Southern District of Florida
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Federal Bureau of Prisons Nurse Sentenced for Contraband Smuggling and Bribery ConspiracyRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Ruben Montanez-Mirabal, 33, who worked as a registered nurse for the Federal Bureau of Prisons (“BOP”) at the Federal Detention Center – Miami (“FDC-Miami”) has been sentenced to 72 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiring to receive bribes and introduce prohibited objects, including controlled substances, into a federal prison, and to introducing prohibited objects into a federal prison, arising from his illegal deliveries of contraband to inmates at FDC-Miami.
From November 2021 through late August 2022, Montanez-Mirabal solicited and obtained illegal payments from FDC-Miami inmates in exchange for violating his official duties and FDC-Miami rules by bringing in and delivering to them prohibited objects, including sheets of paper that were soaked with synthetic cannabinoids. In exchange for this illegal activity, Montanez-Mirabal accepted thousands of dollars in bribes from these inmates and their associates. Along with these payments, Montanez-Mirabal also solicited and received other things of value from inmates, including the free use of a Lamborghini and a Rolls-Royce.
Montanez-Mirabal would bring these drug-soaked pages and other prohibited items into FDC-Miami and then either deliver them directly to the inmates or hide them in places where the inmate paying him would be able to recover the contraband. Those inmates would then re-sell the pages to other inmates at a rate of $1,500 per page. Montanez-Mirabal made a number of these deliveries, providing over 100 drug-soaked pages, worth more than $150,000 in total, to inmates inside FDC-Miami in exchange for the bribes he received.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI, Miami Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge James Boyersmith, Department of Justice Office of Inspector General (DOJ-OIG), Miami Field Office, announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge Jose E. Martinez.
U.S. Attorney Lapointe commended the investigative efforts of the FBI’s Miami Area Corruption Task Force and DOJ-OIG in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward N. Stamm prosecuted it.
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 at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 23-cr-20051.
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U.S. Attorney Announces Participation in Coordinated National Health Care Fraud Enforcement ActionRead the Press Release
MIAMI – U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe announced criminal charges against fourteen defendants in connection with over $1.9 billion in fraud prosecuted in the Southern District of Florida, as part of the Department of Justice’s 2023 National Health Care Fraud Enforcement Action. The charges stem from various schemes to defraud government and private health care benefit programs by submitting false claims for items and services that were not needed and, in many instances, never provided as well as a scheme to unlawfully distribute adulterated and misbranded prescription medications.
“The results of this nationwide coordinated law enforcement effort that we announce today exemplify our office’s ongoing commitment to prosecuting health care fraud-related schemes,” said U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida. “We will continue to hold accountable those who exploit health care programs for personal profit in South Florida.”
“These enforcement actions, including against one of the largest health care fraud schemes ever prosecuted by the Justice Department, represent our intensified efforts to combat fraud and prosecute the individuals who profit from it,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The Justice Department will find and bring to justice criminals who seek to defraud Americans and steal from taxpayer-funded programs.”
“This nationwide enforcement action demonstrates that the Criminal Division is committed to fighting health care fraud and opioid abuse by prosecuting those who allegedly exploit patients and health care benefit programs for personal gain,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Today’s announcement includes some of the largest and most complex cases that the Department has prosecuted, and demonstrates the Department’s commitment to seeking justice for those at all levels of the healthcare industry who put profits above patient care, from professionals in doctors’ offices to executives in corporate boardrooms.”
The charges announced today by U.S. Attorney Lapointe are part of a strategically coordinated, two-week nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in criminal charges against 78 defendants for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes that resulted in the submission of over $2.5 billion in alleged false billings. The defendants allegedly defrauded programs entrusted for the care of the elderly and disabled, and, in some cases, used the proceeds of the schemes to purchase luxury items, including exotic automobiles and yachts.
The Health Care Fraud Unit’s Strike Forces in Brooklyn, Dallas, Detroit, the Gulf Coast, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, and Tampa; the Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response Strike Force; the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Middle District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Southern District of Georgia, District of Idaho, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of New Jersey, Eastern District of New York, Southern District of Ohio, District of South Carolina, Southern District of Texas, Eastern District of Washington, and Eastern District of Wisconsin; and the State Attorney Generals’ Offices for Indiana, New York, and Pennsylvania are prosecuting the cases in the National Enforcement Action, with assistance from the Health Care Fraud Unit’s Data Analytics Team. Descriptions of each case involved in today’s enforcement action are available on the department’s website at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit/2023-national-hcf-court-documents.
The Southern District of Florida, in particular, worked with the Department’s Criminal Division and the following law enforcement organizations to investigate and prosecute the cases filed during the enforcement period: the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Miami Region; FBI, Miami Field Office; the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC-OIG), Atlanta Region; the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General (DOD OIG), Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Southeast Field Office, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (VA-OIG), Southeast Field Office; IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Miami Field Office; and the Office of Personnel Management, Office of Inspector General (OPM-OIG).
“Federal health care programs are designed to provide access to high quality care to patients nationwide. When bad actors attempt to exploit those measures for illicit financial gain, they put greed before the needs and safety of their patients, and take valuable resources away from their intended recipients,” said Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Christian J. Schrank of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “As today’s enforcement action illustrates, HHS-OIG and our law enforcement partners are committed to defending the federal health care system against fraud.”
“These cases serve to highlight the magnitude of health care fraud in South Florida, but unfortunately are only the tip of the iceberg,” said Jeffrey B. Veltri, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Miami. “Our health care system is under constant attack by fraudsters who are driven by greed. They pilfer billions of dollars from Medicare and other health care benefit programs. The FBI, Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General, Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, and the Department of Justice devote considerable resources to investigate, arrest, and prosecute these criminals. We will not relent. But, we need the public’s assistance. Please report suspicious activity, inform your insurance company if you see charges on your explanation of benefits for services you did not receive and protect your insurance cards and other personally identifiable information.”
“The cases described in today's announcement reflect the FDIC OIG’s commitment to investigating allegations of fraud, including health care fraud schemes, that threaten to undermine the integrity of our Nation’s banking system,” said Assistant Inspector General for Investigations Shimon R. Richmond of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC-OIG). “We will continue to coordinate with our law enforcement partners to investigate such schemes, and are pleased to join them in announcing today’s enforcement action."
“This indictment is an important step in protecting federal health care programs from fraudulent billing and ensuring patients receive uncompromised care through the Department of Defense’s TRICARE Program,” stated Special Agent in Charge Darrin Jones, Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Southeast Field Office. “We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to hold health care fraudsters accountable and to protect patient health and safety.”
The following defendants have been charged in the Southern District of Florida:
In United States v. Rubier, Case No. 23-cr-80105, Yosbel Roque Rubier, 43, of Miami, Florida, was charged by indictment with health care fraud and aggravated identity theft in connection with an alleged scheme to defraud Medicare of approximately $900,000 for durable medical equipment (“DME”) that was never supplied to Medicare beneficiaries. As alleged in the indictment, Rubier was the owner and operator of FCM Supply LLC (“FCM”), a clinic in Greenacres, Florida, that purported to provide DME to eligible Medicare beneficiaries. In a four-month period, FCM submitted approximately $900,000 in allegedly fraudulent health care claims to Medicare for DME that FCM never provided, and that Medicare beneficiaries never requested or needed. To support these fraudulent claims, Rubier used stolen means of identification of medical providers. As a result, Medicare paid approximately $443,000 to FCM. FBI Miami and HHS-OIG Miami investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shannon Shaw is prosecuting it.
In United States v. Cesar, Case No. 23-cr-20259, Tania Cesar, 55, of Hialeah, Florida, was charged by indictment with conspiracy to commit health care fraud in connection with an alleged scheme to defraud health care plans managed by Blue Cross Blue Shield (“BCBS”). As alleged in the Indictment, Cesar was a licensed physical therapist assistant at Elite Therapy Group, Inc (“Elite Therapy”), a physical therapy clinic in Miami, Florida. Cesar signed patient therapy records misrepresenting that she had provided physical therapy to insurance beneficiaries, when in fact she had not. Cesar’s co-conspirators at Elite Therapy, who were convicted for the Elite Therapy conspiracy in United States v. Wated et al., Case No. 21-cr-20110-MGC, submitted millions of dollars in claims to BCBS for physical therapy that Cesar purported to provide, but never did. FBI Miami investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Egozi is prosecuting it. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Paster is handling asset forfeiture.
In United States v. Bernal, Case No. 23-cr-20246, Arian Bernal, 43, of Hialeah, Florida, was charged by information with conspiracy to commit health care fraud in connection with an alleged scheme to defraud health care plans managed by Blue Cross Blue Shield (“BCBS”). As alleged in the information, Bernal paid kickbacks to beneficiaries to recruit them to visit several Miami clinics so that his co-conspirators could submit claims to those beneficiaries’ ASO insurance plans managed by BCBS. Those claims fraudulently represented that various health care benefits and services were medically necessary and provided to patients. FBI Miami investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Egozi is prosecuting it. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Paster is handling asset forfeiture.
In United States v. Perez, Case No. 23-cr-20269, Silvana Perez, 44, of Miami, Florida, was charged by information with conspiracy to commit health care fraud in connection with an alleged scheme to defraud health care plans managed by Blue Cross Blue Shield (“BCBS”). As alleged in the information, Perez paid kickbacks to beneficiaries to recruit them to visit a sleep study clinic so that her co-conspirators could submit claims to those beneficiaries’ ASO insurance plans managed by BCBS. Those claims fraudulently represented that various health care benefits and services were medically necessary and provided to patients. FBI Miami investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Egozi is prosecuting it. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Paster is handling asset forfeiture.
In United States v. Gonzalez, et al., Case No. 23-20248, Ariel Gonzalez, 54, of Naples, Florida, and Linda Taylor, 55, of Miami, Florida, were charged for their roles in an alleged health care fraudulent billing scheme, along with several others who were previously charged in a separate Indictment and have since pleaded guilty. According to the Indictment, Gonzalez was one of the owners of Phoenix Rehab Center Corp., a physical therapy clinic based in Miami, that offered and paid kickbacks to patient recruiters, including Taylor, in exchange for referring beneficiaries of Administrative Services Only corporate insurance plans held by employers JetBlue Airways and AT&T Inc. and administered by Blue Cross Blue Shield to Phoenix Rehab for various forms of physical therapy treatments that they did not need and in many cases never received. The indictment further alleges that Gonzalez provided funding to Phoenix Rehab to further the fraud, including by taking out a loan to obtain sufficient cash to pay kickbacks to patient recruiters and beneficiaries. FBI Miami investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Will J. Rosenzweig is prosecuting it. Assistant U.S. Attorney Annika Miranda is handling asset forfeiture.
In United States v. Gomez, Case No. 23-cr-20249, Carlos Jose Martin Gomez, 36, of Miami, Florida, was charged for his role in an alleged health care fraudulent billing conspiracy in conjunction with Arisleidys Fernandez Delmas, 32, of Miami, Florida and several others who were previously charged in separate indictments. The scheme involved several fraudulent physical therapy clinics that targeted Administrative Services Only corporate insurance plans held by employers JetBlue Airways, AT&T Inc., and TJX Companies Inc. and administered by Blue Cross Blue Shield. Martin Gomez was also charged with five substantive counts of health care fraud related to five clinics involved in the larger conspiracy. According to the indictment, Martin Gomez offered and paid kickbacks and bribes to patient recruiters for referring beneficiaries to the clinics and directly to beneficiaries of these insurance plans in exchange for allowing the clinics to bill these plans for various forms of physical therapy treatments purportedly provided to these beneficiaries that they did not need and in many cases never received. FBI Miami investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Will J. Rosenzweig is prosecuting it. Assistant U.S. Attorney Annika Miranda is handling asset forfeiture.
In United States v. Lazo, Case No. 23-cr-20250, Adrian Lazo, 45, of Miami, Florida, was charged with laundering health care fraud proceeds by depositing a $3,303,974 check from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services to YG Medical Supplies Inc. in October 2021. The indictment alleges that Lazo conspired with others to deposit the check for the purpose of concealing, among other things, the nature, source, and ownership of those funds. HHS-OIG Miami, DOD-OIG, Southeast Field Office, FDIC-OIG, Atlanta Region, and HSI Miami investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Will J. Rosenzweig is prosecuting it. Assistant U.S. Attorney Annika Miranda is handling asset forfeiture.
In United States v. Moreno, Case No. 23-cr-20266, Jesus Enrique Moreno, 48, of Miami, Florida, was charged by information with unlicensed money transmitting for transmitting health care fraud proceeds between December 2020 and February 2021. HHS-OIG Miami and FDIC-OIG, Atlanta Region, investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Abraham is prosecuting it. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mitchell Hyman is handling asset forfeiture.
In United States v. Blackman, et al., Case No. 23-cr-20271, Brett Blackman, 39, of Johnson County, Kansas, Gary Cox, 77, of Maricopa County, Arizona, and Gregory Schreck, 49, of Johnson County, Kansas, were charged by indictment with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud, conspiracy to pay and receive kickbacks, and conspiracy to defraud the United States and make false statements, in connection with the submission of $1.9 billion in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare and other government insurers for orthotic braces, prescription skin creams, and other items that were medically unnecessary and ineligible for Medicare reimbursement. As alleged in the indictment, Blackman, Cox, and Schreck owned, controlled, or operated DMERx, which was an internet-based platform that the defendants programmed to generate false and fraudulent doctors’ orders in exchange for illegal kickbacks and bribes. Cox was the CEO of the company that operated DMERx prior to a corporate acquisition, and Blackman was the CEO and Schreck a Vice President of the company that operated it after the acquisition. The defendants are alleged to have offered to connect pharmacies, durable medical equipment (“DME”) suppliers, and marketers to telemedicine companies who would accept illegal kickbacks and bribes in exchange for orders that were transmitted using the DMERx platform. The defendants allegedly received payments for coordinating these illegal kickback transactions and referring the completed doctors’ orders to the DME suppliers, pharmacies, and telemarketers that paid for them. The fraudulent orders and prescriptions generated by DMERx falsely represented that doctors had examined and treated the Medicare beneficiaries when in reality, purported telemedicine companies paid doctors to sign these orders and prescriptions without regard to medical necessity and based on a brief telephone call with the beneficiary or sometimes no interaction with the beneficiary at all. In order to conceal and disguise the scheme, and obstruct investigations by Medicare and its contractors, the defendants allegedly removed references to telemedicine in the orders. The DME supply companies and pharmacies that paid illegal kickbacks in exchange for these orders and prescriptions generated through DMERx billed Medicare more than $1,963,000,000 in false and fraudulent claims. HHS-OIG Miami, FBI Miami, VA-OIG, Southeast Field Office, IRS-CI Miami, HSI Miami, OPM-OIG, DOD OIG, Southeast Field Office, investigated the case. Trial Attorneys Darren C. Halverson of the National Rapid Response Strike Force and Andrea Savdie of the Miami Strike Force are prosecuting it. Assistant U.S. Attorney G. Raemy Charest-Turken is handling asset forfeiture.
