Northern District of Florida
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Former Financial Planner Indicted for Investment Fraud Scheme and Failure to File Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Former financial planner James A. Young III, 49, of Milton, Florida, was arraigned today in the U.S. District Court in Pensacola after a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging him with two counts of wire fraud and three counts of failure to file tax returns over a three-year period. The indictment was announced today by Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
The indictment alleges that between 2010 and 2014, while working as a financial planner, Young solicited his clients and others to invest money in false "side investments" in real estate and natural resource rights. The indictment also alleges that Young presented false documents to potential investors and falsely told them he was also personally invested to convince them to invest.
The indictment further alleges that Young then pocketed the money, which totaled over $500,000, and used it for his own personal use. Further, in some instances, Young is alleged to have used money obtained from investors to pay back other investors, fraudulently representing the funds were returns or interest on their investments in order to keep the scheme going. Young also allegedly failed to file his federal tax returns for 2012, 2013, and 2014.
The maximum penalty for wire fraud is twenty years’ imprisonment. The maximum penalty for failure to file tax returns is one year imprisonment. The trial is scheduled for September 3, 2019, at 9:00 a.m. at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola.
Assistant United States Attorney Alicia H. Forbes is prosecuting the case following an investigation by the Emerald Coast Financial Crimes Task Force consisting of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. This case is part of the Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative, which combats elder abuse and financial fraud targeted at seniors and is a key priority of the Department of Justice and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida.
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
Arrests by U.S. Marshals Task Force Continue Commitment to "All in Leon"Read the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Ongoing efforts by the U.S. Marshals Florida/Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force (FCRFTF) have produced numerous arrests in Leon County following the recent launch of a multi-agency strike force, including three in the past week of individuals sought in cases that involved stolen weapons and other weapons charges, kidnapping, aggravated assault against law enforcement, auto theft, and probation violations. The arrests by United States Marshals, working in conjunction with the Leon County Sheriff's Office under the ALLinLEON initiative, were announced by Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Marshals arrested Torrieo Monte Johnson on July 3, 2019, at a family member’s residence in Tallahassee. During the arrest, Task Force members seized a semi-automatic Taurus handgun and rifle. Johnson was wanted by the Thomasville Police Department after fleeing a June 26 traffic stop during which Thomasville Police located two stolen rifles, including an AR15, and a 9mm handgun in Johnson’s vehicle. Johnson was charged with Felon in Possession of a Firearm (x3) and Grand Theft Firearm. He awaits extradition back to the State of Georgia on his felony charges.
Six days later, on July 9, Task Force members arrested 20-year-old Etavious Janquis Milton in Tallahassee. Milton was wanted by the Leon County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) for a kidnapping that occurred on June 27, after Milton fled on foot from LCSO patrol deputies during a routine traffic stop on Crawfordville Highway and stole a car with an elderly woman inside it, finally abandoning the car and its passenger on the outskirts of Quincy. LCSO detectives charged Milton with Kidnapping, Aggravated.
Assault on Law Enforcement, Flee/Elude, Grand Theft of Vehicle, and Resisting Officer with Violence. Milton was also wanted on charges of Violation of Probation stemming from earlier charges of Aggravated Assault with Deadly Weapon, Carrying a Concealed Firearm, Burglary, and Grand Theft Motor Vehicle.
Federal task force members also responded that day to a request for assistance from the Tallahassee Police Department (TPD) for help in apprehending Jontavius Monroe, who was being sought by TPD investigators for Violation of Pretrial Conditions for a May 12 incident in which Monroe was arrested for Firing a Weapon in Public, Possession of Weapon by a Convicted Felon, Grand Theft of Firearm, and Possession of Marijuana. Monroe was also charged with Resisting Arrest without Violence.
The Tallahassee Division of the FRFTF consists of state and local law enforcement officers from the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, Leon County State Attorney’s Office, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office, Perry Police Department, Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, and the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office. These officers are sworn in as Special Deputy U.S. Marshals and, working alongside U.S. Marshals, target the most violent offenders in the Tallahassee area.
Federal, state, and local authorities last month launched a concerted effort to crack down on violent crime under LCSO’s ALLinLEON umbrella. That initiative has also engaged community volunteers to regularly take at-risk youth to places of worship, activated Neighborhood Crime Watch programs, and conducted other activities to target neighborhoods that are perennial hotspots for violence. The effort also aims to help connect individuals who are reentering the community from incarceration with education, job skills and substance abuse treatment.
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 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
Former Military Serviceman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Theft of Government MoneyRead the Press Release
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – U.S. Attorney Lawrence Keefe for the Northern District of Florida today announced the sentencing of William Larry Johns, 69, of Gainesville, after he was sentenced on June 24 in the United States District Court in Gainesville to a federal grand jury indictment that charged him with one count of theft of government money.
Johns served in the United States Marine Corps for less than a year in 1967, and years later applied for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”) Disability Pension claiming to be unable to work due to a non-service connected disability. Johns failed to regularly report his employment history, net worth, and income received from all sources as he was required to do. Further, during visits to the VA Medical Center, Johns falsely indicated that he was retired and failed to report to the VA the income he was earning through his plumbing and drain cleaning businesses between 2004 and 2017.
In addition to receiving a sentence of incarceration in federal prison and supervised release, Johns was ordered to pay restitution to the Department of Veterans Affairs in the amount of $157,949.
Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (VA-OIG). David Spilker, Special Agent in Charge, VA-OIG, stated, "The defendant’s deceitful actions stole VA’s limited resources from eligible veterans deserving of the financial assistance they earned through military service. VA-OIG is committed to safeguarding the integrity of VA’s healthcare and benefits programs."
United States Attorney Keefe added, “Military benefits exist for those who truly earned them, individuals who need the help of a public on whose behalf they sacrificed so much. Not only should these benefits be denied to those who do not earn them, but we owe it to the real heroes to prosecute anyone who seeks to benefit unjustly at their expense.”
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html
Pensacola Woman Pleads Guilty to Selling Counterfeit Contact LensesRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Son Chu Gilliam, 51, of Pensacola, Florida, pleaded guilty today to misdemeanor charges of receipt of adulterated and misbranded devices, and sale of prescription devices without a prescription -- those devices being contact lenses. Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the guilty plea.
Her sentencing hearing is currently set for September 10, 2019.
In May 2015, law enforcement seized approximately 600 counterfeit contact lenses that were being imported from China by Gilliam to her place of business, All about Ink, a tattoo shop in Pensacola, Florida. A number of the contact lenses seized were tested by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and determined to contain microbial contamination. FDA has determined that the types of bacteria found in the contact lenses can be hazardous.
Between July 2015, and October 2015, law enforcement made a number of undercover purchases of contact lenses from Gilliam and others working for Gilliam at All about Ink. Following the undercover purchases, a federal search warrant was executed at All about Ink, and approximately 200 pairs of contact lenses were seized. Samples of both the contact lenses purchased by undercover agents, and the contact lenses seized were tested by FDA, and a number of those also contained microbial contamination. In addition to agents determining that a number of the contact lenses were counterfeit and FDA determining that a number of the contact lenses were contaminated and that none of the contact lenses should have been sold without a prescription.
“American consumers rely on FDA oversight to ensure the safety of their medical devices, including contact lenses. Selling counterfeit contact lenses without a valid prescription puts patients’ health – and their vision – at risk,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge, H. Peter Kuehl, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations Miami Field Office. “The FDA is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to keep such products out of the U.S. marketplace.”
“This criminal was selling substandard, dangerous counterfeit contact lenses with no regard for the health and safety of consumers,” said HSI Tampa Deputy Special Agent in Charge Kevin D. Sibley. “Our agents are committed to collaborating with partner agencies, like U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Florida Department of Health, to conduct aggressive investigations into the distribution of fake goods that threaten the safety of our public.”
The case resulted from the investigation by the Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Florida Department of Health. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney J. Ryan Love.
The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html
Northern Florida Bingo Operator Sentenced to Federal Prison for Illegal Gambling and Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – U.S. Attorney Lawrence Keefe for the Northern District of Florida today announced the sentencing of Larry L. Masino, 69, of Gulf Breeze, and Dixie L. Masino, 66, of Pensacola. A jury found both guilty of conspiracy and money laundering charges related to their ownership and operation of Racetrack Bingo in Fort Walton Beach.
The Masinos, through Racetrack Bingo, illegally conducted bingo games by keeping a substantial amount of the bingo proceeds for themselves rather than returning all proceeds to players in the form of prizes, as required by law. The Masinos received and laundered $5,813,584 in profit between 2006 and 2015. Larry Masino, the original orchestrator of the illegal bingo scheme, was sentenced to twelve months and one day in prison, followed by two years of supervised release. His ex-wife Dixie Masino, who took over as the face of the operation in 2010 after Larry was prosecuted in Tallahassee for running illegal bingo games there, was sentenced to four months of house arrest as a part of a five-year probation term.
“These individuals were preying upon the citizens of Fort Walton Beach,” said Special Agent in Charge Jack Massey at FDLE’s Pensacola Regional Operations Center. “We appreciate the diligent investigative work of our agents and our partners at the IRS, FBI and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida for bringing this case to a successful resolution for justice.“
In addition to receiving sentences of incarceration, house arrest, and probation, the Masinos were jointly ordered to pay a forfeiture money judgment of $5,813,584. The government has already seized more than $1.5 million from the Masinos’ bank accounts and forfeited three properties, the proceeds of which will be applied toward the court-ordered money judgment.
"With today's sentencing, the Masinos will pay a high price for defrauding unsuspecting charities whose sole mission was to help others," U.S. Attorney Keefe said. "This office has zero tolerance for illegal gambling schemes, especially those that target charitable organizations. We will prosecute operators to the fullest extent of the law."
Assistant United States Attorney Alicia H. Forbes prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s 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 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.
Panama City Marriage Fraud Defendant Sentenced to 7 YearsRead the Press Release
PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA – Ravi Babu Kolla, 47, an Indian foreign national residing in Panama City, was sentenced to 84 months in prison for conspiracy to commit marriage and visa fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The sentence was announced by Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Panama City received information from the Bay County Sheriff’s Office during November 2017 that an unusually large number of marriages were occurring in rural Alabama counties. The marriages almost always involved male Indian nationals from throughout the United States and local women from Bay County, Florida. The evidence established that Kolla organized over 80 fraudulent marriages, and the majority of the Indian nationals involved had overstayed their visas or Student Exchange Visitor Program requirements and were unlawfully present in the United States. Each bride was to be paid $12,000 over a defined period for agreeing to participate in a fraudulent marriage.
"Our nation relies on the security of our nation’s immigration system, and any kind of fraud committed to cheat that system is a serious matter," said United States Attorney Lawrence Keefe. "This investigation, and the sentence imposed today, confirms that those who abuse the immigration process will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law."
During June and July 2018, HSI Panama City executed a federal search warrant and three federal seizure warrants, resulting in the seizure of approximately $120,000 in suspected illicit proceeds, as well as documentary and electronic evidence related to numerous fraudulent marriages. Over $700,000 passed through Kolla’s bank accounts during the investigation. Currently, HSI Panama City is also coordinating with HSI New Delhi to locate and recover approximately $200,000 from the ICICI Bank in Mumbai, India, identified by investigators as additional proceeds from the marriage fraud enterprise.
This is an HSI-led investigation conducted with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Bay County Sheriff’s Office, and the Panama City, Blountstown, and Altha Police Departments, with assistance provided by sheriff’s offices in Coffee and Dale counties, Alabama. Assistant United States Attorney Corey J. Smith prosecuted the case.
"Marriage fraud is a serious crime that undermines our nation’s security," said HSI Tampa Special Agent in Charge James C. Spero. "To help protect the legal immigration system and the values associated with U.S. citizenship, HSI special agents will continue to work with law enforcement partners to stop criminals that seek to circumvent our laws."
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
Gadsden County Deputy Sheriff Charged with Facilitating Drug Trafficking OffensesRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Gadsden County Sheriff’s Deputy Joseph Barnes, Jr., 52, of Quincy, has been arrested on a federal criminal complaint alleging that he unlawfully used a communication facility to aid or facilitate the possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Barnes was released on court-ordered conditions that included surrendering his two service weapons and the trained K-9 that played prominently in Barnes’ alleged criminal activity. The criminal complaint was announced by Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
According to the criminal complaint, Barnes actively aided individuals who distributed drugs in the Gadsden County area by alerting these individuals that federal law enforcement was watching them. In addition, he is alleged to have physically examined drug transport vehicles to determine if law enforcement had attached GPS tracking devices to vehicles about to be used for drug transportation. The complaint also alleges that he used his Gadsden County K-9, which was trained to detect the odor of narcotics residue, to determine whether a law enforcement K-9 could detect the presence of drugs in cars equipped with a hidden compartment to transport a load of drugs. Barnes allegedly used his cell phone to facilitate meetings with these individuals to accomplish these goals.
