming to have funds available for drawdown
as soon as possible after receiving applications.“Throughout the many weeks our district and the nation have been dealing with the threat of
COVID-19, our public safety first responders have worked tirelessly to make sure members of the
public are safe,” U.S. Attorney Keefe said. “The resources of local agencies have been stretched
thin, and these grant funds will help ease the financial burden on public safety agencies so they
can continue protecting and serving our citizens.”The grant awards announced include - Gainesville Police Department: $213,171; Alachua County
Sheriff’s Office: $130,054; Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office: $52,441; Taylor County Sheriff’s
Office: $41,132; and the Pensacola Police Department: $81,254. Last month it was announced that Bay
County, Leon County, Madison County, and Walton County were awarded a combined total of over
$240,000 in Department of Justice grants.“The outbreak of COVID-19 and the public health emergency it created are sobering reminders that
even the most routine duties performed by our nation’s public safety officials carry potentially
grave risks,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney Generalfor the Office of Justice Programs. “These funds will provide hard-hit communities with critical
resources to help mitigate the impact of this crisis and give added protection to the brave
professionals charged with keeping citizens safe.”The law establishing the grant program allows jurisdictions considerable latitude in the use of
these funds for dealing with COVID-19. Potential uses include hiring personnel, paying overtime,
purchasing protective equipment, distributing resources to hard-hit areas, and addressing inmate
medical needs.Agencies that were eligible for the fiscal year 2019 State and Local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice
Assistance Grant Program are candidates for the emergency funding. Local units of government will
receive direct awards separately according to their jurisdictions’ allocations.The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance,
and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims,
and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal and juvenile justice systems. More
information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that
serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access
available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern
District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office,
Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.Federal Arson, Firearm, and Drug Trafficking Charges Stemming from Fire at Okaloosa County Sheriff's OfficeRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – United States Attorney Lawrence Keefe, of the Northern District of Florida,
and Okaloosa County Sheriff Larry Ashley announced today that a federal indictment has been
unsealed against Tony M. Streeter, 46, and Betty J. Jackson (a/k/a Betty Joe Streeter), 50, both of
Fort Walton Beach. The indictment alleges that Streeter distributed, and possessed with intent to
distribute, methamphetamine on multiple occasions in August 2019. The indictment also alleges that
Streeter, a multi-convicted drug trafficking felon as alleged in the indictment, possessed a
firearm during the same time frame. It is alleged that these crimes led to conspiratorial acts at
the vehicle impound lot of the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office on or about September 3, 2019,
which resulted in the malicious burning of a vehicle related to Streeter within said lot. Another
defendant, William Sims, has already pled guilty to his role in the federal arson charges. These
three defendants, who are charged with the planning and execution of the alleged arson conspiracy,
are all now in federal custody.“Individuals who feel enabled to attack a law enforcement agency present an extreme threat to our
communities,” said Sheriff Ashley. “With the arrest of the suspects and the steadfast support of
our federal partners and U.S. Attorney Larry Keefe, we are sending a clear message that these
individuals will be pursued, apprehended, and ultimately held accountable.”“When offenders attack a law enforcement agency, they attack the individuals who protect us and
help maintain law and order in our community,” said U.S. Attorney Keefe. “The U.S. Attorney’s
Office will use all of the resources at its disposal to vigorously pursue and prosecute those who
commit these types of crimes.”The defendants appeared in the United States District Court in Pensacola yesterday and a detention
hearing for both has been scheduled for Monday, June 1, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. at the Winston Arnow
Federal Courthouse in Pensacola. Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg is prosecuting
the case following a joint investigation by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida
Department of Law Enforcement, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.“These indictments highlight how strong law enforcement partnerships impact both violence and drug
trafficking in our continued efforts to protect the public,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge
Daryl McCrary.An indictment is merely an allegation 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 U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of
Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.Four Alachua County Residents Arrested for Federal Drug-Trafficking CrimesRead the Press Release
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Four residents of Alachua, Florida, have been arrested on federal criminal
complaints alleging an armed, drug-trafficking conspiracy. The criminal complaints were announced
by Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.The defendants arrested are:
● Lorenza Aaron Durr, Jr., 29, Alachua, Florida;
● Elboric Quadarius Robinson, 29, Alachua, Florida;
● Morris Robinson, 55, Alachua, Florida; and
● Roddrae Antonio Williams, 28, Alachua, FloridaThe charged defendants face penalties of up to life imprisonment and fines of up to $5,000,000.
The complaints and arrests resulted from an extensive investigation by the FBI Jacksonville Violent
Gang Safe Streets Task Force with support from the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force
(OCDETF). This joint federal, state, and local cooperative targeted the “4K” drug trafficking
organization that allegedly conspired to distribute various controlled substances including
cocaine, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana. During the operation, over 80 agents,
officers, and other law enforcement personnel successfully made arrests and executed 5 search
warrants on properties allegedly involved in drug trafficking.The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement
Administration, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, the University of Florida Police Department,
the Gainesville Police Department, the Alachua Police Department, the Marion County Sheriff's
Office and the Florida Highway Patrol. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States
Attorney James A. McCain.The OCDETF approach to combating drug trafficking is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and
dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drugtrafficking organizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to
disrupt and dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize its assets.A criminal complaint is merely an allegation 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.Federal Indictment for Pensacola Man Accused of Possessing Firearms at Veterans Affairs FacilityRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – United States Attorney Lawrence Keefe, of the Northern District of Florida,
announced today that a federal grand jury has indicted a Pensacola man for the possession of
firearms, including a concealed firearm, at the Department of Veterans Affairs Joint Ambulatory
Care Clinic in Pensacola. The three-count indictment alleges that Pensacola resident Howell E.
Camp, 58, illegally possessed a 5.56 millimeter Del-Ton Incorporated rifle and a 9 millimeter Smith
& Wesson pistol at the federal facility. It is alleged that Camp possessed these firearms with the
intent to commit a crime on May 6, 2020.“The security of our federal facilities and those who work within them remains a priority of this
office and we, along with our law enforcement partners, are deeply committed to protecting such
facilities,” said Keefe.Camp is charged with possession of the firearms with the intent to commit a crime, for which he
faces up to five years’ imprisonment. He is also charged with carrying a concealed firearm in
violation of law, for which he faces up to three years’ imprisonment. An arraignment date has been
set for Thursday, May 28, 2020, at 1:00 p.m., in Pensacola, Florida.Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg is prosecuting the case following a joint
investigation by Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General - Criminal Investigations Division,
the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.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 U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of
Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.Pensacola Man Sentenced to 15 Years Federal Prison for Possession of Methamphetamine and FirearmsRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – A Pensacola man has been sentenced to a mandatory minimum
term of 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to drug and weapons charges related to
drug trafficking. Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida,
announced the sentence given to Samuel Gomez, 30, who pled guilty to possession with intent to
distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a
drug trafficking crime.“Drugs remain a scourge on our communities, leaving ruined lives and too often a trail of violence
in their wake,” U.S. Attorney Keefe said. “With the help of our federal, state, and local law
enforcement partners, we will continue to pursue, prosecute, and punish those who spread these
drugs in hometowns across Northern Florida.”Law enforcement personnel executed a federal search warrant at Gomez’s Pensacola residence on
November 6, 2019. Inside the residence, officers seized a total of approximately 3 pounds of
methamphetamine, as well as other substances suspected to be cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl.