In United States v. Herrera, Case No. 23-cr-20264, Armando Herrera, 42, of Miami, Florida, was charged by information with one count of conspiracy to introduce adulterated and misbranded drugs into interstate commerce in connection with a nationwide scheme to unlawfully distribute adulterated and misbranded prescription medications, including HIV medications, valued at more than $16.7 million. As alleged in the information, Herrera and his co-conspirators illegally acquired these prescription medications through fraud or from individual patients for whom the prescription medications had been prescribed. The information alleges that these medications were then repackaged and resold with false labeling and documentation to conceal their true origin. It further alleges that, in some instances, the prescription medications Herrera distributed contained the wrong medication. HHS-OIG Miami and FDIC-OIG, Atlanta Region, investigated the case. Trial Attorney Alexander Thor Pogozelski of the Miami Strike Force is prosecuting it. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daren Grove is handling asset forfeiture.
In United States v. Vines, Case No. 23-cr-80107, Reginal N. Vines, 47, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, was charged by indictment with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud, health care fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States and to pay and receive health care kickbacks, and receiving health care kickbacks, in connection with his role in selling doctors’ orders for medically unnecessary genetic tests to several laboratories. Vines obtained the orders by paying kickbacks and bribes to a doctor in exchange for the doctor signing prescriptions for genetic tests, without ever meeting or treating the Medicare beneficiaries for whom the tests were orders. In some instances, Vines allegedly forged the doctor’s signature on the prescriptions. The indictment alleges that the laboratories billed Medicare approximately $10 million for medically unnecessary genetic tests, of which Medicare paid $2.9 million. HHS-OIG Miami and FBI Miami investigated the case. Trial Attorney Reginald Cuyler Jr. of the Miami Strike Force is prosecuting it. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marx Calderon is handling asset forfeiture.
In addition to the above defendants charged in the Southern District of Florida, a defendant was sentenced earlier this month to 15 years in federal prison in connection with a nationwide scheme to unlawfully distribute diverted, adulterated, and misbranded medications, including HIV drugs:
In United States v. Hernandez, Case No. 22-cr-60129, Lazaro Hernandez, 52, of Miami, Florida, was sentenced on June 15 to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States and to introduce into interstate commerce adulterated and misbranded drugs and conspiracy to commit money laundering, in connection with a nationwide scheme to unlawfully distribute more than $230 million in diverted, adulterated, and misbranded medications, including HIV drugs. According to court documents, Hernandez and his co-conspirators illegally acquired large quantities of prescription drugs from patients for whom the drugs had been prescribed but intentionally not consumed. Hernandez and his co-conspirators then sold the diverted drugs to pharmacies across the country. The diverted drugs were accompanied by false pedigrees to conceal their true origin. In at least several instances, the diverted HIV medication that Hernandez sold consisted of bottles containing the wrong medication, broken pills, and even pebbles, leading to complaints by pharmacies. Hernandez and his co-conspirators then laundered the proceeds of these illegal sales. Hernandez also used his share of the proceeds to purchase luxury goods, including a $280,000 Lamborghini, a $220,000 Mercedes, and three boats. HHS-OIG Miami and FDIC-OIG, Atlanta Region, investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Abraham and Trial Attorney Alexander Thor Pogozelski of the Miami Strike Force prosecuted it. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Stone is handling asset forfeiture.
The Fraud Section uses the Victim Notification System to provide victims with case information and updates related to cases charged by the Fraud Section in the National Enforcement Action. Victims with questions may contact the Fraud Section’s Victim Assistance Unit by calling the Victim Assistance phone line at 1-888-549-3945 or by emailing [email protected]. Victims with questions about the cases charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office may contact [email protected]. To learn more about victims’ rights, please visit www.justice.gov/criminal-vns/case/united-states-v-steven-diamantstein.
A complaint, information, or indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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 at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
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Yo Enkilpe Yon Mesye Ki Abite Coral Springs poutèt Li Tap Jere Yon Konplo Ponzi Ki Rapòte 100 Milyon Dola Atravè Konpayi Kamyon Li aRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Yo arete Sanjay Singh ki gen 43 lane e ki soti Coral Springs, Florida. Yon tribinal federal nan Sid Florid la enkilpe misye pou fròd nan yon envestisman ki rapòte 100 milyon dola ke li monte a travè yon konpayi kamyon li genyen ki rele Royal Bengal Logistics, Inc. (“RBL”).
Genyen yon rekizitwa kont Singh ki gen ladanl akizasyon ki di Singh vyole lwa federal ki penalize konplo pou komèt fwòd elektwonik, fwòd elektwonik ak patisipasyon nan tranzaksyon ki rapòte lajan ilegal.
Dapre enkilpasyon an, Singh, fondatè e prezidan RBL, te òganize epi dirije yon konplo Ponzi ak lòt konplis. Komplo a kòmanse an janvye 2020 e li te kontinye jiskaske yo arete misye. Singh ak konplis li yo te prezante RBL bay potansyèl envestisè yo tankou yon biznis kamyon ki pwospè e k ap byen mache, pandansetan antrepiz la ap pèdi lajan.
Nan mouvman sa, Singh ak akolit li yo te fè fo deklarasyon ak omisyon enpòtan sou risk ki genyen nan envesti nan RBL, rantabilite operasyon kamyon RBL yo, kijan RBL ta pral peye envestisè yo, epi kijan RBL ta pral itlize lajan envestisè yo. Atravè fo deklarasyon ak omisyon enpòtan sa yo, Singh ak konplis li yo pran plis pase 100 milyon dola nan men envestisè yo. Singh ak akolit li yo te itilize yon pati nan lajan sa a pou peye envestisè yo enterè yo te pwomèt yo.
Rekizitwa a akize Singh kòmkwa li detounen plizyè milyon dola ki soti nan lajan envestisè yo pou repare kay li, peye ipotèk li, peye pou depans pèsonèl li ak envesti nan mache bousye a.
Si yo kondane l pou tout akizasyon ki nan rekizitwa a, Singh ap fè fas ak yon maksimòm total 150 lane nan prizon.
Markenzy Lapointe, Avoka Gouvènman Ameriken nan Distri Sid Eta Florid, Jeffery B. Veltri, Ajan Espesyal an Chaj nan Biwo FBI nan Miami, Todd A. Damiani, Ajan Espesyal an Chaj nan Biwo Enspektè Jeneral Depatman Transpò (ʺDOT-OIGʺ), Rejyon Sid ak Russell Weigel III, Komisyonè Biwo Règleman Finansyè Florid (ʺOFRʺ) fè anons la.
Avoka Gouvènman Ameriken an, Lapointe, felisite efò envestigasyon FBI, DOT-OIG ak OFR sou dosye sa. Li remèsye Biwo Rejyonal Komisyon Sekirite ak Echanj Ameriken nan Miami pou asistans yo. Asistan Avoka Gouvènman Ameriken, Kiran N. Bhat, ap pouswiv ka a. Asistan Avoka Gouvènman Ameriken, Marx Calderon, ap okipe konfiskasyon byen yo.
Yon enkilpasyon se sèlman yon akizasyon, epi yon akize inosan jiskaske yo pwouve li koupab.
Si w te envesti nan RBL, si RBL dwe w lajan oswa ou te konn pale ak nenpòt moun nan RBL konsènan yon potansyèl envestisman nan RBL, silvouplè vizite https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/victim-services/seeking-victim-information/rblinvestors pou w bay FBI bon jan enfòmasyon. Ou ka vizite tou https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/victim-services/seeking-victim-information/rblinvestors-french pou w bay enfòmasyon an Fransè Ayisyen oswa https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/victim-services/seeking-victim-information/rblinvestors-haitian-creole pou bay enfòmasyon an Kreyòl.
Ou ka jwenn dokiman ak enfòmasyon ki gen rapò ak tribinal la sou sit wèb Tribinal Distri pou Distri Sid Florid la nan www.flsd.uscourts.gov oswa nan http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov chèche nan nimewo sa : 23-60117-CR (S.D.Fla.).
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Un homme de Coral Springs accusé d’avoir opéré un système de Ponzi de 100 millions de dollars par l’intermédiaire de son entreprise de camionnageRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Sanjay Singh, 43 ans, de Coral Springs, en Floride, a été arrêté et accusé devant la cour fédérale de Floride du Sud d'avoir orchestré une fraude à l'investissement (Ponzi) de 100 millions de dollars menée par son entreprise de camionnage routier, Royal Bengal Logistics, Inc. (« RBL »).
L’acte d’accusation contre Singh allègue qu’il a violé les lois fédérales criminalisant le complot pour commettre une fraude de fil et se livrer à des transactions de produits illicites.
Selon l'acte d'accusation, Singh, fondateur et président de RBL, a organisé et dirigé un important système de Ponzi avec des complices. Le complot a commencé en janvier 2020 et se poursuivait au moment de son arrestation. Singh et ses complices ont présenté RBL auprès d’investisseurs potentiels comme étant une entreprise de camionnage florissante et prospère, alors que l’entreprise réelle de camionnage de RBL perdait de l’argent. Au cours du processus, Singh et ses collaborateurs ont fait des déclarations erronées et des omissions importantes au sujet du risque d’investir dans RBL, de la rentabilité des activités de camionnage de RBL, de la façon dont RBL paierait ses investisseurs et de la façon dont RBL utiliserait les fonds des investisseurs. Par ces fausses déclarations et omissions importantes, Singh et ses complices ont recueilli plus de 100 millions de dollars auprès des investisseurs, laquelle somme a été utilisée en partie par Singh et ses complices pour payer les rendements promis aux investisseurs existants.
L'acte d'accusation allègue également que Singh a détourné des millions de dollars de fonds d'investisseurs pour rénover sa maison, effectuer des paiements hypothécaires, payer pour ses dépenses personnelles et faire du commerce des actions sur marge.
S’il est reconnu coupable de toutes les accusations portées dans l’acte d’accusation, Singh risque une peine maximale totale de 150 ans d’emprisonnement. Un juge du tribunal fédéral de district déterminera toute peine après avoir pris en considération les Lignes directrices des États-Unis statuant sur la condamnation et d'autres facteurs légaux.
Markenzy Lapointe, Procureur du district sud de la Floride aux États-Unis; Jeffrey B. Veltri, Agent spécial du FBI en charge au Bureau régional de Miami ; Todd A. Damiani, Agent spécial du Bureau de l’inspecteur général pour le département des transports (« DOT-OIG »), région sud; et Russell Weigel III, Commissaire, Office de régulation financière de Floride (« OFR »), ont fait l'annonce.
Le procureur des États Unis Lapointe a salué les efforts d'enquête du FBI, du DOT-OIG et de l'OFR dans cette affaire. Il a remercié le bureau régional de la La Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) des États-Unis à Miami pour son assistance. Le procureur adjoint des États Unis Kiran N. Bhat poursuit l'affaire. Le procureur adjoint des États Unis Marx Calderon s’occupe de la confiscation des biens.
Un acte d'accusation n'est qu'une accusation et un accusé est présumé innocent jusqu'à preuve du contraire.
Si vous avez investi dans RBL, si RBL vous doit de l’argent ou si vous avez eu des interactions avec une personne de RBL au sujet d'un investissement potentiel, veuillez consulter le site https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/victim-services/seeking-victim-information/rblinvestors pour fournir des informations pertinentes au FBI. Vous pouvez également visiter le site https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/victim-services/seeking-victim-information/rblinvestors-french pour fournir des informations en français haïtien, ou https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/victim-services/seeking-victim-information/rblinvestors-haitian-creole pour fournir des informations en créole haïtien.
Des documents et des informations judiciaires connexes peuvent être trouvés sur le site Web du tribunal du district sud de la Floride à www.flsd.uscourts.gov ou à http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov sous le numéro de dossier 23-60117-CR (S.D. Fla.).
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Knocking on Doors Helps Build Safer CommunitiesRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Personnel from the Law Enforcement Coordination and Community Outreach Section (LEC/COS) of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida recently joined numerous community partners for a Walking One Stop to assist residents of Miami’s Liberty City.
Walking One Stops originated in Miami-Dade County and partner community stakeholders with law enforcement to bring social and economic resources to neighborhoods that have experienced gun or gang violence. This particular area in Liberty City already has seen at least one homicide this year. Law enforcement strives to have a more visible presence in these areas so residents will know that police are there to serve.
During this Walking One Stop, a large group of community partners and police officers broke into several groups to cover a large apartment complex. They knocked on doors and reached more than 30 families.
“Thank you for coming out,” said a 74-year-old resident. “I want my medical equipment fixed and I need my oxygen; that’s why I’m breathing like this.”
She was assured that someone would contact her within 48 hours.
“It’s about doing what we can to make a difference in peoples’ lives,” said Law Enforcement Coordination Specialist Mark McKinney, LEC/COS. “Some of our most vulnerable residents can go unnoticed and not get the help they need. But these walks lead to tangible results.”
Results like employment. At a previous Walking One Stop, many residents wanted help finding jobs. Walking One Stop partners were able to get nearly half of them employed. At this most recent one, a Mobile Career Assistance Center was parked down the block from the apartments to help job seekers.
It comes down to trust and building relationships. Community stakeholders hope that by frequently hosting these walks, residents will feel empowered to make their communities better.
An officer recounted a previous walk in which a young resident opened the door but didn’t want to be seen talking to police. However, he told officers he would reach out if they left a contact card.
“It’s a partnership between the community and law enforcement,” said Community Outreach Specialist and former police officer Corey Mackay, LEC/COS. “Being more approachable and having positive contact with the community builds trust and helps save lives.”
In addition to local partners, law enforcement personnel from both Philadelphia and the country of Denmark participated in the walk to learn how to implement Walking One Stops in their communities.
“We’re gathering information and getting inspired to learn techniques and methods to reduce gang violence throughout Denmark,” said a Danish police officer following his first walk.
Walking One Stops are a testament to the power of outreach. They are an example of what can happen when law enforcement, community stakeholders, and residents come together.
Law Enforcement Coordination Specialist Mark McKinney, Law Enforcement Coordination and Community Outreach Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, knocks on doors at a Liberty City apartment complex during a recent Walking One Stop.
