Northern District of Florida

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Kenneth Grandison, 42, of Pensacola, pled guilty late yesterday to conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to utilize a telephone facility to further a drug trafficking offense.  The guilty plea was announced by Christopher P. Canova, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

During his guilty plea, Grandison admitted that, between January 2012 and January 2016, he received illegal drugs from California, including marijuana and codeine, for further distribution in Florida.  An investigation identified dozens of Bank of America and Wells Fargo accounts that Grandison used to launder the drug trafficking proceeds.  In total, the Bank of America accounts received more than 200 cash deposits, and the Wells Fargo accounts received more than 600 cash deposits.  This investigation involved the laundering of between $1.5 and $3.5 million.

The sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 24, 2016, at 12:30 p.m. at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola.

Grandison faces a maximum of 20 years in prison for conspiracy to commit money laundering and a maximum of four years in prison for conspiracy to utilize a telephone facility to further a drug trafficking offense.

This case resulted from an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the Pensacola Police Department, and the Gulf Breeze Police Department.  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.  The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States.  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.

For more information, contact: Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer
(850) 216-3854, [email protected]

Michael Daniel Rubens, 31, formerly of Tallahassee, Florida, was sentenced today to 10 years in prison, a $15,000 fine and $1,550 in restitution for cyberstalking, unauthorized access to a protected computer and aggravated identity theft.  The sentence was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Christopher P. Canova for the Northern District of Florida.

During his guilty plea on Dec. 3, 2015, Rubens admitted that, between January 2012 and January 2015, he publicly humiliated dozens of young women by hacking into their online accounts, including e-mail and social media, stealing photographs and other personal information, using the photographs to create pornography and posting the pornographic images on social media websites and on a revenge pornography website that was recently shut down by the FBI.  Rubens engaged in most of the conduct from his residence in Tallahassee.  He used software to conceal his IP address.

Rubens’ victims included an employee of a local restaurant he frequented, an out-of-town colleague, an acquaintance in his office building, clients of the defendant’s employer, a former girlfriend and her colleagues, high school classmates and the victims’ relatives or friends.  For one particular woman, Rubens’ laptop contained 470 files with more than 5,000 references to the victim.  Rubens’ computer searches focused on finding the victims’ personal identifying information, such as past addresses, family information and other personal data that could be used to answer security questions.  As a result of Rubens’ conduct, the victims became afraid to conduct any online activities and often deleted their social media presence entirely.  In some instances, the conduct also damaged the victims’ personal relationships.

Urging leniency, Ruben’s counsel argued that, unlike bank robbery or drug dealing, cyberstalking was not something people thought of as a serious crime.  U.S. District Judge Robert L. Hinkle for the Northern District of Florida responded, “Perhaps it’s time they learned.”

“This sentence sends an unequivocal message to anyone tempted to use a computer as a weapon to victimize and steal the identities of others: Expect to be prosecuted.  And expect to go to prison,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Canova.

“This criminal hacked into social media accounts and tormented women with blackmail and harassment,” said Special Agent in Charge Susan L. McCormick of Homeland Security Investigations’ (HSI) Tampa Field Office.  “His crimes demonstrate how predators use the Internet to target innocent victims and ruin lives.  With the help of victims and our law enforcement partners, like the Florida State University Police and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, HSI will find these predators and hold them accountable.”

This case resulted from investigations by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, the Florida State University Police Department, and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason S. Beaton.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General.  The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States.  To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website.  For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Michael Daniel Rubens, 31, formerly of Tallahassee, was sentenced today to 10 years in prison, a $15,000 fine, and $1,550 in restitution for cyberstalking, unauthorized access to a protected computer, and aggravated identity theft.  The sentence was announced by Christopher P. Canova, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

During his guilty plea on December 3, 2015, Rubens admitted that, between January 2012 and January 2015, he publicly humiliated dozens of young women by hacking into their online accounts, including e-mail and social media, stealing photographs and other personal information, using the photographs to create pornography, and posting the pornographic images on social media websites and on a revenge pornography website that was recently shut down by the FBI.  Rubens engaged in most of the conduct from his residence in Tallahassee.  He used software to conceal his IP address.

Rubens’ victims included an employee of a local restaurant he frequented, an out-of-town colleague, an acquaintance in his office building, clients of the defendant’s employer, a former girlfriend and her colleagues, high school classmates, and the victims’ relatives or friends.  For one particular woman, Rubens’ laptop contained 470 files with more than 5,000 references to the victim.  Rubens’ computer searches focused on finding the victims’ personal identifying information, such as past addresses, family information, and other personal data that could be used to answer security questions.  As a result of Rubens’ conduct, the victims became afraid to conduct any online activities and often deleted their social media presence entirely.  In some instances, the conduct also damaged the victims’ personal relationships.

Urging leniency, Ruben’s counsel argued that, unlike bank robbery or drug dealing, cyberstalking was not something people thought of as a serious crime.  United States District Judge Robert L. Hinkle responded, “Perhaps it’s time they learned.”

Acting United States Attorney Canova stated, “This sentence sends an unequivocal message to anyone tempted to use a computer as a weapon to victimize and steal the identities of others: Expect to be prosecuted.  And expect to go to prison.”

“This criminal hacked into social media accounts and tormented women with blackmail and harassment,” said Susan L. McCormick, special agent in charge of HSI Tampa.  “His crimes demonstrate how predators use the Internet to target innocent victims and ruin lives.  With the help of victims and our law enforcement partners, like the Florida State University Police and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, HSI will find these predators and hold them accountable.”

This case resulted from investigations by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, the Florida State University Police Department, and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jason S. Beaton.

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.  The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States.  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.

For more information, contact: Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer
(850) 216-3854, [email protected]

PANAMA CITY/PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Defendants in seven cases were arraigned this week in federal court after a grand jury returned indictments charging them with firearms-related crimes.  The indictments were announced by Christopher P. Canova, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

The defendants are:

• Hess, William Howard, 54, Daphne, Alabama;

• Kelly, Terrence Toboris, 37, Pensacola;

• Lange, Arthur Kyle, 30, Panama City;

• Murphy, Leroy Romaro, 51, Pensacola;

• Randall, Robert, 31, Panama City;

• Richey, Tristan M., 30, Pensacola; and

• Smith, Luther C., 44, Pensacola.

The firearms-related charges are:

• Selling a firearm to a convicted felon, (Hess and Smith);

• Possessing a non-registered firearm, (Hess); and

• Possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, (Kelly, Lange, Murphy, Randall, and Richey);

Additionally, Lange and Randall are also charged with controlled substance crimes.

These cases resulted from investigations by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Bay County Sheriff’s Office, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Panama City Beach Police Department, Pensacola Police Department, and the ATF Gun Crime Response Team.  Assistant United States Attorneys David L. Goldberg, Edwin F. Knight, J. Ryan Love, and Jeffrey M. Tharp 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 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.  The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States.  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.

For more information, contact: Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer
(850) 216-3854, [email protected]

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Anthony Floyd Hemphill, 38, and his father, William Hemphill, 58, both of Crestview, Florida, have pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud non-profit organizations of more than $300,000.  The guilty pleas were announced by Christopher P. Canova, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

During their pleas on February 11, 2016 (Anthony Hemphill), and yesterday (William Hemphill), the conspirators admitted that, between December 2013 and December 2014, they fraudulently represented that A.F.H. Construction LLC owned modular buildings that could be donated to non-profit organizations free of charge, if the non-profit organizations would agree to pay for the transportation and set up of the buildings.  Using high pressure sales tactics, the conspirators persuaded the non-profit organizations to quickly wire advance payments for transportation and set up costs, ostensibly to prevent the modular buildings from being donated to other parties.

Once they had their victims’ money in hand, the Hemphills used delaying tactics and false statements to convince the victims that the modular buildings were in the process of being delivered and set up.  In fact, no modular buildings were ever delivered.

During the conspiracy, the victims wired approximately $311,700 as advance payments for the transportation and set up costs.  Anthony Hemphill used $51,000 of these payments to make a partial restitution payment that he owed in another federal criminal case in the Western District of Texas.  Anthony Hemphill is currently serving a 41-month sentence imposed in the Texas case.  He committed the conduct underlying the modular building fraud while on pre-trial release and/or as a fugitive in the Texas case.

In addition to the conspiracy charge, Anthony Hemphill pled guilty to wire fraud, and William Hemphill pled guilty to making a false statement to a federal agent.

The sentencing hearings are scheduled for May 10, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. (Anthony Hemphill) and 2:00 p.m. (William Hemphill) at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola.

This case resulted from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Kathryn D. Risinger 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.  The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States.  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.