Law enforcement also seized three firearms, two digital scales, baggies, and approximately
$6,000 in U.S. currency. The firearms seized were identified as a loaded Ruger pistol, a loaded
Smith and Wesson revolver, and a loaded MILTAC AR-15-style pistol. The firearms were located near
the seized drugs and were being used by Gomez in furtherance of his drug trafficking crime.“Reducing violent crime and protecting the public in the communities that we serve is a priority
for ATF”, said ATF Special Agent in Charge Daryl McCrary, “We will continue to work vigorously with
our law enforcement partners to make sure those individuals who commit violent firearms crimes are
prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”The case resulted from a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau
of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Pensacola Police Department, the Florida
Department of Law Enforcement, and investigators with the State Attorney’s Office. Assistant
United States Attorney J. Ryan Love prosecuted the case.This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce
gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of
2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence;
enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and
prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms
and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the
National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions
when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that
federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For
more information about Project Guardian, please visit
https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl/pr/attorney-general-announces-launch-project-guardian-nationwide-strategic-plan-reduce-gun.The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that
serves 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.U.S. Attorney Keefe Recognizes Police Week, Honors Law Enforcement's Commitment to Serve and ProtectRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – In honor of National Police Week, U.S. Attorney Lawrence Keefe of the
Northern District of Florida will join in recognizing the service and sacrifice of federal, state, and
local law enforcement. The weeklong observation runs from Sunday, May 10, through Saturday, May 16.“There is no more noble profession than serving as a police officer,” said Attorney General William
P. Barr. “The men and women who protect our communities each day have not just devoted their lives
to public service; they’ve taken an oath to give their lives in order to ensure our safety. And
they do so not only in the face of hostility from those who reject our nation’s commitment to the
rule of law, but also in the face of evolving adversity – such as an unprecedented global health
pandemic. This week, I ask all Americans to join me in saying ‘thank you’ to our nation’s federal,
state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers. Their devotion and sacrifice to our peace and
security will not be taken for granted.”“We are blessed that no law enforcement officers lost their lives in the line of duty within the
Northern District of Florida last year, but that does not diminish our heartache for those killed
elsewhere and our immeasurable respect and appreciation for the brave men and women sworn to serve
and protect every day,” said U.S. Attorney Keefe. “Law enforcement is at the heart of our peaceful
society, and we hold them in the highest regard, this week and every week.”In 1962, President John F. Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day
and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and
sacrifices. Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law
enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.Each year, during National Police Week, our nation celebrates the contributions of law enforcement
from around the country, recognizing their hard work, dedication, loyalty, and commitment to
keeping our communities safe. This year the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored law enforcement
officers’ courage and unwavering devotion to the communities they swore to serve.Based on data collected and analyzed by the FBI’s Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted
Program, a total of 89 law enforcement officers died nationwide in the line of duty in 2019.Comprehensive data tables about these incidents and brief narratives describing most of the fatal
attacks are included in the sections of Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted, 2019.The names of the fallen officers who have been added in 2020 to the wall at the National Law
Enforcement Memorial will be read on Wednesday, May 13, during a Virtual Annual Candlelight Vigil.
Because public events have been suspended as a result of COVID-19, the vigil will be livestreamed
to the public at 8:00 pm (EDT). To register to view this free online event, please
www.LawMemorial.orgTo learn more about National Police Week and the virtual candlelight vigil, please visit
www.policeweek.org.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.U.S. Attorney Keefe Launches Initiative to Combat Sexual Harassment in HousingRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida,
today announced that his office will use all the tools at its disposal to pursue landlords who
attempt to use the COVID-19 crisis to sexually harass their tenants. Keefe urged anyone who faces
such harassment while trying to defer housing payments to contact the Justice Department’s Sexual
Harassment in Housing Initiative at 1-844-380-6178.“The COVID-19 crisis has brought out the best in most Americans, but the worst in some. We will
vigorously pursue anyone seeking to capitalize on the current crisis by sexually harassing people
facing housing challenges,” Keefe said. “Such despicable and unscrupulous behavior is illegal in
normal times, and it certainly will not be tolerated now.”Keefe said his office will work with all appropriate federal, state, and local authorities on this
issue. In addition to reporting to the Justice Department, individuals may report housing-related
sexual harassment locally. The Justice Department and U.S. Attorney’s Office stand ready to take
aggressive action against this misconduct whenever it occurs.If you think you are a victim of sexual harassment by a landlord or other person who has control
over housing resulting from the COVID-19 crisis, contact:
o Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative at 1-844-380-6178
o Email: [email protected]
o Local authoritiesFor more information: www.justice.gov/crt/sexual-harassment-housing-initiative
Spanish language webpage: www.justice.gov/crt-espanol/iniciativa-en-contra-del-acoso-sexual-en-la-viviendaMore facts on how to report sexual harassment in housing:
www.justice.gov/crt/page/file/1048341/downloadThe 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 Att rney’s Office,
Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.htmlU.S. Attorney Keefe Announces $240,000 Awarded to Local Communities to Address COVID-19 PandemicRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, today announced that four counties in the district have been awarded a combined total of more than $240,000 in Department of Justice grants to respond to the public safety challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19.
The grants, awarded to Bay, Leon, Madison, and Walton counties, were provided under the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, authorized by the recent stimulus legislation signed by President Trump. These awards are among $1.3 million directed to 14 Florida counties and cities under the program, which also provided $31.8 million to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for use statewide. Numerous other communities within the Northern District of Florida were eligible for funding under the grant program, and the Justice Department is moving quickly to award grants on a rolling basis, aiming to have funds available for drawdown as soon as possible after receiving applications.
"Throughout the many weeks our district and the nation have been dealing with the threat of COVID-19, our public safety first responders have worked tirelessly to make sure members of the public are safe," U.S. Attorney Keefe said. "The resources of local agencies have been stretched thin, and these grant funds will help ease the financial burden on public safety agencies so they can continue protecting and serving our citizens."
The grant awards announced so far include: Bay County: $82,882; Leon County: $90,627; Madison County: $33,154; and Walton County: $38,577.
"The outbreak of COVID-19 and the public health emergency it created are sobering reminders that even the most routine duties performed by our nation’s public safety officials carry potentially grave risks," said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. "These funds will provide hard-hit communities with critical resources to help mitigate the impact of this crisis and give added protection to the brave professionals charged with keeping citizens safe."