The criminal complaint and arrest stemmed from an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a joint federal, state, and local cooperative, which targeted a drug trafficking organization.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Eric K. Mountin is prosecuting the case.
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 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
Honduran Man Sentenced for Transporting Local Minor Out of State for SexRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Elvin Castron-Murcia, 20, a Honduran native residing in Louisiana, was sentenced in federal court today to ten years in prison for traveling for illicit sexual conduct and transporting a minor for criminal sexual activity involving a Northwest Florida girl. The sentence was announced by Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
"The illegal actions of this defendant will have a lasting and harmful impact on his adolescent victim, and it is important that he be imprisoned so he cannot take advantage of other young girls," Keefe said. "We thank the various federal, state, and local law enforcement partners who helped find the victim, return her safely to her family, and ensure that the defendant is brought to justice."
This investigation began in May 2018, when a 12-year-old female, identified only as "ENN," disappeared after her mother caught her communicating on Facebook with a male under the name "Elvin C. Murcia." Several neighbors had observed a black Honda Civic with Tennessee license tags parked near ENN’s residence in Navarre, Florida. A search of ENN’s cell phone and Instagram social media account revealed images of the girl in a vehicle with a male who appeared to be the same person on Murcia’s Facebook account.
The next day, ENN’s mother was able to communicate with her daughter via Facebook Messenger, and law enforcement officers determined that the cell phone used for the conversation was located in Tennessee heading toward Alabama. A state trooper soon observed the black Honda Civic with Tennessee tags and stopped the vehicle in Alabama. ENN was identified as the vehicle’s passenger and Murcia, who was using a license issued in a false name, was later identified as the driver. Images and videos forensically located on Murcia’s phone confirmed that Murcia and ENN were in a relationship that began when ENN was 11 years old. Law enforcement officers were also able to obtain video from a Tennessee Walgreens store showing Murcia purchasing birth control with ENN. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that Murcia was illegally present in the United States.
Murcia will be removed from the United States after serving his sentence in federal prison.
"The victimization of innocent children will not be tolerated in this country, and this case reinforces that message," said Rachel L. Rojas, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division. "The FBI and our law enforcement partners will stop at nothing to identify child predators and ensure the safety of young people who are among the most vulnerable members of our community."
"Castron-Murcia acted with an intense focus to befriend this child and gain her trust only to victimize her," said FDLE Pensacola Special Agent in Charge Jack Massey. "FDLE will continue to work aggressively with our law enforcement partners to investigate those who seek to hurt our children."
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg prosecuted the case.
The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html
Federal Indictment in Local Bomb Threat InvestigationRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Noah D. Stirn, 24, formerly housed at the Blackwater River Correctional Facility in Milton, Florida, was indicted on federal charges related to issuing threatening communications involving explosives and mailing threatening communications to injure others. The charges were announced by Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. Stirn is now in federal custody.
The indictment alleges that in April and May 2019, while incarcerated by the State of Florida at Blackwater River Correctional Facility, Stirn mailed multiple letters to federal and state agencies that threatened the use of explosive devices to harm those in the local buildings. The indictment alleges that Stirn asserted that the attacks were "for the cause of the Islamic State." It is also alleged that Stirn threatened the use of "C4" and "car bombs."
Stirn will have his arraignment in federal court on the charges on June 25, 2019, at 2:00 pm, before United States Magistrate Judge Hope T. Cannon.
This case resulted from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Marshals Service, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Capitol Police, the Pensacola Police Department, and the Tallahassee Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys David L. Goldberg and Michelle K. Daffin are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html
Three Men Plead Guilty to Operating A Sweepstakes Scam Impacting Elderly VictimsRead the Press Release
PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA – Three Bay County residents pleaded guilty on June 14, to federal fraud charges stemming from activities meant to induce elderly victims with false promises of sweepstakes prizes. The men each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud, one count of wire fraud, and one count of mail fraud. Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the guilty pleas of Delroy Williams, 52, of Lynn Haven, Vivian Walters, 33, of Lynn Haven, and Jevaughn Williams, 22, of Panama City Beach.
A sentencing hearing for the three men is currently set for August 27, 2019, at 11:00 a.m.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Harwin and Michelle Daffin are prosecuting the case following a joint investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Lynn Haven Police Department.
“It is appalling that some individuals consider it acceptable to prey on vulnerable elders, defrauding them of their hard-earned savings,” U.S. Attorney Keefe said. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will never tolerate such shocking and shameful behavior, and working closely with our federal, state, and local partners we will prosecute such criminals to the full extent of the law.”
Since the late 1990s, telemarketers in Jamaica have been engaging in a scam by contacting victims in the United States and falsely claiming the victims have won large sweepstakes prizes. Victims, who are primarily elderly, are induced to send cash or cash equivalents in order to release their purported 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 mailed packages from victims, took a percentage of the funds for themselves, and then forwarded the remainder to co-conspirators in Jamaica. Over 40 victims have been identified through wire transfer records and searches of the defendants’ electronic devices.
“In this investigation, U.S. Postal Inspectors labored arduously to bring these individuals to justice. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service works aggressively to investigate fraud schemes that involve the mail and victimizing our most vulnerable citizens” said Miami Division Inspector in Charge Antonio “Tony” Gomez.
Delroy Williams and Vivian Walters pleaded guilty to a fraudulent wire transfer of $1,800 from an 82-year-old victim and inducing an 85-year-old victim to send a U.S. Express Mail package containing $500 cash.
Jevaughn Williams pleaded guilty to a $1,500 fraudulent wire transfer from an 84-year-old victim. Williams also pleaded guilty to inducing a 78-year-old victim to mail $1,400 in postal money orders that were subsequently deposited into his personal bank account.
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
Law Enforcement Officers Join Students for A Day of LearningRead the Press Release
BLAST (Building Lasting Relationships Between Police and Community) Program
Brings Law Enforcement and Communities Together
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – This Wednesday, high school students in Gainesville will have the opportunity to hear directly from three of the area’s top law enforcement officials – including the U.S. Attorney, the Alachua County sheriff, and the Gainesville police chief – as part of a BLAST Program, which offers students an opportunity to meet representatives of the criminal justice community to ask them questions, share their perceptions of law enforcement, and interact with law enforcement officers in a familiar setting.
During the four-hour program at Eastside High School, law enforcement officers also provide students with their perspective on responding to dangerous or uncertain circumstances and the importance of remaining calm and following the officers’ directions in these situations. Members of the media are welcome to attend and photograph/video most demonstrations of the BLAST (Building Lasting Relationships Between Police and Community) Program demonstrations.
“Sharing these perspectives encourages safe interactions between citizens and officers to improve our community,” said Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, who will be one of the participants in the Gainesville program. “Our communities are safest when residents and law enforcement work as partners, and the BLAST program is an excellent way to replace misgivings and apprehension with familiarity and trust.”
Among those joining Keefe in speaking with the students will be Alachua Sheriff Sadie Darnell and Gainesville Police Chief Tony Jones. Agencies participating in the program include the FBI, ATF, DEA, Florida Highway Patrol, and the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office. Media: Please RSVP to [email protected] if you plan to attend.
The BLAST Program schedule will include the following discussion sessions, during which students will have a chance to participate in role play with law enforcement officers. (Students with media permissions will be identified.)
• Federal Crimes Scenario: Students will evaluate video scenarios and learn about each phase of a federal criminal case, including investigation, prosecution, and sentencing.
This session is open to the media, and videography and photography is permitted.
• Domestic Violence Response / K-9 Demonstration: Students will participate in a scenario in which law enforcement officers respond to a domestic disturbance. Discussion includes the challenges officers’ face, rights of witnesses and suspects, and benefits of providing information to law enforcement.
This session is open to the media, and videography and photography is permitted.
• Traffic Stop Simulation: Students and officers engage, alternating the roles of civilians and officers conducting a traffic stop. Discussion includes de-escalation and the uncertainty officers and vehicle occupants face during a traffic stop.
This session is open to the media, and videography and photography is permitted.
• Use of Force: Facilitators and students will discuss when law enforcement officers may use force and an officer’s reaction time when confronted with a life-threatening situation.
This session is closed to the media. Reporters may try the simulator equipment after the event ends.
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
Former Navy Federal Credit Union Employee Sentenced to Federal Prison for Producing and Possessing Child Pornography in PensacolaRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Michael Lee DePine, 63, of Pensacola, was sentenced today for the production and possession of child pornography. The Court sentenced DePine to 18 years in federal prison, to be followed by supervised release upon which DePine will have to register as a sex offender. Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the sentencing this afternoon.
In December 2018, law enforcement officers received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that DePine and a local minor female were engaged in illicit sexual communications and activity via Facebook Messenger. Homeland Security Investigations and the Pensacola Police Department were able to geo-locate the criminal activity of DePine to his residence. This led law enforcement to obtaining a federal search warrant for DePine’s residence in Pensacola. In January 2019, law enforcement searched his residence. While searching the residence, DePine was located at his place of employment, Navy Federal Credit Union. A forensic review of DePine’s seized digital media confirmed that he was in possession of multiple child pornographic images of the minor victim. These images were produced by DePine of the minor female in his bedroom at the residence.
“There are few things more vile, and harder to comprehend, than sexual crimes against young innocents. We will pursue these sexual predators wherever and whenever we must, in order to get them out of our neighborhoods and into our prisons,” U.S. Attorney Keefe said.
The investigation revealed that DePine had been picking the minor female up at her residence in the middle of the night in order to bring her back to his residence and engage in sexual acts. DePine also provided the minor female with intimate apparel and electronic funds for her expenses. The government requested, during the sentencing hearing, that the Court not only sentence DePine to imprisonment, but also that he be required to forfeit his 2016 Lexus and his residence because both were utilized by DePine to commit his crimes. The Court ordered DePine to forfeit to the government his vehicle, his residence, and all the electronic devices he used to commit his crimes.
“This predator used social media as a means to continually abuse a young minor victim while producing multiple pornographic images of this child,” said HSI Tampa Special Agent in Charge James C. Spero. “Now this felon will no longer be able to abuse children and he will be held accountable for his crimes, thanks to the diligent investigative work of the Pensacola Police Department, the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and our HSI special agents.”
“We are thankful for the hard work and support from our federal partners in helping us bring this case to a successful conclusion,” said Pensacola Police Chief Tommi Lyter.
The case was investigated by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, the Pensacola Police Department, and the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel David L. Goldberg.
The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
8 Gadsden County Residents Charged in 83-Count Indictment for Dogfighting ConspiracyRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – A federal grand jury returned an indictment, unsealed today, charging eight defendants with 83 counts of federal dogfighting offenses stemming from an investigation into drug trafficking and a large-scale illegal dogfighting operation involving approximately 100 dogs. The indictment was announced by Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
Most of the dogs used by the defendants were recovered by the United States Marshals Service and placed with appropriate foster organizations. In addition to setting out the facts supporting the charges, the indictment alleges that at one of the locations searched where dog fighting events were conducted, investigators discovered the remains of a recently-deceased dog, confirming that dog fights were recently held at that location.
“The United States Attorney’s Office takes allegations of dogfighting very seriously. Our society can be judged, in part, by how we treat our animals,” Keefe said. “This office will work with our partners at the federal, state, and local levels to pursue such cases vigorously."
The defendants named in this indictment are:
● Jermaine Terrell Hadley, 31, Quincy, Florida;
● Devar San Jacus Donaldson, 27, Quincy, Florida;
● Sariem Shanquell McMillian, 23, Quincy, Florida;
● Randell Lavel Colston, 47, Quincy, Florida;
● Bob Streets, 35, Quincy, Florida;
● Zanntayfey Yohoun Bennett, 35, Quincy, Florida;
● Dennis Lamar Howard, 45, Chattahoochee, Florida; and
● Leonard Safford, 37, Gretna, Florida.
The indictment and arrests resulted from an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a joint federal, state, and local cooperative, which targeted a drug trafficking organization that also allegedly organized and conducted a large-scale illegal dogfighting operation throughout the Northern District of Florida between 2014 through
2019. During the operation, search warrants were executed on properties allegedly involved in training, housing, and conducting illegal dogfights.
The charged defendants face penalties of up to five years imprisonment and fines up to $250,000, per count of conviction.
On May 8, 2019, Hadley, Donaldson, McMillian, and Colston were among a dozen individuals indicted on federal drug trafficking offenses for allegedly distributing methamphetamine, cocaine, and MDMA throughout the north-central Florida Panhandle between 2018 and 2019.
The cases were investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the United States Marshals Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations, the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Highway Patrol, the Chattahoochee Police Department, the Tallahassee Police Department, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Florida Air National Guard Counterdrug Program. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eric Mountin.