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Four People Charged in Stolen Identity Fraud and Money Laundering Scheme Targeting Banks and COVID-19 Pandemic Relief FundsRead the Press Release
MIAMI – A federal magistrate judge in Miami has unsealed an indictment charging Patrick Ductant, 35, of Pembroke Pines, Fla., Kervens Saint-Hilaire, 35, of Hollywood, Fla., and Vladimir Saint-Hilaire, 35, of Hollywood, Fla., with felony offenses, including conspiracy, bank and wire fraud, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft. Terri Shana Davis, 33, of Marietta, Ga., was also charged in the indictment with conspiracy and aggravated identity theft offenses.
According to the indictment, from October 2019 through May 2021, the defendants unlawfully obtained and used personally identifiable information (“PII”) of unknowing victims to apply for and receive bank loans, open bank accounts, acquire credit and debit cards, and conduct financial transactions. Additionally, the indictment alleges that the defendants unlawfully used PII to apply for and obtain COVID-19 pandemic relief funds made available by the Small Business Administration (SBA) through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The indictment also alleges that Davis sold and supplied some of the PII used to carry out the crimes stated in the indictment, which Davis accessed through her employment at a company in Atlanta, Ga.
If convicted, Ductant faces up to 256 years in prison, Kervens Saint-Hilaire faces up to 260 years in prison, Vladimir Saint-Hilaire faces up to 216 years in prison, and Davis faces up to 34 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Sheriff Gregory Tony of the Broward County Sheriff’s Office (BSO) made the announcement.
BSO investigated the case, with assistance from U.S. Secret Service (USSS), Miami Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Snider is prosecuting it. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daren Grove is handling asset forfeiture.
An indictment contains mere allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
In March 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act was enacted. It was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Among other sources of relief, the CARES Act authorized and provided funding to the SBA to provide Economic Injury Disaster Loans (“EIDLs”) to eligible small businesses, including sole proprietorships and independent contractors, experiencing substantial financial disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic to allow them to meet financial obligations and operating expenses that could otherwise have been met had the disaster not occurred. EIDL applications were submitted directly to the SBA via the SBA’s on-line application website, and the applications were processed and the loans funded for qualifying applicants directly by the SBA.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
On September 15, 2022, the Attorney General selected the Southern District of Florida’s U.S. Attorney’s Office to head one of three national COVID-19 Fraud Strike Force Teams. The Department of Justice established the Strike Force to enhance existing efforts to combat and prevent COVID-19 related financial fraud. The Strike Force combines law enforcement and prosecutorial resources and focuses on large-scale, multistate pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors, as well as those who committed multiple instances of pandemic relief fraud. The Strike Force uses prosecutor-led and data analyst-driven teams to identify and bring to justice those who stole pandemic relief funds. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please click here.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
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 at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 23-cr-60119.
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Coral Springs Man Charged with Operating $100 Million Ponzi Scheme Through His Trucking CompanyRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Sanjay Singh, 43, of Coral Springs, Florida, has been charged in South Florida federal court with orchestrating a $100 million investment fraud (Ponzi) scheme run through his over-the-road trucking company, Royal Bengal Logistics, Inc. (“RBL”).
The indictment alleges that Singh violated federal laws criminalizing conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and engaging in transactions in unlawful proceeds.
According to the indictment, Singh, RBL’s founder and president, organized and ran a substantial Ponzi scheme with co-conspirators. The conspiracy began in January 2020 and was ongoing at the time of his arrest. Singh and his co-conspirators held RBL out to potential investors as a thriving and successful trucking business, all while RBL’s actual trucking business lost money. In the process, Singh and his co-conspirators made material misrepresentations and material omissions about the riskiness of investing in RBL, the profitability of RBL’s trucking operations, how RBL would pay its investors, and how RBL would use investor funds. Through these material misrepresentations and omissions, Singh and his co-conspirators raised over $100 million from investors, which Singh and his co-conspirators then used in part to pay existing investors promised returns.
The indictment also alleges that Singh misappropriated millions of dollars of investor funds to renovate his home, make mortgage payments, pay for personal expenses, and trade stocks on margin.
If convicted of all charges in the indictment, Singh faces a maximum penalty of 150 years’ imprisonment. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida; Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI, Miami Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Todd A. Damiani of the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General (“DOT-OIG”), Southern Region; and Russell Weigel III, Commissioner, Florida Office of Financial Regulation (“OFR”), made the announcement.
U.S. Attorney Lapointe commended the investigative efforts of the FBI, DOT-OIG, and OFR in this matter. He thanked the United States Securities and Exchange Commission Miami Regional Office for their assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kiran N. Bhat is prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marx Calderon is handling asset forfeiture.
An indictment contains mere allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
If you invested in RBL, are owed money by RBL, or had interactions with anyone at RBL about a potential investment, please visit https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/victim-services/seeking-victim-information/rblinvestors to provide relevant information to the FBI. You can also visit https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/victim-services/seeking-victim-information/rblinvestors-french to provide information in Haitian French, or https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/victim-services/seeking-victim-information/rblinvestors-haitian-creole to provide information in Haitian Creole.
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 at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 23-cr-60117.
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Highlands County Man Indicted for Sex TraffickingRead the Press Release
MIAMI – A federal grand jury in Fort Pierce, Florida has returned an indictment charging Shannima Yuantrell Session, aka Shalamar, 46, of Lake Placid, Fla. with 10 counts of sex trafficking.
According to court documents, between 2011 and 2019, Session allegedly trafficked 10 female victims (7 adults and 3 minors). It is alleged that Session recruited his victims through violence and threats, among other things; including offers of drugs, employment, and romantic relationships. Once Session had gained compliance from his victims, he then trafficked them for sex primarily in rural areas of Highlands County for his own profit.
If convicted, Session faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, with a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, as well as a maximum of lifetime supervised release. Session is being held in custody pending trial.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI, Miami Field Office, and Sheriff Paul Blackman of Highlands County Sheriff’s Office made the announcement.
FBI Miami and Highlands County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Hoover and Trial Attorneys Leah Branch and Elizabeth Hutson of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division are prosecuting it.
An indictment contains mere allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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 at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 22-cr-14074.
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West Palm Beach Man Pleads Guilty to Laundering, Gambling, and Prostitution Proceeds, and Evading TaxesRead the Press Release
MIAMI — A West Palm Beach man has pleaded guilty to operating an illegal sports gambling business, conspiring to commit money laundering, using a facility of interstate commerce to carry on prostitution activities, and tax evasion. As part of his guilty plea, Dion De Cesare, 53, has agreed to forfeit to the United States two commercial properties, five condos, six vehicles, a Rolex watch, and approximately $93,000 in criminal proceeds.
During a hearing before United States Magistrate Judge Bruce E. Reinhart, De Cesare admitted that from around April 2008 to November 2022, he owned two social clubs: Whispers All Girls Staff and NXT. During various times, the businesses provided an array of prostitution services regularly to its customers. De Cesare collected the proceeds from those businesses and laundered them through third party bank accounts and the payment of mortgages and expenses owed on several of his properties in West Palm Beach.
De Cesare also admitted that from about May 20, 2015 to October 2022, De Cesare also operated an online sports gambling business through a website whose server was located in Costa Rica. De Cesare laundered the gambling proceeds by having the gamblers send their debt payments to third party individuals and entities for De Cesare’s benefit.
Finally, De Cesare admitted that from 2011 to 2017, he owned Renegades, a restaurant and nightclub in West Palm Beach. From various times between 2011 and 2013, and from 2015 to 2016, De Cesare failed to pay personal and payroll taxes. De Cesare has agreed to pay $1,177,438.65 in restitution to the IRS.
De Cesare is scheduled to be sentenced before United States District Court Judge Robin L. Rosenberg later this year. He faces 20 years in prison on the conspiracy charge, and five years on the gambling, prostitution, and tax charges. In total, De Cesare is facing a maximum sentence of 35 years in prison, 12 years’ supervised release, and a $1,000,000 fine – all in addition to restitution.
U.S Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida; Special Agent in Charge Anthony Salisbury of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Miami; Sheriff Ric Bradshaw of Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO); and Special Agent in Charge Matthew D. Line of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Miami Field Office, made the announcement.
HSI West Palm Beach Office, PBSO, and IRS-CI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Dispoto and Trial Attorney Francesca Bartolomey of the Justice Department’s Tax Division are prosecuting it. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter Laserna and William T. Zloch are handling asset forfeiture.
You may find related court documents and information on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 21-cr-80188.
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Stuart Man Sentenced to 15 years for Producing Child Pornography of 15-year-oldRead the Press Release
MIAMI – A 29-year-old man from Martin County, Florida, German Oliver Jose Martin, was sentenced to 180 months followed by 20 years supervised release, for producing child pornography. In addition, the court ordered Martin to pay $3,000 restitution. Upon his release from prison, Martin will report to Immigration officials for deportation.
On May 26, 2022, Martin picked up a 15-year-old girl from her school bus stop, drove her to his trailer, and used his cellular telephone to produce several videos of them engaging in sexually explicit conduct. After law enforcement learned of the activity, in early June 2022, they executed a federal search warrant on Martin’s phone. A Martin County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Examiner located sexually explicit videos involving the minor victim.
On February 3, Martin pleaded guilty to one count of production of visual depictions of sexual exploitation of a minor.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI, Miami Field Office, and Sheriff William D. Snyder of the Martin County Sheriff’s Office announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Robin L. Rosenberg, who sits in West Palm Beach.
FBI Miami, Fort Pierce Resident Agency, and the Martin County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Managing Assistant U.S. Attorney Carmen Lineberger prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about the Project Safe Childhood initiative and for information regarding Internet safety, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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 at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 22-cr-14043.
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Man Pleads Guilty to Running Child Sexual Abuse WebsiteRead the Press Release
MIAMI – An Alabama man pleaded guilty yesterday for his involvement with a website dedicated to the advertisement and distribution of images and videos depicting child sexual abuse.
According to court documents, William Michael Spearman, 57, of Madison, was the lead administrator of the website, which had been operating for many years. The website included a section devoted to the sexual abuse of infants and toddlers, a section devoted to images and videos depicting children being subjected to pain and torture, and a section devoted to avoiding detection by law enforcement. As the lead administrator, Spearman managed numerous other “staff” members, directed them how to help run the site, recommended other users for promotion, kept records of child pornography files advertised and distributed over the site, presided over staff meetings, praised and scolded users, and counseled users and other managers about the function and expectations of the website. Spearman also advertised and distributed images over the website.
Spearman pleaded guilty to engaging in a child exploitation enterprise. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 31, and faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The following defendants have also been convicted in the Southern District of Florida for their involvement with the same website:
Name
Residence
Charges
Status
Selwyn David Rosenstein
Boynton Beach, Florida
Conspiracy to advertise child pornography; five counts of advertisement of child pornography; possession of child pornography
Sentenced to 28 years in prison and ordered to pay $85,000 in restitution to victims
Gregory Malcolm Good
Silver Springs, Nevada
Conspiracy to advertise child pornography; conspiracy to distribute child pornography
Scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 22
Robert Preston Boyles
Clarksville, Tennessee
Conspiracy to advertise child pornography; conspiracy to distribute child pornography
Scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 15
Matthew Branden Garrell
Raleigh, North Carolina
Conspiracy to advertise child pornography; conspiracy to distribute child pornography
Scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 1
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI Miami Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI’s Child Exploitation Operational Unit, West Palm Beach Resident Agency, and Miami Field Office investigated the cases. Substantial assistance for the case was provided by FBI Field Offices and Resident Agencies in: Huntsville, Alabama; Reno, Nevada; Clarksville, Tennessee; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Madison, Wisconsin. Substantial assistance was also provided by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Northern District of Alabama, District of Nevada, Middle District of Tennessee, Eastern District of North Carolina, and Western District of Wisconsin.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Schiller and Trial Attorneys Kyle P. Reynolds and William G. Clayman of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) are prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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 at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 22-cr-80173.
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Haitian-Chilean Citizen Sentenced to Federal Prison in Connection with Plot to Kill Haitian PresidentRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Rodolphe Jaar, 49, was sentenced to life in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Jose E. Martinez for his participation in the events leading to the July 7, 2021, assassination of President Jovenel Moïse of Haiti, after pleading guilty on March 24.
From at least February to July 2021, South Florida served as a central location for planning and financing the plot to oust President Moïse from power and replace him with someone who would serve the coconspirators’ political goals and financial interests. Jaar helped secure weapons and provided other support.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI, Miami Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Anthony Salisbury of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Miami, announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge Martinez.
FBI Miami and HSI Miami investigated this case, with valuable assistance provided by Department of State, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security Office of Export Enforcement, and the Department of Defense’s Criminal Investigative Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrea Goldbarg and Monica Castro of the Southern District of Florida, Trial Attorneys Frank Russo and Jessica Fender of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section, and Emma Ellenrieder of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Paster is handling asset forfeiture. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided valuable assistance.
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 at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 22-cr-20104.
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Miami Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Retaliatory Attack on Federal Cooperating WitnessRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Aurelio Luis Perez, a 55-year-old Miami resident, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for retaliating against a witness in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1513(b)(2), after pleading guilty on March 24.
Perez assaulted a federal cooperating witness at a local club just several days after the victim was identified as a government witness in a federal criminal trial. Specifically, Perez followed the victim into the restroom and assaulted him while yelling, “This is for snitching” in Spanish. As a result of the assault, the witness suffered a cracked front tooth, inflammation, bruising, and lacerations to his lip. The victim did not know Perez. Perez was a close associate of another individual under investigation at the time of the attack. Perez’s associate has been convicted for his role in distributing over $230 million of adulterated HIV medication.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida; Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Omar Pérez Aybar of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG); and Special Agent in Charge Kyle A. Myles of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC-OIG), Atlanta Region, announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Scola Jr.
HHS-OIG Miami and FDIC-OIG investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Abraham and Trial Attorney Alexander Thor Pogozelski of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.
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 at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 22-cr-20253.
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Owner of Several Key West Hospitality Staffing Companies Sentenced for Tax and Immigration CrimesRead the Press Release
A Florida man was sentenced yesterday to two years and eight months in prison for conspiring to defraud the United States and conspiring to harbor aliens and induce them to remain in the United States.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between November 2010 and October 2020, Batyr Myatiev owned and operated several Key West labor staffing companies, including Best Results Total Services, Inc, Ameri Hosp LLC, and Golden Sands Management, LLC, that facilitated the employment of non-resident aliens in hotels, bars, and restaurants operating in Key West and elsewhere who were not authorized to work in the United States. Myatiev encouraged workers to enter the United States illegally and induced them to remain in the country, in violation of immigration laws. Myatiev’s labor staffing companies paid alien workers without withholding federal income and employment taxes from their wages and did not report said wages to the IRS.