The law establishing the grant program allows jurisdictions considerable latitude in the use of these funds for dealing with COVID-19. Potential uses include hiring personnel, paying overtime, purchasing protective equipment, distributing resources to hard-hit areas, and addressing inmate medical needs.
Agencies that were eligible for the fiscal year 2019 State and Local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program are candidates for the emergency funding. Local units of government will receive direct awards separately according to their jurisdictions’ allocations.
The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance, and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims, and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal and juvenile justice systems. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
U.S. Attorney Keefe Announces Nearly $60 Million in Grants Available to Support Prisoners' Successful Reentry into Their CommunitiesRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSE, FLORIDA – Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida,
today announced that communities across northern Florida are eligible to apply for a portion of
nearly $60 million in Department of Justice grants nationwide that is available to help communities
address public safety by supporting successful reentry of adult and juvenile offenders into their
communities.“Our nation is facing difficult public safety challenges that demand strong and immediate action.
The high rate of recidivism poses a dire threat to community safety and is being met with a robust
response by this Administration,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney
General for the Office of Justice Programs (OJP). “The Department of Justice is front and center in
the fight to meet this persistent challenge. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding
available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”“Our law enforcement efforts do our communities little good if the offenders we send away come back
only to resume their criminal activities,” added U.S. Attorney Keefe. “We must support programs
that help released offenders find a positive way to live within our communities, and this grant
program is an important tool to help produce that good result.”The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety
funding and crime victim assistance in state, local, and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs
support a wide array of activities and services, including adult and juvenile reentry initiatives
and research projects designed to improve our knowledge of what works in reentry programming.A number of funding opportunities are currently open, with several more opening in the near future.
Correctional Adult Reentry Education, Employment, and Recidivism Reduction Strategies Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17104
Total Available $7.2 million Deadline 4/27/2020Improving Community Supervision Outcomes through Swift, Certain, and Fair Responses
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17096
Total Available $3 million Deadline 4/28/2020Improving Reentry for People with Substance Use Disorders Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/SCASUD20
Total Available $13.2 million Deadline 4/27/2020Innovations in Reentry Initiative: Building System Capacity & Testing Strategies to Reduce
Recidivism
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17281
Total Available $4 million Deadline 5/4/2020Research and Evaluation on Promising Reentry Initiatives
https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17295
Total Available $6 million Deadline 5/5/2020Review and Validation of the First Step Act Risk Assessment Tool
https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-fsa
Total Available: Determined after selection Deadline 4/10/2020Second Chance Act Community-Based Reentry Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17110
Total Available $13.5 million Deadline 5/4/2020Second Chance Act Evaluation Participation Support
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17680
Total Available $4 million Deadline 4/28/2020Second Chance Act Youth Offender Reentry Program
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh176/files/media/document/ojjdp-2020-17350.pdf
Total Available $7 million Deadline 4/28/2020
For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit
https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities
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.U.S. Attorney Keefe Announces More Than $83 Million Available to Support School SafetyRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSE, FLORIDA – Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida,
today announced that communities across northern Florida are eligible to apply for a portion of
more than $83 million in Department of Justice grants nationwide to help communities, including
those across northern Florida, improve school security and protect students, teachers, and faculty
from threats of violence.“School violence is no longer an abstract threat but has become a tragic reality in too many of
America’s communities. Moving to meet this challenge is among the Administration’s top domestic
priorities,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office
of Justice Programs (OJP). “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight to meet this
challenge. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities
have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”“Even here in Northern Florida, our children are not free from the threat of school violence. By
seeking funding from this grant program, our communities can take bold steps forward to keep safe
our children and the teachers and others who work every day to educate them in a safe, nourishing
environment,” added U.S. Attorney Keefe.The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety
funding and crime victim assistance in state, local, and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs
support a wide array of activities and services, including programs designed to tighten school
security and improve the reporting of threats.A number of funding opportunities for school safety are currently open, with another opening in the
near future:
Research and Evaluation on School Safety
https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17308
Total Available $5 million Deaddline 4/13/2020STOP Act School Violence Program (FY20)
https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17308
Total Available $71.4 million Deadline 4/13/2020Strategies to Support Children Exposed to Violence
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17926
Total Available $7 million Deadline 4/27/2020For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit
https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities.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.U.S. Attorney Keefe Announces More Than $163 Million Available to Fight Addiction CrisisRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSE, FLORIDA – Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida,
today announced that communities across northern Florida are eligible to apply for a portion of
more than $163 million in Department of Justice grants nationwide to help communities across
America address the nation’s addiction crisis.“Our nation is facing the difficult challenge of curbing substance addiction, which threatens
public safety and is among the Administration’s top domestic priorities,” said Katharine T.
Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs (OJP).
“The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight to meet this challenge. OJP is making
historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to
innovative and diverse solutions.”Added U.S. Attorney Keefe: “So much of the criminal activity in Northern Florida – from its urban
centers to the most rural areas – can be traced back to addiction. From the addicts who commit
crimes to support their habits to the dealers who keep them hooked, this is a scourge on every
community, and the grants available to help can make a meaningful impact across the District.”The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety
funding and crime victim assistance in state, local, and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs
support a wide array of activities and services, including programs designed to prevent overdose
deaths and break the cycle of addiction and crime.A number of funding opportunities that address the addiction crisis are currently open:
Adult Drug Court and Veterans Treatment Court Discretionary Grant Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17098
Total Available $1.75 million Deadline 5/14/2020Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Site-based Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/COSSAP20
Total Available $27 million Deadline 5/21/2020Enhancing Community Responses to America's Addiction Crisis: Serving Our Youngest Crime Victims
https://www.ovc.gov/grants/pdftxt/fy-2020-enhancing-community-response-to-drug-crisis.pdf
Total Available: $19 million Deadline: 5/4/2020Family Drug Court Program
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17090
Total Available $18.2 million Deadline 4/8/2020 (Extended)Harold Rogers Prescription Drug Monitoring Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17754
Total Available $28.1 Deadline 5/5/2020Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Program
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17051
Total Available $7.2 million Deadline 4/13/2020 (Extended)Mentoring Opportunities for Youth Initiative
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-16930
Total Available $48 million Deadline 4/13/2020Opioid Affected Youth Initiative
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17352
Total Available $9 million Deadline 4/20/2020Research and Evaluation on Drugs and Crime
https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17275
Total Available $1 million Deadline 4/20/2020Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners
https://bja.ojp.gov/RSAT20
Total Available $4.5 million Deadline 4/6/2020
For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit
https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities.
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.North Florida Communities $850 Million to Help Public Safety Agencies Address COVID-19 PandemicRead the Press Release
More than $18.5 million available across Florida
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, today announced that the Department of Justice is making $850 million available nationwide to help public safety agencies respond to the challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19. Funding includes over $18.5 million for cities and counties in Florida.
The Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, authorized by the recent stimulus legislation signed by President Trump, will allow eligible state and local governments to apply immediately for these critical funds. The Department of Justice is moving quickly to make awards, with the goal of having funds available for drawdown within days of the award.
"With so much of life’s routine disrupted in Florida, state and local first responder agencies have been asked to bear a heavy burden on the front lines of our defense against COVID-19," U.S. Attorney Keefe said. "Grant funds will do much to help ensure that the necessary resources are there so our law enforcement agencies can continue to keep citizens safe."
"This is an unprecedented moment in our nation’s history and an especially dangerous one for our front-line law enforcement officers, corrections officials, and public safety professionals," said Office of Justice Programs Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. "We are grateful to the Congress for making these resources available and for the show of support this program represents."
The grant solicitation, posted by the Bureau of Justice Assistance in the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), will remain open for at least 60 days and be extended as necessary. OJP will fund successful applicants as a top priority on a rolling basis as applications are received. Funds may be used to hire personnel, pay overtime costs, cover protective equipment and supplies, address correctional inmates’ medical needs, and defray expenses related to the distribution of resources to hard-hit areas, among other activities. Grant funds may be applied retroactively to January 20, 2020, subject to federal supplanting rules.
Agencies that were eligible for the fiscal year 2019 State and Local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program are candidates for this emergency funding. A complete list of eligible jurisdictions and their allocations can be found at https://bja.ojp.gov/program/fy20-cesf-allocations.
For more information about the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, please visit https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-18553. For more information about the Office of Justice Programs, please visit https://www.ojp.gov/.
The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
U.S. Attorney Urges the Public to Report Suspected COVID-19 FraudRead the Press Release
Justin M. Keen Appointed as Coronavirus Fraud Coordinator
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – U.S. Attorney Lawrence Keefe of the Northern District of Florida urges the public to report suspected fraud schemes related to COVID-19 (the Coronavirus) by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline (1-866-720-5721) or to the NCDF e-mail address [email protected].
In coordination with the Department of Justice, Attorney General William Barr has directed U.S. Attorneys to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of Coronavirus fraud schemes.
"The global and domestic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on families and businesses is unprecedented, and during these worrisome times, criminals are attempting to enrich themselves through fraudulent schemes," said Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. "The U.S. Attorney’s Office is open for business and will aggressively stop anyone trying to profit from the fear and confusion caused by this worldwide pandemic."
Some examples of these schemes include:
• Individuals and businesses selling fake cures for COVID-19 online and engaging in other forms of fraud.
• Phishing emails from entities posing as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Malicious websites and apps that appear to share Coronavirus-related information to gain and lock access to your devices until payment is received.
• Seeking donations fraudulently for illegitimate or non-existent charitable organizations.
• Medical providers obtaining patient information for COVID-19 testing and then using that information to fraudulently bill for other tests and procedures.
In a memorandum to U.S. Attorneys issued March 19, Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen also directed each U.S. Attorney to appoint a Coronavirus Fraud Coordinator to serve as the legal counsel for the federal judicial district on matters relating to the Coronavirus, direct the prosecution of Coronavirus-related crimes, and to conduct outreach and awareness activities. The Northern District of Florida Coronavirus Fraud Coordinator is Justin M. Keen.
The NCDF can receive and enter complaints into a centralized system that can be accessed by all U.S. Attorneys, as well as Justice Department litigating and law enforcement components to identify, investigate and prosecute fraud schemes. The NCDF coordinates complaints with 16 additional federal law enforcement agencies, as well as state Attorneys General and local authorities.
To find more about Department of Justice resources and information, please visit www.justice.gov/coronaviruss.
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.
U.S. Attorneys, Florida AG Issue Warning Against COVID-19 Scam ArtistsRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Florida’s three United States Attorneys today joined with Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody to warn scam artists that they will vigorously pursue anyone trying to capitalize on the coronavirus pandemic by cheating Florida consumers, especially the state’s vulnerable elders. The federal law enforcement team is now actively collaborating and cooperating with the state’s top prosecutor team in a concerted effort to stop the scams relating to coronavirus.
The state’s top prosecutors at the federal and state levels vowed that their offices are committed to remaining vigilant in preventing, pursuing, prosecuting, and punishing individuals and businesses that try to take advantage of the crisis for personal profit. They emphasized the importance of this effort in light of Florida’s large elderly population and reports of everything from bogus COVID-19 "cures" to phishing scams that purport to be official government health websites.
"The real threat of this pandemic is bad enough on its own – but we are going to have zero tolerance for the added risk created by lowlife scammers who would prey on Floridians at a time when their focus needs to be on protecting their own health and well-being," said Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. "We will be vigilant and aggressive in our efforts to find and stop anyone trying to make even one dirty dollar off the backs of anxious Floridians."
Ariana Fajardo Orshan, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, said the risk of scams is particularly high in her district, which is home to a large portion of Florida elders and has seen many of the state’s confirmed COVID-19 cases. "As communities across our nation confront the COVID-19 pandemic, know that my office will not waver in its commitment to protecting South Floridians, including our vulnerable seniors. We are focused on COVID-19 scams and will prioritize prosecuting fraudsters who try to capitalize on this health crisis," Fajardo Orshan said.
Added United States Attorney for the Middle District of Florida, Maria Chapa Lopez: "Unfortunately, there are those who seek to exploit others in times of crisis, without regard to who they harm or the damage they cause. Those criminals should know that we will combine our resources, at every level, to investigate and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law."
Earlier this week, Florida Attorney General Moody issued a strong consumer alert urging the public to beware of potential coronavirus scams when researching information about COVID-19.
"Floridians are eager for any meaningful guidance they can find about coronavirus, but they must be careful not to believe everything they hear," said Attorney General Moody. "Scammers are expert at taking advantage of such emotions, but we cannot and will not let them succeed."
The prosecutors’ warning comes on the heels of U.S. Attorney General William Barr’s directive on Monday for all United States Attorneys around the country to place a high priority on stopping scam artists trying to take advantage of the coronavirus situation. In a memo to the U.S. Attorneys, Barr wrote, "The pandemic is dangerous enough without wrongdoers seeking to profit from public panic and this sort of conduct cannot be tolerated."
Some common scams being reporting around the nation include:
• Individuals and businesses selling fake cures for COVID-19 online;
• Phishing emails sent from entities posing as the World Health Organization ("WHO") or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC"); and
• Malware being inserted onto mobile phones by apps pretending to track the spread of the virus.
The officials advised the public to remain vigilant during this time. Citizens should not click on computer links from sources they don’t know and be aware when it comes to donations, whether through charities or crowdfunding sites. No one should allow themselves to be rushed by another person into making a donation, and if someone wants donations in cash, by gift card, or by wiring money, don’t do it.
The three U.S. Attorneys said their offices are working with the Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Branch, Fraud Section, and Antitrust Division to coordinate efforts to stop scammers preying on concerned Floridians. Citizens are asked to report potential scams to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov. In addition, the public can contact the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida’s Public Trust Unit at [email protected] or by phone at (850) 216-3873.