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 drug trafficking organizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt and dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize its 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 for the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Unprecedented Federal, State and Local Strike Force Launches Crackdown on Tallahassee Gun ViolenceRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE – In an effort to curb growing local gun violence, largely fueled by stolen guns and illegal drug activity, Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil and Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, today announced an unprecedented commitment of federal, state and local resources to get wanted criminals off the streets and illegal guns and drugs out of their hands.
“This community is about to see an unprecedented show of force with a single focus – to make our neighborhoods safer by getting illegally possessed guns and drugs, as well as the criminals who use them off our streets,” Sheriff McNeil said.
As part of the sheriff’s “ALL in LEON” initiative, U.S. Attorney Keefe announced a coordinated effort among federal agencies – including the U.S. Marshals Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, as well as the Office of the State Attorney, 2nd Judicial Court and Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)– to actively collaborate with local law enforcement to put gun criminals away for a long time.
“The considerable tools, resources and expertise of the appropriate federal law enforcement agencies will coordinate with and complement local law enforcement to help this community stem the rising flood of gun violence,” Keefe said. “Criminals be warned: If you commit a crime with a gun, these federal agencies are coming for you, and you’ll be put away in the federal prison system far from Tallahassee for as long as possible.”
It is a federal crime to use a gun in the commission of a drug trafficking or violent crime or for a convicted felon to possess a gun. Those charged with such offenses are usually jailed pending trial, and if convicted are ineligible for probation and face possible mandatory minimum sentences. Under Florida’s 10-20-Life law, anyone who carries a firearm during the commission of a violent felony faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison. Anyone who shoots a firearm during a violent felony faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years. Furthermore, anyone who shoots someone during a violent felony faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years and may face life in prison without the possibility of parole.
“With the help of our federal partners, there is nowhere that these violent criminals can hide,” Sheriff McNeil said. “This is a long-term commitment, and the community will see the evidence of it at work very soon.”
McNeil said every resident of our community has a role to play in supporting this effort: If you have a tip about someone criminally possessing a gun or committing an offense with a gun, call Big Bend Crime Stoppers at 850-574-TIPS or go online at bbcsi.org. You can also contact ATF at 1-888-ATF-TIPS or text ATFTAM to 63975.
If you own a gun legally, keep it securely locked up, and don’t store it in a vehicle. LCSO says last month alone, 12 guns were stolen from vehicles during car break-ins worked by the agency. “Stolen guns often end up used in the commission of crimes.” McNeil said.
This historic strike force operation follows a spate of gun violence incidents, including one over the recent Memorial Day weekend. Along with the law enforcement and prosecutorial activity, “ALLin LEON” has engaged community volunteers to regularly take at-risk youth to places of worship, activated Neighborhood Crime Watch programs and conducted other activities to target neighborhoods that are perennial hotspots for violence. The effort also aims to help connect individuals who are reentering the community from incarceration with education, job skills and substance abuse treatment.
“The dignity of our neighbors and neighborhoods are at stake with the drug activity that leads to gun violence,” said Southside resident and advocate Christic Henry. “As we meet the needs and give opportunities to those looking to break the cycle of poverty, we must balance that effort with respect and enforcement of the law.”
Federal Charges in Local Bomb Threat InvestigationRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Noah D. Stirn, 24, formerly housed at the Blackwater Correctional Facility in Milton, Florida, was taken into federal custody today on a criminal complaint charging him with threatening communications involving explosives and mailing threatening communications to injure others. The charges were announced by Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
The criminal complaint alleges that during a one week time frame, Stirn mailed multiple letters to federal and state agencies that threatened the use of explosive devices to harm those in the local buildings. This led to the evacuation of the buildings and the deployment of officers with bomb sniffing canines.
Stirn will have his initial appearance today in federal court on the charges at 3:00 pm before United States Magistrate Judge Elizabeth M. Timothy.
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.
This case resulted from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Marshals Service, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Pensacola Police Department, the Tallahassee Police Department, and the Tallahassee Capitol Police. Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg is prosecuting the case.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html
Update on Bomb Threat made against U.S. Attorney's Office in Downtown PensacolaRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – "We are extremely thankful for the immediate, effective response of the Pensacola Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Marshals Service to this morning's incident," said Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. The U.S. Attorney's Office highly values our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, and we greatly appreciate everything they did to help us today.”
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.
12 Gadsden and Jackson County Residents Charged in Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – A federal grand jury returned an indictment, unsealed today, charging 12 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:
- Jermaine Terrell Hadley, 31, Quincy, Florida;
- Devar San Jacus Donaldson, 27, Quincy, Florida;
- Sariem Shanquell McMillian, 23, Quincy, Florida;
- Ja’rod Lamar Bryant, 31, Quincy, Florida;
- Jaquantavious Trayshon Owens, 25, Quincy, Florida;
- Jamaron Juanata Paden Sr., 29, Marianna, Florida;
- Eddie Lee Hughes, 52, Quincy, Florida;
- Tiffany Jean Hughes, 29, Marianna, Florida;
- Samantha Eugenia Yelle, 30, Marianna, Florida;
- Patrick Lee Baker, 43, Quincy, Florida;
- Randell Lavel Colston, 47, Quincy, Florida; and
- Linda Lockwood, 48, Quincy, Florida.
The indictment and arrests resulted from an ongoing Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Operation which targeted a drug trafficking organization alleged to be responsible for the distribution of methamphetamine, cocaine, and MDMA throughout the northcentral panhandle of Florida between 2018 and 2019.
The charged defendants face penalties ranging up to and including life imprisonment, and fines up to $20,000,000.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Office of Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the United States Marshals Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson’s County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Highway Patrol, the Chattahoochee Police Department, the Tallahassee Police Department, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, the Calhoun Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Florida Air National Guard Counterdrug Program. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eric Mountin.
This prosecution is part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt and dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize its 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.
Superseding Indictment adds Developer/Entrepreneur to Racketeering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – A federal grand jury has returned a forty-seven count superseding indictment, unsealed today, against suspended Tallahassee City Commissioner Scott Charles Maddox, 51, Tallahassee political consultant Janice Paige Carter-Smith, 54, and John Thomas Burnette, 42, all of Tallahassee, Florida.
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Lawrence Keefe of the Northern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Rachel Rojas of the FBI’s Jacksonville Field Office and Special Agent in Charge Mary Hammond of the IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) Tampa Field Office made the announcement.
In December 2018, a federal grand jury charged Maddox and Carter-Smith in a forty-four count indictment for conspiring to operate a racketeering enterprise that engaged in acts of bank fraud, extortion, honest-services fraud and bribery. That indictment also charged Maddox and Carter-Smith with substantive counts of bank fraud, false statements to financial institutions, extortion, honest-services fraud, use of interstate facilities to facilitate bribery, false statements to federal officers, conspiracy to interfere with the lawful function of the IRS, and filing false tax returns. The superseding indictment adds Burnette as a defendant and charges him with participating in the racketeering conspiracy and extortion, honest services mail fraud, the use of facilities in interstate commerce to facilitate bribery, and making false statements to federal officers.
Burnette’s initial appearance is scheduled for today at 3:00 p.m. EST at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee. The trial of this case has been scheduled for November 4, 2019.
More specifically, the December 2018 indictment alleges that Maddox and Carter-Smith conspired to operate two companies, Governance Inc. and Governance Services LLC, as one entity they referred to as “Governance.” Governance was allegedly part of a racketeering enterprise which extorted money and accepted bribes from Governance clients under color of Maddox’s office and through fear of the economic harm which Maddox could inflict in his position as an influential City Commissioner. Maddox allegedly agreed to and voted on matters and exerted influence on City employees to take actions that benefitted the businesses that paid Maddox and Carter-Smith through Governance. Additionally, Maddox and Carter-Smith allegedly defrauded a bank of more than $250,000 through two fraudulent short sales of real property, lied to federal agents about Governance and other matters, and violated federal tax laws by conspiring to interfere with the IRS and filing false tax returns.
The superseding indictment adds charges that Burnette participated with Maddox and Carter-Smith in extorting representatives of a company seeking to develop properties in Tallahassee to pay money to Maddox through Governance in exchange for Maddox’s assistance as a public official in the proposed projects. Further, it is alleged that Burnette arranged the logistics of bribe payments of $10,000 per month to Maddox through Governance, and told the company representatives that Maddox wanted them to deal only with Burnette. Additionally, the superseding indictment alleges that when Maddox and Burnette traveled to Las Vegas with the company representatives paying for all expenses, Maddox and Burnette told the company representatives about Maddox threatening to destroy a former client’s business deals if the former client did not pay Maddox. The superseding indictment further alleges that at subsequent meetings, when asked by company representatives about stopping the bribe payments to Maddox, Burnette made various extortionate statements to the representatives as to what actions Maddox would take to cause economic harm to the company if they stopped making the $10,000 monthly payments to Maddox. The superseding indictment further alleges that Burnette made false statements to the FBI concerning the name of the firm that Carter-Smith had, his knowledge of the company making payments to Maddox through Governance, and the content of conversations that Maddox had with company representatives.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen M. Kunz, Gary Milligan, and Andrew J. Grogan of the Northern District of Florida and Trial Attorneys Simon J. Cataldo and Peter M. Nothstein of the Department of Justice, Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section.
The maximum terms of imprisonment for the offenses are as follows:
- 30 years: Bank Fraud, False Statements to a Financial Institution
- 20 years: Racketeering Conspiracy, Extortion, and Honest Services Fraud
- 5 years: Use of Interstate Facilities in Furtherance of Bribery, Making False Statements to a Federal Officer, Conspiracy to Defraud the United States
- 3 years: False Statement on a Tax Return
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.
Superseding Indictment Adds Developer/Entrepreneur to Racketeering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury has returned a 47-count superseding indictment against suspended Tallahassee City Commissioner Scott Charles Maddox, 51, Tallahassee political consultant Janice Paige Carter-Smith, 54, and John Thomas Burnette, 42, all of Tallahassee, Florida.
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Lawrence Keefe of the Northern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Rachel Rojas of the FBI’s Jacksonville Field Office and Special Agent in Charge Mary Hammond of the IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) Tampa Field Office made the announcement.
In December 2018, a federal grand jury charged Maddox and Carter-Smith in a 44-count indictment for conspiring to operate a racketeering enterprise that engaged in acts of bank fraud, extortion, honest-services fraud and bribery. That indictment also charged Maddox and Carter-Smith with substantive counts of bank fraud, false statements to financial institutions, extortion, honest-services fraud, use of interstate facilities to facilitate bribery, false statements to federal officers, conspiracy to interfere with the lawful function of the IRS and filing false tax returns. The superseding indictment adds Burnette as a defendant and charges him with participating in the racketeering conspiracy and extortion, honest services mail fraud, the use of facilities in interstate commerce to facilitate bribery and making false statements to federal officers.
Burnette’s initial appearance is scheduled for today at the U.S. Courthouse in Tallahassee. The trial of this case has been scheduled for Nov. 4, 2019.
More specifically, the December 2018 indictment alleges that Maddox and Carter-Smith conspired to operate two companies, Governance Inc. and Governance Services LLC, as one entity they referred to as “Governance.” Governance was allegedly part of a racketeering enterprise which extorted money and accepted bribes from Governance clients under color of Maddox’s office and through fear of the economic harm which Maddox could inflict in his position as an influential City Commissioner. Maddox allegedly agreed to and voted on matters and exerted influence on City employees to take actions that benefitted the businesses that paid Maddox and Carter-Smith through Governance. Additionally, Maddox and Carter-Smith allegedly defrauded a bank of more than $250,000 through two fraudulent short sales of real property, lied to federal agents about Governance and other matters and violated federal tax laws by conspiring to interfere with the IRS and filing false tax returns.
The superseding indictment adds charges that Burnette participated with Maddox and Carter-Smith in extorting representatives of a company seeking to develop properties in Tallahassee to pay money to Maddox through Governance in exchange for Maddox’s assistance as a public official in the proposed projects. Further, it is alleged that Burnette arranged the logistics of bribe payments of $10,000 per month to Maddox through Governance, and told the company representatives that Maddox wanted them to deal only with Burnette. Additionally, the superseding indictment alleges that when Maddox and Burnette traveled to Las Vegas (Nevada) with the company representatives paying for all expenses, Maddox and Burnette told the company representatives about Maddox threatening to destroy a former client’s business deals if the former client did not pay Maddox. The superseding indictment further alleges that at subsequent meetings, when asked by company representatives about stopping the bribe payments to Maddox, Burnette made various extortionate statements to the representatives as to what actions Maddox would take to cause economic harm to the company if they stopped making the $10,000 monthly payments to Maddox. The superseding indictment further alleges that Burnette made false statements to the FBI concerning the name of the firm that Carter-Smith had, his knowledge of the company making payments to Maddox through Governance, and the content of conversations that Maddox had with company representatives.