For more information, contact: Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer
(850) 216-3854, [email protected]

A Miami-Dade woman is charged with stealing immigration application payments from her clients when she prepared at least 146 fraudulent petitions filed with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Robert C. Hutchinson, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), Miami Field Office, made the announcement.

Josefa M. Siverio, 60, of Miami-Dade, is charged by indictment with five counts of mail fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1341; and three counts of conversion of postal money orders, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 500. 

As alleged in the indictment, Siverio is an immigration consulting and services provider who prepared immigration petitions and applications for aliens seeking immigration benefits from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.  Siverio is alleged to have prepared at least 146 fraudulent petitions and stolen checks and money orders entrusted to her to pay the fees associated with the petitions and applications for immigration benefits.  It is alleged that Siverio’s clients provided her with blank checks and money orders for the application fees and Siverio made the checks and money orders payable to herself and deposited the checks and money orders into her own personal bank accounts.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of ICE-HSI.  This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Monica Beamer.

An indictment is merely an accusation and every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Samuel J. Cusumano, 66, of Orlando, Florida, was sentenced late yesterday to 12 years in prison and ordered to pay $7.8 million in restitution for wire fraud in connection with his fraudulent solicitation from investors of the Swedish-registered Storehouse Credit Union.  The sentence was announced by Christopher P. Canova, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

During his guilty plea on June 24, 2015, Cusumano admitted that, between 2007 and 2009, as the chairman of the board of Storehouse, he promoted the international credit union as a high yield investment opportunity through intentionally misleading presentations and materials.  Cusumano fraudulently induced investors to transfer monies to investment accounts under Cusumano’s control by misrepresenting the rates of return being generated by the business.  He falsely claimed that Storehouse used professional currency traders when, in fact, Cusumano personally executed all trades from his home, investing primarily in the Foreign Currency Exchange Market.  Although the business was actually losing money, Cusumano created fraudulent financial statements to convince investors that Storehouse was reaching or exceeding the high rates of return that Cusumano had promised them.  When investors discovered that they were unable to withdraw their funds due to trading losses, a financial review was conducted.  The review revealed that investor funds had been depleted, that earnings had been overstated, and that Cusumano had used a large portion of the investors’ funds to pay personal expenses.  The 347 victims of the scheme resided in the United States, including in the Northern District of Florida, as well as Canada, Great Britain, and Australia.

The case resulted from an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Florida Office of Financial Regulation.  It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Gregory P. McMahon.

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.  The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States.  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.

For more information, contact: Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer
(850) 216-3854, [email protected]

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Larry L. Masino, 65, of Gulf Breeze, and Dixie L. Masino, 63, of Pensacola, were arraigned today in the U.S. District Court in Pensacola after a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging them with wire fraud conspiracy, operating an illegal gambling business, money laundering conspiracy, and money laundering.  The indictment was announced by Christopher P. Canova, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

The indictment alleges that, between 2006 and 2015, Larry and Dixie Masino conspired to defraud local charities out of millions of dollars.  The Masinos operated Racetrack Bingo Inc. in Fort Walton Beach on behalf of a number of charitable organizations in Okaloosa County.  According to the indictment, Racetrack Bingo Inc. was an illegal gambling business in violation of Florida law because the Masinos compensated themselves and their employees, instead of using bona fide charity members, to run bingo games.  The indictment further alleges that the Masinos charged the charities grossly inflated lease fees.  By law, those proceeds should have gone to the charities.  The indictment also alleges that Larry and Dixie Masino conspired to launder more than $5.8 million in proceeds of their illegal bingo operation through the deposit of profit distribution checks from Racetrack Bingo Inc.  The trial is scheduled for April 18, 2016.

This case resulted from a joint investigation 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.  Assistant United States Attorney Alicia H. Kim 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 U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General.  The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States.  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.

For more information, contact: Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer
(850) 216-3854, [email protected]

PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA – Larry Bernard Gilmore, 43, and Michael Bernard Gilmore, 46, both of Atlanta, GA, were charged by criminal complaint on Thursday with conspiracy to interfere with commerce by threats or violence.  The criminal complaint was announced by Christopher P. Canova, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

The charging documents allege that the Gilmores conspired with Abigail Lee Kemp, 24, of Smyrna, GA, and Lewis Jones III, 35, of Atlanta, GA, to commit armed robberies of six jewelry stores in Panama City Beach, Florida; Woodstock and Dawsonville, Georgia; Bluffton, South Carolina; Sevierville, Tennessee; and Mebane, North Carolina.  It is further alleged that, in each robbery, the robber brandished a firearm and ordered the employees to the back of the store where they were forced to lie face down on the ground with their hands zip tied behind their backs.  Hundreds of thousands of dollars-worth of jewelry was then removed from the jewelry display cases.

The punishment for the alleged crime is a maximum of 20 years in prison.  The initial appearance is expected to take place at 3:30 p.m. today in Judge Vineyard’s courtroom in the Northern District of Georgia in Atlanta.  Future court appearances will take place in the U.S. District Court in Panama City, Florida, in the Northern District of Florida, on a date to be determined.

This case resulted from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Kathryn D. Risinger 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.  The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States.  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.

For more information, contact: Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer
(850) 216-3854, [email protected]

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Isaac Dillard Wilson, 35, of Tallahassee, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison today for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.  The sentence was structured so that 84 months (seven years) would run consecutively to state prison sentences, which Wilson is already serving, and the remainder would run concurrently with the state sentences.  Wilson pled guilty to this charge last November, reserving the right to appeal the denial of his motion to suppress evidence, according to Christopher P. Canova, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

Court records showed that the Tallahassee Police Department (TPD) stopped Wilson for speeding at about 10:30 p.m. on July 19, 2013.  After a police canine alerted to the presence of odors associated with narcotics, Wilson’s rental vehicle was searched.  TPD recovered a stolen and loaded 9 millimeter pistol from the front console, and a loaded SKS assault rifle, from the trunk.  A small amount of marijuana and Wilson’s personal items were found in the vehicle as well.  Wilson had paid $850 cash to rent the vehicle twelve hours earlier.  He was the sole occupant of the vehicle.

At the time of arrest, Wilson was on probation from a 2008 conviction for fleeing or attempting to elude.  That probation was revoked and a fifteen-year state prison sentence was imposed in January 2014.  In July 2015, Wilson was convicted of attempted felony murder, based upon a shooting during a 2008 robbery, and received a life sentence.  The federal sentence runs partially consecutive to these sentences.

Acting United States Attorney Canova praised the work of the Tallahassee Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the State Attorney’s Office for the Second Judicial Circuit, whose joint investigation led to the convictions in this case.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael T. Simpson.

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.  The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States.  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.

For more information, contact: Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer
(850) 216-3854, [email protected]

Larry Bernard Gilmore, 43, and Michael Bernard Gilmore, 46, both of Atlanta, Georgia, were charged by criminal complaint on Thursday with conspiracy to interfere with commerce by threats or violence.  The criminal complaint was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Christopher P. Canova for the Northern District of Florida.

The charging documents allege that  Larry and Michael Gilmore conspired with Abigail Lee Kemp, 24, of Smyrna, Georgia, and Lewis Jones III, 35, of Atlanta, to commit armed robberies of six jewelry stores in Panama City Beach, Florida; Woodstock and Dawsonville, Georgia; Bluffton, South Carolina; Sevierville, Tennessee; and Mebane, North Carolina.  It is further alleged that, in each robbery, the robber brandished a firearm and ordered the employees to the back of the store where they were forced to lie face down on the ground with their hands zip tied behind their backs.  Hundreds of thousands of dollars-worth of jewelry was then removed from the jewelry display cases.

The punishment for the alleged crime is a maximum of 20 years in prison.  The initial appearance is expected to take place today with the Honorable Russell G. Vineyard for the Northern District of Georgia in Atlanta.  Future court appearances will take place in the U.S. District Court in Panama City, Florida, in the Northern District of Florida, on a date to be determined.

This case resulted from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S.  Attorney Kathryn D. Risinger 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 U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General.  The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States.  To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website.  For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Today, former Florida State University (FSU) Assistant Professor of Finance, James S. Doran PhD, 40, of Boulder, Colorado, was sentenced to 13 months in prison and a $15,000 fine for embezzlement concerning a program receiving federal funds.  The sentence was announced by Christopher P. Canova, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

At trial, the government presented evidence that, between May 2010 and March 2011, Doran, while employed at FSU’s College of Business, intentionally embezzled money from the Student Investment Fund Inc. (SIF).  The SIF was developed to give business students practice in conducting stock purchases and managing an investment portfolio.  Doran, who oversaw the SIF as a faculty advisor, made a series of transfers totaling more than $650,000 from the SIF to his own personal investment account.  He also used $10,000 in SIF monies to pay for a performance evaluation of his personal investment fund.  Doran returned the monies after an audit disclosed his illegal transfers.  Doran was convicted on November 19, 2015.