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.
Gadsden County Tax Preparer Sentenced for Preparing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – John Jean-Gilles, 34, of Midway, Florida, was sentenced to 52 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to charges of aiding in preparing false tax returns, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft. Jean-Gilles was also ordered to pay $1,984,357 in restitution. The sentence was announced today by Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
Between 2012 and 2016, Jean-Gilles, the sole managing member and owner of USA Tax and Multi-Services, LLC, a tax preparation business in Tallahassee, prepared and filed false tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service for various individuals. Jean-Gilles falsely represented the taxpayers’ income, withholdings, credits, and the refund due.
"The integrity of our system of taxation lies at the heart of what we do as a nation, and those who try to defraud the system will pay the price," Keefe said. "The trust of the American people relies on fair administration of our tax laws, and this defendant violated that trust and will now face the consequences."
Assistant United States Attorney Gary Milligan is prosecuting the case following an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation with the assistance of the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office.
"Tax return preparers are trusted by their clients to accurately and correctly file tax returns to the IRS each year – part of every American’s responsibility. However, the filing of false claims with the government, claiming more than $2 million in false tax refunds, makes every taxpaying citizen a victim," stated Mary Hammond, Special Agent in Charge for IRS Criminal Investigation’s Tampa Field Office. "IRS and its Special Agents will work diligently with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to insure that, as we come upon tax filing season, the public can rest assured fraudulent tax filings will not go unpunished in the Northern District of Florida."
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.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Pensacola Compounding Pharmacy Owner Convicted in $4.8 Million Tricare Fraud and Money Laundering ConspiraciesRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – A federal jury in Pensacola has convicted Andrew E. Fisher, 34, of Gulf Breeze, of conspiring to use his pharmacy to defraud more than $4.8 million from TRICARE, a federal health care program for uniformed service members, retirees, and their families, and then laundering the money generated by the fraud. The guilty verdict, reached by the jury on Monday, was announced today by Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
"This conspiracy stole from taxpayers at the expense of the health and well-being of heroes who willingly served our nation or supported loved ones as they did so," said U.S. Attorney Keefe. "This is a flagrant and shocking violation of the public trust, and this conviction proves we will not allow such actions to continue."
Fisher, the owner and operator of Physician Specialty Pharmacy (PSP) in Pensacola, was convicted of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Evidence at trial established that between October 2014 and December 2015, Fisher conspired with sales representative Michael Scott Burton and others to defraud TRICARE out of more than $4.8 million in fraudulent claims for prescription compounded pain cream, scar cream, and wellness vitamins. Fisher agreed to fill prescriptions at PSP from a doctor’s office in Georgia whose beneficiary information was provided by Burton and individuals working for him, knowing that these particular beneficiaries had never seen that doctor and the prescriptions were not based on a legitimate doctor-patient relationship. In exchange for recruiting TRICARE beneficiaries to receive the prescriptions, Burton received approximately 50% of the amount paid to Fisher in insurance reimbursements. Those commission payments were laundered in the form of large wire transfers and direct deposits into Burton’s bank account in Georgia.
"I am pleased by the results of the investigative team and the U.S. Attorney's office to bring justice to these individuals," said Special Agent in Charge Cynthia A. Bruce of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service Southeast Field Office. "The defendant in this case conspired to deprive the DoD of precious resources needed for the healthcare of DoD Families."
Evidence at trial also established that as part of the scheme, Fisher, who is not a licensed pharmacist, directed his pharmacist employees to use ingredient formulations for the drugs that would maximize the amount his pharmacy could bill to TRICARE – which was upwards of $10,000 to $17,000 per medication at the time – and other insurance companies without considering what was best for patient care. Fisher also directed Burton and his employees to tell beneficiaries not to worry about co-payments, in order to ensure that the beneficiaries would not decline receiving the medications over out-of-pocket cost. Because PSP was not a TRICARE network pharmacy, Fisher paid Burklow Pharmacy in Pace a commission of approximately 15% to allow PSP to bill TRICARE using Burklow’s network provider contract for prescriptions received, filled, and shipped at PSP, including ones Fisher knew were fraudulent. During the conspiracy, Fisher also purchased Jay Pharmacy in Jay, Florida, and used its existing insurance contracts with TRICARE and others to bill for fraudulent PSP prescriptions.
Five co-conspirators named in the indictment, including Burton, previously pled guilty in two related cases. Burton was sentenced to 96 months in prison, Bradley D. Pounds was sentenced to 21 months in prison, and Marie Ann Smith and Heather E. Pounds were sentenced to probation. Brad T. Hodgson is still awaiting sentencing. Fisher’s sentencing has been set for May 22, 2020, at 10:00 a.m.
Assistant United States Attorney Alicia H. Forbes prosecuted the case following a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Department of Financial Services-Bureau of Insurance Fraud, Florida Department of Health, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and Army Criminal Investigative Command.
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.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Last of Defendants Convicted in Pensacola-Based Dogfighting InvestigationRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – A federal jury in Pensacola, Florida, convicted Shane Patrick Sprague, 35, of Pensacola, Florida, of felony conspiracy to violate the dogfighting prohibitions of the federal Animal Welfare Act. Co-defendants James "Tommy" Peek, 67, and Haley Cook Murph, 24, both of Milton, Florida, and David Lee Moser, 36, of Waynesboro, Tennessee, had previously pleaded guilty to seven federal felonies for their involvement with Sprague and others in a dogfighting operation centered in Pensacola. The jury acquitted co-defendant Derek Jedidiah Golson, 38, also of Pensacola.
Evidence at trial, along with admissions made by the pleading defendants in conjunction with their plea agreements, established that Sprague operated C Wood Kennels, a dogfighting operation that arranged dogfights and trafficked in fighting dogs with Moser and others outside of Florida. Moser admitted that he and Sprague agreed to fight their dogs against one another and to prepare a dog for a dogfight, and that they had discussed concealing evidence that one of Moser’s dogs had killed another dog.
Murph pleaded guilty to unlawfully conspiring with the co-defendants to violate the dogfighting prohibitions of the federal Animal Welfare Act, traveling to Steele, Alabama, to purchase a fighting dog from a known dogfighter, and possessing that dog for purposes of using the dog in an animal fighting venture. Peek pleaded guilty to unlawfully conspiring with the co-defendants to violate the dogfighting prohibitions of the federal Animal Welfare Act, delivering a dog to defendant Sprague for purposes of having the dog participate in an animal fighting venture, and possessing a dog for purposes of having the dog participate in an animal fighting venture. Moser pleaded guilty to conspiring with the co-defendants to violate the dogfighting prohibitions of the federal Animal Welfare Act.
Each of the eight counts of conviction in the case carries a maximum of five years in prison and a criminal fine of up to $250,000.