In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Court Judge K. Michael Moore ordered Myatiev to serve three years of supervised release and to pay approximately $6,869,869.80 in restitution to the United States.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Juan Antonio Gonzalez for the Southern District of Florida made the announcement.
IRS-Criminal Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations are investigating the case.
Senior Litigation Counsel Sean Beaty and Trial Attorneys Jessica A. Kraft, Nicholas J. Schilling, Jr., Matthew C. Hicks, and Wilson Stamm of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Senior Litigation Counsel Christopher J. Clark for the Southern District of Florida are prosecuting the case.
Book Readers Look on with Pride as Students Take Next Step in EducationRead the Press Release
MIAMI – As summer approaches, many schools are holding graduations. But for staff of the Law Enforcement Coordination and Community Outreach Section (LEC/COS) of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, two recent graduations were particularly special.
LEC/COS staff regularly hold monthly readings for pre-kindergarten students in an effort to develop in them a love of reading. And children from two of the reading program’s mainstay schools—Paul L. Dunbar K-8 Center in Miami and Trinity Christian Academy in Miami Gardens—have moved on … to kindergarten.
The students looked so excited on stage, hugging and high fiving one another as family members applauded and yelled words of encouragement. The elegantly dressed 4 and 5-year-olds beamed with pride.
“It’s tough to see them move on,” said Law Enforcement Coordination Specialist Mark McKinney. “You read to them many times during the year and develop a certain relationship. I’m proud of them for taking the next step in their education, but I am going to miss them.”
Law Enforcement Coordination Specialist Darcey Lindsley can relate.
“I have attended many graduations over the years and it’s always bittersweet,” she said. “We try to attend their graduation ceremonies to show our support and have one last group hug with them. It’s a special moment.”
In addition to the hug, Lindsley had a final message for the young students.
“Do you know what you have to do over the summer?” she asked to a group of future Dunbar K-8 Center kindergartners. “Read! Promise me, okay? I want you to continue to work on your reading skills so you’ll have good momentum heading into next school year.”
According to national literacy data, approximately 25 percent of children in America grow up without learning how to read. Also, upward of 80 percent of preschool programs in low-income neighborhoods lack age-appropriate books for their students. To help combat this, LEC/COS staff provide books for children to take with them to build up their home libraries.
“Reading is crucial to a child’s educational development and future success,” said LEC/COS Chief J.D. Smith. “We’ve seen the data. We know how important it is to get children interested in reading at a young age. If we can help a parent or teacher reinforce the importance of reading, we are glad to do it.”
Smith and staff have done these readings for about seven years and soon will have a fresh group of pre-K students to hear how difficult it is to catch that gingerbread man.
Anyone interested in donating children’s books may do so by emailing U.S. Attorney’s Office staff at [email protected] or by calling (305) 961-9134.
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.
Parents, family members, and a whole bunch of balloons filled the auditoriums of two graduating pre-K classes at local South Florida schools. The students in these classes were part of a reading program put on by the Law Enforcement Coordination and Community Outreach Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.
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Father and Son Tobacco Company Owners Sentenced to Prison for Conspiring to Evade Federal Excise Taxes on Dominican CigarsRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Two tobacco company owners from the Dominican Republic have been sentenced to prison for their participation in a fraudulent scheme to avoid the payment of millions of dollars in excise taxes on imported tobacco products.
Remberto Antormachy Estrella Jimenez, 38, and Remberto Andres Estrella Gomez, 64, both of Santiago, were the managing members of Dominican Tobacco Products, LLC—a Florida company that imported tobacco products, including large cigars and cigarillos, from the Dominican Republic through Miami. Dominican Tobacco Products, LLC was authorized by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) to import tobacco products.
Previously, Estrella Jimenez admitted that he partnered with his co-defendant father, Estrella Gomez, and a California tobacco distributor named Akrum Alrahib to fraudulently lower their costs by underreporting the Federal Tobacco Excise Tax that was due and owing on cigars their companies manufactured and imported into the United States. Over the course of several years, the conspirators consistently evaded taxes by concealing the price Alrahib actually paid for the cigars.
Alrahib sent Estrella Jimenez and Estrella Gomez’s companies over $5.6 million in exchange for Dominican cigars, according to the indictment.
Estrella Jimenez and Estrella Gomez each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371. Estrella Jimenez was sentenced today to a term of imprisonment of eight months. His father, Estrella Gomez, was previously sentenced to a 14-month prison term. In addition to a term of imprisonment, both Estrella Jimenez and Estrella Gomez were ordered to serve an additional term of supervised release and jointly paid more than $1.98 million in restitution. The sentences were handed down by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Scola in Miami.
Alrahib, Estrella Jimenez’s co-conspirator, was charged in a separate case (19-cr-20165). He pleaded guilty, was sentenced to five years in prison, and was ordered to pay $7,207,970.66 in restitution by U.S. District Judge Rodney Smith in Fort Lauderdale.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Assistant Administrator Carrie May for Field Operations, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Acting Special Agent in Charge Kareem Carter of the IRS - Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Washington, D.C. Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Anthony Salisbury of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Miami, made the announcement.
TTB, IRS-CI, and HSI Miami investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Browne prosecuted it.
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 at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 22-cr-20006.
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Palm Beach Art Dealer Sentenced to Federal Prison for Laundering Money from Art Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Palm Beach art dealer Daniel Elie Bouaziz was sentenced today to 27 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for laundering money derived from his scheme to sell counterfeit artwork. U.S. District Judge Aileen M. Cannon also ordered Bouaziz to pay a $15,000 fine. The restitution hearing is set for August 16.
Bouaziz was the owner of art galleries, to include Danieli Fine Art and Galerie Danieli, located at 226A and 230 Worth Avenue, respectively, in Palm Beach County, Florida. Bouaziz knowingly engaged in and attempted to engage in a monetary transaction, by, through, and to, a financial institution, affecting interstate and foreign commerce, in criminally derived property of a value greater than $10,000, such property having been derived from the unlawful sale of counterfeit art, using means of interstate commerce to carry out the sale and transfer of proceeds.
On October 25, 2021, Bouaziz sold counterfeit artwork to a customer, to include pieces purportedly by artist Andy Warhol (“Warhol”) out of his Palm Beach art galleries. Bouaziz had told the customer that the works that he was selling, for between $75,000 and $240,000, were authentic, original Warhol pieces, and that some of the pieces were signed by the artist. Relying upon these false and fraudulent representations, the customer purchased artwork from Bouaziz. The customer gave Bouaziz a $200,000 down payment for the artwork. The money was deposited into Bouaziz’s account and then the comingled funds were wired to other accounts, to include an account controlled by Bouaziz.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI, Miami Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Matthew D. Line of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Miami Field Office, announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge Cannon.
FBI Miami, West Palm Beach Resident Agency, and IRS-CI Miami investigated this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah J. Schall is prosecuting this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter A. Laserna and Daren Grove are handling asset forfeiture.
If you believe you have been a victim of art fraud, please contact the FBI’s Art Crime Team at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
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 at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 22-cr-80099.
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Elementary School Students Polish up Resumes/Interview Skills for Career Day 2023Read the Press Release
MIAMI – Three classes of fifth-grade students—dressed in their Sunday best—recently brought their resumes and interview skills to “prospective employers” from various community stakeholders during Career Day 2023 at Rock Island Elementary School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Staff from the Law Enforcement Coordination and Community Outreach Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida participated in multiple rounds of mock job interviews. The interviews consisted of 10 scripted questions which the students saw ahead of time. However, interviewers were given free rein to go off script.
“I thought the kids did an amazing job,” said Community Outreach Specialist Robin McCowen. “They were so young yet so well prepared for the interview. They were ready for anything and I threw plenty of questions at them that were not on the list.”
Why get them started so early? According to Rock Island Elementary School staff, it was so they’d be able to compete in the job market...that years down the road they would reflect on this experience and remember lessons learned.
Some of those lessons may seem basic, but many children are not taught them. However, during a job interview they become of paramount importance.
“Future employers will seek out candidates that look them in the eye and have a firm handshake,” said Law Enforcement Coordination and Community Outreach Section Chief J.D. Smith. “That was part of what I emphasized with them. It’s more than just what you say. Sit up straight, gesture with your hands periodically, be engaged, and show enthusiasm for the job. Speak up. I’ve hired a lot of people during my time as a supervisor and that’s what I look for in a candidate. That said, I was highly impressed with the young men and women I spoke with.”
Many of the students had the handshake and eye contact down, but there are always areas in which to improve. Interviewing is a skill that requires practice. It can be a nerve-wracking experience to speak about oneself in front of a four-person panel, which is why these skills are good to acquire early.
“It’s fortunate that these students got to participate in this training,” said Law Enforcement Coordination Specialist Mark McKinney. “Not everyone gets this type of opportunity.”
Exercises like these challenge students to get out of their comfort zones and give them an idea of what’s to come.
“The situation for these students is changing,” said McKinney. “They are moving from elementary school to middle school and it’s important to give them an idea that more will be required from them moving forward. Exercises like these help them prepare for that.”
In addition to Smith, McCowen, and McKinney, three others from the U.S. Attorney’s Office participated in the mock interviews. Those included Re-entry & Community Outreach Specialist Keisha Bazile, Public Affairs Specialist Todd Goodman, and Community Outreach Specialist Jorge Lorente.
Law Enforcement Coordination and Community Outreach Section staff from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida participate in mock job interviews for fifth graders at Rock Island Elementary School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
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Former City of Miami Aide Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography CrimeRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Today, Rene Pedrosa, 51, pleaded guilty in federal court in Miami to receiving child pornography in 2019 from a 16-year-old boy.
According to a factual proffer filed with the court, in November 2019, Pedrosa connected with the boy on social media. Pedrosa, who at the time worked as an aide to the City of Miami mayor, communicated with the boy on social media and in person about a website design job for Pedrosa’s boss.
One meeting took place at Miami City Hall on November 25, 2019. Pedrosa admitted that during the meeting, he kissed and sexually touched the boy, who had been dropped off at City Hall for a website design follow-up meeting by his mother. Pedrosa also admitted that he continued communicating with the boy through an internet-based messaging application and that on December 22, 2019, Pedrosa knowingly received sexually explicit images of the boy.
Pedrosa is scheduled for sentencing on August 14, at 8:30 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Robert N. Scola. Pedrosa faces between five and 20 years in federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI, Miami Field Office, made the announcement.
FBI Miami investigated the case, with assistance from City of Miami Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica Obenauf and Dayron Silverio are prosecuting it.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about the Project Safe Childhood initiative and for information regarding Internet safety, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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 at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 21-cr-20259.
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Owners of Freight Forwarding Company Sentenced to Prison for Exporting Stolen Outboard Engines to MexicoRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Today, two Miami residents, Carlos Orlando Ledesma, 57, and Nadia Esperanza Ledesma, 46, were sentenced to federal prison for conspiring to export nearly 600 stolen outboard engines to Mexico through a Miami-based freight forwarding company. Carlos Ledesma was sentenced to 36 months in prison and Nadia Ledesma was sentenced to 18 months in prison.
On May 19, co-defendants Roberto Marrero-Cisneros, 66, from Miami, and Osmani Valdivia Perez, 56, from Lehigh Acres, were each sentenced to 60 months incarceration for their roles in the conspiracy.
The sentencing hearings were held before U.S. District Judge Robert N. Scola, Jr. Judge Scola also ordered the defendants to forfeit the proceeds they each received from the scheme, and to pay $420,668.47 in restitution to the identifiable victims.
Nadia Ledesma is the President of Netcycle Trading Corp., a freight forwarding company in Miami, and Carlos Ledesma is the warehouse manager. From 2015 to 2018, Carlos and Nadia Ledesma received almost 600 stolen outboard engines for export to Mexico. The replacement cost of the stolen engines was over $11 million.
Dozens of individuals delivered the stolen engines to Netcycle. The engines had visible damage from the thefts, and cables and lines had been cut rather than properly detached. The individuals delivered the stolen engines in non-commercial vehicles without bills of sale or any other documentation for the engines.
Marrero-Cisneros created false serial number stickers to place on most of the stolen outboard engines. Nadia and Carlos Ledesma, and their co-conspirators, created false bills of sale and submitted false export information to the United States.
Many of the stolen engines were directed to Tomas Vale Valdivia, a co-conspirator who was then in Mexico. Later, on January 28, 2020, Vale Valdivia was sentenced to 57 months for alien smuggling, in a separate case before U.S. District Judge Kathleen M. Williams.
Vale Valdivia is the nephew of defendant Osmani Valdivia Perez. Valdivia Perez made many cash payments to co-conspirators in this case, on behalf of Vale Valdivia. The cash payments included payments to Netcycle for the fees for exporting the stolen outboard engines, payments to Marrero-Cisneros for the false serial numbers, and payments to the individuals who stole the outboard engines.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Anthony Salisbury, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Miami, and Special Agent in Charge Zinnia P. James, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS), Southeast Region, announced the sentences.
HSI Miami and CGIS investigated the case, with assistance from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). Assistant U.S. Attorney Ana Maria Martinez is prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daren Grove is handling asset forfeiture.
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 at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 22-cr-20269.
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Micco, Brevard County Resident Sentenced to 15 years for Trafficking Fentanyl in Indian River CountyRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Yesterday, Christopher Jon Bauer, 46, of Micco, Florida, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Aileen M. Cannon, sitting in Fort Pierce, to 15 years for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine.
Sebastian Police Department (SPD) received a Treasure Coast Crime Stopper complaint about Bauer making fentanyl purchases on the dark web and mailing them to a codefendant. After the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) confirmed that several packages were mailed to a codefendant in Sebastian, Florida; SPD officers and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents set up surveillance at a U.S. Post Office (USPS), located in Sebastian. During the surveillance, they observed that Bauer had arrived in a red Cadillac SUV, with a passenger, who went into the post office and returned to Bauer’s vehicle carrying a USPS Express package. When SPD detectives attempted to stop the vehicle, Bauer fled, leading police on a lengthy high-speed pursuit, which resulted in the vehicle becoming disabled. SPD officers apprehended Bauer and the passenger of the vehicle and took both into custody. The total quantities of narcotics seized following Bauer’s arrest were about 65 grams of fentanyl, 12.53 grams of methamphetamine, and a small amount of cocaine. Bauer received at least 16 shipments of fentanyl, totaling nearly one kilogram.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Anthony Salisbury of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Miami, and Inspector in Charge Juan A. Vargas of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Miami Division, announced the sentence.
HSI Fort Pierce Office and USPIS Miami investigated the case, with assistance from SPD. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Hudock prosecuted it. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marx Calderon is handling asset forfeiture.
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 at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 22-cr-14068.