The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, the FSU Police Department, and the FSU Office of Inspector General Services.  It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Gary K. Milligan and Jason R. Coody.

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.  The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States.  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.

For more information, contact: Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer
(850) 216-3854, [email protected]

Abigail Lee Kemp, 24, of Smyrna, Georgia, and Lewis Jones III, 35, of Atlanta, Georgia, were arraigned today in federal court after a grand jury returned an indictment charging them with conspiracy, obstructing commerce by robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.  The indictment was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Christopher P. Canova for the Northern District of Florida.

The indictment alleges that, between April 2015 and January 2016, Kemp and Jones conspired to commit armed robberies at a series of jewelry stores, including Jared Vault, Zales Outlet and Reeds Jewelers.  It further alleges that Kemp and Jones brandished and used a firearm during the robbery of Reeds Jewelers.  The trial is scheduled for March 21, 2016, at the U.S. Courthouse in Panama City, Florida.

The potential penalties for both the conspiracy and obstructing commerce by robbery counts are a maximum of 20 years in prison.  For brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, the punishment is a minimum of seven years and a maximum of life in prison, to run consecutive to any penalty on the other counts.

Kemp and Jones were first charged by criminal complaint last month.  They were arrested together in the Smyrna area on Jan. 8, 2016, on charges related to the armed robberies of six jewelry stores in Panama City Beach, Florida; Woodstock, Georgia; Dawsonville, Georgia; Bluffton, South Carolina; Mebane, North Carolina; and Sevierville, Tennessee.  The charging documents reflect that, in each robbery, the robber brandished a firearm and ordered the employees to the back of the store where they were forced to lie face down on the ground with their hands zip tied behind their backs.  Hundreds of thousands of dollars-worth of jewelry was then removed from the jewelry display 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 at trial.

This case resulted from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn D. Risinger is prosecuting the case.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General.  The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States.  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 U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Ten defendants pled guilty this week to conspiracy, theft of government funds, and aggravated identity theft.  The pleas were announced by Christopher P. Canova, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

The defendants are:

• Ja’baree Vazquez Allen, 26, Tallahassee, Florida;

• Ronald Edward Brown, 28, Quincy, Florida;

• Anre’ Juardon Davis, 34, St. Petersburg, Florida;

• Addrain Montez McMillan, 29, Overland Park, Kansas;

• Rashard LaVonta McMillian, 27, Quincy, Florida;

• Jasmine Junae Robinson, 26, Tallahassee, Florida;

• Daria Patrice Simmons, 34, Tampa, Florida;

• Jazzman Shabazz Simmons, 27, Tallahassee, Florida;

• John Walter Simmons, 35, Tampa, Florida; and

• Mercedes Shevon Sutton, 25, Tampa, Florida.

During their guilty pleas, the defendants admitted that they conspired to file fraudulent income tax returns using stolen personal identifying information (PII) from approximately 2,800 individuals.  The PII sources included an insurance provider and an online database.  The stolen PII was used to file 1,466 fraudulent income tax returns, claiming refunds of approximately $11.1 million and resulting in $2,695,253 being issued by the IRS.  During their pleas, Sutton, John Simmons, and Jazzman Simmons also acknowledged their involvement in a scheme to file fraudulent Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) applications.  Between August 2013 and January 2014, stolen PII was used to electronically submit 165 fraudulent food stamp applications, seeking $176,704 in benefits.

The sentencing hearings are scheduled as follows at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee:

• May 31, 2016: Davis (9:00 a.m.) and Robinson (10:30 a.m.)

• June 1, 2016: Sutton (9:00 a.m.) and Addrain McMillan (10:30 a.m.)

• June 2, 2016: Brown (9:00 a.m.), Daria Simmons (10:30 a.m.), and Allen (2:00 p.m.)

• June 3, 2016: Rashard McMillian (9:00 a.m.), Jazzman Simmons (10:30 a.m.), and John Simmons (2:00 p.m.)

The defendants face a maximum of 20 years in prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and 10 years in prison for theft of government funds.  Allen, Brown, Davis, Addrain McMillan, Rashard McMillian, Robinson, Daria Simmons, Jazzman Simmons, and John Simmons also face a mandatory term of two years in prison for aggravated identify theft.  Additionally, John Simmons faces a maximum of 10 years in prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

This case resulted from an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, Tallahassee Police Department, and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant United States Attorney Jason R. Coody 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.  The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States.  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.

For more information, contact: Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer
(850) 216-3854, [email protected]

PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA – Abigail Lee Kemp, 24, of Smyrna, GA, and Lewis Jones III, 35, of Atlanta, GA, were arraigned today in federal court after a grand jury returned an indictment charging them with conspiracy, obstructing commerce by robbery, and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.  The indictment was announced by Christopher P. Canova, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

The indictment alleges that, between April 2015 and January 2016, Kemp and Jones conspired to commit armed robberies at a series of jewelry stores, including Jared Vault, Zales Outlet, and Reeds Jewelers.  It further alleges that Kemp and Jones brandished and used a firearm during the robbery of Reeds Jewelers.  The trial is scheduled for March 21, 2016, at 8:15 a.m. at the United States Courthouse in Panama City.

The potential penalties for both the conspiracy and obstructing commerce by robbery counts are a maximum of 20 years in prison.  For brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, the punishment is a minimum of seven years and a maximum of life in prison, to run consecutive to any penalty on the other counts.

Kemp and Jones were first charged by criminal complaint last month.  They were arrested together in the Smyrna, Georgia, area on Friday, January 8, 2016, on charges related to the armed robberies of six jewelry stores in Panama City Beach, Florida; Woodstock, Georgia; Dawsonville, Georgia; Bluffton, South Carolina; Mebane, North Carolina; and Sevierville, Tennessee.  The charging documents reflect that, in each robbery, the robber brandished a firearm and ordered the employees to the back of the store where they were forced to lie face down on the ground with their hands zip tied behind their backs.  Hundreds of thousands of dollars-worth of jewelry was then removed from the jewelry display 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 at trial.

This case resulted from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Kathryn D. Risinger 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.  The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States.  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.

For more information, contact: Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer
(850) 216-3854, [email protected]

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Tawanda LaKaye Burkett, 40, was convicted today of sex trafficking of a minor.  Codefendant Hal Bernard Black, 21, pled guilty on November 5, 2015, and was sentenced on January 25, 2016, to 135 months in prison.  Codefendant Ranell Carter Jr., 25, pled guilty on October 19, 2015, and is scheduled to be sentenced on February 23, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville.  The verdict and sentence were announced by Christopher P. Canova, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

At trial, the government presented evidence that, in August 2014, Burkett, Black, and Carter, all of Gainesville, Florida, were involved in a scheme to make money using a 15-year-old girl to perform sex acts.  The defendants posted the victim’s photo in an online advertisement in a website section for “escort services.”  The true purpose of the advertisement was to offer the victim for commercial sexual activity.  The defendants also provided the victim with a cellular telephone so that “clients” could contact her.  When the “clients” responded to the advertisements, Burkett, Black, and Carter transported the victim to private residences and hotels for sexual activity.  The defendants shared the proceeds of the victim’s commercial sex acts.

This case resulted from investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Gainesville Police Department, and the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Williams.

Burkett and Carter each face a minimum of 10 years to life in prison.  Burkett’s sentencing hearing will be scheduled for a date to be determined at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville, Florida.

The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General.  The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States.  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.

For more information, contact: Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer
(850) 216-3854, [email protected]

PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA – Zachary Tyler Hubbard and Jarrod Lonnie Moore, both 20, of Georgia, were arraigned today in federal court after a grand jury returned an indictment charging them with conspiracy, interfering with commerce by threats or violence, and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.  Hubbard was also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.  The indictment was announced by Christopher P. Canova, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

The indictment alleges that, on December 7, 2015, Hubbard and Moore forcefully took money from employees at two gas stations located in the Panama City area, while carrying a pistol.  The trial is scheduled for March 21, 2016, at 8:30 a.m.

This case resulted from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, and the Panama City Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Kathryn D. Risinger 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.  The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States.  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.

For more information, contact: Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer
(850) 216-3854, [email protected]

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Samuel J. Johnson, 42, a registered sex offender who resides in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida, was sentenced today to 480 months in prison for production and receipt of child pornography, and the transfer of obscene matter to a minor.  The sentence was announced by Christopher P. Canova, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

At his guilty plea on September 14, 2015, Johnson admitted that, between April 2013 and April 2015, he knowingly used a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct to produce visual depictions, and that he committed this offense while required to register as a sex offender.  During an undercover operation, law enforcement officers discovered that Johnson possessed child pornography videos and images on his cellular telephone and computers.  Additionally, detectives recovered thousands of text messages between Johnson and an underage female, including those persuading the minor to produce and send videos of child pornography. 