Peek was one of the sources of supply of fighting dogs to C Wood Kennels. He admitted to having sold dogs to Sprague, believing that the dogs would be used for fighting purposes. He also admitted to having sold a dog to an undercover agent after making representations about the fighting "bloodlines" as well as prior and upcoming dogfights of some of the dogs on his yard.
Murph’s role was that of a makeshift "veterinarian" for C Wood Kennels. Although Murph at no time possessed a veterinary license, she admitted to offering and performing veterinary and surgical procedures on dogs belonging to members of the conspiracy, including by treating dogs injured in a dogfight and by surgically removing dogs’ ears, including for the purpose of dogfighting. Two dogs in her "care" died from their fighting injuries. Murph also admitted to supplying a "bait" animal to test the fighting abilities of one of the co-defendant’s dogs. Finally, Murph admitted to traveling to Alabama on two occasions to receive dogs from a known dogfighter, and to keeping one of the dogs for herself for the purposes of having the dog participate in an animal fighting venture.
"These barbaric acts of animal cruelty have no place in a civilized society, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office will pursue and prosecute these criminals to the fullest extent of the law," said U.S. Attorney Lawrence Keefe of the Northern District of Florida. "Societies are measured in part by how well they treat their domestic animals, and these defendants failed that test miserably – and now will pay the consequences."
"The provisions of the Animal Welfare Act were designed to protect animals from being used in illegal fighting ventures, which often entail other forms of criminal activity involving drugs, firearms and gambling," said Special Agent-in-Charge Jason M. Williams of the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Office of Inspector General. "Together with the Department of Justice, animal fighting is an investigative priority for USDA-OIG, and we will work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and assist in the criminal prosecution of those who participate in animal fighting ventures."
Assistant United States Attorney Ryan Love and Department of Justice Trial Attorney Ethan Eddy prosecuted the case. The matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Inspector General.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Department of Justice Launches A National Nursing Home InitiativeRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, joined Attorney General William P. Barr in announcing today the Department of Justice’s National Nursing Home Initiative, which will coordinate and enhance civil and criminal efforts to pursue nursing homes that provide grossly substandard care to their residents.
This initiative is focusing on some of the worst nursing homes around the country, and the Department has already initiated investigations into approximately 30 individual nursing facilities in nine states as part of this effort.
"Millions of seniors count on nursing homes to provide them with quality care, and to treat them with dignity and respect when they are most vulnerable," said Attorney General William P. Barr. "Yet, all too often, we have found nursing home owners or operators who put profits over patients, leading to instances of gross abuse and neglect. This national initiative will bring to justice those owners and operators who have profited at the expense of their residents and help to ensure residents receive the care to which they are entitled."
"With the largest per-capita population of seniors in the country, Florida puts a premium on caring for nursing homes residents," U.S. Attorney Keefe said. "This state has some of the finest nursing homes in the country, but the Department of Justice is targeting those operators whose disregard for the health and well-being of their residents puts our most vulnerable citizens at risk."
The department considers a number of factors in identifying the most problematic nursing homes. For example, the department looks for nursing homes that consistently fail to provide adequate nursing staff to care for their residents, fail to adhere to basic protocols of hygiene and infection control, fail to provide their residents with enough food to eat so they become emaciated and weak, withhold pain medication, or use physical or chemical restraints to restrain or otherwise sedate their residents. These care failures cause residents to suffer in pain and to be exposed to great indignities. Care failures cause residents to develop pressure sores down to the
bone, to lie in their own waste for hours, to starve because they cannot reach the food on their trays, and to remain unwashed for weeks at a time. Nursing homes that provide grossly substandard care also force vulnerable elderly residents who cannot leave the facilities to live in filthy and dangerous conditions where there are leaks in the roofs, mold is found growing, and rodents are found living in residents’ rooms. These are some of the actions and the inactions the department intends to pursue.
The National Nursing Home Initiative reflects the department’s larger strategy and commitment to protecting our nation’s seniors, coordinated by the department’s Elder Justice Initiative in conjunction with the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices. The Elder Justice Initiative and the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices are essential to the department’s investigative and enforcement efforts against nursing homes and other long-term care entities that deliver grossly substandard care to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. The Initiative and the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices also support the efforts of state and local prosecutors, law enforcement, and other elder justice professionals to combat elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation, with the development of training, resources, and information. Learn more about the Justice Department’s Elder Justice Initiative https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice .
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.
Department of Justice Charges Unprecedented Number of Elder Fraud Defendants Nationwide and Launches HotlineRead the Press Release
Four Defendants Charged in Northern District of Florida
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, joined Attorney General William P. Barr, FBI Director Christopher A. Wray, and Chief Postal Inspector Gary R. Barksdale today in announcing the largest coordinated sweep of elder fraud cases in history. This year, prosecutors charged more than 400 defendants, far surpassing the 260 defendants charged in cases as part of last year’s sweep. In each case, offenders allegedly engaged in financial schemes that targeted or largely affected seniors. In total, the charged elder fraud schemes caused alleged losses of over a billion dollars.
In the Northern District of Florida, four individuals were charged with criminal offenses. All were prosecuted as part of the Department’s Elder Fraud sweep.
"Americans are fed up with the constant barrage of scams that maliciously target the elderly and other vulnerable citizens," said Attorney General William P. Barr. "This year, the Department of Justice prosecuted more than 400 defendants, whose schemes totaled more than a billion dollars. I want to thank the men and women of the Department’s Consumer Protection Branch, which coordinated this effort, and all those in the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and Criminal Division who worked tirelessly to bring these cases. The Department is committed to stopping the full range of criminal activities that exploit America’s seniors."
"With its large elder population, Florida experiences far too many instances of fraud against unsuspecting, vulnerable seniors," U.S. Attorney Keefe said. "This nationwide sweep against the predators who perpetrate such fraud will send a loud signal across the Northern District of Florida that we will pursue then, we will prosecute them, and we will punish them to the fullest extent of the law."
This interactive map provides information on the elder fraud cases highlighted by today’s sweep announcement.
Elder Fraud Hotline
Attorney General Barr also announced the launch of a National Elder Fraud Hotline, which will provide services to seniors who may be victims of financial fraud. The Hotline will be staffed by experienced case managers who can provide personalized support to callers. Case managers will assist callers with reporting the suspected fraud to relevant agencies and by providing resources and referrals to other appropriate services as needed. When applicable, case managers will complete a complaint form with the Federal Bureau of Investigation Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) for internet-facilitated crimes and submit a consumer complaint to the Federal Trade Commission on behalf of the caller. The Hotline’s toll-free number is 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311).