An indictment is merely a charge and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the IRS-CI. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Simon J. Cataldo and Peter M. Nothstein of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen M. Kunz, Gary Milligan and Andrew J. Grogan of the Northern District of Florida.
Former United Way of Santa Rosa County Head Pleads Guilty to Embezzling Money from Charity and Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Guyland W. Thompson, 65, of Milton, pleaded guilty today to twenty counts of wire fraud and three counts of tax evasion stemming from his embezzlement of funds from United Way of Santa Rosa County (“UWSRC”). Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the guilty plea.
His sentencing hearing is currently set for July 29, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. The government intends to forfeit all proceeds of Mr. Thompson’s fraud, including approximately $221,000 that has already been seized from his bank accounts.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Alicia Forbes is prosecuting the case after a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation.
Between at least 2011 and 2018, Thompson embezzled money belonging to UWSRC while he was employed as its Executive Director. Thompson devised a complex scheme where he kept a portion of money intended for use to pay UWSRC’s regular bills and expenses by replacing it with other donation checks no one at UWSRC knew about. By conducting a series of complicated financial transactions to cover his tracks, Thompson embezzled over $650,000 from UWSRC.
Thompson maintained his scheme by making fraudulent misrepresentations to UWSRC’s board members and employees, its parent nonprofit United Way Worldwide, and bank personnel. He also took steps to prevent internal or external audits of UWSRC from occurring that would have uncovered his fraud. Thompson then failed to report to the Internal Revenue Service the extra income from his embezzlement scheme, which ranged from approximately $86,000 to $99,000 in a given year.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Gainesville Man Sentenced to 120 Months in Prison for Obtaining Minor for Commercial SexRead the Press Release
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Jeffrey Farrell Davis, 36, of Gainesville, Florida, was sentenced to 120 months in prison yesterday, 25 years of supervised release, $3,000 victim restitution, and a $5,000 special assessment pursuant to the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act. In March 2018, Davis pleaded guilty to child sex trafficking by obtaining a minor child for purposes of engaging in sexual activity. The sentence was announced by Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
Between April and June 2017, several persons were involved in a scheme to make money using a 14-year-old child to perform commercial sex acts. Advertisements identifying the victim under a false name were posted in the “escort services” section of Backpage.com for the Gainesville area. The advertisements were actually for the purpose of offering the child for commercial sexual activity.
Persons responded to the advertisements by calling or texting a cellular telephone number provided in the ad. Arrangements were then made to deliver the child for purposes of commercial sex. The child was delivered to persons at various locations in north central Florida, including private residences and motels. Davis is one of the individuals who responded to the Backpage.com advertisements. He engaged in commercial sex with the child on two separate occasions.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Williams.
The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Former Local Military Members Sentenced in International Cocaine Importation ConspiracyRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Daniel J. Gould, 36, of Crestview, and Henry W. Royer, 36, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, were each sentenced to 9 years in federal prison today for two drug trafficking conspiracy counts involving large amounts of cocaine. The sentences were announced by Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
Gould pleaded guilty to the federal indictment in December 2018, and Royer pleaded guilty in February 2019. A third co-defendant, Gustavo A. Pareja, 25, of Colombia, is awaiting extradition to the United States to stand trial in Pensacola.
Between January and August 2018 in the Northern District of Florida, and in the country of Colombia, former Master Sergeant Daniel Gould of the United States Army and Henry Royer, formerly of the United States Army and Army National Guard, conspired to distribute large amounts of cocaine, knowing it would be unlawfully imported into the United States.
In August 2018, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration received information that Gould had attempted to import 40 kilograms of cocaine onto a military transport flight in Colombia with a final destination in the Northern District of Florida. Suspicion was aroused at the United States Embassy in Colombia when packages were x-rayed, revealing cocaine within gutted out punching bags. On August 13, 2018, when the cocaine was seized at the embassy, Gould had already returned home and was awaiting its arrival.
The conspiracy began in early 2018 when Gould and Royer initially imported 10 kilograms of cocaine into the United States. Royer traveled to Colombia with U.S. currency to use as payment. Gould placed the cocaine in a gutted punching bag and had the package transported to Bogota to be placed on a United States military aircraft. A few days later, the cocaine-filled punching bag arrived at Duke Field, which is an auxiliary airfield of Eglin Air Force Base. Gould and Royer distributed the 10 kilograms of cocaine in Northwest Florida.
Gould and Royer then reinvested the money from the first load of cocaine into a second load of 40 kilograms of cocaine. Gould placed approximately $65,000 in cash on a United States military cargo aircraft destined for Colombia as funds for the next purchase.
In early August 2018, Gould and Royer returned to Colombia and provided money for the 40 kilograms to their source of cocaine supply. Gould and Royer received the cocaine, loaded the 40 kilograms into two gutted punching bags, and coordinated transport to the embassy before flying back to the United States. The estimated value of 40 kilograms of cocaine in the Northern District of Florida would be in excess of $1 million.
This case resulted from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program. Senior Litigation Counsel David L. Goldberg is prosecuting the case.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Former Credit Union Lending Director Pleads Guilty to Bank Fraud, Aggravated Identity Theft, and Filing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Kevin Robert Lee, 35, of Tallahassee, Florida, pleaded guilty yesterday afternoon to twenty counts of bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, theft from a lending institution, and three counts of filing a false tax return. The guilty plea was announced by Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
Between June 2014 and November 2017, Lee was the lending director of FSU Credit Union (FSUCU), a Tallahassee-based credit union, a position that allowed him to open new customer accounts and approve lines of credit. He also served as treasurer of the Tallahassee Chapter of Credit Unions (TCCU), a non-profit organization that advocates pro-credit union legislation.
In 2014, Lee used the name, date of birth, and social security number of the President of TCCU to create a second account for TCCU. Lee used the original TCCU account for fraudulent activity while leaving the new account for legitimate TCCU transactions. Lee also created two accounts using the names, dates of birth, and social security numbers of his college roommates, which served as “intermediary accounts” into which funds stolen from FSUCU customers were deposited. Lee also transferred funds from inactive customer accounts either to pay down the lines of credit he created, to the intermediary accounts he created, or into the original TCCU account. Lee used the stolen funds to pay off personal credit cards, to make mortgage and car payments, and for his children’s tuition. In total, Lee transferred or withdrew a total of $806,666.26 from FSUCU. In February 2016 and March 2017, Lee filed tax returns in which he did not claim as income the funds he stole from FSUCU.
Lee faces the following penalties:
- Bank fraud: a maximum of 30 years in prison;
- Aggravated identity theft: a 2-year mandatory minimum prison sentence consecutive to any other sentence imposed;
- Theft from a lending institution: a maximum of 30 years in prison; and
- Filing a false tax return: a maximum of 3 years in prison.
The sentencing hearing is scheduled for August 22, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee.
This case resulted from an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, after being alerted by FSU Credit Union. Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen is prosecuting the case.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
North Floridians Can Drop Off Unused Medications During National Prescription Drug Take Back DayRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – On Saturday, North Florida residents can join citizens across the nation in safely and anonymously disposing of their expired, unused, and unwanted prescription medications during the 17th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, announced United States Attorney Lawrence Keefe.
U.S. Keefe said: “Thanks to the efforts of the DEA and our local sheriff offices and police departments, we have convenient drop off locations throughout our district so that North Floridians can help prevent prescription drug addiction or misuse before it starts. Take Back Day is an excellent opportunity to talk to your children about the importance of never sharing a prescription.”
With robust public participation during 16 prior events, the Take Back Day Initiative continues to remove ever-higher amounts of opioids and other medicines from the nation’s homes, where they are vulnerable to misuse, theft, or abuse by family members and visitors, including children and teens. In continuation of this effort, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and its national, tribal, and community partners will hold the 17th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day across the country on Saturday, April 27. The service is free and anonymous.
The following drop-off locations are available in the Northern District of Florida. Please continue to check www.DEATakeBack.com for new locations.
County
Location
Sponsor
Alachua
Hitchcock’s Markets
6005 US-301, Hawthorne, FL 32640Alachua County Sheriff’s Office
Alachua
Senior Recreation Center
5701 NW 34th Blvd., Gainesville, FL 32653Alachua County Sheriff’s Office
Alachua
Newberry Fire Rescue Station 28
310 SW 250 St., Newberry, FL 32669Alachua County Sheriff’s Office
Calhoun
Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office
20830 NE W C Reeder Dr.
Blountstown, FL 32424Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office
Escambia
Walgreens
6314 N 9th Ave., Pensacola, FL 32504Escambia County Sheriff’s Office
Escambia
Walgreens
1841 E Olive Rd., Pensacola, FL 32514Escambia County Sheriff’s Office
Escambia
Walgreens
700 N Pace Blvd., Pensacola, FL 32505Escambia County Sheriff’s Office
Escambia
Walgreens
85 Beverly Pkwy., Pensacola, FL 32505Escambia County Sheriff’s Office
Escambia
Walgreens
4497 Mobile Hwy., Pensacola, FL 32506Escambia County Sheriff’s Office
Escambia
Walgreens
5995 Mobile Hwy., Pensacola, FL 32526Escambia County Sheriff’s Office
Gadsden
Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office
339 E Jefferson St., Quincy, FL 32351Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office
Jackson
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office
4012 Lafayette St., Marianna, FL 32446Jackson County Sheriff’s Office
Jefferson
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
171 Industrial Park, Monticello, FL 32344Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
Lafayette
North Florida Pharmacy of Mayo
229 W Main St., Mayo, FL 32066Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office
Leon
Costco
4067 Lagniappe Way, Tallahassee, FL 32317Leon County Sheriff’s Office
Leon
Tallahassee Police Department
234 E 7th Ave, Tallahassee, FL 32303Tallahassee Police Department
Levy
Cedar Key Police Department
490 2nd St., Cedar Key, FL 32625Cedar Key Police Department
Okaloosa
Walmart
3351 S Ferdon Blvd., Crestview, FL 32536Crestview Police Department
Okaloosa
Walgreens
2350 S Ferdon Blvd., Crestview, FL 32536Crestview Police Department
Santa Rosa
Gulf Breeze Police Department
311 Fairpoint Dr., Gulf Breeze, FL 32561Gulf Breeze Police Department
Wakulla
Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office
16 Oak St., Crawfordville, FL 32327Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office
Now in its ninth year, DEA has collected a total of nearly 11 million pounds (more than 5,400 tons) of expired, unused, and unwanted prescription medications through its Take Back Day events. This weekend, approximately 6,000 collection sites manned by nearly 5,000 partner law enforcement agencies will be open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time. The public can find a nearby collection site at www.DEATakeBack.com or by calling 800-882-9539. (DEA cannot accept liquids, needles, or sharps.)
“Keeping our homes free of harmful prescription medication, when no longer needed, is a way of keeping everyone safe,” said Adolphus P. Wright, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Miami Field Division. “We strongly encourage the public to do your part by discarding your expired, unused, and unwanted medications at any of the 200+ sites throughout Florida.”
Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States continue to be alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. The majority of prescription drug abusers say they get their drugs free from friends and family, including from the home medicine cabinet. Take Back Day is a unique opportunity for Americans to protect their homes and medicine cabinets from theft and abuse.
National Take Back Day has received enthusiastic public support since its inception in 2010. Last October, the public turned in 457 tons (914,236 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 5,800 sites operated by the DEA and nearly 4,800 of its local and tribal partners.
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.
Lawrence Keefe Takes the Oath of Office as United States Attorney for the Northern District of FloridaRead the Press Release
COLIN HACKLEY PHOTO TALLAHASSEE, FLA.-Lawrence Keefe, second from left, is joined by his wife Dr. Lynn Keefe and sons Robert, John, and Patrick, right, as he takes the Oath of Office as the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida from Mark Walker, left, Chief United States District Judge on April 12, 2019.TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – This afternoon, U.S. Attorney Lawrence Keefe took the oath of office in an official investiture ceremony, joined by staff from the U.S. Attorney’s Office; federal, state, and local law enforcement agency heads; Congress members; Judiciary members; Florida cabinet members; city and county government members; distinguished guests; and family.
The Honorable Mark E. Walker, Chief United States District Judge, presided over the ceremony. Three of U.S. Attorney Keefe’s longtime friends, mentors, and colleagues participated in the ceremony. U.S. Attorney Keefe met Phillip S. Dingle, who gave the invocation, and J. Rex Farrior III, who led the Pledge of Allegiance, in law school at the University of Florida. Benjamin H. Hill III, who hired U.S. Attorney Keefe after graduation at his Tampa-based law firm, gave the keynote address.