“I commend our prosecutors and law enforcement professionals for their hard work to bring child predators to justice,” said Acting United States Attorney Christopher P. Canova.  “This prison sentence is a reminder that those who seek to harm our children face serious consequences under federal law.”

“This criminal stole the innocence of a young victim,” said Susan L. McCormick, special agent in charge of HSI Tampa. “The work of HSI special agents, along with our local and state partners, has ensured he cannot hurt another child.”

The case was investigated by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Pensacola Police Department, and the other agencies that are part of the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, whose joint investigation led to the charges in this case.  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.  The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States.  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.

For more information, contact: Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer
(850) 216-3854, [email protected]

PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA – Yesterday afternoon, a federal jury convicted Eon L. Menckeberg, 55, of Chipley, Florida, of six counts of wire fraud for falsely representing to a hospital that he possessed health insurance to obtain specialized medical treatment services for a broken ankle.  The verdict was announced by Christopher P. Canova, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

At trial, the government presented evidence that, in May 2012, Menckeberg visited the Jackson County Hospital emergency room after sustaining a compound fracture to his ankle.  He was treated and received surgery for his injury.  Subsequently, in September 2012, Menckeberg went to the Wound Trauma Institute at the Northwest Florida Community Hospital to obtain elective hyperbaric-oxygen treatment to aid in the healing of the wound.  To pay for the treatments, he falsely told hospital staff that he possessed health insurance through Lloyd’s of London and was president of the Prince Trust.  Menckeberg submitted false documents purporting to confirm insurance coverage and authorizing the elective treatments at the hospital.  Menckeberg received numerous hyperbaric-oxygen treatments during the next several months, and the treatments and physician costs at the Northwest Florida Community Hospital totaled more than $262,000.  Menckeberg was assisted in the fraud by a woman who posed as a Lloyd’s of London broker who told the hospital that Menckeberg had sufficient insurance to cover his medical treatment.  The monies owed to the hospital were never paid by Menckeberg.

While the jury was deliberating, the defendant was taken into federal custody pending his sentencing for violating the terms of his pre-trial release for being illegally present in the U.S.  At a hearing, it was revealed that Menckeberg was not a United States citizen, but actually a citizen of Suriname.  Nineteen years earlier, the Immigration and Naturalization Service denied Menckeberg’s petition to become a permanent resident alien and ordered him to voluntarily depart from the United States by December 26, 1986.  Menckeberg failed to do so.  Menckeberg subsequently obtained a Florida driver’s license and claimed to be a U.S. citizen born in Florida.  Menckeberg has been living and posing as a U.S citizen for the past 19 years.

Menckeberg faces a maximum of 20 years in prison on each count.  The sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 14, 2016, at 9:00 a.m. at the United States Courthouse, in Panama City, Florida.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Florida Department of Financial Services Division of Insurance Fraud.  It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephen M. Kunz.

The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General.  The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States.  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.

For more information, contact: Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer
(850) 216-3854, [email protected]

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) has announced that Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties in Northwest Florida have been added as members of the Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program.  The Gulf Coast HIDTA, which includes counties and parishes in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Mississippi, is one of 28 nationwide drug enforcement initiatives aimed at reducing violent crime and drug trafficking.  Both counties border existing Gulf Coast HIDTA designated counties in Alabama and have a direct nexus to multiple Gulf Coast HIDTA initiatives.

In 2014, law enforcement agencies in Northwest Florida began the application process to become a member of the Gulf Coast HIDTA due to drug trafficking routes running through Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties via Interstate 10 and U.S. Highway 98.  A threat assessment conducted as part of this request confirmed that not only do many ongoing investigations in Gulf Coast HIDTA counties have a connection to the Pensacola area, but numerous Escambia and Santa Rosa County investigations also have ties to other agencies that are part of the Gulf Coast HIDTA.  Additionally, Escambia County has experienced drug-related shootings, and arrests in those violent incidents frequently are linked to the local illicit drug market.

The following coalition of federal, state, and local Northwest Florida law enforcement agencies petitioned the Office of National Drug Control Policy to designate Escambia and Santa Rosa County as part of the Gulf Coast HIDTA:

• United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida

• Drug Enforcement Administration

• Escambia County Sheriff’s Office

• Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office

• Pensacola Police Department

• Gulf Breeze Police Department

• Federal Bureau of Investigation

• Florida Department of Law Enforcement

• State Attorney’s Office, First Judicial Circuit

• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

• Florida Office of the Attorney General

• Florida Highway Patrol

• Homeland Security Investigations

• Internal Revenue Service

“Due to collaboration and hard work of our law enforcement partners, Northwest Florida will receive additional resources and support in addressing drug-related crimes,” said Acting United States Attorney Christopher P. Canova.  “The enhanced communication between the local agencies in our district with the other HIDTA initiatives across the nation will also better enable law enforcement personnel to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations that serve as the source and supply of dangerous drugs into the community.”

“The DEA Miami Field Division is happy to have Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties join the HIDTA program,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Adolphus P. Wright.  “Their inclusion will greatly contribute to the HIDTA mission of combatting drug trafficking in the Gulf Coast area.”

“Due to recent changes at the U.S. Attorney's Office and local DEA office, we will be joining the Gulf Coast HIDTA.  We are encouraged that positive changes are on the horizon,” said Sheriff David Morgan of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.

“I'm glad we are in this partnership, and I know the community will benefit from it,” said Pensacola Police Chief David Alexander III.

“The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office is proud to now be a member of the HIDTA task force, and we look forward to working with the partner agencies in an effort to disrupt criminal activity in our area,” said Chief Deputy Bob Johnson of the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.

The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program, created by Congress with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, provides assistance to federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug-trafficking regions of the United States.  The purpose of the program is to reduce drug trafficking and production in the United States.  For more information about the HIDTA program, visit the Office of National Drug Control Policy website.  The ONDCP release can be found at: https://www.whitehouse.gov//the-press-office/2016/01/15/white-house-drug-policy-director-announces-designation-14-counties-high

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.  The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States.  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.

For more information, contact: Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer
(850) 216-3854, [email protected]

PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA – Abigail Lee Kemp, 24, of Smyrna, GA, was charged by criminal complaint on Friday with conspiracy to interfere with commerce by threats or violence.  The criminal complaint was announced by Christopher P. Canova, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

The complaint alleges that, between April 2015 and the present, Kemp conspired with others to commit armed robberies of six jewelry stores in Panama City Beach, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee.  The complaint alleges that, in each robbery, the robber or robbers displayed a handgun, ordered the employees to the back of the store, ordered them to lie face-down on the floor, and bound their hands behind their backs with zip ties.  The robber or robbers then removed hundreds of thousands of dollars-worth of jewelry from the jewelry display cases.

The punishment for the alleged crime is a maximum of 20 years in prison.  The initial appearance is expected to take place at noon today in Judge Walker’s courtroom in the Northern District of Georgia in Atlanta.  The next court appearance will take place at a date to be determined in the U.S. District Court in Panama City, Florida, in the Northern District of Florida.

This case resulted from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Kathryn D. Risinger 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.  The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States.  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.

For more information, contact: Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer
(850) 216-3854, [email protected]

PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA – Lewis Jones III, 35, of Atlanta, GA, was charged today by criminal complaint with conspiracy to interfere with commerce by threats or violence.  The criminal complaint was announced by Christopher P. Canova, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

Jones and Abigail Lee Kemp were arrested together in the Smyrna, Georgia, area on Friday, January 8, 2016, on charges related to the armed robberies of six jewelry stores in Panama City Beach, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee.  The complaint alleges that, in each robbery, the robber or robbers displayed a handgun, ordered the employees to the back of the store, ordered them to lie face-down on the floor, and bound their hands behind their backs with zip ties.  The robber or robbers then removed hundreds of thousands of dollars-worth of jewelry from the jewelry display cases.

The punishment for the alleged crime is a maximum of 20 years in prison.  The initial appearance for Lewis Jones III is expected to take place tomorrow in the Northern District of Georgia in Atlanta.  The next court appearance will take place at a date to be determined in the U.S. District Court in Panama City, Florida, in the Northern District of Florida.

This case resulted from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Kathryn D. Risinger 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.  The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States.  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.