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Miami Church Pastor Sentenced to 48 Months in Federal Prison for Defrauding Paycheck Protection ProgramRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Elie Floradin, 59, the self-described head pastor of the New Bethel Baptist Church in Miami, Florida, was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison for participating in a fraudulent scheme seeking more than $1 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Floradin caused an intermediary to repeatedly file false and fraudulent PPP applications, which sought federal COVID-19 assistance funds for companies that did not exist. Among these was a fake employment agency through which Floradin claimed to pay approximately $960,000 in yearly wages to dozens of employees when, in fact, no such business existed. After successfully receiving an initial PPP loan of approximately $200,000, Floradin caused the submission of three (3) more fraudulent PPP applications on behalf of his non-existent hiring agency, seeking approximately $600,000 in additional PPP loans—though these additional funds were denied.
Following Floradin’s guilty plea, however, the government learned of yet another prior fraudulent PPP loan, successfully filed on behalf of yet another corporate entity under Floradin’s name, causing the disbursement of approximately $336,000 in additional PPP funds to Floradin. At sentencing, Floradin admitted that he fraudulently applied for more than $1 million, and that he received more than half that amount, in fraudulently obtained COVID-19 assistance funds. In addition to his sentence of imprisonment, Floradin was ordered to pay back $535,996 in the form of restitution to the United States.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Mark H. Morini Jr. of the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), Southern Field Division, announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge Jose E. Martinez.
TIGTA Southern Field Division investigated the case, along with the Florida Office of Financial Regulation (OFR), Bureau of Financial Investigations (BFI), Miami Region. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eduardo Gardea Jr. prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Annika Miranda and Peter Laserna are handling asset forfeiture.
In March 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act was enacted. It was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Among other sources of relief, the CARES Act’s PPP program allowed qualifying small businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of 1%. PPP loan proceeds had to be used by businesses on payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. The PPP allowed the interest and principal on the PPP loan to be forgiven if the business spent the loan proceeds on these expense items within a designated period of time after receiving the proceeds and used at least a certain percentage of the PPP loan proceeds on payroll expenses.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
On September 15, 2022, the Attorney General selected the Southern District of Florida’s U.S. Attorney’s Office to head one of three national COVID-19 Fraud Strike Force Teams. The Department of Justice established the Strike Force to enhance existing efforts to combat and prevent COVID-19 related financial fraud. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please click here.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
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 at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 22-cr-20361.
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Florida Keys Lobster Company and President Sentenced in Federal Court for Exporting Falsely-Labeled ProductsRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Aifa Seafood, Inc., (Aifa), a Florida company operating in Florida City, and company president Jiu Fa Chen, 57, of Parkland, were sentenced today after pleading guilty earlier this year to exporting falsely-labeled spiny lobster from Florida to China.
From May through August 2019, Aifa purchased seafood products for export to China. To meet the high demand for spiny lobster, Aifa imported lobster from Haiti for reexport to China. Aifa reexported approximately 5,900 pounds of lobster and falsely labeled the product in shipping documents as “Live Florida Spiny Lobsters, Product of U.S.A.”
U.S. District Judge Federico Moreno imposed the following sentences. AIFA must pay a fine of $250,000, with $150,000 payable immediately and the balance by the end of this year. AIFA also must serve five years of probation, establish and implement a compliance plan, retain a compliance officer to be approved by the Court, and submit to a complete audit of its books and records by a court-approved third-party auditor. Chen must immediately pay a $100,000 fine and serve five years of probation, subject to the same terms as AIFA. Both fines are payable to the NOAA Lacey Act Fund.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Assistant Director Manny Antonaras of the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Southeast Division, Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Buckley, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Miami, and the Statewide Investigations Section of the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Division of Law Enforcement, announced the sentences.
NOAA Office of Law Enforcement, HSI Key Largo, and FWC Division of Law Enforcement investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Watts-FitzGerald prosecuted the case.
If you have any information regarding wildlife crimes, you may contact the NOAA Office of Law Enforcement Hotline: (800) 853-1964 and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service at 1-800-344-9453. Locally, environmental crimes, including wildlife violations and environmental justice matters may be reported to the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 305-961-9001 or [email protected] .
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 at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 22-cr-20479.
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Seven People Sentenced to Prison in COVID-19 Paycheck Protection Program Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
MIAMI – The last of seven defendants in a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) fraud scheme has been sentenced. Yunior Barrera Almaguer (Barrera) 39, of Miami, Florida was sentenced to 87 months in prison for leading a conspiracy to defraud the PPP out of loan proceeds. These loans are guaranteed by the Small Business Administration under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.
Barrera was the leader of the conspiracy, who conspired with Jorge S. Alvarez, Dariel Garcia Carmona, Jose Raul Amaro, Leiner Pena Infante, Yandre Garcia Hernandez, Eduardo Ramos Leyva, and others to submit approximately 20 fraudulent PPP loan applications. According to facts admitted by the defendants as part of their guilty pleas, Barrera recruited his co-conspirators and others for necessary information to apply for the PPP loans, such as each business name and bank account routing number, and the business owner’s personal identifying information. Barrera then applied for the loans with an unindicted co-conspirator, causing approximately $9 million in fraudulently issued PPP loans. After each business received their PPP loans, Barrera instructed the co-conspirator business owners to give him blank, pre-signed checks drawn on the business so that Barrera could access the PPP funds. Barrera also instructed the co-conspirator business owners to write checks on the companies’ accounts at his direction. By doing so, Barrera and his co-conspirators laundered the fraudulently obtained loan funds by transferring the proceeds between their companies, to each other, and to others.
Barrera pled guilty on November 9, 2022, to one count of conspiracy to launder money. In addition to prison time, Barrera must pay $9,007,887 in restitution. Alvarez, Garcia Carmona, Amaro, Pena Infante, Garcia Hernandez, and Ramos Leyva also pled guilty for their roles in the conspiracy, were sentenced to imprisonment terms ranging from one year and one day to 36 months and must pay restitution in amounts ranging from $381,600 to $720,860.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI, Miami Field Office, announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks.
FBI Miami, West Palm Beach Resident Agency investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan Osborne prosecuted it. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily Stone and William T. Zloch are handling asset forfeiture.
In March 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act was enacted. It was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Among other sources of relief, the CARES Act authorized and provided funding to the SBA to provide Economic Injury Disaster Loans (“EIDLs”) to eligible small businesses, including sole proprietorships and independent contractors, experiencing substantial financial disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic to allow them to meet financial obligations and operating expenses that could otherwise have been met had the disaster not occurred. EIDL applications were submitted directly to the SBA via the SBA’s on-line application website, and the applications were processed and the loans funded for qualifying applicants directly by the SBA.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
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 at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 22-cr-80118.
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Key West Tax Return Preparer Sentenced to Federal Prison for Tax FraudRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Abel Raphael, 65, of Key West, Florida has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release, and ordered to pay almost $150,000 in restitution for aiding and assisting the preparation and presentation of false tax returns. Following his guilty plea in October 2022.
Raphael was a professional tax return preparer and operated Abel Income Tax Service Inc., in Monroe County. In connection with his guilty plea, Raphael admitted that he obtained an Electronic Filing Identification Number (EFIN) to submit tax returns electronically to the IRS in the names of others. Raphael prepared the returns using false deduction and tax credit figures, then electronically filed them with the IRS.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Matthew D. Line of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Miami Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI, Miami Field Office, announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge K. Michael Moore.
IRS-CI Miami and FBI Miami, Key West Resident Agency investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy Thompson prosecuted it.
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 at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 22-cr-10016.
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Guilty Pleas in Fraudulent Nursing Diploma SchemeRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Five of dozens of defendants charged in the Southern District of Florida for their alleged participation in a scheme that created an illegal licensing and employment shortcut for aspiring nurses have pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy.
Krystal Lopez and Damian Lopez (both of Palm Beach County, Fla.); Francois Legagneur (of Nassau County, N.Y.), Reynoso Seide (of Union County, N.J.); and Yelva Saint Preux (of Suffolk County, N.Y.) will be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Raag Singhal in federal district court in Fort Lauderdale on July 27. They each face up to 20 years in federal prison.
During guilty plea hearings before U.S. District Judge Raag Singhal, D. Lopez, Legagneur, Seide, and Saint Preux admitted to soliciting and recruiting people who sought nursing credentials that would allow them to work as registered, licensed practical, or vocational nurses. They also admitted to working with Palm Beach School of Nursing to create and distribute fraudulent diplomas and transcripts representing that the aspiring nursing candidates had attended the school and completed the necessary courses and clinicals to obtain their nursing diplomas. In fact, the aspiring nurses had not completed the courses and clinicals. K. Lopez admitted that, in her role as Palm Beach School of Nursing’s Finance Director, she processed applications for individuals who were issued fraudulent nursing school diplomas and transcripts and that each student paid the school $15,000 for the documents. The defendants all admitted to profiting from the scam.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI, Miami Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Omar Pérez Aybar of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Miami Region, made the announcement.
FBI Miami and HHS-OIG Miami investigated, with valuable assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, Miami Field Office; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs-Office of Inspector General; United States Postal Inspection Service, Miami; and Florida Attorney General-Florida Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Mid-Atlantic Field Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Clark is prosecuting this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Grosnoff is handling asset forfeiture.
This case is being prosecuted in conjunction with a related criminal matter in the District of Maryland.
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 at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 23-cr-60007. Related cases in the Southern District of Florida are case nos. 22-cr-60111, 22-cr-60118, 23-cr-60005, 23-cr-60010, 23-cr-60012, and 23-cr-60013.
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Fort Pierce Man Sentenced to 13 Years in Federal Prison for Carjacking at GunpointRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Xavier Daughtry, 25, of Fort Pierce, Florida, has been sentenced to 13 years in federal prison, including a sentencing enhancement for obstruction of justice during the trial, for carjacking and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. Following his conviction by a South Florida federal jury in February.
Just before midnight on May 9, 2022, the Fort Pierce Police Department received a 911 call from the victim advising that she had parked her vehicle at a gas station on U.S. Hwy 1 in Fort Pierce. After going inside the store, the victim returned to find Daughtry attempting to enter her vehicle. The victim confronted Daughtry, who then raised a loaded .45 caliber pistol and pointed it at the victim’s face and told her to “back the f--- up.” Daughtry then got inside the vehicle and left the area. As a result of the call, the police department issued a BOLO “be on (the) lookout” for the vehicle, a 2022 Nissan Altima, including the license plate number.
Less than eight minutes later, law enforcement observed the Nissan Altima turning onto Saint Frances Drive in Fort Pierce and initiated a traffic stop. After apprehending Daughtry, police officers located a fully loaded Llama Minimax .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun on the driver’s seat of the vehicle.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI, Miami Field Office, announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks.
FBI Miami, Fort Pierce Resident Agency investigated the case, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Fort Pierce Field Office, the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, and the Fort Pierce Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael D. Porter and Justin Hoover prosecuted the case.
This case stems from Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In 2017, PSN was reinvigorated as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
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 at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 22-cr-14047.
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South Florida Resident Pleads Guilty to Threatening Election WorkersRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Yesterday, Joshua David Lubitz, 38, of Sunrise, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal district court to threatening election workers during a federal primary election held in August 2022.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 17, 2022, Lubitz entered a polling station located within the Sunrise Senior Center. While inside, Lubitz was heard counting election workers and saying, “should I kill them one by one or should I blow the place up.” He was also heard saying, “my dad would love this. It would be easy” and “this would be nice and sweet.” Lubitz left the center, walked to the parking lot, and entered his car. As he drove past the polling site entrance, Lubitz extended his arm toward two poll workers and made a threatening gesture toward them with his hand.
Lubitz is scheduled for sentencing on July 25, before U.S. District Judge Rodolfo A. Ruiz. He faces up to five years in prison.
U.S Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI, Miami Field Office, made the announcement.
FBI Miami investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorneys Harry C. Wallace and Jeremy Thompson are prosecuting it.
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 at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 22-cr-60205.
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Member of FBI Imposter Ring that Intimidated, Defrauded Victims Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Reinaldo Miralles Gonzalez, 52, of Doral, Florida, has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $123,000 in restitution after pleading guilty late last year to conspiracy to commit mail fraud.
Gonzalez was part of a fraud scheme that targeted mostly elderly users of a money transfer service. Fraudsters would contact users of the service, identify themselves as FBI agents (using the names of real agents), and scare the users into believing that the FBI had identified them as financial supporters of terrorism. Threatening legal action, and in one case deportation, the fraudsters tricked the victims into mailing blank money orders to addresses associated with Gonzalez. Some victims were repeatedly victimized and forced to take funds from retirement accounts to satisfy the demands.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI, Miami Field Office, made the announcement.
This case was investigated by FBI Miami, as part of the Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lois Foster-Steers prosecuted it. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daren Grove is handling asset forfeiture.
Combatting elder abuse and financial fraud targeted at seniors is a key priority of the Department of Justice. The mission of the Department’s Elder Justice Initiative is to support and coordinate the Department’s enforcement and programmatic efforts to combat elder abuse, neglect and financial fraud and scams that target our nation’s seniors. To learn more visit https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice. The public is encouraged to report their victimization and suspected fraud schemes. To find the right reporting agency visit https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice/roadmap or call the victim connect hotline at 1-855-484-2846.
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 at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 22-cr-20456.
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Miami Companies and Owners Sentenced for Conspiring to Tamper with Diesel Truck Monitoring Devices Required by the Clean Air ActRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Defendants Vivian Machado, 62, Eric Flaquer, 39, and the Miami-based companies Quick Tricks Automotive Performance, Inc., and Kloud9Nine, LLC were sentenced Friday in federal district court for conspiring to tamper with environmental monitoring devices on diesel vehicles, in violation of the Clean Air Act (CAA).
Flaquer was sentenced to three months imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release, with a special condition of six months home detention with electronic monitoring. Machado was sentenced to time served followed by three years of supervised release, with a special condition of ten months of home detention with electronic monitoring. Both companies, Quick Tricks and Kloud9Nine, were sentenced to probation. The defendants were further sentenced to publish a public apology and statement regarding their crimes at the 2023 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) trade show.
The purpose of the CAA, among other things, is “to protect and enhance the quality of the Nation’s air resources so as to promote the public health and welfare and the productive capacity of its population.” Motor vehicles, including those with heavy duty diesel engines, cause or contribute to air pollution which may endanger public health or welfare and are thus regulated, including the requirement that manufacturers design and install emissions control systems to treat their exhausts. Those systems are monitored by an on-board diagnostic system (OBD). The OBD is software and sensors that monitor emissions-related engine systems and components. It is a felony to tamper with CAA-required monitoring devices.