U.S. Attorney Keefe gave a special message to each group present at the investiture about his core beliefs of hard work, integrity, and treating everyone with respect, no matter their station in life. He quoted from Sir Winston Churchill: “To each there comes in their lifetime a special moment when they are figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a very special thing, unique to them and fitted to their talents. What a tragedy if that moment finds them unprepared or unqualified for that which could have been their finest hour.” The full text of U.S. Attorney Keefe’s remarks as drafted are attached, as well as a photo and copy of the program.
As the 41st U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, U.S. Attorney Keefe is the top-ranking federal law enforcement official in the district, which includes Florida’s 23 panhandle counties, from Escambia in the west to Alachua in the east. The district has offices in Pensacola, Panama City, Tallahassee, and Gainesville. The office is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes in the district, including crimes related to terrorism, public corruption, child exploitation, human trafficking, financial fraud, health care fraud, firearms, and narcotics. The office also defends the United States in civil cases and collects debts owed to the United States. For more information about U.S. Attorney Keefe’s appointment and experience, click here.
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.
Mobile Man Federally Indicted for Cyber Intrusion and Theft of Trade Secrets from Pensacola CompanyRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Timothy J. Smith, 42, of Mobile, Alabama, was arraigned today in the U.S. District Court in Pensacola after a federal grand jury returned an indictment, unsealed today, charging him with computer fraud, theft of trade secrets, and interstate threatening communications. Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the indictment.
U.S. Attorney Keefe said: “The U.S. Attorney’s Office takes very seriously cyber intrusions of all kinds, ranging from protecting our national security to the secrets of private industries. 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.”
The indictment alleges that Smith was a software engineer in Mobile, Alabama. StrikeLines, LLC, the alleged victim in the indictment, is a Pensacola based company that uses commercial side scan sonar equipment to locate fishing reefs in the Gulf of Mexico and sells coordinates using an interactive map on their website.
Between April and November 2018, Smith allegedly obtained information valued at more than $5,000 from a protected computer without authorization, stole sonar coordinates of reefs in the Gulf of Mexico, and transmitted a threat to injure the property and reputation of StrikeLines.
The maximum penalties are 5 years in prison for computer fraud, 10 years in prison for theft of trade secrets, and 2 years in prison for interstate threatening communications. The trial is scheduled for May 13, 2019, at 8:30 a.m. at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola.
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. Senior Litigation Counsel David L. Goldberg is prosecuting the case as he is the Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property Coordinator and National Security Cyber Specialist for the Northern District of Florida.
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.
Lawrence Keefe Will Take the Oath of Office as United States Attorney for the Northern District of FloridaRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – U.S. Attorney Lawrence Keefe will take the oath of office, joined by federal, state, and local law enforcement agency heads; Congress members; Judiciary members; Florida cabinet members; city and county government members; distinguished guests; and family. The Honorable Mark E. Walker, Chief United States District Judge, will preside over the ceremony. For more information about U.S. Attorney Keefe’s appointment, click here.
Event: Investiture Ceremony
Date: Friday, April 12, 2019
Event Start Time: 3:00 p.m. EDT
(Please arrive at the courthouse no later than 2:30 p.m. to allow time to go through security.)Location:
United States Courthouse, Fifth Floor
111 North Adams Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32301OPEN PRESS, NO CAMERAS. As space is limited, guests and media may be seated in the overflow courtroom.
NOTE: Media must RSVP and present government-issued photo I.D. and valid media credentials. Please RSVP to Amy Alexander at [email protected] by Thursday, April 11 at noon if you plan to attend. Please RSVP with the e-mail addresses of the person(s) attending the event, so that we may reach them directly if details change.
U.S. Attorney Keefe will be briefly available for photographs and video following the ceremony in the U.S. Attorney’s suite on the 4th floor. Please limit questions to those related to the investiture. Please indicate in your RSVP if you will participate in this media availability.
Four-hour metered parking is available on Call Street, Adams Street, and Park Avenue. Press should allow time to go through an initial security screen on the ground level of the courthouse (floor 2). Then they will proceed to a press check-in on the 5th floor before entering the courtroom. There will be no questions at the conclusion of the event.
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.
Former Navy Federal Credit Union Employee Pleads Guilty to Producing and Possessing Child Pornography in PensacolaRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Michael Lee DePine, 62, of Pensacola, pleaded guilty today to the production and possession of child pornography. Based upon his guilty plea, he will be required to register as a sex offender. Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the guilty plea.
In December 2018, law enforcement officers received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that DePine and a local minor female were engaged in illicit sexual communications and activity via Facebook Messenger. After Homeland Security Investigations and the Pensacola Police Department geo-located DePine’s criminal activity to his Pensacola residence, law enforcement obtained a federal search warrant for the residence.
In January 2019, law enforcement searched DePine’s residence. While searching the residence, DePine was located at his place of employment, Navy Federal Credit Union. A forensic review of DePine’s seized digital media confirmed that he was in possession of multiple child pornographic images and videos of the minor victim. DePine produced these images and videos of the minor female in his bedroom at the residence. The investigation revealed that DePine had been picking the minor female up at her residence in the middle of the night to bring her back to his residence and engage in sexual acts. DePine also provided the minor female with intimate apparel and electronic funds for her expenses.
U.S. Attorney Keefe said: “Tragically, the Internet and social media can allow child predators a gateway to victimize children, the most innocent and vulnerable members of our communities. Together with our investigative partners, we will vigilantly pursue and prosecute those who hurt minors.”
“The harm this predator has caused to a young child is unimaginable to most of society,” said HSI Tampa Special Agent in Charge James C. Spero. “Thanks to the diligence of our special agents and the Pensacola Police Department, he will be held accountable for that harm, and we hope today’s guilty plea is a small step on the road to recovery for the young survivor of his crimes.”
DePine faces the following penalties:
- Production of Child Pornography – A mandatory minimum of 15 years up to a maximum of 30 years in prison;
- Possession of Child Pornography – A maximum of up to 10 years in prison;
- Registration as a Sex Offender; and
- Forfeiture of his Pensacola residence, his 2016 Lexus, and all the electronics used to commit the offenses.
The sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 14, 2019, at 3:00 p.m. at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola.
The case was investigated by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, the Pensacola Police Department, and the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel David L. Goldberg.
The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Law Enforcement Officers Join Students for a Day of LearningRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, the Pensacola Police Department, and West Florida High School will present a BLAST Program event on Wednesday to approximately 50 students.
Event: BLAST Program
Location:
Sanders Beach-Corinne Jones Resource Center
913 South I Street
Pensacola, FL 32502Date: Wednesday, April 3, 2019
Time: 9:15 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. CDT
- 9:15 – 9:45 a.m. Opening Remarks
- 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Rotating Group Breakouts (40 minutes each)
- 12:10 – 12:30 p.m. “Returning from Prison” Presentation
- 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Lunch
Press: Please RSVP to Amy Alexander at [email protected] if you plan to attend.
The BLAST Program offers students an opportunity to meet representatives of the criminal justice community and ask them questions, share their perceptions of law enforcement, and interact with law enforcement officers in a familiar setting. Law enforcement officers also provide students with their perspective on responding to dangerous or uncertain circumstances and the importance of remaining calm and following the officers’ directions in these situations.
The schedule will include the following discussion sessions, during which students will have a chance to participate in role play with law enforcement officers. (Students have media permissions.)
Criminal Justice Overview: Students will learn about each phase of a federal criminal case, including investigation, prosecution, and sentencing. This session is open to the media, and videography and photography is permitted.
Domestic Violence: Students will participate in a scenario in which law enforcement officers respond to a domestic disturbance. Discussion includes the challenges officers face, rights of witnesses and suspects, and benefits of providing information to law enforcement. This session is open to the media, and videography and photography is permitted.
Traffic Stop Simulation: Participants and officers alternate playing the roles of civilians and officers in a traffic stop. Discussion includes de-escalation and the uncertainty officers and vehicle occupants face during a traffic stop. This session is open to the media, and videography and photography is permitted.
Use of Force: Facilitators and students will discuss when law enforcement officers may use force and an officer’s reaction time when confronted with a life-threatening situation. This session is closed to the media. Reporters may try the simulator equipment after the event ends.
Participating agencies include:
- United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida
- Pensacola Police Department
- FAMU Police Department
- Florida Highway Patrol
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives
- Drug Enforcement Administration
- Naval Criminal Investigative Service
The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Tallahassee Music Teacher Sentenced to 240 Months in Prison for Enticing a Minor and Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Nicholas Hughes, 34, of Tallahassee, was sentenced to 240 months in prison today for enticement of a minor, production, and possession of child pornography, after being convicted on January 4 following a two-day trial. Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the sentence.
During the 2016-2017 school year, the mother of a 13-year-old student reported that her child had told her about various sexual encounters with Hughes, a music teacher at Coast Charter School in St. Marks, Florida. Hughes and the victim communicated through in-person visits, telephone calls, text messages, and social media applications, including sending pornographic pictures. A forensic review of Hughes’s laptop computer and external hard drive revealed dozens of images and videos of child pornography.
U.S. Attorney Keefe said: “Children see their teachers as role models and mentors, and in this tragic case, the defendant took advantage of that trust. Together with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, we will pursue child predators and bring them to justice.”
“This predator was in a position of trust and abused that trust in the worst way possible,” said HSI Tampa Special Agent in Charge James C. Spero. “All child exploitation is reprehensible, but this case is even more egregious having been committed by someone trusted by children and parents.”
FDLE Tallahassee Regional Operations Center Special Agent in Charge Mark Perez said: “Florida’s families should be able to feel confident that their children are safe at school. The violation of that trust here is despicable and has no place in our community.”
The case was investigated by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, and other members of the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michelle Daffin and Christopher Thielemann.
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.
Alachua County Man Sentenced to Prison for Harboring Undocumented Aliens and Evading Workers' Compensation and Payroll TaxesRead the Press Release
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Mac Johnson, 51, of Newberry, Florida, was sentenced late yesterday to one year and a day in prison, after pleading guilty on February 27, 2018, to tax fraud, wire fraud, structuring financial transactions to evade reporting requirements, and harboring undocumented aliens. As part of Johnson’s plea, he agreed to make restitution to the IRS. Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the sentence.
U.S. Attorney Keefe said: “I commend the vigilance of our federal and state investigative partners and prosecutors in this case for upholding the laws governing American taxes and employment. Honest individuals and businesses are harmed by these lawbreakers.”
“Today’s sentencing should send a tough message to all of those businesses who believe they can gain an unfair advantage by not paying employment taxes … you will pay in the end,” stated Mary Hammond, Special Agent in Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation, Tampa Field Office. “The more than $1.7 million in unpaid employment taxes hurt everyone in the community. By not withholding and paying these taxes, the defendant was able to undercut the competition and make an unfair profit at the expense of the taxpayers. Our agents will continue to crack down on businesses and individuals who openly disregard this responsibility.”
“This case is an example of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) worksite enforcement investigations, which focus on protecting our nation’s critical infrastructures, reducing the demand for illegal employment and protecting employment opportunities for the country's lawful workforce,” said HSI Tampa Special Agent in Charge James C. Spero. “Today’s sentencing should be a reminder about the consequences facing employers who exploit illegal alien labor and violate our nation's laws. No employer, regardless of size, industry, or location, is above the law.”
Johnson, a roofing, tree service, and dumpster business employer, devised a scheme to conceal the amount of wages earned by his undocumented alien employees to avoid paying more than $1.7 million in federal income, Medicare, and social security taxes, as well as more than $1 million in Florida worker’s compensation premiums. Johnson concealed the wages from the State of Florida by inaccurately and incompletely identifying all employees, representing that lower wages were paid than the true amounts, and paying by cash or a non-payroll check in amounts of less than $10,000 to avoid reporting requirements.
The investigators discovered that undocumented alien employees on work sites did not speak English or have any personal identification. Their names did not match the names on the insurance policy, and the undocumented alien employees’ files contained employment eligibility verification forms that did not match their handwriting. Johnson also provided transportation to the work sites and rented residences he owned to the undocumented workers for which he deducted money from their pay.
This case resulted from an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Insurance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory P. McMahon prosecuted the case.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Panama City Marriage Fraud Conspirators Plead Guilty and SentencedRead the Press Release
PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA – Ravi Babu Kolla, 47, an Indian foreign national residing in Panama City, pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiracy to commit marriage and visa fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. On Tuesday, his co-defendant Krystal Cloud, 40, of Altha, Florida, was sentenced to 24 months in prison for marriage and visa fraud conspiracy after pleading guilty on December 28, 2018. Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the guilty plea and sentence.
Between February 2017 and August 2018, Kolla operated an immigration marriage fraud business in Bay County that recruited U.S. citizens to marry Indian foreign nationals to gain immigration benefits. The majority of the Indian foreign nationals overstayed their Visas or Student Exchange Visitor Program requirements and were unlawfully residing in the United States. The investigation identified over 80 fraudulent marriages that were performed in Alabama as part of Kolla’s scheme.