For the second year, the Department of Justice and its law enforcement partners also took comprehensive action against the money mule network that facilitates foreign-based elder fraud. Generally, perpetrators use a "money mule" to transfer fraud proceeds from a victim to ringleaders of fraud schemes who often reside in other countries. Some of these money mules act unwittingly, and intervention can effectively end their involvement in the fraud. The FBI and the Postal Inspection Service took action against over 600 alleged money mules nationwide by conducting interviews, issuing warning letters, and bringing civil and criminal cases. Agents and prosecutors in more than 85 federal districts participated in this effort to halt the money flow from victim to fraudster. These actions against money mules were in addition to the criminal and civil cases announced as part of this year’s elder fraud sweep.
These outreach efforts have helped to prevent seniors from falling prey to scams and have frustrated offenders’ efforts to obtain even more money from vulnerable elders.
The charges announced today are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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.
Three Men Plead Guilty to Fraud in Hurricane Michael Repair ScamRead the Press Release
PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA – Three Tampa Bay-area men entered guilty pleas yesterday to defrauding
elderly Northwest Florida homeowners whose homes suffered damage from Hurricane Michael. The
Florida men – Edward Newton, 45, of Lutz, Christopher Mayes, 29, of Tarpon Springs, and Christian
Pantazonis, 31, of Largo – pled guilty to charges of fraudulently contracting to make home repairs
in the Panama City area but instead, stole approximately $319,000 in down payments. The guilty pleas were announced by Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of FloridaThe Indictment charged that a Tampa Bay-area company owned by Newton hired Mayes and Pantazonis in November 2018 to go door to door in Bay County soliciting home repair contracts. They promised that
the repair work would begin immediately, telling homeowners they required a down payment to obtain building materials and permits or to “place the homeowner at the front of the line” for repairs. As
part of the fraud, they occasionally sent workers to complete small projects, such as removing damaged drywall or replacing shingles, in order to lead the homeowners to believe the major repairs
were underway. When homeowners began to complain about the lack of work, Newton told them in writing or by phone that he would return the money he collected for the work never performed.
However, on May 25, 2019, he sent each homeowner a letter stating that he did not intend to complete any of the contracted work and would not return any money.“To anyone who endured the devastation of Hurricane Michael, it is almost inconceivable that anyone
could stoop so low as to prey on the storm’s victims in such a craven way,” U.S. Attorney Keefe
said. “These men took advantage of trusting people in their time of greatest need, and I am pleased
that our office has brought these thieves to justice.”Each defendant pled guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud and faces a maximum of
20 years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing hearings are scheduled for July 2, 2020, at
1:00pm at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee.The case resulted from an investigation by a partnership of law enforcement agencies and
prosecutors at all levels of government, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Panama
City Police Department and the Bay County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Aine
Ahmed is prosecuting the case.The prosecution is part of the Office’s wider efforts to combat crimes against seniors. The
initiative has enabled the U.S. Attorney’s Office to develop and coordinate further its prosecution
of these cases and enhance its overall support of older or vulnerable victims.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.The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the
history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.Local Man Pleads Guilty to Embezzling over $825,000Read the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Michael C. Greutman, 59, of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, pleaded guilty today
to thirteen counts of wire fraud and four counts of tax evasion stemming from his embezzlement of
funds from his employer. Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of
Florida, announced the guilty plea.Between 2009 and 2016, Greutman embezzled over $825,000 from his employer, a family-owned business in Shalimar, Florida. Greutman worked as the Chief Financial Officer and stole money by making
unauthorized online payments to pay his credit cards with employer funds, using corporate credit cards for unauthorized personal purchases, and transferring company funds to his personal bank
accounts. He used his position to create false documentation and manipulate accounting records to cover up his scheme. Greutman also failed to report the embezzled money as income on his income tax
returns.Greutman faces the following penalties:
• Wire Fraud: a maximum of 20 years in prison
• Filing a false tax return: a maximum of 3 years in prisonThe sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 12, 2020, at 10:30 am at the United States Courthouse
in Pensacola.Deputy United States Attorney Jeffrey Tharp is prosecuting the case after a joint investigation by
the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation as
part of the Emerald Coast Financial Crimes Task Force.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.The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the
history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.Okaloosa Armed Career Criminal Sentenced to Twenty Years in Prison for Possession of Firearm by Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Dennis A. Toomer, 37, of Valparaiso, Florida, was sentenced to 240 months in
federal prison after having previously pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted
felon. The sentence was announced today by Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern
District of Florida.“We will vigorously prosecute those whose actions recklessly endanger the public,” U.S. Attorney
Keefe said. “This convicted felon chose to arm himself with a firearm and now will pay the heavy
consequences for his actions.”In the early morning hours of May 8, 2019, Toomer was arrested by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s
Office after battering his pregnant girlfriend and threatening her and her two juvenile brothers
with a loaded handgun. Toomer was prohibited from having a firearm because he had been previously
convicted of 15 felony offenses, including five battery convictions, four drug- related
convictions, and a conviction for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Because Toomer had at
least three prior convictions for a violent felony or a serious drug offense, he was subject to
enhanced penalties under the Armed Career Criminal Act.Assistant U.S. Attorney Alicia Forbes prosecuted the case after a joint investigation by the Bureau
of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.“Reducing violent crime and protecting the public in the communities that we serve is a priority
for ATF,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Daryl McCrary. “We will continue to work vigorously with
our law enforcement partners to make sure those individuals who commit violent firearms crimes are
prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce
gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of
2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence;
enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting
gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant
Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources
are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. The United States Attorney’s Office prosecuted this case with support from Project Guardian partners, the Pensacola Police
Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. For more information about Project Guardian, please visit:
https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl/pr/attorney-general-announces-launch-project-guardian-nationwide-strategic-plan-reduce-gun.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 U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of
Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the
history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.Gainesville Physician and Ex-Wife Sentenced to Federal Prison for Health Care Fraud Conspiracy, Health Care Fraud, and Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA –Lawrence Keefe, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the sentencings of Erik M. Schabert, 48, a physician, and his ex-wife, Mika Kamissa Harris, 49,
both of Gainesville, Florida. A jury found both guilty on health care fraud and money laundering charges involving more than $8 million.While owning and operating Reliant Family Practice in Gainesville, Harris and Schabert attempted to
defraud health care benefit programs of more than $8 million by submitting fraudulent claims.
Between January 2013 and July 2016, Reliant Family Practice received over
$4.4 million from Medicare and Blue Cross Blue Shield for fraudulent claims for chemical peels and
dermabrasions relating to false diagnoses of rosacea and actinic keratosis.Harris was convicted of conspiracy to commit health care or wire fraud, and 48 counts of health
care fraud. Additionally, she was convicted of 41 counts of money laundering as a result of
spending the fraudulently obtained proceeds on such things as paying off her home mortgage, adding
a swimming pool and other home improvements, obtaining plastic surgery, purchasing commercial
property, and funding an annuity for herself. Harris was sentenced to 90 months prison, followed by
3 years supervised release.Schabert was convicted of conspiracy to commit health care or wire fraud, and 24 counts of health
care fraud. Schabert was sentenced to 42 months prison, followed by 3 years supervised release.“Society places a large measure of trust in the hands of licensed physicians, and it is profoundly
disturbing when a respected professional abuses that trust by falsely billing for treatments that
were not medically necessary or which were never actually provided,” U.S. Attorney Keefe said.