For more information, contact: Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer
(850) 216-3854, [email protected]

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Mikel Alemin Craig, 33, of Gainesville, Florida, was sentenced today to 25 years in federal prison for sex trafficking of an adult by force and coercion.  The sentence was announced by Christopher P. Canova, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

During Craig’s guilty plea on August 19, 2015, the government presented evidence that, between January 1, 2014, and March 30, 2014, Craig was involved in a scheme to make money by using an adult female to perform sex acts.  The defendant caused a picture of the victim, posing in a motel room, to be posted on Backpage.com, an Internet advertising website.  The advertisement was listed in a section for “escort services,” when, in truth, the advertisement was for the purpose of offering the victim for commercial sexual activity.  As a result, the victim engaged in sexual activity for money on numerous occasions with persons who responded to the advertisement.  This sexual activity took place at various locations in the Northern District of Florida, including local hotels in Gainesville, Florida.  Craig used physical and nonphysical means to coerce the victim to engage in this sexual activity, including violence and the threat of physical violence against her.  He also collected proceeds from the victim’s commercial sexual activity.

The prosecution was brought as part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Program.  The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and 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.  The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States.  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.

For more information, contact: Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer
(850) 216-3854, [email protected]

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Yesterday afternoon, a federal jury convicted Milton resident Robert F. Matlack, 79, of attempted commercial sex trafficking and attempted enticement of a minor for sex.  The verdict was announced by Christopher P. Canova, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

At trial, the government presented evidence that, in July 2015, Matlack communicated online with someone who turned out to be an undercover law enforcement officer.  The purpose of Matlack’s contact was to meet a 12-year-old child for sexual activity.  During trial, the jury heard evidence of Matlack e-mailing and text messaging his desires for a 12-year-old child.  Matlack was arrested when he arrived at the arranged meeting location in Milton, Florida, where he thought he would meet a 12-year-old child.  He possessed $180 to pay for the illicit sex acts.  Also seized from his vehicle were blister packs of Viagra.

For the attempted commercial sex trafficking charge, Matlack faces a minimum of 15 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison.  For the attempted enticement of a minor charge, Matlack faces a minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison.  The sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 23, 2016, at 12:30 p.m.

The case was investigated by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, Pensacola Police Department, and other agencies that are part of 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.  The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States.  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.

For more information, contact: Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer
(850) 216-3854, [email protected]

PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA – Lynwood Williams, 53, of Greenhead, Florida, was sentenced yesterday in United States District Court to six months in prison for theft of $63,284 in government funds.  The sentence was announced by Christopher P. Canova, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

In October 2006, Williams applied for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, falsely claiming that he suffered from an organic brain disorder.  During interviews with Social Security Administration (SSA) officials, Williams pretended to be mentally disabled, deliberately stuttering and acting as though he had great difficulty forming words.  In one interview, Williams was accompanied by a person who, at Williams’ direction, falsely claimed to be Williams’ cousin.  His “cousin” falsely claimed that Williams was unable to work due to his mental and speech limitations.  In a separate interview, one of Williams’ friends, who was designated as Williams’ representative payee, falsely told SSA officials that Williams was so severely handicapped that he could not take care of his daily needs and had to be supervised like a child.

In 2014, the SSA discovered YouTube videos in which Williams was performing comedy routines that clearly showed Williams did not suffer from a mental or speech impairment.  Postings on Facebook indicated that Williams did lawn work, pressure washing, and painting, when he was not working as a comedian.

Williams pled guilty on September 1, 2015.  As part of his sentence, he was ordered to pay $56,287 in restitution to the SSA, and $6,997 in restitution to the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration.

This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration - Office of Inspector General, and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.  It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Harwin.

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.  The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States.  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.

For more information, contact: Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer
(850) 216-3854, [email protected]

PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA – Charles Heath Stewart, 43, of Grand Ridge, Florida, was sentenced yesterday to 720 months in prison for producing child pornography. The sentence was announced by Christopher P. Canova, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

Following a five-day trial, the jury convicted Stewart on August 21, 2015, after the government presented evidence that, on three occasions, in September, October, and November 2013, Stewart knowingly produced child pornography when he coerced a child to engage in sexually explicit conduct with Stewart for the purpose of creating a visual depiction. The evidence proved that, on countless occasions, Stewart used physical force and death threats to coerce the child into engaging in sexually explicit acts with Stewart while he videotaped the acts using his cellular telephone. Additionally, evidence presented at trial showed that Stewart knowingly possessed child pornographic images.

"Children deserve to feel safe in their homes and communities, and these despicable acts ruin lives at an early age," said Acting United States Attorney Christopher P. Canova. "This prison sentence sends a strong message to child predators that my office and our law enforcement partners are committed to pursuing, prosecuting, and providing justice to those who target innocent children."

"While no jail sentence is long enough to erase the damage he has done to his victim, Charles Stewart will have the next 60 years to reflect on the pain and suffering he has caused," said Susan L. McCormick, special agent in charge of HSI Tampa. "Child pornography memorializes the sexual abuse of a child. We can only hope that this sentencing brings some comfort to the victim and that he will never again harm another child."

The case was investigated by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, whose joint investigation led to the conviction in this case. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kathryn D. Risinger.

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.  The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States.  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.

For more information, contact: Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer
(850) 216-3854, [email protected]

Michael Daniel Rubens, 31, formerly of Tallahassee, Florida, pleaded guilty yesterday to cyberstalking, unauthorized access to a protected computer and aggravated identity theft.  The guilty plea was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Christopher P. Canova of the Northern District of Florida.

During his guilty plea, Rubens admitted that between January 2012 and January 2015, he publicly humiliated dozens of young women by hacking into their online accounts, including e-mail and social media; stealing photographs and other personal information; using the photographs to create pornography; and posting the pornographic images on social media websites and on a revenge pornography website that was recently shut down by the FBI.  Rubens engaged in most of the conduct from his residence in Tallahassee.  He used software to conceal his Internet Protocol (IP) address.

Rubens’ victims included an employee of a local restaurant he frequented, an out-of-town colleague, an acquaintance in his office building, clients of the defendant’s employer, a former girlfriend and her colleagues, high school classmates and the victims’ relatives or friends.  For one particular woman, Rubens’ laptop contained 470 files with more than 5,000 references to the victim.  Rubens’ computer searches focused on finding the victims’ personal identifying information, such as past addresses, family information and other personal data that could be used to answer security questions.  As a result of Rubens’ conduct, the victims became afraid to conduct any online activities and often deleted their social media presence entirely.  In some instances, the conduct also affected the victims’ personal relationships.

The sentencing hearing is scheduled for Feb. 25, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at the U.S. Courthouse in Tallahassee.  For each of the 12 counts of cyberstalking and unauthorized access to a protected computer, Rubens faces a maximum of five years in prison.  For the aggravated identity theft charge, he faces a mandatory two years in prison to be served consecutively to any other sentence.

This case resulted from investigations by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Florida State University Police Department and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason S. Beaton of the Northern District of Florida.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General.  The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States.  To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website.  For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Michael Daniel Rubens, 31, formerly of Tallahassee, pled guilty yesterday to cyberstalking, unauthorized access to a protected computer, and aggravated identity theft.  The guilty plea was announced by Christopher P. Canova, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

During his guilty plea, Rubens admitted that, between January 2012 and January 2015, he publicly humiliated dozens of young women by hacking into their online accounts, including e-mail and social media, stealing photographs and other personal information, using the photographs to create pornography, and posting the pornographic images on social media websites and on a revenge pornography website that was recently shut down by the FBI.  Rubens engaged in most of the conduct from his residence in Tallahassee.  He used software to conceal his IP address.

Rubens’ victims included an employee of a local restaurant he frequented, an out-of-town colleague, an acquaintance in his office building, clients of the defendant’s employer, a former girlfriend and her colleagues, high school classmates, and the victims’ relatives or friends.  For one particular woman, Rubens’ laptop contained 470 files with more than 5,000 references to the victim.  Rubens’ computer searches focused on finding the victims’ personal identifying information, such as past addresses, family information, and other personal data that could be used to answer security questions.  As a result of Rubens’ conduct, the victims became afraid to conduct any online activities and often deleted their social media presence entirely.  In some instances, the conduct also affected the victims’ personal relationships.

The sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 25, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee, Florida.  For each of the 12 counts of cyberstalking and unauthorized access to a protected computer, Rubens faces a maximum of five years in prison.  For the aggravated identity theft charge, he faces a mandatory two years in prison to be served consecutively to any other sentence.

This case resulted from investigations by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, the Florida State University Police Department, and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jason S. Beaton.

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.  The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States.  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.

For more information, contact: Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer
(850) 216-3854, [email protected]

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Jorge Maldonado, 51, was arraigned today in the U.S. District Court in Tallahassee after a federal grand jury returned a 21 count indictment charging him and his daughter, Jennifer Maldonado, 28, both of Oviedo, Florida, and co-conspirators Sharon Glover, 53, and Diane White, 54, both of Sanford, Florida, with conspiracy, wire fraud, theft of government property, and aggravated identity theft.  Jennifer Maldonado, Glover, and White were arraigned in federal court on November 16.  The indictment was announced by Christopher P. Canova, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

The indictment alleges that, between February 2009 and October 2011, the Maldonados, who were both tax preparers, together with Glover and White, conspired to obtain more than $815,000 in tax refunds issued on fraudulent income tax returns.  The trial is scheduled for January 11, 2016, at 8:15 a.m.