Cloud is a U.S. citizen who participated with Kolla in the marriage fraud business. After entering a fraudulent marriage in October 2017, she began recruiting U.S. citizens to marry Indian foreign nationals. Cloud directly recruited or participated in the recruitment of 10 or more U.S. citizens from the Panama City area and rural Calhoun and Jackson Counties. She also helped gather personal information so Kolla could create fraudulent immigration forms in order for the Indian foreign nationals to remain in the United States.
Kolla is being detained. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 22, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. at the U.S. Courthouse in Tallahassee.
Kolla faces a maximum of 5 years in prison for conspiracy to commit marriage and visa fraud and a maximum of 20 years in prison for money laundering conspiracy.
The case was investigated by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, the Panama City Police Department, the Blountstown Police Department, and the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office (Alabama). Assistant United States Attorney Corey J. Smith is prosecuting the case.
The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Gadsden County Tax Preparer Charged with Wire Fraud, Identity Theft, and Aiding in Preparing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – John Jean-Gilles, 33, of Midway, was arraigned on Friday, March 8, 2019, in the U.S. District Court in Tallahassee after a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging him with 27 counts of aiding in preparing false tax returns, four counts of wire fraud, and aggravated identify theft. The indictment was announced by Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
The indictment alleges that Jean-Gilles was the sole managing member and owner of USA Tax and Multi-Services, LLC, a tax preparation business in Tallahassee. Jean-Gilles caused the preparation of federal income tax returns, which falsely reported the taxpayer’s income, withholding, credits, and the refund due for the tax years 2012-2015. The indictment also alleges that he used the social security number and preparer tax identification number of another individual without proper authority.
The maximum penalty for aiding in preparing false tax returns is three years in prison. The maximum penalty for wire fraud is 20 years in prison. Jean-Gilles faces a 2-year mandatory minimum prison sentence for aggravated identity theft consecutive to any other sentence imposed. The trial is scheduled for April 15, 2019, at 8:15 a.m. at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee.
This case resulted from an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Gary Milligan is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
North Florida Bingo Operators Ordered to Forfeit $5.8 Million Due to Illegal Gambling OperationRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Striking a blow against illegal gambling operators who profit behind a facade of good causes, U.S. Attorney Lawrence Keefe for the Northern District of Florida today announced that the owners/operators of Racetrack Bingo in Fort Walton Beach have been ordered to forfeit $5,813,584 to the United States. In February 2018, a federal jury convicted Larry L. Masino, 68, of Gulf Breeze, and Dixie L. Masino, 66, of Pensacola, of operating an illegal gambling business and money laundering charges.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Alicia H. Forbes prosecuted the Masinos after a joint investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Internal Revenue Service—Criminal Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.
U.S. Attorney Keefe issued this statement: “The investigation and prosecution of financial crimes joins the criminal and civil enforcement resources of federal agencies, regulatory authorities, inspectors general, and state and local law enforcement. This multimillion-dollar forfeiture order delivers a powerful message to law breakers who would try to reap millions destined for legitimate charitable organizations. Thanks to the outstanding work of AUSA Forbes and her investigative team, these criminals will pay for their misdeeds.”
FDLE Pensacola Special Agent in Charge Jack Massey offered additional perspective.
“I appreciate the work of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, our agents, and law enforcement partners ensuring our local charities have the resources they earned to address the needs of our community,” he said.
Rather than returning all proceeds from bingo games to players in the form of prizes, as required by law, the Masinos concocted a scheme in which charities sponsored games and paid Racetrack Bingo extremely high “lease” payments to conduct the games at its location. Although Racetrack Bingo made it appear that the charities were conducting the games themselves, the Masinos were actually illegally conducting bingo and keeping a substantial amount of the bingo proceeds for themselves. Over $20 million was brought in from the illegal bingo games conducted at Racetrack Bingo, of which $5,813,584 was personally retained by the Masinos and their children as illegal profit.
The forfeiture order requires the Masinos to turn over substantial sums of cash, as well as three properties purchased with monies they received through the Racetrack Bingo operation. The forfeiture order will be incorporated into the final judgment when the Masinos are sentenced. A sentencing hearing is currently scheduled for March 25, 2019, at 1:00 p.m.
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.
Former Credit Union Lending Director Charged with Bank Fraud, Aggravated Identity Theft, and Filing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Kevin Robert Lee, 35, of Tallahassee, Florida, was arraigned on Friday in the U.S. District Court in Tallahassee after a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging him with twenty counts of bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, theft from a lending institution, and three counts of filing a false tax return. The indictment was announced by Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
The indictment alleges that Lee was the lending director of FSU Credit Union (FSUCU), a Tallahassee-based credit union, a position that allowed him to open new customer accounts and approve lines of credit. The indictment also alleges that Lee served as treasurer of the Tallahassee Chapter of Credit Unions (TCCU), a non-profit organization that advocates pro-credit union legislation.
The indictment further alleges that, between June 2014 and November 2017, Lee fraudulently opened customer accounts at FSUCU using the names, dates of birth, and social security numbers of three individuals without their consent or knowledge, and in doing so, that Lee forged their signatures and fraudulently opened lines of credit for those accounts. Further, Lee is alleged to have made unauthorized withdrawals and transfers of funds from the accounts of approximately 20 FSUCU customers, which were deposited into the three fraudulently opened accounts. The indictment also alleges that Lee used the embezzled funds and fraudulently obtained loan proceeds to pay his personal creditors (such as for his home mortgage and credit cards) and to conceal his embezzlement. In total, Lee allegedly obtained or attempted to obtain more than $800,000. Lee also allegedly submitted false tax returns for the 2015-2017 calendar years.
The maximum penalty for bank fraud is 30 years in prison. Lee faces a 2-year mandatory minimum prison sentence for aggravated identity theft. The trial is scheduled for April 15, 2019, at 8:15 a.m. at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee.
This case resulted from an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, after being alerted by FSU Credit Union. Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
U.S. Attorney Keefe Celebrates African-American History MonthRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Keefe shows Martin Luther King Jr. picture to studentsTALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – During the month of February, Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, recognized the contributions of African Americans by participating in the events below and looks forward to future collaboration and outreach opportunities throughout the year.
U.S. Attorney Keefe said: “National African-American History Month is an excellent opportunity to celebrate the year-round accomplishments of African Americans in Northern Florida, especially in our law enforcement communities. I am grateful for the staff in my office and in our local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies who are dedicated to keeping our communities safe on a daily basis.”
North Florida Chapter of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) Monthly Meeting
On February 19, U.S. Attorney Keefe and Assistant U.S. Attorney Winifred L. Acosta attended the monthly meeting of the North Florida Chapter of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE). NOBLE was founded in September 1976 to create a unified voice for black law enforcement executives discussing important issues in the criminal justice system. U.S. Attorney Keefe briefly spoke about his commitment to listening to and learning from the unique perspectives of the black law enforcement community.
Tonja Bryant-Smith, President of the North Florida Chapter of NOBLE and Supervising agent at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) said: “The North Florida Chapter of NOBLE is committed to promoting positive law enforcement interactions within the community and our designated area. We make a point to engage our community and law enforcement partners to assist with that endeavor. It is always a pleasure to share our success stories with members of the community, and we will continue to fulfill this goal.”
10th Annual African American History Month Celebration
On February 21, 2019, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida hosted its 10th annual African American History Month celebration. Organized yearly by Diversity Committee Chair and Assistant U.S. Attorney Winifred L. Acosta, this year’s event featured a special performance from Brownsville Preparatory Institute students, led by Mrs. Rita Brown. The event’s theme was “Honoring African Americans in Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics (S.T.E.A.M.).” Special guests included Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil; Tonja Bryant-Smith, President of the North Florida Chapter of NOBLE and Supervising agent at FDLE; Federal Public Defender Randolph P. Murrell; courthouse staff; and local, state, and federal law enforcement.
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.
Honduran Man Pleads Guilty to Transporting Local Minor Out of State for SexRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Elvin Castron-Murcia, 20, a Honduran native residing between Louisiana and Tennessee, pleaded guilty today to traveling for illicit sexual conduct and transporting a minor for criminal sexual activity. The guilty plea was announced by Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
In May 2018, a 12-year-old female, “ENN,” went missing from Navarre after her mother discovered her communicating on Facebook with a 19-year-old male using the name “Elvin C. Murcia.” Several neighbors had observed a black Honda Civic with Tennessee license tags parked near ENN’s residence in Navarre, Florida. A search of ENN’s cellular telephone and Instagram social media account revealed images of ENN in a vehicle with a male who appeared to be the same person using Murcia’s Facebook account.
The next day, ENN’s mother was able to communicate with ENN via Facebook Messenger, and law enforcement officers determined the cellular telephone used for the conversation was located in Tennessee. A state trooper soon observed the black Honda Civic with Tennessee tags and stopped the vehicle in Alabama. ENN was identified as the vehicle passenger, and Murcia, who was using a license issued in a stolen identity, was later identified as the driver. Images and videos on Murcia’s phone located after a forensic examination confirmed that Murcia and ENN were in an online relationship that began when ENN was just 11-years-old. Law enforcement officers were able to obtain pharmacy video in Tennessee depicting Murcia purchasing birth control with ENN the day before the traffic stop and subsequent arrest of Murcia. Later in May, law enforcement officers confirmed that Murcia was illegally present in the United States and that the identity he was utilizing was that of a true citizen of Puerto Rico.
The defendant is being detained. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 20, 2019, at 9:00 a.m. at the U.S. Courthouse in Pensacola.
Castron-Murcia faces a maximum of 30 years in prison for the traveling for illicit sexual conduct and a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison for the transporting a minor for criminal sexual activity.
The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, and the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney David Goldberg is prosecuting the case.
The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
U.S. Attorney Keefe Thanks Northwest Florida's Law Enforcement for Safeguarding PensaconRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, recognized the brave women and men in Northwest Florida’s law enforcement community today for working diligently through the weekend to keep the Pensacon event safe for all participants. This statement is issued after a cyber threat was made to the event just prior to its opening day.
Founded in 2013, Pensacon was held this year from February 22-24 primarily at the Pensacola Bay Center and hosted more than 30,000 participants.
U.S. Attorney Keefe said: “Protecting our communities from cyber threats of fraud or violence requires constant vigilance, and much of the work takes place behind the scenes. I am grateful for the Pensacola Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, as well as staff in my own office for safeguarding this event.”
Pensacola Police Chief Lyter said, “I am thankful for the great working relationship we have with our federal and state law enforcement partners and the Bay Center staff. These partnerships helped ensure that the citizens and guests attending the Pensacon event remained safe during the entire weekend.”
“FDLE’s Pensacola Regional Office is committed to preventing and solving crime and creating a sense of community awareness in our beautiful region,” said Jack Massey, Special Agent in Charge. “We appreciated the opportunity to work with our partners to make sure all visitors as well as the community were safe while they enjoyed Pensacon.”
In the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, Assistant U.S. Attorney David L. Goldberg is detailed as the national security cyber specialist.
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.
Alleged MS-13 Gang Member Arrested in PensacolaRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – David Ernesto Nolasco Soriano, 31, of El Salvador, made a first appearance and had a detention hearing on Friday, February 22, 2019, in Pensacola in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida. United States Attorney Lawrence Keefe of the Northern District of Florida made the announcement.
Nolasco Soriano was a fugitive who was located in Pensacola and arrested on February 20 at 3:10 p.m. near the Cordova Mall by the FBI and the Pensacola Police Department. Nolasco Soriano was working in Pensacola and Destin and has a Pensacola mailing address. United States Magistrate Judge Charles J. Kahn Jr. detained Nolasco Soriano and ordered the U.S. Marshals to transport him back to Maryland to await trial. Assistant United States Attorney and Border Security Coordinator James M. Ustynoski handled the detention hearing in the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Keefe said: “This case is an example of law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces throughout the nation working together to dismantle dangerous gangs. My office is committed to pursuing a safer North Florida, Maryland, and all communities in between.”
Assistant United States Attorney Kenneth S. Clark in the District of Maryland is prosecuting the case. The District of Maryland charged Nolasco Soriano with:
- Conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise;
- Conspiracy to murder, maim, assault with a dangerous weapon, and assault resulting in serious bodily injury in aid of racketeering; and
- Attempted murder, maiming, and assault with a dangerous weapon resulting in serious bodily injury in aid of racketeering.
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 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 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.
12 Aliens Indicted for Illegally Reentering the United StatesRead the Press Release
PANAMA CITY & PENSACOLA – Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced today that 12 previously deported aliens have been indicted separately by a federal grand jury for illegal reentry into the United States.