“In addition, this doctor’s actions undermined the trust placed in him by his patients.”"Fraudsters like Dr. Schabert should pay a hefty price for violating both the Hippocratic Oath and
his standing as a trusted Medicare provider”, said Special Agent in Charge Omar Pérez Aybar, U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. "Our watchdog agency and
network of partners will continue to aggressively investigate physicians and other health care
providers who bill Medicare for unnecessary services just to boost their own profits.”In addition to receiving sentences of imprisonment and supervised release, Harris and Schabert were
jointly ordered to pay $4,471,572.52 in restitution to Blue Cross Blue Shield. The government has
already forfeited Harris’ residence, the commercial property, and over $260,000 in an annuity
account."Health care fraud costs our country tens of billions of dollars a year, and rooting out these
schemes is central to the well-being of our citizens and the overall economy," said Rachel L.
Rojas, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division. "The FBI is committed to
aggressively investigating and bringing to justice those who undermine our health care system."Assistant United States Attorneys Justin M. Keen and Frank T. Williams prosecuted the case, which
was jointly investigated by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector
General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service– Criminal
Investigation."Special Agents of the IRS will continue to bring our financial expertise to assist our law
enforcement partners in combatting large-scale healthcare fraud, “stated Ronald A. Loecker,
Assistant Special Agent in Charge for IRS Criminal Investigation, Tampa Field Office.” Fraud of
this magnitude must be countered through robust investigation of these trusted professionals.”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.The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the
history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.Physician Pleads Guilty to Acquiring Controlled Substances by Fraud and Using A Means of Identification of Another to Acquire Controlled Substances by FraudRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Michael T. Harris, 45, of Gulf Breeze, Florida, entered a guilty plea to the
charges of acquiring controlled substances by fraud, and using a means of identification of another
person in connection to the offense of acquiring controlled substances by fraud. The guilty plea
was announced by Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.Documents introduced at the time of the guilty plea allege that between November 4, 2015, and
August 11, 2016, on at least 24 separate occasions, Harris presented fraudulent prescriptions to
various pharmacies in the Santa Rosa County area to obtain methadone, morphine sulfate, oxycodone,
and alprazolam. During that time, Harris worked as a physician at a medical facility in Gulf Breeze
and shared office space with other physicians. Harris forged another physician’s signature or used
the physician’s pre-signed prescriptions without the physician’s authorization. On each occasion,
Harris used a means of identification of the physician without the physician’s authorization,
namely, the physician’s specifically assigned Drug Enforcement Administration Registration number,
to acquire methadone, morphine sulfate, oxycodone, and alprazolam. In total, between the
above-mentioned dates, Harris used fraudulent prescriptions to acquire approximately 1622 methadone
pills, approximately 570 morphine sulfate pills, approximately 120 oxycodone pills, and
approximately 40 alprazolam pills using fraudulent prescriptions.Harris faces up to four years’ imprisonment for the charge of acquiring controlled substances by
fraud, and up to twenty years’ imprisonment for the charge of using a means of identification of
another person in connection to the offense of acquiring controlled substances by fraud. Harris is
scheduled to be sentenced on April 14, 2020.“Society places a large measure of trust in the hands of licensed physicians, and it’s profoundly
disturbing when a respected professional abuses that trust to illegally obtain controlled
substances,” U.S. Attorney Keefe said. “In addition, this doctor’s actions undermined the trust
placed in him by his fellow physicians, pharmacists, and others in the medical profession.”This case resulted from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Santa Rosa
County Sheriff’s Office, and the Gulf Breeze Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney J.
Ryan Love is prosecuting the case.“The DEA Miami Field Division is committed to bringing to justice any medical professional who
violates the law and the trust placed in them by society,” said Kevin W. Carter, Acting Special
Agent in Charge of the DEA Miami Field Division.”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.The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the
history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.Pensacola Executive Sentenced to 40 Months in Federal Prison for Conspiring with Foreign Nationals to Ship Technology to IranRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – United States Attorney Lawrence Keefe, of the Northern District of Florida,
today announced that Pensacola business owner James P. Meharg, 60, was sentenced to 40 months in
prison on federal charges of conspiring to sell and export power generating equipment to a
recipient in Iran, and concealing the scheme, as well as having payments routed to Meharg via a
foreign country. Meharg, CEO and president of Turbine Resources International, LLC, in Pensacola,
conspired with citizens of the United Kingdom and Iran to export a large turbine and parts from the
United States to an Iranian recipient, in violation of the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions
Regulations as well as federal criminal law.Meharg, a U.S. citizen, conspired from October 1, 2017, to June 12, 2019, to violate the Iranian
embargo by attempting to export a Solar Mars 90 S turbine core engine and parts from the United
States, for delivery to an end user in Iran. Evidence revealed that on April 25, 2018, Meharg sent
an invoice for $500,000 to a conspirator in the United Kingdom and received two partial payments of
$124,950 each, on May 7 and May 24, 2018, at least one of which was routed through a company in
Dubai. In total, Meharg received approximately $250,000 in funds laundered through foreign accounts
as payment for having the turbine sent to Iran. Law enforcement authorities, however, were able to
seize the turbine before its transatlantic journey to the end user in Iran. That end user, a
conspirator in Iran, is linked to an Iranian energy company. Meharg also falsified documents used
to lawfully export items from the United States.“Exporting technology to Iran is prohibited by law in order to protect the national security
interests of the United States of America, and this defendant chose to put his own self-interest
and greed above such interests,” Keefe said. “Federal imprisonment should send a clear signal that
the United States cannot and will not look the other way when one of its citizens endangers
the safety of our nation.”“Today’s sentence sends a strong message that trade with Iran in violation of U.S. export control
laws and regulations will not be tolerated,’ said Deputy Assistant Secretary for Export
Enforcement, Douglas Hassebrock. ‘The Bureau of Industry and Security will vigorously pursue
parties that seek to profit from illegally supplying materials to Iran.’Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg, who is a National Security Cyber Specialist,
prosecuted the case following a joint investigation by the United States Department of Commerce’s
Bureau of Industry and Security along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.“This case serves as a reminder to anyone who acts as an agent of the Iranian government in the
United States, that American law enforcement is relentless in our efforts to protect the national
security of this country and the freedoms of our citizens,” said Rachel L. Rojas, Special Agent in
Charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division. “The FBI was proud to support our partners at the
Department of Commerce – Bureau of Industry and Security in this case, and we are committed to
disrupting any similar actions by individuals on behalf of Iran in the future.”Meharg’s prison sentence will be followed by three years of federal supervised release. He was also
ordered to forfeit a monetary judgment in the amount of $250,000.00.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 U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of
Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the
history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.