This case resulted from an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Herbert S. Lindsey 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.  The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States.  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.

For more information, contact: Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer
(850) 216-3854, [email protected]

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Today, a federal jury convicted former Florida State University (FSU) Assistant Professor of Finance, James S. Doran PhD, 40, of Boulder, Colorado, of embezzlement concerning a program receiving federal funds.  The verdict was announced by Christopher P. Canova, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

At trial, the government presented evidence that, between May 2010 and March 2011, Doran, while employed at FSU’s College of Business, intentionally embezzled money from the Student Investment Fund Inc. (SIF).  The SIF was developed to give business students practice in conducting stock purchases and managing an investment portfolio.  Doran, who oversaw the SIF as a faculty advisor, made a series of transfers totaling more than $650,000 from the SIF to his own personal investment account.  He also used $10,000 in SIF monies to pay for a performance evaluation of his personal investment fund.  Doran returned the monies after an audit disclosed his illegal transfers.

Doran faces a maximum of 10 years in prison.  The sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 12, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at the United States Courthouse, in Tallahassee, Florida.

The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, the FSU Police Department, and the FSU Office of Inspector General Services.  It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jason R. Coody and Gary K. Milligan.

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.  The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States.  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.

For more information, contact: Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer
(850) 216-3854, [email protected]

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Late yesterday, a federal jury convicted Pensacola resident Robert M. Grafton Jr., 29, of attempted enticement of a minor for sex.  Additionally, Grafton pled guilty to possession of child pornography just prior to jury selection.  The verdict was announced by Christopher P. Canova, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

At trial, the government presented evidence that, in May 2015, Grafton communicated online with an undercover law enforcement officer for the purpose of meeting a 12-year-old special needs child for sexual activity.  Grafton was arrested when he arrived at the arranged meeting location in Pensacola.  A search of his cellular telephone and digital media at his residence revealed numerous images and videos of child pornography.

For the attempted enticement of a minor charge, Grafton faces a minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison.  For the possession of child pornography charge, Grafton faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.  The sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 27, 2016.

The case was investigated by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, Pensacola Police Department, Gulf Breeze Police Department, and other agencies that are part of 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.  The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States.  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.

For more information, contact: Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer
(850) 216-3854, [email protected]

PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA –Kenneth Hobson, 33, of Memphis, Tennessee, was sentenced today to 92 months in prison for knowingly assaulting and injuring a correctional officer at the Federal Correctional Institution in Marianna.  The sentence was announced by Christopher P. Canova, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

The jury convicted the defendant after the government presented evidence that, in July 2014, Hobson forcibly assaulted a corrections officer when the officer attempted to search him for possession of contraband.  During the assault, Hobson delivered multiple punches to the officer’s face and body, punching and kicking the officer as he was rendered unconscious.  The officer fell to the ground, and Hobson continued to punch and kick him.  The officer sustained contusions to his face and jaw, a fractured cheek bone, and a loose tooth.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kathryn D. Risinger.

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.  The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States.  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.

For more information, contact: Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer
(850) 216-3854, [email protected]

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – A federal grand jury returned a 14-count indictment, unsealed today, charging 10 defendants with conspiracy, theft of government funds, and aggravated identity theft.  The indictment was announced by Christopher P. Canova, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

The defendants are:

• Ja’Baree Vazquez Allen, 26, Tallahassee, Florida;
• Ronald Edward Brown, 27, Quincy, Florida;
• Anre’ Juardon Davis, 34, St. Petersburg, Florida;
• Addrain Montez McMillan, 29, Overland Park, Kansas;
• Rashard Lavonta McMillian, 26, Quincy, Florida
• Jasmine Junae Robinson, 25, Tallahassee, Florida;
• Daria Patrice Simmons, 33, Tampa, Florida;
• Jazzman Shabazz Simmons, 27, Tallahassee, Florida;
• John Walter Simmons, 34, Tampa, Florida; and
• Mercedes Shevon Sutton, 25, Tampa, Florida.

The indictment alleges that, between January 2011 and April 2014, the conspirators fraudulently obtained the personal identifying information of approximately 2,800 individuals from multiple sources, including the insurance provider AmeriGroup and the online death database, dobsearch.com.  The indictment further alleges that the conspirators then prepared and electronically filed fraudulent federal income tax returns using the victims’ information and caused the Internal Revenue Service to issue tax refunds in the victims’ names.  The tax refunds were allegedly loaded onto debit cards, issued in the form of U.S. Treasury checks, and deposited into bank accounts controlled by the conspirators.  By this conduct, the conspirators allegedly attempted to obtain approximately $11.1 million in tax refunds.  Additionally, John Walter Simmons is charged with knowingly possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.  The trial is scheduled for December 14, 2015, at 8:30 a.m.

This case resulted from an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the Tallahassee Police Department, and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant United States Attorney Jason R. Coody 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.  The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States.  To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website.  For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA – Jermaine Winters, 39, of Coleman, Florida, Senora Cotton, 24, of Chipley, Florida, and Rosetta Presley, 23, of Chipley, Florida, were sentenced today for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft in connection with the electronic filing of false federal income tax returns.  Winters was sentenced to 108 months in prison, Cotton to 24 months and 1 day in prison, and Presley to 2 days in prison and 5 years’ probation.  Additionally, the defendants were ordered to pay $195,547 in restitution to the IRS.  The sentences were announced by Christopher P. Canova, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

During their guilty pleas, Winters, Cotton, and Presley admitted that, between July 2011 and July 2012, they conspired to file fraudulent tax returns using the stolen identities of assisted-living facility residents who lived at the Dogwood Inn in Bonifay, Florida, as well as clinical laboratory patients from the Sun Laboratory Services in the Tampa, Florida area, and others.  The conspirators attempted to steal more than $276,000 from the United States Treasury through the fraud scheme.  The refunds issued on the fraudulent returns were loaded onto prepaid debit cards and mailed to addresses in the Northern District of Florida.  Winters and Presley pled guilty on April 16, 2015, and Cotton pled guilty on August 3, 2015.

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Chipley Police Department, and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office.  It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kathryn D. Risinger and Gayle E. Littleton.

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.  The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States.  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.

For more information, contact: Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer
(850) 216-3854, [email protected]

PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA – A federal grand jury returned a 32-count indictment charging nine defendants, all residing in the United States illegally, in an interstate human trafficking case.  The defendants were arrested yesterday in the Northern District of Florida and other locations.  Their initial appearances in federal court took place yesterday and today.  The indictment was announced by Christopher P. Canova, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

The defendants are:

• Edegardo Osorno Rodriguez, 37, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida;
• Antonio Flores-Esparza, 31, Pensacola, Florida;
• Jose Juan Ruiz Prudencio, 40, Montgomery, Alabama;
• Jose Alvaro Trujillo-Santiz, 45, Panama City Beach, Florida;
• Rosa Mirtha Cruz Vidal, 34, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida;
• Mauro Gonzalez-Lira, 24, McComb, Mississippi;
• Romon Tobon, 45, Starkville, Mississippi;
• Lazaro Juarez-Juarez, 33, Atlanta, Georgia; and
• Emerson Corvera, 30, Montgomery, Alabama.

The indictment alleges that, between July 2014 and August 2015, the defendants engaged in a conspiracy to transport, harbor, and market female aliens for prostitution in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, and thereafter, wired the prostitution proceeds outside the United States.  In addition to the conspiracy, the defendants are also charged with: 13 counts of enticing individuals to travel in interstate commerce to engage in prostitution; 4 counts of money laundering; 7 counts of transporting individuals in interstate commerce to engage in prostitution; 6 counts of harboring an alien for the purpose of prostitution; and illegal entry by a deported alien.  The trial is scheduled for January 4, 2016, at 8:15 a.m.

As part of this investigation, federal agents executed six search warrants yesterday at the following locations: two in Pensacola, one in Santa Rosa Beach, one in Panama City Beach, one in Montgomery, Alabama, and one in Laurel, Mississippi.

This case resulted from a 15 month investigation into human trafficking activities in the Northern District of Florida by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)-Panama City Resident Agent in Charge.  It is a follow-up prosecution to a previous kidnapping case prosecuted in federal court in Panama City.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Stephen M. Kunz and Kathryn D. Risinger.

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.  The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States.  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.