U.S. Attorney Keefe said: “Enforcing immigration laws is a priority of the Department of Justice, along with protecting all members of our community. Although our office regularly charges illegal reentry cases, the cases below represent an unprecedented number of illegal reentry cases charged in our district at a particular time during the past five years. The Northern District of Florida, along with our law enforcement partners and U.S. Attorneys Offices throughout the country, are committed to upholding our federal immigration laws to ensure that only those entering our country through a lawful process are allowed access.”
Yony Javier Barraona Lopez, 25, of Honduras, allegedly reentered the United States illegally in December 2018, after being deported in 2011, 2013, and 2015. He was located in Crestview.
Erick Geovanni Carrillo-Franco, 46, of Guatemala, allegedly reentered the United States illegally in January 2019, after being deported in 2014. He was located in Pensacola.
Freddy David Chavez-Lopez, 31, of Guatemala, allegedly reentered the United States illegally in January 2019, after being deported in 2006 and 2010. He was located in DeFuniak Springs.
Juan Alejandro Cortes-Sabillon, 47, of Honduras, allegedly reentered the United States illegally in January 2019, after being deported in 2004 and 2005. He was located in Panama City.
Javier Gonzalez-Valdivia, 56, of Mexico, allegedly reentered the United States illegally in January 2019, after being deported in 2010. He was located in Okaloosa County.
Fransis Leonei Lima-Sanchez, 25, of Guatemala, allegedly reentered the United States illegally in January 2019, after being deported in 2017. He was located in Okaloosa County.
Ricardo Alejandro Maldonado-Lopez, 35, of Honduras, allegedly reentered the United States illegally in January 2019, after being deported in 2003, 2009, and 2014. He was located in Panama City.
Jose Luis Ortiz-Maradiaga, 27, of Mexico, allegedly reentered the United States illegally in January 2019, after being deported in 2016 and 2017. He was located in Crestview.
Danis Ramiro Sanchez-Sandoval, 28, of Honduras, allegedly reentered the United States illegally in January 2019, after being deported in 2012. He was located in Panama City Beach.
Juan Sopino-Sanchez, 41, of Guatemala, allegedly reentered the United States illegally in November 2018, after being deported in 2011 and 2012. He was located in Okaloosa County.
Juan Vasquez-Reymundo, 34, of Mexico, allegedly reentered the United States illegally in January 2019, after being deported in 2009. He was located in Panama City.
Gabriel Villela, 30, of Mexico, allegedly reentered the United States illegally in January 2019, after being deported in 2008 and 2012. He was located in Milton.
The penalty for illegally reentering the United States after deportation is a maximum of two years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Cortes-Sabillon faces an enhanced maximum sentence of 10 years in prison based on his prior criminal history, which includes a felony conviction. Lima-Sanchez, Maldonado-Lopez, and Sanchez-Sandoval face an enhanced maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, due to prior criminal records with aggravated felony convictions.
The cases are being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), the Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office, and the Panama City Beach Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Aine Ahmed, Michelle K. Daffin, Alicia H. Forbes, Edwin F. Knight, J. Ryan Love, and James M. Ustynoski are prosecuting the cases.
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 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 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.
Michigan Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to Traveling to Destin to Have Sex with a MinorRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Ronald Roscoe, 56, of Traverse City, Michigan, pleaded guilty yesterday to attempted enticement of a minor, travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, and transporting material involving sexual exploitation of minors. The guilty plea was announced by Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
In September 2018, an undercover investigator began chatting online to identify individuals interested in exploiting children. An individual, later identified as Roscoe, sent a private message via the social media platform KIK to the investigator, who was posing as a 12-year-old girl. Over the next month, Roscoe discussed sexual activity with the investigator posing as the girl and the possibility of meeting her in person.
During the week of October 15, 2018, Roscoe informed the investigator posing as the girl that he had purchased a plane ticket to fly from Michigan to Florida to engage in sexual contact with her over the weekend. Law enforcement located a hotel in Destin where Roscoe had reserved a room. Roscoe was arrested at the airport, and his cellular telephone contained child pornography, including children under age 12.
Roscoe faces the following potential penalties:
- Attempted enticement of a minor: a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life;
- Travel to engage in sex with a minor: due to a prior sex offense conviction, a maximum of 60 years in prison; and
- Transporting material involving sexual exploitation of minors: due to a prior sex offense conviction, a minimum of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 40 years in prison.
Because Roscoe is a registered sex offender, he will receive a mandatory 10 years consecutive to imprisonment imposed for the attempted enticement and sex traveling charges.
The sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 6, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola.
The case was investigated by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, and the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The case was prosecuted by First Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey M. Tharp.
The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Pensacola Registered Sex Offender Sentenced to 12.5 Years in Prison for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Christopher M. Arguelles, 34, of Pensacola, was sentenced to 12.5 years in prison today and a lifetime of supervised release as a federal sex offender. On November 15, 2018, Arguelles pleaded guilty to possession and access with intent to view child pornography. The sentence was announced by Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
In February 2018, while a telecommunications provider was assisting Arguelles with his slow running cellular telephone, the provider observed a large amount of pornography on the phone, including a folder titled “underage.” Several days later, Arguelles, a sex offender, was arrested for failure to register a change in his residence, and his cellular telephone was seized. A forensic review of the device revealed images and videos of child pornography both on the phone and on the memory card. Examples of subfolder titles were “Sammy 14 yo,” “15yo Jen,” and “14 year old Erin.” Some of the child pornography involved females under age 12. Arguelles also maintained a cloud storage account with similar illicit materials.
U.S. Attorney Keefe said: “I am proud that prosecutors, law enforcement professionals, and North Floridians are all working together to bring child predators to justice and protect the most innocent members of our communities from exploitation.”
“This case highlights the value of vigilance by members of the community, who come forward and work with law enforcement when they see something wrong,” said Charles P. Spencer, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners are dedicated to working together to protect and serve, but we are far more effective when the community also works with us. We appreciate the efforts of everyone involved in the case, and their unwavering commitment to protect our children.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the State Attorney’s Office – First Judicial Circuit, and the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg.
The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Pensacola Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for a Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Antoine Devon Wilson, 35, of Pensacola, Florida, was sentenced today to serve 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty on November 29, 2018, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute over 5 kilograms of cocaine. The sentence was announced by Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
In July 2018, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration seized 23 kilograms of cocaine that were being delivered to Wilson in Pensacola. Wilson was subsequently arrested. Following Wilson’s arrest, search warrants were obtained authorizing the search of his cellular telephones seized from him. Evidence on one or more of Wilson’s cellular telephones confirmed that Wilson had ordered the 23 kilograms of cocaine and was expecting them to be delivered to a location in Pensacola.
The case resulted from the investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the Pensacola Police Department, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Gulf Breeze Police Department, and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney J. Ryan Love.
The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Former Government Contracting Officer Representative Sentenced to 60 Months in Prison for Conspiracy and BriberyRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Jerry T. Vertefeuille, 54, of Niceville, was sentenced today to 60 months in prison. Co-defendant Christopher A. Carter, 37, of Fort Walton Beach, is scheduled to be sentenced on Friday, February 15, at 11:00 a.m. CST. The sentence was announced by Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
On July 11, 2018, Vertefeuille pleaded guilty to conspiracy (to commit theft of honest services and wire fraud), bribery of a public official, and obtaining and disclosing procurement information.
Vertefeuille was a federal government contracting officer representative for the 96 Test Wing Maintenance Group (96 MXG) at Eglin Air Force Base. His duties included overseeing maintenance work and initially approving purchases and invoices.
In 2007, Vertefeuille helped Carter, as the owner of TCC Services, Unlimited, LLC, win a paint booth maintenance contract, as well as multiple contract renewals. Vertefeuille received kickbacks in exchange for approving Carter’s fraudulent invoices and recommending the renewal of TCC’s contract.
U.S. Attorney Keefe said: “Public corruption is an attack on the rule of law, which is the mission of the Department of Justice and the cornerstone of American government. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, along with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, is committed to upholding the public’s faith in honest services and enforcing high ethical standards.”
“Corruption in the government procurement process damages the public trust and ultimately degrades the warfighting mission of the Department of Defense,” commented Special Agent in Charge John F. Khin, DCIS, Southeast Field Office. “DCIS, along with our investigative partners, remains committed to pursuing and bringing to justice anyone who uses fraud and deception to undermine the critical missions of the Department of Defense and the safety of our communities.”
The case was investigated by the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Air Force Audit Agency, and Defense Criminal Investigative Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey M. Tharp.
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 New Management Team for the Northern District of FloridaRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced today that he has installed a new management team to assist him in fulfilling his pledge to work with the women and men of our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners in the pursuit of justice for the people of North Florida and the nation.
Jeffrey Tharp will serve as the First Assistant to the U.S. Attorney. David Goldberg was appointed Senior Litigation Counsel. Nancy Hess will serve as Criminal Chief, Kathryn Drey as Civil Chief, Karen Rhew-Miller as Appellate Chief, and Eric Mountin as Deputy Criminal Chief. This group brings a wealth of experience, skill, and knowledge to the management team and looks forward to serving law enforcement and the citizens of North Florida under U.S. Attorney Keefe’s guidance.
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.
Lawrence Keefe Sworn in as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of FloridaRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Lawrence “Larry” Keefe, of Shalimar, Florida, took the oath of office this morning from Chief District Judge Mark E. Walker to become the 41st U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. Mr. Keefe was nominated by President Donald Trump on August 16, 2018, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on January 2, 2019. Mr. Keefe succeeds Christopher P. Canova, who has served as U.S. Attorney for the district since September 4, 2015, when U.S. Attorney Pamela Cothran Marsh resigned.
U.S. Attorney Keefe said: “It is a privilege to serve as the United States Attorney, and I am deeply grateful to President Trump, Senator Rubio, Senator Nelson, and to all those who supported my nomination and confirmation. I look forward to working with the dedicated public servants in the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the brave women and men of our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners in the pursuit of justice for the people of North Florida and the nation. I took an oath today to uphold the Constitution of the United States, and I will do that with every bit of energy, intelligence, and commitment that I can muster.”
As U.S. Attorney, Mr. Keefe is the top-ranking federal law enforcement official in the Northern District of Florida, which includes Florida’s 23 panhandle counties, from Escambia in the west to Alachua in the east. The district has offices in Pensacola, Panama City, Tallahassee, and Gainesville. The office is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes in the district, including crimes related to terrorism, public corruption, child exploitation, human trafficking, financial fraud, health care fraud, firearms, and narcotics. The office also defends the United States in civil cases and collects debts owed to the United States.
U.S. Attorney Keefe, a North Florida native, has been a member of the Florida Bar for more than 30 years. Mr. Keefe is the son of a World War II fighter pilot and a public school librarian aide. After graduating from Okaloosa County public schools, Mr. Keefe attended the University of Florida on a football scholarship, where he earned both his bachelor’s degree with honors in 1983 and juris doctor in 1986. Mr. Keefe began his legal career in Tampa, where he tried complex business litigation, construction litigation, and product liability cases, before returning home to Northwest Florida in 1991. Since that time, he has litigated civil and criminal matters in both federal and state courts, and at the appellate level. Mr. Keefe has received various recognitions, and articles he has written are featured in law publications, including the Florida Bar Journal.
U.S. Attorney Keefe and his wife Lynn have been married for 30 years. Lynn has practiced medicine in Northwest Florida for more than two decades and was the first pediatrician to establish a pediatrics practice in Niceville, Florida. The Keefe family has four adult sons. Two have careers in public service in the U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Air Force, one is an attorney at a Miami law firm, and the youngest is a senior on an athletic scholarship at The Citadel: The Military College of South Carolina.
U.S. Attorney Keefe recognized Mr. Canova for his faithful service to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida and North Florida communities. Mr. Canova will continue his nearly 18-year career with the U.S. Attorney’s Office as First Assistant U.S. Attorney.
Photos of U.S. Attorney Keefe’s swearing in ceremony are attached. His primary office will be in Tallahassee.
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.
Year in Review: 2018 Project Safe Neighborhoods ProsecutionsRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – As 2018 has drawn to a close, Christopher P. Canova, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, reviews the district’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) cases.
Project Safe Neighborhoods is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders, and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
U.S. Attorney Canova said: “We are committed to pursuing public safety in the Northern District of Florida through prosecutions of violent criminals, and collaborations with the community and other law enforcement agencies. We will also continue public outreach through programs such as BLAST, which encourages students to build positive relationships with law enforcement officers. As evidenced by the long list of law enforcement partners who investigated PSN cases, it takes a team approach to fight violent crime and make our neighborhoods safe places to live, work, and go to school.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida has developed a Project Safe Neighborhoods public service announcement that we encourage you to watch and share:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9vgkiijXGw.
The following are highlights of PSN cases:
In February 2018, Savario Beshawn Champion, 30, a Pensacola convicted felon, was sentenced to 147 months in prison for armed carjacking. Champion carjacked two men from Georgia at gunpoint at a local hotel in Escambia County. Read more.