Between January 2018 and December 2020, defendants Machado, Flaquer, and Quick Tricks were paid approximately $230,830.61 for 1,100 transactions for the sale of “delete tune files” that tamper with or disable the OBDs on heavy-duty diesel motor vehicles that were required under the CAA to have OBD systems to monitor their emissions control systems. Similarly, between October 2019 and March 2021, Machado, Flaquer, and Kloud9Nine were paid $141,162.70 for an additional 657 “tuner” transactions. The defendants would customize the delete tune files based on the vehicle identification number and desired parameters, and would conduct active customer service for the device customers. Knowing the conduct was illegal, the defendants would often warn customers by e-mail not to tell anyone about the purchases and to take steps to avoid detection by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and “stay under the radar.”
The vehicles at issue in this case were driven in the Southern District of Florida and throughout the United States on public roads and highways. Diesel exhaust contains a mix of acidic and hydrocarbon gases that are harmful to human health. Excess emissions from illegally tampered vehicles can have important environmental justice implications for overburdened communities near major roads and highways. A 2021 study concluded that communities within high vehicle traffic areas are at greater risk of adverse health effects from exposure to diesel emissions. A 2020 study by EPA showed that an average fully deleted diesel truck emits approximately one ton of extra NOx in its lifetime and is equivalent to roughly 16 additional diesel trucks being driven on the road; or put another way, the over 1,700 trucks and engines in this case were akin to approximately 27,000 additional trucks on the road.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Charles Carfagno of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Criminal Investigation Division, Southeast Area Branch, announced the sentence.
EPA, Criminal Investigation Division investigated the case. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jodi A. Mazer prosecuted it.
If you have any information regarding this investigation, or other environmental crimes, you may contact the EPA, Criminal Investigation Division Hotline at (800) 962-6215; the NOAA Office of Law Enforcement Hotline: (800) 853-1964; and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service at 1-800-344-9453. Locally, environmental crimes, including wildlife violations and environmental justice matters may be reported to the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 305-961-9001 or [email protected] .
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 at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 22-cr-20516.
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Justice Department Strengthens Efforts to Address the Crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous PersonsRead the Press Release
MIAMI – The Justice Department joins its partners across the federal government, as well as people throughout American Indian and Alaska Native communities, in recognizing May 5, 2023 as National Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day. Responding to the unacceptable levels of violence that have led to the crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) is a priority of the Department of Justice every day.
The department’s work to respond to the MMIP crisis is a whole-of-department effort that takes many forms. One year ago today, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco joined Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland to launch the Not Invisible Act Commission, a joint Commission established by the Not Invisible Act with an essential mission — to reduce violence against American Indians and Alaska Natives. In February, they welcomed the first in-person plenary meeting of the Not Invisible Act Commission. Since then, the department’s representatives on the commission—who are department leaders and subject matter experts—have participated in the Commission’s field hearings, which will continue through the summer. Later this year, the Commission will deliver recommendations for addressing the MMIP crisis to the Attorney General and the Secretary. In addition to supporting the Not Invisible Act Commission, the department remains steadfast in its commitment to addressing the MMIP crisis.
“We are fortunate to have two federally recognized Indian Tribes within the Southern District of Florida, the Seminole Tribe of Florida (“Seminole Tribe”) and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida (“Miccosukee Tribe”). Our Office, in consultation with Tribal and other law enforcement partners, has developed strategic protocols in the unfortunate event of a missing or murdered indigenous person,” said U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida. “Crime, both inside and outside Indian country, is a community problem that we collectively strive to prevent and address.”
“The Justice Department is marshalling the full strength of its resources to confront the crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons, which has devastated the lives of victims, their families, and entire Tribal communities,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Addressing this crisis requires a whole-of-government approach, and we are grateful for the partnership of Tribal and other law enforcement agencies across the nation that are working alongside the Justice Department to help reduce crime and support victims in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.”
“Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day calls on our nation to pause and honor the loved ones who have gone missing or who have been the victims of violent crime,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “Acknowledging the many American Indian and Alaska Native people who have suffered, and continue to suffer, from the pain of a missing loved one or of violent crime serves as an important reminder of the urgency and importance of the department’s work to respond to the crisis of missing or murdered indigenous persons. The Justice Department—including our dedicated agents, analysts, and prosecutors—remains steadfast in our pledge to work as partners with Tribal governments in preventing and responding to the violence that has disproportionately harmed Tribal communities.”
“The Justice Department is committed to using every resource at its disposal to combat the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Crisis,” said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta. “In addition to our core law-enforcement work, we are providing grant funding and guidance to help Tribes develop response plans for missing-persons cases, partner effectively with local law enforcement, and provide resources for victims of crime.”
Department Prioritization of MMIP Cases
In July 2022, Deputy Attorney General Monaco issued a memorandum reiterating that it is a priority of the Department of Justice to address the disproportionately high rates of violence experienced by American Indians and Alaska Natives, and relatedly, the high rates of indigenous persons reported missing. The memorandum directed each United States Attorney with Indian country jurisdiction — along with their law enforcement partners at DOJ — to update and develop new plans for addressing public safety in Indian country.
Publication of Updated Attorney General Guidelines for Victim and Witness Assistance
In October 2022, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland issued revised Attorney General Guidelines for Victim and Witness Assistance. The revised guidelines, which was updated for the first time in a decade, address when and how department employees work with victims and witnesses of crime to ensure that their voices are heard and that they are protected during criminal justice proceedings. For the first time the guidelines include cultural and linguistic considerations for victims from American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
National Native American Outreach Services Liaison
Last year, the department announced the creation of a new National Native American Outreach Services Liaison. Since that announcement, the Liaison has begun to help amplify the voice of crime victims in Indian country and their families across the department as they navigate the federal criminal justice system. In the coming months, the Liaison will meet with survivors and family members of MMIP to learn more about the current challenges in MMIP cases and to make recommendations about the department’s continued response.
Federal Law Enforcement Strategy to Prevent and Respond to the MMIP Crisis
In July 2022, the Department of Justice and the Department of the Interior submitted a report pursuant to Sections 2 and 4(a) of Executive Order 14053, which called for “coordinated and comprehensive Federal law enforcement strategy to prevent and respond to violence against Native Americans, including to address missing or murdered indigenous people where the federal government has jurisdiction.” The report was published late last year and is available on the department website here.
Guide for Tribal Community Response Plans for Missing Persons Cases
In December 2022, the department published a Guide to Developing a Tribal Community Response Plan for Missing Persons Cases. This Guide is a resource for Tribes interested in developing a plan to respond to missing person cases that is tailored to the specific needs, resources, and culture of Tribal communities.
Launch of the COPS Office Tribal MOU/MOA Resource Library
On Monday of this week, the department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) published its Tribal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)/Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Sample Resource Library. This library provides users with the resources to research and successfully draft agreements that will help agencies develop and solidify partnerships to address missing or murdered Indigenous persons cases.
Expanded Scope of the Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Grant Program
The department’s Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) expanded the scope of allowable activities under its Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside (TVSSA) grant program to permit Tribal communities to pay for costs related to generating awareness of individual missing persons cases involving American Indians and Alaska Native persons, supporting private search efforts for missing American Indians and Alaska Native persons in certain circumstances, and supporting efforts to coordinate the Tribal, state, and federal response to MMIP cases.
Government-to-Government Tribal Consultation on Violence Against Women
In September 2022, the department’s Office of Violence Against Women (OVW) held the 17th Annual OVW Government-to Government Tribal Consultation on Violence Against Women in Anchorage, Alaska. OVW is responsible for conducting annual government-to-government consultations with the leaders of all Federally recognized Indian Tribal governments on behalf of the Attorney General. The 2022 Tribal consultation report is available here.
National Institute of Justice Study of MMIP Cases in New Mexico
Last year, the department’s National Institute of Justice (NIJ) funded a study that will provide vital information regarding the prevalence and context of cases of MMIP in New Mexico and, importantly, will inform long-term data collection, analysis, and reporting strategies on MMIP cases. These improvements will support data-driven decision-making regarding MMIP in New Mexico moving forward.
Additional Department of Justice Resources
For additional information about the Department of Justice’s efforts to address the MMIP crisis, please visit the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons section of the Tribal Safety and Justice website.
Click here for more information about reporting or identifying missing persons.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls.
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Foreign National Extradited to the United States for Kidnapping and Assaulting U.S. Army Soldiers in ColombiaRead the Press Release
MIAMI – A Colombian national has been extradited from Colombia to the United States to face charges related to kidnapping and assaulting two U.S. Army soldiers who were on temporary duty in Bogota, Colombia.
Jeffersson Arango Castellanos made his initial court appearance today in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
According to court documents, Arango and his co-conspirators targeted, incapacitated, and kidnapped two U.S. soldiers in Bogota. The two victims were in an entertainment district in Bogota watching a sporting event on the evening of March 5, 2020. While at a pub in Bogota, the two victims lost consciousness until the following day, by which point they had been separated. Medical examinations later confirmed the presence of benzodiazepines in their systems. The defendants are alleged to have targeted the two victims at the pub, incapacitated them with drugs, and kidnapped them to acquire the victims’ valuables and credit and debit card information.
Arango and his co-conspirators are each charged with kidnapping an internationally protected person, conspiracy to kidnap an internationally protected person, assaulting an internationally protected person, and conspiracy to assault an internationally protected person. If convicted, they each face a maximum penalty of life in prison.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI Miami Field Office made the announcement.
The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section’s Judicial Attaché Office in Bogota, and the U.S. Marshals Service provided significant assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of the defendant. The United States also thanks Colombian law enforcement authorities for their valuable assistance.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Dayron Silverio and Trial Attorneys Clayton O’Connor and Elizabeth Nielson of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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 at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 23-cr-20173.
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Foreign National Extradited to the United States for Kidnapping and Assaulting U.S. Army Soldiers in ColombiaRead the Press Release
A Colombian national has been extradited from Colombia to the United States to face charges related to kidnapping and assaulting two U.S. Army soldiers who were on temporary duty in Bogota, Colombia.
Jeffersson Arango Castellanos made his initial court appearance today in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
According to court documents, Arango and his co-conspirators targeted, incapacitated, and kidnapped two U.S. soldiers in Bogota. The two victims were in an entertainment district in Bogota watching a sporting event on the evening of March 5, 2020. While at a pub in Bogota, the two victims lost consciousness until the following day, by which point they had been separated. Medical examinations later confirmed the presence of benzodiazepines in their systems. The defendants are alleged to have targeted the two victims at the pub, incapacitated them with drugs, and kidnapped them to acquire the victims’ valuables and credit and debit card information.
Arango and his co-conspirators are each charged with kidnapping an internationally protected person, conspiracy to kidnap an internationally protected person, assaulting an internationally protected person, and conspiracy to assault an internationally protected person. If convicted, they each face a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI Miami Field Office made the announcement.
The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section’s Judicial Attaché Office in Bogota, and the U.S. Marshals Service provided significant assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of the defendant. The United States also thanks Colombian law enforcement authorities for their valuable assistance.
Trial Attorneys Clayton O’Connor and Elizabeth Nielson of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Dayron Silverio for the Southern District of Florida are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Extranjero extraditado a los Estados Unidos por secuestro y agresión a soldados del Ejército de los EE. UU. en ColombiaRead the Press Release
Un ciudadano colombiano ha sido extraditado de Colombia a los Estados Unidos para enfrentar cargos relacionados con el secuestro y agresión a dos soldados del Ejército de los EE. UU. que se encontraban en servicio temporal en Bogotá, Colombia.
Jeffersson Arango Castellanos hizo su primera comparecencia ante el tribunal hoy en el Tribunal de Distrito de los Estados Unidos para el Distrito Sur de Florida.
Según documentos judiciales, Arango y sus cómplices atacaron, incapacitaron y secuestraron a dos soldados estadounidenses en Bogotá. Las dos víctimas estaban en un distrito de entretenimiento en Bogotá viendo un evento deportivo en la noche del 5 de marzo de 2020. Mientras estaban en un bar en Bogotá, las dos víctimas perdieron el conocimiento hasta el día siguiente, momento en el que se separaron. Posteriormente, los exámenes médicos confirmaron la presencia de benzodiazepinas en sus sistemas. Se alega que los acusados atacaron a las dos víctimas en el pub, las incapacitaron con drogas y las secuestraron para adquirir los objetos de valor de las víctimas y la información de las tarjetas de crédito y débito.
Arango y sus cómplices están acusados de secuestrar a una persona protegida internacionalmente, conspiración para secuestrar a una persona protegida internacionalmente, agredir a una persona protegida internacionalmente y conspirar para agredir a una persona protegida internacionalmente. Si son declarados culpables, cada uno de ellos enfrenta una pena máxima de cadena perpetua.
El Fiscal General Adjunto Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. de la División Criminal del Departamento de Justicia, el Fiscal Federal Markenzy Lapointe para el Distrito Sur de Florida y el Agente Especial a Cargo Jeffrey B. Veltri de la Oficina Local del FBI en Miami hicieron el anuncio.
La Oficina de Asuntos Internacionales del Departamento de Justicia, la Oficina del Agregado Judicial de la Sección de Narcóticos y Drogas Peligrosas en Bogotá y el Servicio de Alguaciles de los EE. UU. brindaron asistencia significativa para asegurar el arresto y la extradición del acusado. Estados Unidos también agradece a las autoridades policiales colombianas por su valiosa asistencia.
Los abogados litigantes Clayton O'Connor y Elizabeth Nielson de la Sección de Derechos Humanos y Procesamientos Especiales de la División Criminal y el Fiscal Federal Auxiliar Dayron Silverio para el Distrito Sur de Florida están procesando el caso.
Una acusación es simplemente una acusación. Se presume que todos los acusados son inocentes hasta que se pruebe su culpabilidad más allá de toda duda razonable en un tribunal de jus
Extranjero extraditado a los Estados Unidos por secuestro y agresión a soldados del Ejército de los EE. UU. en ColombiaRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Un ciudadano colombiano ha sido extraditado de Colombia a los Estados Unidos para enfrentar cargos relacionados con el secuestro y agresión a dos soldados del Ejército de los EE. UU. que se encontraban en servicio temporal en Bogotá, Colombia.
Jeffersson Arango Castellanos hizo su primera comparecencia ante el tribunal hoy en el Tribunal de Distrito de los Estados Unidos para el Distrito Sur de Florida.