For more information, contact: Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer
(850) 216-3854, [email protected]

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Jamie Vincent Ward, 38, of Bronson, Florida, was sentenced late yesterday to 7 years in prison for two charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.  The sentence was announced by Christopher P. Canova, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

According to documents filed in the case, Ward was previously convicted in Georgia for the felony offenses of Escape, Theft by Taking, First Degree Arson, and Possession of Methamphetamine.  Ward was a fugitive from Georgia, having absconded from probation on the methamphetamine conviction before his arrest in the federal case.

Ward was the Grand Dragon (leader) of the Florida-Georgia Klavern (chapter) of the Traditionalist American Knights of the Ku Klux Klan (TAKKKK).  On March 2, 2015, Ward asked his Grand Nighthawk (security officer) to convert a German Sports Gun .22 caliber rifle to a fully automatic weapon.  On April 2, 2015, agents arrested Ward and served a search warrant at his Bronson residence.  During that search, they seized a loaded Hi-Point nine millimeter pistol, as well as .22, 9 millimeter, and 12 gauge ammunition.  Ward pled guilty on July 2, 2015.

The parties agreed that Ward was aware of, but did not participate in, a plot by other TAKKKK members to murder a former state prison inmate.  While the Court expressly noted Ward’s First Amendment right to associate with other TAKKKK members, the Court found that Ward’s association with persons engaged in acts of violence and his failure to discourage or report the murder plot weighed against him at the sentencing hearing.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Office of Statewide Prosecution, whose joint investigation led to the convictions in this case.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael T. Simpson.

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.  The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States.  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.

For more information, contact: Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer
(850) 216-3854, [email protected]

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Gary R. Tomey II, 46, of Pace, and Eric T. Eakes, 29, of Milton, were arraigned today in the U.S. District Court in Pensacola after a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging them with conspiracy and mail fraud.  The indictment was announced by Christopher P. Canova, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

The indictment alleges between December 2008 and May 2012, Tomey and Eakes ran Children and Family Services Inc. (later called Children’s Charitable Services Inc.), a telemarketing company that fraudulently solicited charitable donations via telephone calls from an office in Milton.  Tomey and Eakes are alleged to have instructed employees to fraudulently tell potential donors living in other states that the employees were volunteers and that all proceeds helped children in the state where the potential donor lived.  The indictment further states that Tomey and Eakes intentionally used a charity name that was similar to a state agency and failed to disclose that their organizations had been previously sanctioned in other states for fraudulent solicitations.  The indictment alleges that more than $1.2 million raised as charitable donations went to pay the defendants’ and employees’ salaries, business expenses, and Tomey’s personal expenses.  The trial is scheduled for December 7, 2015.

This case resulted from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Alicia H. Kim 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.  The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States.  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.

For more information, contact: Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer
(850) 216-3854, [email protected]

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Joseph-Michael Elias McFarland, 21, of Madison, Florida, with sex trafficking of a minor and with drug trafficking.  McFarland was arraigned today in the United States District Court in Tallahassee.  The indictment was announced by Christopher P. Canova, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

The indictment alleges that, in September 2015, in the Northern District of Florida, McFarland knowingly enticed a person less than 18 years of age to engage in a commercial sex act, and that he knowingly distributed methylone.  The trial is scheduled for December 14, 2015, at 8:15 a.m.

This case resulted from investigations by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, the Tallahassee Police Department, and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Harwin.

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.  The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States.  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.

For more information, contact: Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer
(850) 216-3854, [email protected]

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA –Paul R. Bloom, 32, of Crestview, was sentenced to 30 years in prison today for production and receipt of child pornography.  Following his incarceration, he will serve life on supervised release, and he must also register as a sex offender.  The sentence was announced by Christopher P. Canova, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

During his guilty plea on June 23, 2015, Bloom admitted to using a publicly available peer-to-peer file sharing network to receive child pornography.  During February and March 2015, undercover law enforcement agents downloaded sexually explicit video files that were traced to Bloom’s residence.  Agents executed a federal search warrant at Bloom’s residence and seized multiple pieces of digital media, including laptops and external hard drives.  An on-scene forensic review of the digital media revealed large amounts of child pornography.  While interviewing Bloom and reviewing the seized evidence, law enforcement agents determined that Bloom produced child pornography in his own home.  The child pornography produced by Bloom involved a nine-year-old female.  A final forensic review of Bloom’s digital media revealed more than 850 videos and 2,000 images of child pornography that he had received and/or shared over the last few years.

The case was investigated by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, Pensacola Police Department, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the other agencies that are part of the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, whose joint investigation led to the charges in this case.  It 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.  The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States.  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.

For more information, contact: Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer
(850) 216-3854, [email protected]

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Yesterday, a federal trial jury convicted Tanzania Miller, 38, of Orlando, Florida, of conspiracy, four counts of bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft.  The verdict was announced by Christopher P. Canova, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

At trial, the government presented evidence that, between December 2013 and March 2014, Miller conspired with others to steal money from banks by depositing stolen checks and making withdrawals against them.  In this scheme, Miller found people willing to sell their Facebook account to her.  The Facebook user’s friends were then asked if they wanted to make money by providing a bank account number and a debit card.  Stolen, forged checks were then deposited into the Facebook friend’s bank account, followed by quick cash withdrawals or purchases using the debit card.  In all, the scheme resulted in more than $55,000 in forged check deposits and $35,000 in withdrawals.

Miller faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison for each bank fraud and conspiracy count and a mandatory minimum term of two years in prison for aggravated identity theft.  Sentencing has been scheduled for December 18, 2015, at 1:00 p.m. at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee, Florida.  The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office.  It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jason S. Beaton.

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.  The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States.  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.

For more information, contact: Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer
(850) 216-3854, [email protected]

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA –Kandel Markie Whiting, 35, of Pensacola, was sentenced to 90 months in prison today for receipt and distribution of child pornography.  Following his incarceration, he will serve 10 years on supervised release, and he must also register as a sex offender.  The sentence was announced by Christopher P. Canova, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

During his guilty plea on May 28, 2015, Whiting admitted that, between October 2014 and January 2015, he used the social media applications Twitter and Kik to share images of minors engaged in sex acts.  In January 2015, Whiting’s Twitter account was reported to law enforcement for containing images of child pornography.  When agents executed a federal search warrant at Whiting’s residence and seized his cellular telephone, they quickly located the illicit material within his social media applications.  Whiting then admitted to sharing child pornography online using Twitter and Kik.  Additionally, a forensic review of Whiting’s digital media revealed numerous child pornographic images and videos.

The case was investigated by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Pensacola Police Department, and the other agencies that are part of the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, whose joint investigation led to the charges in this case.  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.  The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States.  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.

For more information, contact: Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer
(850) 216-3854, [email protected]

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Robert W. McCandless, 38, of Bristol, Florida, was sentenced to 151 months in prison today for interstate domestic violence and interstate violation of a protection order.  The sentence was announced by Christopher P. Canova, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

During his guilty plea on July 9, 2015, McCandless admitted to violating a protection order by unlawfully entering the victim’s residence on January 16, 2015.  McCandless and the victim had lived together previously for approximately five years and had two children.  After strangling the victim with a communications cord and assaulting the victim, McCandless forced her and their children to travel with him out of Florida.  Approximately eight hours later, law enforcement agents arrested McCandless, rescuing the victim and her children on Interstate 95 in South Carolina.  The victim received medical treatment for injuries consistent with strangulation.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, and the Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office in South Carolina.  It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephen M. Kunz.

The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General.  The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States.  To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website.  For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Jack Lee Wright, 53, of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for knowingly taking U.S. currency by force from a Gainesville bank.  The sentence was announced by Christopher P. Canova, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

During his guilty plea on June 23, 2015, Wright admitted that, on April 25, 2014, he handed a Wells Fargo Bank teller a note listing the monetary denominations he wanted.  He told her that she had ten seconds to give him the money, that she should not alert anyone, and that he had a gun in his bag.  As a result, the teller gave Wright $2,025.  In June 2014, Wright was identified as the perpetrator of a bank robbery in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, through a surveillance video shown on the news.  Wright was later located and arrested in Maryland, possessing $10,000 and a suitcase containing clothes worn in other robberies.  Officers also found a toy gun under the seat of his truck.

The court ordered that Wright’s sentence be served consecutively to the 48-month federal prison sentence imposed in Colorado.

The charges were the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Gainesville Police Department, and the Thurmont, Maryland Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Gregory P. McMahon.

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.  The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States.  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.

For more information, contact:

Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer

(850) 216-3854, [email protected]

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch announced the 2015 Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) Hiring Program Awards, including a $1,875,000 grant to the Tallahassee Police Department in the Northern District of Florida to fund 15 law enforcement positions.

The COPS Hiring Program provides grants to state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to hire or rehire community policing officers.  The program provides salaries and benefits for officer and deputy hires for three years.  More than $107 million nationally and more than $7,000,000 in Florida will be awarded through this program.