In April 2018, Terrell Jerome Cochran, 43, of Crestview, Florida, was sentenced to serve 120 months in prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, and possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon. Read more.
In June 2018, Marcus Andre Robinson, 35, of Pensacola, was sentenced to 84 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. While serving a term of state probation, he was found to be in possession of more than 40 grams of methamphetamine, a Taurus 9 millimeter pistol, a Remington .243 caliber rifle, and various rounds of ammunition.
In July 2018, Gregory S. Rothwell Jr., 32, of Fort Walton Beach, was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison after having been found guilty of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Read more.
In August 2018, Jonta Terrell Carter, 29, of Pensacola, was sentenced to 57 months in prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. In April 2018, law enforcement officers attempted to stop Carter while he was driving a vehicle in a Pensacola parking lot. Carter fled in the vehicle until the vehicle struck a curb, and then he fled on foot while trying to conceal a firearm in his waistband. This case is part of the Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program.
In August 2018, Robert Wayne Cornwell, 46, of Perry, Florida, was sentenced to 96 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. During a traffic stop for suspected DUI, Cornwell attempted to flee after failing a field sobriety test. During a struggle with officers, he attempted to grab an officer’s service pistol from the holster. He was eventually restrained and taken into custody.
In August 2018, Kenneth Ray McLemore, 29, of Destin, Justin G. Reimche, 40, of Lorain, Ohio, and Alex A. Mena, 30, of Stockton, California, were sentenced to 106 months, 120 months, and 131 months respectively in federal prison for marijuana conspiracy and firearm offenses. McLemore, Reimche, and Mena were charged with conspiracy to distribute marijuana. McLemore and Mena were each charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and Mena was charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Read more.
In September 2018, Jermaine Carl Curtis, 35, of Old Town, was sentenced to 125 months in prison, and William Lonnie Jenkins, of Old Town, 24, was sentenced to 63 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute hydromorphone and 100 grams or more of a heroin mixture, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Curtis was arrested on this charge after his release from prison, when he moved to Dixie County and into the house of co-conspirator Jenkins. Curtis and Jenkins bought pills from sources who had prescriptions for controlled substances. Curtis and Jenkins sold the pills and were armed during the transactions. As the supply of prescription drugs became more scarce, Curtis and Jenkins began selling Dilaudid and heroin.
In October 2018, Keenan J. Boggan, 30, of Mary Esther, Florida, was sentenced to 110 months in prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. A state trooper noticed a vehicle weaving and traveling at speeds of 101 mph in a 65 mph zone. The trooper attempted to catch the vehicle, which merged onto another road, but was unsuccessful. Two other troopers responded to the area, and all of them discovered that the vehicle had crashed and was now empty. Boggan’s co-defendant was lying face down on the ground next to the passenger side door. An assault rifle was visible in the backseat, and a loaded pistol and three black ski masks were also located in the vehicle. Law enforcement officers began a tracking search for the driver and found a man’s jacket and a GPS monitor belonging to Boggan along the way. Five hours later, a canine team captured Boggan in a forested area. He was on release for unrelated state charges when this event took place.
In October 2018, Gary Deshon Shepard, 45, of Tallahassee, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute over 5 kilograms of cocaine, distribution of cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Shepard is scheduled to be sentenced on March 14, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. in Tallahassee. Shepard was identified as part of a drug distribution network trafficking up to kilogram quantities of cocaine, which were transported from South Florida for further distribution in the Tallahassee area. After a series of undercover drug purchases involving Shepard, a federal search warrant was executed at his Southwood residence during which investigators discovered and seized over a kilogram of powder cocaine, “crack” cocaine, multiple stolen firearms, and thousands of dollars in U.S. currency.
In November 2018, Darcy Andrew Darby, 26, of Fort Walton Beach, pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and is scheduled to be sentenced on February 14, 2019, at 9:00 a.m. in Pensacola. Darby’s former roommate, W.F., contacted law enforcement officers and reported the theft of firearms from his residence. An investigation revealed that Darcy had taken the firearms and later disposed of them by having different individuals pawn them.
In November 2018, Ronald Gray, 31, of Carrabelle, pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and transmitting a threat to injure in interstate commerce. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 29, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. in Tallahassee. While in custody for shooting multiple rounds at an occupied vehicle, Gray threatened to kill the sheriff and his family. Gray was found in possession of two rifles and over a hundred rounds of assorted ammunition when he was arrested.
In November 2018, Justice Lewis, 24, of Tallahassee, was sentenced to 41 months in prison for possessing with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana, and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. When law enforcement officers stopped a vehicle with an expired registration, Lewis, the rear passenger, fled on foot. Officers pursued Lewis, and after jumping a fence into a neighboring wooded area, used a Taser to apprehend Lewis. Officers observed a loaded pistol underneath Lewis. In Lewis’s pockets, officers found tied sandwich bags containing a combined total of approximately 29 grams of marijuana, a digital scale, another baggie containing approximately 7 grams of cocaine, $340 in currency, and two cellular telephones.
In November 2018, Ryan Stuart Madden, 36, of Pace, Florida, pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Madden, a convicted felon, met a confidential informant (CI) and an undercover agent (UC) and sold them six firearms. He is scheduled to be sentenced on February 15, 2019, at 10:00 a.m.
In December 2018, Emil Joseph Bayus, 55, from various locations in Ohio, pleaded guilty to bank robbery. A man (who was later determined to be defendant Louis Martin Cillo) informed a bank teller “this is a robbery” and slid a note to the teller with “robbery” written on it. After receiving approximately $2,090, Cillo left the building, ran across the parking lot through a retention pond, and got into a vehicle which drove away. The next day, a law enforcement officer from another state advised that the vehicle and tag matched a bank robbery committed by Bayus that occurred in Ohio. Bayus was the getaway driver in the Pensacola robbery. He is scheduled to be sentenced on February 27, 2019, at 9:00 a.m. in Pensacola.
In December 2018, Ben Granberry, 56, of Graceville, Florida, after a day and a half trial, was convicted of possessing with the intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Granberry is scheduled to be sentenced on February 14, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. in Tallahassee. A confidential informant (CI) traveled to the Atlanta area along with two other people to pick up drugs for Granberry. The CI decided once there not to participate and abandoned the other people. After the CI’s mother contacted law enforcement officers, the CI told them that Granberry had given the CI a firearm that Granberry now wanted returned to him. At the officers’ direction, the CI delivered the firearm to Granberry’s residence. Additional firearms and methamphetamine, as well as drug paraphernalia, including glass pipes and scales, were recovered in the residence.
In December 2018, Brian M. Stadelmaier, 30, of Webster, Florida, was sentenced to 57 months in prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. Late one night, an Escambia County sheriff’s deputy observed a vehicle with three occupants and no lights turned on, parked on a street that has no residences. As the deputy approached the vehicle on foot, he noticed the sole backseat passenger (Stadelmaier) had a firearm next to him. Stadelmaier was removed from the vehicle. The firearm had been stolen as part of a burglary in Pensacola along with approximately 50 other firearms. Stadelmaier’s firearm was loaded, and he possessed methamphetamine on his person.
These cases were investigated by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies including:
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives;
- Drug Enforcement Administration;
- Federal Bureau of Investigation;
- Florida Department of Law Enforcement;
- Florida Highway Patrol;
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission;
- Eglin Air Force Base;
- Escambia County Sheriff’s Office;
- Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office;
- Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office;
- Franklin County Sheriff’s Office;
- Jackson County Sheriff’s Office;
- Leon County Sheriff’s Office;
- Taylor County Sheriff’s Office;
- Pensacola Police Department;
- Gulf Breeze Police Department;
- Carrabelle Police Department;
- Tallahassee Police Department;
- Perry Police Department;
- Lorain City Police Department (Ohio); and
- Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program.
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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.
Local Military Member Pleads Guilty in International Cocaine Importation ConspiracyRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Daniel J. Gould, 36, of Crestview, pleaded guilty yesterday to two drug trafficking conspiracy counts involving 5 kilograms or more of cocaine. The guilty plea was announced by Christopher P. Canova, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
Between January and August 2018 in the Northern District of Florida and in the country of Colombia, Daniel Gould of the United States Army conspired to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, knowing it would be unlawfully imported into the United States. He also conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine.
In August 2018, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) received information that Gould had attempted to import 40 kilograms of cocaine onto a military transport flight in Colombia with a final destination of the Northern District of Florida. Suspicion was aroused at the United States Embassy when packages were x-rayed, revealing cocaine within gutted out punching bags. On August 13, 2018, when the cocaine was seized at the embassy, Gould had already returned home and was awaiting its arrival.
The conspiracy began in early 2018 when Gould and his co-defendants conspired to import 10 kilograms of cocaine into the United States. Gould’s co-defendant traveled to Colombia with U.S. currency to use as payment. Another co-defendant confirmed he could acquire cocaine for $1,800-$1,900 per kilogram. Gould placed the cocaine in a gutted punching bag and had the package transported to Bogota to be placed on a United States military aircraft.
A few days later, the cocaine-filled punching bag arrived at Duke Field. Gould and a co-defendant distributed the 10 kilograms of cocaine in Northwest Florida.
Gould and his co-defendant reinvested the money from the first load of cocaine into a second load of 40 kilograms of cocaine. Gould placed approximately $65,000 on a United States military cargo aircraft destined for Colombia as funds for the next purchase.
In early August, Gould and his co-defendant returned to Colombia and provided their co-defendant the money for the 40 kilograms. Gould and his co-defendant received the cocaine, loaded the 40 kilograms into two gutted punching bags, and coordinated their transport to the embassy before flying back to the United States. The estimated value of 40 kilograms of cocaine in the Northern District of Florida would be in excess of $1 million.
Gould faces 10 years to life in prison for each of the drug trafficking conspiracy charges. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 12, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. in the U.S. District Court in Pensacola.
This case resulted from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program. Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg is prosecuting the case.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Former Arts Center Director Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Wire and Tax FraudRead the Press Release
PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA – Vicki Dyer Middlemas, 49, of Panama City, was sentenced Thursday in the U.S. District Court in Tallahassee to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to wire and tax fraud on August 2. She was ordered to pay $44,696.00 in restitution. The sentence was announced by Christopher P. Canova, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
Between May 2010 and May 2015, Middlemas used her position as Executive Director of the Visual Arts Center of Northwest Florida (“the VAC”) in Panama City to fraudulently obtain money by writing herself checks on the VAC bank account and by making unauthorized charges for personal expenses on the VAC debit card. Middlemas falsified invoices and VAC records to conceal her thefts and underreported her income and tax owed.
Middlemas’s personal, unauthorized expenditures from the VAC account included:
- a custom painting of her daughter;
- designer handbags, a dress, a trench coat, and other clothing;
- perfumes;
- air travel tickets to Las Vegas;
- a down payment on annual Walt Disney World park passes for Middlemas and her three daughters;
- Alys Beach vacation home rentals on two occasions;
- tattoos;
- rugs; and
- payment of 27 cellular phone bills for her family.
The tax investigation revealed that the Forms 1040 and 1040X Middlemas filed for the years 2012 through 2015, grossly underreported the income Middlemas earned and embezzled from the VAC.
This case resulted from an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service—Criminal Investigation, the Panama City Police Department, and the IRS Emerald Coast Financial Crimes Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Aine Ahmed prosecuted the case.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Man Sentenced to 120 Months in Prison for Attempted Enticement of a MinorRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Glenn Varrin, 56, of Syracuse, New York, was sentenced to 120 months in prison today for attempted enticement of a minor after pleading guilty on August 15. The sentence was announced by Christopher P. Canova, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
In March 2018, an undercover investigator began chatting online to identify individuals interested in exploiting children. Varrin sent a message to the investigator, who was posing as a 14-year-old female. Over the next two months via e-mail and later by text message, Varrin discussed engaging in sexual intercourse with the investigator posing as the 14-year-old female. In May 2018, Varrin traveled to Fort Walton Beach for the purposes of engaging in sexual intercourse with an individual he believed was a 14-year-old child. Varrin arranged to meet the investigator posing as the 14-year-old female at a gas station, and he was arrested when he arrived there.
U.S. Attorney Canova said: “Protecting children from exploitation is a top priority of my office and the Department of Justice. I commend the hard work of our prosecutors and law enforcement professionals who protect our communities and bring child predators to justice.”
“The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and HSI special agents, working together, were able to identify and arrest this predator who traveled to our local area from out of state in order to have sex with a female minor,” said HSI Tampa Special Agent in Charge James C. Spero. “This case is an example of the strong law enforcement partnerships HSI has in the Panhandle area and together, once again, we have stopped another criminal from sexually abusing a child.”
The case was investigated by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, and the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey M. Tharp.
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.