Según documentos judiciales, Arango y sus cómplices atacaron, incapacitaron y secuestraron a dos soldados estadounidenses en Bogotá. Las dos víctimas estaban en un distrito de entretenimiento en Bogotá viendo un evento deportivo en la noche del 5 de marzo de 2020. Mientras estaban en un bar en Bogotá, las dos víctimas perdieron el conocimiento hasta el día siguiente, momento en el que se separaron. Posteriormente, los exámenes médicos confirmaron la presencia de benzodiazepinas en sus sistemas. Se alega que los acusados atacaron a las dos víctimas en el pub, las incapacitaron con drogas y las secuestraron para adquirir los objetos de valor de las víctimas y la información de las tarjetas de crédito y débito.
Arango y sus cómplices están acusados de secuestrar a una persona protegida internacionalmente, conspiración para secuestrar a una persona protegida internacionalmente, agredir a una persona protegida internacionalmente y conspirar para agredir a una persona protegida internacionalmente. Si son declarados culpables, cada uno de ellos enfrenta una pena máxima de cadena perpetua.
El Fiscal Federal Markenzy Lapointe para el Distrito Sur de Florida, el Fiscal General Adjunto Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. de la División Criminal del Departamento de Justicia, y el Agente Especial a Cargo Jeffrey B. Veltri de la Oficina Local del FBI en Miami hicieron el anuncio.
La Oficina de Asuntos Internacionales del Departamento de Justicia, la Oficina del Agregado Judicial de la Sección de Narcóticos y Drogas Peligrosas en Bogotá y el Servicio de Alguaciles de los EE. UU. brindaron asistencia significativa para asegurar el arresto y la extradición del acusado. Estados Unidos también agradece a las autoridades policiales colombianas por su valiosa asistencia.
El Fiscal Federal Auxiliar Dayron Silverio y los abogados litigantes Clayton O'Connor y Elizabeth Nielson de la Sección de Derechos Humanos y Procesamientos Especiales de la División Criminal están procesando el caso.
Una acusación es simplemente una acusación. Se presume que todos los acusados son inocentes hasta que se pruebe su culpabilidad más allá de toda duda razonable en un tribunal de justicia.
Todos los documentos e información relacionada se pueden encontrar en el sitio web del Tribunal de Distrito, Distrito Sur de Florida en www.flsd.uscourts.gov o en http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov bajo el número de caso 23-cr-20173.
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Port St. Lucie Tattoo Artist Pleads Guilty to Producing Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Dustin Singleton, 42, of Hobe Sound, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Aileen M. Cannon to three counts of producing child sexual abuse material, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon.
On April 29, 2022, following a traffic stop in Stuart, Fla., Martin County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) detectives found 32.86 grams of methamphetamine with a purity level of 98%, approximately 5 grams of cocaine, less than a gram of fentanyl, approximately 195 grams of marijuana, several glass pipes, hypodermic needles, a loaded Smith & Wesson, Bodyguard .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol, a loaded Glock type 9mm pistol built from a Polymer80 PF940C kit (“Glock clone”), several unused baggies, several pill bottles with various controlled substances, $1,104.00 in U.S. currency, 10 cellphones, and three tablets in Singleton’s vehicle. Singleton is a convicted felon and prohibited by law from possessing firearms.
In July 2022, a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agent and two MCSO detectives received information that tattoo artist Singleton aka “Greenhouse” exchanged narcotics and tattoos for sexual activity with minor females at his Port St. Lucie tattoo shop. Two rounds of search warrants were obtained – the first one for narcotics and the second one for child sexual abuse material, which targeted Singleton’s electronic devices. Forensic examinations of the devices revealed numerous images of Singleton and Elijah Daniel Shaw, both engaging in sexually explicit activity with a freshly tattooed 13-year-old minor female victim—recorded inside the tattoo shop.
On August 2, 2022, law enforcement arrested Shaw who identified images/videos of himself, Singleton, and the 13-year-old minor female victim and confirmed that the video was recorded inside Singleton’s tattoo parlor. A HSI special agent applied for additional search warrants for Singleton’s and Shaw’s social media and iCloud accounts. Forensic Examiners located numerous videos of child sexual abuse material, spanning six hours, including videos of Singleton tattooing the 13-year-old, and later holding a smoking glass pipe for the victim, while he and Shaw both engaged in sexually explicit activity with her. Investigators located videos revealing two additional minor victims, each 17 years of age, engaging in sexually explicit activity with Singleton. Singleton had secretly recorded himself having sex with the minors, using his tattoo shop’s video surveillance system, which he saved in his iCloud.
For each of the three counts of producing child sexual abuse material, Singleton faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and up to 30 years in prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release. In addition, he will be required to register as a sex offender.
For the drug distribution charge, Singleton faces up to 20 years in prison, followed by at least 3 years of supervised release.
For the firearm charge, Singleton faces up to 10 years in prison, followed by supervised release for up to 3 years.
Elijah Daniel Shaw, on January 25, pleaded guilty to producing and possessing child sexual abuse material, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Melissa Damian, sitting in Miami. Shaw is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Aileen M. Cannon on June 27, in Fort Pierce.
United States Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and acting Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Buckley, HSI, Miami, announced the guilty plea.
HSI Fort Pierce Office investigated the case, with assistance from Martin County Sheriff’s Office, St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, and Port St. Lucie Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carmen Lineberger and Michael Porter are prosecuting it.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, PSC marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about the PSC initiative and for information regarding Internet safety, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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 at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 22-cr-14048.
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Former Executive Director of Miss Florida Scholarship Program Sentenced to Federal Prison for FraudRead the Press Release
MIAMI – A federal district judge in Miami has sentenced 77-year-old Mary Wickersham to 15 months in prison and ordered her to pay $243,000 in restitution for stealing money intended for the Miss Florida Scholarship Program over the course of seven years. Wickersham pleaded guilty earlier this year.
Since 2002, Wickersham served as the Executive Director of the Miss Florida Scholarship Program. The Miss Florida Scholarship Program offers educational and financial assistance to young women across the state. In 2011, Wickersham formed a Florida corporation named “Miss Florida LLC” and used it to open a bank account in the same name. She did so without the knowledge or consent of the Miss Florida Scholarship Program. Wickersham then redirected hundreds of thousands of dollars into the Miss Florida LLC bank account, which she controlled, by using her position as Executive Director to solicit donations from the program’s recurring business sponsors and donors, all while representing that those monies would be used to fund scholarships for the Miss Florida Program women. In fact, Wickersham used the money for her own personal use and gain.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Inspector in Charge Juan A. Vargas of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Miami Division, announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge Roy K. Altman.
USPIS Miami investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Abbie Waxman and Eduardo Gardea Jr. prosecuted it. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Klco is handling asset forfeiture.
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 at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 22-cr-20057.
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Florida Doctor Charged for Unlawfully Distributing OpioidsRead the Press Release
MIAMI – A South Florida doctor has been arrested on charges of illegally distributing opioids at his pain management clinic.
According to court documents, Dr. Daniel Alberto Carpman, 70, of Miami, allegedly engaged in the unlawful distribution of oxycodone at his pain management clinic, Daniel Carpman MD Medical Center. The indictment alleges that Dr. Carpman conspired to illegally distribute opioids with two other individuals, both of whom have already pleaded guilty for their roles re-selling the oxycodone acquired at Dr. Carpman’s pain management clinic.
Dr. Carpman is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute opioids and four counts of illegally distributing opioids. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI, Miami Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Miami Field Division, made the announcement.
FBI Miami and DEA Miami Field Division are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Clark for the Southern District of Florida and Trial Attorney Alexander Thor Pogozelski of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole S. Grosnoff is handling asset forfeiture.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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 at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 23-cr-20175.
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South Florida Residents Arrested for Building “Ghost Guns” and Machine Gun Conversion DevicesRead the Press Release
MIAMI – This week, Marshal Vivian Harris, 37, of Davie, Florida, and Wisler Majeure Jacques, 40, of Margate, Florida, appeared in federal court in Miami following their arrests for dealing firearms without a license and possession or transfer of a machine gun.
According to court documents, special agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) began investigating Harris and Jacques in February 2023. During the investigation, Jacques sold approximately 27 “ghost guns” and 48 auto sears to investigators. Ghost guns are unserialized and untraceable firearms that can be bought online and assembled at home. Auto sears are devices that turn handguns into machine guns.
Jacques obtained these “ghost guns” from Harris before selling them to law enforcement. On April 25, law enforcement executed a federal search warrant at Harris’ residence. During the search, agents found 3D printing equipment and a computerized mill machine that was designed to manufacture firearms parts. Agents also found several partially completed ghost guns. Harris later admitted to possessing the firearm manufacturing equipment and admitted that he attempted to use the 3D printer to manufacture auto sears.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Christopher A. Robinson of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Miami Field Division, announced the charges.
ATF Miami Field Division investigated this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Gerarde is prosecuting it.
This case and prosecution was carried out by members of the South Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force. The South Florida HIDTA, established in 1990, is made up of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies who, cooperatively, target the region’s drug-trafficking and money laundering organizations. The South Florida HIDTA is funded by the Office of National Drug Control Policy, which sponsors a variety of initiatives focused on the nation’s illicit drug trafficking threats.
An indictment contains mere allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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 at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case numbers 23-mj-02790 and 23-mj-02789.
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Man Charged in Miami with Diamond Smuggling Arrested by Federal AgentsRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Guilherme Cipriani, 41, of Scottsdale, Arizona, has been arrested on federal charges of smuggling diamonds into the United States and providing a false statement to a federal agency.
As alleged in a Miami federal grand jury’s indictment, on November 10, 2022, Cipriani tried to smuggle 14 loose cut diamonds and 53 rough uncut diamonds into the U.S. through Miami International Airport (MIA). It is also alleged that Cipriani lied when he told a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agent at MIA that he was not transporting commercial merchandise into the country and had spent zero dollars on commercial merchandise while abroad.
Agents from Homeland Security Investigations arrested Cipriani in Arizona, where he made his first court appearance to face the Miami federal indictment.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and acting Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Buckley of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Miami made the announcement.
HSI Miami and HSI Brasilia investigated the case. HSI Arizona; CBP; the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Prosecutorial Development, Assistance, and Training (OPDAT) Resident Legal Advisor in Brasilia and Office of International Affairs; and Brazil Federal Police provided significant assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stefan Diaz Espinosa is prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney William T. Zloch is handling asset forfeiture.
An indictment contains mere allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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 at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 23-cr-20123.
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Foreign National Sentenced for Using Stolen Identity During COVID-19 Relief ProsecutionRead the Press Release
MIAMI – A foreign national was sentenced today to an additional year and nine months in prison for using a stolen identity during her earlier prosecution for her role in the submission of fraudulent loan applications seeking more than $9.2 million in forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
According to court documents, Tanika Candy Hospedales, 44, of Trinidad and Tobago, applied for and received a PPP loan in May 2020 on behalf of her company using the name and personal identifying information of another person, Keyaira Bostic, without authorization. Hospedales sought a fraudulent PPP loan of $84,515 on behalf of her company, I Am Liquid Inc., and referred other conspirators to the scheme who sought $3,345,895 in fraudulent loans, for a total intended loss of $3,430,410.
During an investigation into her involvement in PPP loans, Hospedales falsely identified herself to law enforcement as Keyaira Bostic. Hospedales was charged with wire fraud, bank fraud, and conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud in connection with fraudulent PPP loans, and the charging documents identified her as Keyaira Bostic. On Nov. 21, 2021, during her trial before a jury on the PPP fraud charges, Hospedales falsely testified that her name was Keyaira Bostic. The jury convicted Hospedales.
During these proceedings, Hospedales provided false information to the probation office regarding her identity and surrendered a U.S. passport in the name of Keyaira Bostic that she had fraudulently obtained in 2012. On Feb. 3, 2022, the court sentenced Hospedales on her trial conviction for PPP fraud to three years and eight months in prison, three years of supervised release, and entered a written judgment against Hospedales in the name of “Keyaira Bostic.” A subsequent investigation confirmed that Hospedales was not, in fact, Keyaira Bostic. Law enforcement obtained visa records that demonstrate that in March 2003, Hospedales entered the United States from Trinidad and Tobago on a temporary visa under her true name.
Hospedales pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice for using a false identity during her earlier prosecution. Her term of imprisonment, which will be served consecutively to her earlier sentence for PPP fraud, is followed by three years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Special Agent in Charge Matthew D. Line of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Miami Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI Miami Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Philippe Furstenberg of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Miami Field Office made the announcement.
The IRS-CI, FBI, and DSS investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Turken for the Southern District of Florida and Trial Attorney Philip Trout of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.
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 at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
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Foreign National Sentenced for Using Stolen Identity During COVID-19 Relief ProsecutionRead the Press Release
A foreign national was sentenced today to an additional year and nine months in prison for using a stolen identity during her earlier prosecution for her role in the submission of fraudulent loan applications seeking more than $9.2 million in forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
According to court documents, Tanika Candy Hospedales, 44, of Trinidad and Tobago, applied for and received a PPP loan in May 2020 on behalf of her company using the name and personal identifying information of another person, Keyaira Bostic, without authorization. Hospedales sought a fraudulent PPP loan of $84,515 on behalf of her company, I Am Liquid Inc., and referred other conspirators to the scheme who sought $3,345,895 in fraudulent loans, for a total intended loss of $3,430,410.
During an investigation into her involvement in PPP loans, Hospedales falsely identified herself to law enforcement as Keyaira Bostic. Hospedales was charged with wire fraud, bank fraud, and conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud in connection with fraudulent PPP loans, and the charging documents identified her as Keyaira Bostic. On Nov. 21, 2021, during her trial before a jury on the PPP fraud charges, Hospedales falsely testified that her name was Keyaira Bostic. The jury convicted Hospedales.
During these proceedings, Hospedales provided false information to the probation office regarding her identity and surrendered a U.S. passport in the name of Keyaira Bostic that she had fraudulently obtained in 2012. On Feb. 3, 2022, the court sentenced Hospedales on her trial conviction for PPP fraud to three years and eight months in prison, three years of supervised release, and entered a written judgment against Hospedales in the name of “Keyaira Bostic.” A subsequent investigation confirmed that Hospedales was not, in fact, Keyaira Bostic. Law enforcement obtained visa records that demonstrate that in March 2003, Hospedales entered the United States from Trinidad and Tobago on a temporary visa under her true name.
Hospedales pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice for using a false identity during her earlier prosecution. Her term of imprisonment, which will be served consecutively to her earlier sentence for PPP fraud, is followed by three years of supervised release.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Matthew D. Line of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Miami Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI Miami Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Philippe Furstenberg of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Miami Field Office made the announcement.
The IRS-CI, FBI, and DSS investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Philip Trout of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Turken for the Southern District of Florida prosecuted the case.
Eight People Sentenced in Conspiracy to Distribute Crystal MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
MIAMI – The last of eight defendants involved in a crystal methamphetamine distribution ring has been sentenced.