“The COPS Office is pleased to assist local law enforcement agencies throughout the country in addressing their most critical public safety issues,” said Ronald L. Davis, Director of the COPS Office.  “These grants are not simply about putting more officers on the street, they are about expanding the capacity of law enforcement agencies to engage in community policing.”

“Keeping our communities safe is the primary role of our criminal justice system, and grants such as this one help accomplish that goal,” said Christopher P. Canova, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.  “My office is committed to maintaining partnerships with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to help protect Tallahassee’s citizens and the communities within the Northern District of Florida.”

Priority consideration was given this year to agencies that selected any of the Building Trust focus areas or School Based Policing through School Resource Officers.  All applicants were encouraged to refer to the President's Task Force on 21st Century Policing Final Report for suggested actions to incorporate into their proposed community policing strategy.

The COPS Office is a federal agency responsible for advancing community policing nationwide.  Since 1995, COPS has invested more than $14 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of approximately 127,000 officers and provide a variety of knowledge resource products including publications, training, and technical assistance.

For the entire list of grantees and additional information about the 2015 COPS Hiring Program, visit the COPS website.

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.  The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States.  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.

For more information, contact:

Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer

(850) 216-3854, [email protected]

A former Navy noncommissioned officer pleaded guilty today to accepting approximately $25,000 in cash bribes from vendors while he served in Afghanistan.

The announcement was made by Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Christopher P. Canova of the Northern District of Florida, Assistant Director in Charge Paul M. Abbate of the FBI’s Washington, D.C., Field Office, Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) John F. Sopko, Director Frank Robey of the Major Procurement Fraud Unit of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command (Army CID), Acting Special Agent in Charge Paul Sternal of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) Mid-Atlantic Field Office and Brigadier General Keith M. Givens of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (Air Force OSI).

Donald P. Bunch, 46, of Pace, Florida, pleaded guilty before Senior U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson of the Northern District of Florida to a one-count information charging him with accepting bribes.  Sentencing is scheduled to take place on Dec. 8, 2015.

From February to August 2009, Bunch worked as an U.S. Navy E8 senior chief at the Humanitarian Assistance Yard (HA Yard) at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan.  The HA Yard purchased supplies from local Afghan vendors for use as part of the Commander’s Emergency Response Program, which enabled U.S. military commanders to respond to urgent humanitarian relief requirements in Afghanistan. 

Bunch was responsible for replenishing food and supplies such as rice, beans and clothing at the HA Yard, and for selecting vendors from a pre-determined list to provide the necessary items.  In connection with his guilty plea, Bunch admitted that he had been instructed by his predecessor to rotate among the vendors.  

According to admissions made in connection with his plea agreement, certain Afghan vendors offered, and Bunch accepted, money for the purpose of influencing his selection of vendors.  Bunch admitted that he received a total of approximately $25,000 from the vendors and that, as a result, he secured on their behalf more frequent and lucrative contracts.  Bunch also admitted that he sent greeting cards stuffed with proceeds of the bribes to his wife at their residence in Florida, and that they used the money to pay for the construction of a new home.

This case was investigated by the FBI, SIGAR, Army CID, DCIS and Air Force OSI.  This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Daniel P. Butler of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney David L. Goldberg of the Northern District of Florida.

WASHINGTON – A former Navy noncommissioned officer pleaded guilty today to accepting approximately $25,000 in cash bribes from vendors while he served in Afghanistan.

The announcement was made by Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Christopher P. Canova of the Northern District of Florida, Assistant Director in Charge Paul M. Abbate of the FBI’s Washington, D.C., Field Office, Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) John F. Sopko, Director Frank Robey of the Major Procurement Fraud Unit of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command (Army CID), Acting Special Agent in Charge Paul Sternal of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) Mid-Atlantic Field Office and Brigadier General Keith M. Givens of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (Air Force OSI).

Donald P. Bunch, 46, of Pace, Florida, pleaded guilty before Senior U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson of the Northern District of Florida to a one-count information charging him with accepting bribes.  Sentencing is scheduled to take place on Dec. 8, 2015.

From February to August 2009, Bunch worked as an U.S. Navy E8 senior chief at the Humanitarian Assistance Yard (HA Yard) at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan.  The HA Yard purchased supplies from local Afghan vendors for use as part of the Commander’s Emergency Response Program, which enabled U.S. military commanders to respond to urgent humanitarian relief requirements in Afghanistan.

Bunch was responsible for replenishing food and supplies such as rice, beans and clothing at the HA Yard, and for selecting vendors from a pre-determined list to provide the necessary items.  In connection with his guilty plea, Bunch admitted that he had been instructed by his predecessor to rotate among the vendors. 

According to admissions made in connection with his plea agreement, certain Afghan vendors offered, and Bunch accepted, money for the purpose of influencing his selection of vendors.  Bunch admitted that he received a total of approximately $25,000 from the vendors and that, as a result, he secured on their behalf more frequent and lucrative contracts.  Bunch also admitted that he sent greeting cards stuffed with proceeds of the bribes to his wife at their residence in Florida, and that they used the money to pay for the construction of a new home.

This case was investigated by the FBI, SIGAR, Army CID, DCIS and Air Force OSI.  This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Daniel P. Butler of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney David L. Goldberg of the Northern District of Florida.

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IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, PLEASE USE THE CONTACTS IN THE MESSAGE OR CALL THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT 202-514-2007.

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – John Wesley Sirmans, 61, of Niceville, Florida, was sentenced to 84 months in prison today for receipt of child pornography. The sentence was announced by Christopher P. Canova, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

Sirmans was a civilian contractor at Eglin Air Force Base, who accessed child pornography images through the internet using his work computer. During his guilty plea on March 31, 2015, Sirmans admitted that, between June and December 2014, he knowingly received child pornography images through the internet as charged in the Indictment. In total, Sirmans had more than 800 images of child pornography located in his office on Eglin Air Force Base, including many images of children under the age of 12.

The charges were the result of a joint investigation by the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, the Air Force Office of Special Investigation, and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey 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. The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States. 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.

For more information, contact:

Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer

(850) 216-3854,

[email protected]

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Shawn P. Caldwell, 36, a registered sex offender who resides in Pensacola, Florida, was sentenced to 240 months in prison yesterday for receipt of child pornography. The sentence was announced by Christopher P. Canova, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

During an undercover operation, law enforcement officers discovered Caldwell was in possession of 76 child pornography files at his Pensacola residence. At his plea hearing on June 24, 2015, Caldwell admitted that, between April 2011 and April 2015, he received child pornography images and videos from the internet, which he downloaded from several peer-to-peer programs. A forensic review of Caldwell’s electronic devices revealed approximately 263 videos and more than 1,000 images of child pornography, including images of children under the age of 12.

The charges were the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Pensacola Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey 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. The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States. 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.

For more information, contact:

Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer

(850) 216-3854,

[email protected]

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Timothy S. Faircloth, 44, a registered sex offender who resides in Pace, Florida, was sentenced to 180 months in prison yesterday for receipt of child pornography. The sentence was announced by Christopher P. Canova, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

During an online investigation, federal agents discovered that, on 40 occasions between March 8, 2014, and January 27, 2015, Faircloth received or attempted to receive child pornography images and videos. At his plea hearing on June 17, 2015, Faircloth admitted that, between March 2014 and January 2015, he received child pornography images and videos from the internet as charged in the Indictment. A forensic review of Faircloth’s desktop and laptop computers revealed approximately 30 child pornography images, including images of children under the age of 12.

The charges were investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey 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. The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States. 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.

For more information, contact:

Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer

(850) 216-3854,

[email protected]

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Dr. Sheila Mohammed, 55, of Pace, Florida, was sentenced yesterday afternoon to 12 months and one day in prison for seven counts of submitting false tax returns, followed by two years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $255,158 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service. The sentence was announced by Christopher P. Canova, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

Mohammed pled guilty on April 22, 2015, to the seven-count Indictment returned earlier this year. During her plea, Dr. Mohammed admitted she signed and caused to be filed, false personal tax returns that grossly underreported her total income for tax years 2010 through 2013. In addition, Dr. Mohammed admitted that, as president and owner of The Industrial Medicine Institute Inc., a medical practice in Pace, Florida, she signed and caused to be filed, false corporate tax returns for The Industrial Medicine Institute Inc., for the years 2010 through 2012.

At Mohammed’s sentencing hearing, the government showed that, between February 2010 and June 2014, Mohammed used the money she failed to disclose to the Internal Revenue Service, totaling approximately $1,166,632, to purchase vehicles and properties located in Pensacola, Pace, and Destin, Florida, and Hawaii and New Mexico.

The charges were the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, with assistance from the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tiffany H. Eggers.

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. The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States. 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.

For more information, contact:

Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer

(850) 216-3854,

[email protected]