U.S. District Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks sentenced Rudy Salinas, 31, of Rancho Bucamanca, California to over nine years in federal prison. During prior hearings, Judge Middlebrooks sentenced Salinas’s co-conspirators to the following federal prison sentences:
- Alexander McKay, 37, of West Palm Beach, Fla. – eight years;
- Daniel Armstrong, 39, of Oakland Park, Fla. – six and one half years;
- Stacy Boyd, 49, of Lake Worth Beach, Fla. – five years;
- Ryan Haughey, 37, of West Palm Beach, Fla – four years;
- Billy Rigney, 35, of West Palm Beach, Fla. –four years;
- Nikoli Moore, 30, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – two and one half years;
- Christopher Vega, 34, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – five years on this offense, plus one year for violating his supervised release in a separate drug case.
The eight defendants pleaded guilty earlier this year to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute crystal methamphetamine throughout Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties from April to November 2022.
Salinas served as the primary source of supply. He distributed multi-pound quantities of crystal methamphetamine to Armstrong and McKay who, in turn, distributed it to Boyd, Vega, Haughey, Rigney, and Moore, for further distribution across South Florida. Drug Enforcement Administration agents seized over five kilograms of crystal methamphetamine from the defendants.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Miami Field Division, announced the sentence imposed by Judge Middlebrooks.
DEA Miami Field Division, West Palm Beach District Office investigated the case, with assistance from West Palm Beach Police Department, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Broward County Sheriff’s Office, Fort Lauderdale Police Department, Boynton Beach Police Department, Miami-Dade Police Department, and Margate Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Ralston prosecuted it. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daren Grove is handling asset forfeiture.
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 at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 22-cr-80176.
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CORRECTED NEWS RELEASE: South Florida Residents Arrested for Dealing Ghost Guns and SwitchesRead the Press Release
MIAMI – This week, Marshal Vivian Harris, 37, of Davie, Florida, and Wisler Majeure Jacques, 40, of Margate, Florida, appeared in federal court in Miami following their arrests for dealing firearms without a license and possession or transfer of a machine gun.
According to court documents, federal agents began investigating Harris and Jacques in February. It is alleged that during that time, Jacques sold about 27 “ghost guns” and 48 auto sears to investigators.
Ghost guns are untraceable firearms with no serial numbers. Ghost guns are often sold disassembled, requiring buyers to build them at home. Auto sears (also called switches) are small devices that, when added to a handgun, turns the handgun into a machine gun.
According to the charges, Jacques obtained the ghost guns from Harris before selling them to law enforcement. On April 25, law enforcement executed a federal search warrant at Harris’ home. During the search, agents found 3D printing equipment and a computerized mill machine that was designed to manufacture firearms parts, as well as several partially completed ghost guns, according to the charges.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Christopher A. Robinson of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Miami Field Division, announced the charges.
ATF Miami Field Division investigated this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Gerarde is prosecuting it.
This case and prosecution was carried out by members of the South Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force. The South Florida HIDTA, established in 1990, is made up of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies who, cooperatively, target the region’s drug-trafficking and money laundering organizations. The South Florida HIDTA is funded by the Office of National Drug Control Policy, which sponsors a variety of initiatives focused on the nation’s illicit drug trafficking threats.
An indictment contains mere allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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 at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case numbers 23-mj-02790 and 23-mj-02789.
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Boca Raton Woman Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Threatening to Shoot FBI AgentsRead the Press Release
MIAMI – A federal district judge in West Palm Beach has sentenced 61-year-old Suzanne Ellen Kaye to 18 months in prison for threatening to shoot FBI agents in videos that she posted on social media. A jury found Kaye guilty in June 2022.
On January 16, 2021, FBI’s National Threats Operation Center received an online tip with information that Kaye may have been at The United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. ten days earlier (January 6) or knew of others who were there. The tip was referred to the FBI office in West Palm Beach for further investigation.
On January 28, 2021, two West Palm Beach FBI agents contacted Kaye by telephone and asked to interview her. Kaye agreed and requested that it take place at her house. On January 31, 2021, before any interview, Kaye posted three videos on social media. In each publicly available video, Kaye informed her audience that the FBI wanted to question her about her visit to Washington, D.C. on January 6. On video, Kaye announced that she would “shoot their [expletive] a--” if FBI agents showed up at her house.
FBI learned about Kaye’s social media postings on February 8, 2021, when they received a second online tip with one of the videos. Agents arrested Kaye at her home on February 17, 2021.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI, Miami Field Office, announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge Robin L. Rosenberg.
FBI Miami, West Palm Beach Resident Agency investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark Dispoto and Shannon O’Shea Darsch prosecuted it.
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 at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 21-cr-80039.
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Five Individuals Charged in $2M Virtual Asset and Securities Manipulation SchemeRead the Press Release
An indictment was unsealed today in Miami charging two U.S. citizens and a South African national with conspiring to manipulate the market for HYDRO, a virtual asset created by the Hydrogen Technology Corporation. Two other individuals were also charged in separate charging documents for their roles in the scheme filed in the Southern District of Florida.
According to court documents, from around June 2018 through April 2019, Michael Kane, 38, of Miami; Shane Hampton, 31, of Philadelphia; and George Wolvaardt, 38, of Johannesburg, South Africa, allegedly conspired to manipulate the market for HYDRO, a token on the Ethereum blockchain platform, and defraud market participants by creating the false appearance of supply and demand for HYDRO to induce other market participants to trade at prices, quantities, and times that they otherwise would not have traded. The defendants allegedly used a trading bot to place thousands of orders that they did not intend to execute, or “spoof orders,” and thousands of orders where the bot bought and sold tokens to itself through the same account, or “wash trades.” The co-conspirators allegedly reaped $2 million in profit through their sales of HYDRO at artificially inflated prices.
As alleged in the indictment, Kane was the co-founder and CEO of Hydrogen Technology and Hampton was the Chief of Financial Engineering for the company. Wolvaardt was the Chief Technology Officer for Moonwalkers Trading Limited, a self-described “market-making” firm that purportedly designed the trading bot and was hired by Kane and Hampton to manipulate the market for HYDRO.
Relatedly, Tyler Ostern, 29, of Coos Bay, Oregon, the former CEO of Moonwalkers, and Andrew Chorlian, 29, of New York, New York, a blockchain engineer at Hydrogen Technology, were also charged for their participation in the scheme.
Kane, Hampton, and Wolvaardt are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit securities price manipulation, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and two counts of wire fraud. If convicted, they each face a maximum penalty of five years in prison on the conspiracy to commit securities price manipulation count and 20 years in prison on each of the other charged counts. Ostern and Chorlian are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit securities price manipulation and wire fraud. If convicted, they each face a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI Miami Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI is investigating the case.
Trial Attorney Andrew Jaco and Assistant Chief Scott Armstrong of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Morales for the Southern District of Florida are prosecuting the case.
If you believe you are a victim in this case, please contact the Fraud Section’s Victim Witness Unit toll-free at (888) 549-3945 or by email at [email protected]. To learn more about victims’ rights, please visit www.justice.gov/criminal-vns/victim-rights-derechos-de-las-v-ctimas.
An indictment and information are merely allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Former Chairman of Riviera Beach Housing Authority Sentenced to Federal Prison for Soliciting KickbackRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Delvin Thomas, 44, of West Palm Beach, Florida, the former chairman of the Riviera Beach Housing Authority, has been sentenced to 15 months in federal prison after pleading guilty in December 2022 to one count of extortion under color of official right. Thomas also must forfeit $9,400.
In 2019, Thomas was the chairman of the Riviera Beach Housing Authority. In about April 2019, the Riviera Beach Housing Authority was looking to purchase a parcel of real estate located in Riviera Beach for future use as low-income rental property. Thomas introduced a real estate broker to the person at the Riviera Beach Housing Authority responsible for purchasing the property. The broker would serve as the buyer’s agent for the real estate transaction.
The Riviera Beach Housing Authority contracted to purchase the property, with the buyer’s agent set to receive a 3% commission on the price. After the contract was entered into, Thomas informed the buyer’s agent that he (Thomas) was to receive 50% of the commission.
At the real estate closing, the buyer’s agent’s company was paid a commission of $18,930, and Thomas reminded the agent about Thomas’s 50% cut ($9,400). To hide the unlawful payment, Thomas contacted a third party who agreed to help.
That third party deposited two checks issued to the third party’s business bank account -- one for $6,400, the other for $3,000. The checks falsely stated in their memo sections that the payments were for “Company Branding” and “Marketing Services.” Then, the third party issued two checks from that account to the account of Sire Development Group, LLC -- a company owned by Thomas. Those checks falsely stated in their memo sections that the payments were for “Consulting Services.”
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI, Miami Field Office, announced the sentence imposed in West Palm Beach federal court by U.S. District Judge Kenneth A. Mara.
FBI Miami investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey N. Kaplan prosecuted it.
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 at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
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Former Venezuelan National Treasurer and Her Husband Sentenced in Money Laundering and International Bribery SchemeRead the Press Release
The former National Treasurer of Venezuela and her husband were each sentenced today to 15 years in prison for their roles in a multibillion-dollar bribery and money laundering scheme.
According to court documents, Claudia Patricia Díaz Guillen, 49, and her husband, Adrian José Velásquez, 43, accepted and laundered over $136 million in bribes from co-conspirator Raúl Gorrin Belisario, a Venezuelan billionaire businessman who owned Globovision news network. Gorrin allegedly paid bribes to Díaz, including through Velásquez, to obtain access to purchase bonds from the Venezuela National Treasury at a favorable exchange rate, resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars of profit. The conspiracy involved bulk cash hidden in cardboard boxes, offshore shell companies, Swiss bank accounts, and international wire transfers allegedly sent by Gorrin for Díaz and Velásquez’s benefit, including to purchase multiple private jets and yachts, and to fund a high-end fashion line started by Díaz and Velásquez in South Florida.
“As a result of the Department of Justice’s relentless efforts, the defendants will serve lengthy prison terms for their roles in a massive bribery and money laundering scheme in which Díaz abused her role as the Venezuelan National Treasurer,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “As this prosecution demonstrates, the Criminal Division never wavers in its determination to hold accountable corrupt officials who subvert the rule of law and use our financial system to launder money related to their illicit schemes.”
“The sentences imposed against former Venezuelan National Treasurer Díaz and her husband send a clear message: The United States will not tolerate its financial systems being used as personal money laundering tools by corrupt foreign officials,” said U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida.
“The significant sentencings and judgments imposed today against Díaz and Velásquez Figueroa demonstrate that individuals who use their positions of trust to launder illicitly obtained funds through the U.S. financial systems will be held accountable,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Buckley of the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami Field Office. “HSI Miami’s El Dorado Task Force South will continue to work with our global partners to pursue those individuals and organizations who are involved in these multibillion-dollar conspiracies and money laundering schemes.”
Díaz and Velásquez were each convicted after trial in December 2022 of money laundering offenses. Gorrin was first charged by indictment in August 2018 and remains charged in the superseding indictment as a co-conspirator in the same money laundering scheme. He is currently a fugitive residing in Venezuela.
HSI Miami, FBI Miami, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC-OIG) investigated the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in this matter. The department appreciates the significant cooperation provided by authorities in Spain and Switzerland’s Federal Office of Justice.
Trial Attorneys Paul Hayden and Michael Culhane Harper of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kurt Lunkenheimer and Joshua Paster for the Southern District of Florida prosecuted the case.
The Fraud Section is responsible for investigating and prosecuting FCPA matters. Additional information about the Justice Department’s FCPA enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/fcpa.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Orange County Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty to Kidnapping and Aggravated Assault on a Federal Law Enforcement OfficerRead the Press Release
MIAMI – On April 14, Marques Deon Jones, 40, from Orange County, pled guilty to kidnapping, aggravated assault on a federal law enforcement officer, and two felon in possession of a firearm charges, stemming from a two-day crime spree in Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce, Florida.
On August 14, 2022, Jones pistol-whipped an employee of a Port St. Lucie group home located near SE Walton Road, before forcing the employee to leave with him in the employee’s vehicle. While inside the vehicle, Jones continued to beat the employee, threatening the employee that if he saw police, he would kill the employee and force police to kill him in a shoot-out. A group home supervisor, who witnessed Jones’ threats, the physical assault and the ensuing abduction, notified Port St. Lucie Police Department, who was able to identify Jones and issued a warrant for Jones’ arrest.
The following day, on August 15, 2022, a U.S. Marshals Service warrants unit located Jones, standing outside of a home in Fort Pierce. As the task force officers approached, they observed Jones retrieve a firearm from a parked car, turn, and attempt to flee. Jones later admitted to police that he retrieved the firearm because he wanted officers to shoot and kill him. Jones was arrested without injury. According to court documents, Jones was previously been convicted, in Orange County, of Domestic Battery and Aggravated Battery Causing Great Bodily Harm, both felonies.
Jones is scheduled for sentencing on June 29, before U.S. District Judge Aileen M. Cannon and faces a possible maximum sentence of life in prison.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Christopher A. Robinson of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Miami Field Division, and U.S. Marshal Gadyaces S. Serralta of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service, ATF Fort Pierce, with assistance from the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, Port St. Lucie Police Department and the Fort Pierce Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Breezye Telfair.
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 at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 22-cr-14069.
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Home Confinement Compliance Supervisor Sentenced to Prison Term for Sexually Abusing InmateRead the Press Release
MIAMI — A 60-year-0ld Miami man in charge of monitoring the compliance of federal inmates in home confinement is headed to federal prison after pleading guilty to sexually abusing a woman he monitored.
Benito Montes de Oca Cruz worked as a site supervisor for Riverside House, a federal Bureau of Prisons contractor responsible for providing custodial, supervisory, and disciplinary oversight to federal inmates in home confinement. As part of monitoring compliance, Cruz visited inmates at their homes.
On December 28, 2020, Cruz visited a woman who was serving part of her 51-month sentence at home. While there, Cruz engaged in sexual contact with the victim, including touching her sexually while they were both naked.
Law enforcement received information on this illicit activity and promptly investigated. Evidence against Cruz included a video that captured the illegal activity and DNA that Cruz left behind.
The full sentence imposed by United States District Judge Robert N. Scola was four months’ imprisonment, to be followed by one year of supervised release (with the first 120 days of supervised release in home confinement). In determining the sentence, Judge Scola noted the serious nature of the offense but also considered Cruz’s lack of prior criminal history, among other factors. Cruz must surrender to the federal Bureau of Prisons on June 1.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge James Boyersmith of the Department of Justice, Office of Inspector General (DOJ-OIG), announced the sentence.
DOJ-OIG investigated this case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward N. Stamm prosecuted it.
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 at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 22-cr-20459.
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