Orlando, FL –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Marcelo Manuel Maysonet (24, Orlando) has pleaded guilty to possession of unregistered National Firearms Act (NFA) weapons, more specifically, a machinegun and 15 machinegun conversion devices. Maysonet faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to court documents, law enforcement officers from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) executed a search warrant at Maysonet’s residence, where they discovered 15 machinegun conversion devices and a 5.56 caliber AR-style pistol with a machinegun conversion device installed. A machinegun conversion device is an illegal conversion device that converts a semi-automatic weapon into a fully automatic weapon. Under the National Firearms Act, a machinegun conversion device is classified as a machinegun. None of these items were registered to Maysonet in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, as required under federal law.

As part of the plea agreement, the defendant agreed to forfeit the firearm containing the machinegun conversion device and the 15 additional machine gun conversion devices.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kaley Austin-Aronson.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard has sentenced Anthony Jermaine Robinson (31, Covington, Georgia) to 42 months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. Judge Howard also sentenced co-defendant, Kiana Fina Alphonse (29, Covington, Georgia), to 36 months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, false representation of a Social Security number, and aggravated identity theft. The court also ordered Robinson and Alphonse to pay $9,463.32 in restitution to the victims they defrauded. Robinson had pleaded guilty on February 8, 2023, and Alphonse pleaded guilty on April 26, 2023.

According to court documents and public records, in 2019, deputies from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) stopped a car driven by Robinson for a cracked windshield. Based on a probable cause search of the car, the CCSO located counterfeit Social Security cards and driver licenses in the identity of genuine individuals, genuine credit cards in the name of individuals and multiple phones. CCSO conducted a forensic examination of Robinson’s cellphone which determined that it contained text messages between Robinson and Alphonse depicting outlined instructions on how to fraudulently set up business accounts at banks using fraudulent documents for non-existent businesses, identification documents, and Social Security numbers.

Further investigation revealed that in 2019, Robinson and Alphonse obtained the personally identifiable information (PII) of multiple victims. The pair then obtained counterfeit driver licenses, purportedly from the states of Washington and Delaware, in the identity of the victims. The counterfeit driver licenses contained the PII of the victims, but a photo of Alphonse. Using the PII, including the Social Security numbers of the victims, the counterfeit driver licenses, and documents created for fictitious businesses, Alphonse visited multiple banks and set up fraudulent business bank accounts in the name of various victims. These bank accounts were then utilized as part of a scheme to defraud multiple victims involving the online purchase of nonexistent cars. Once the bank accounts received funds from victims, Robinson, Alphonse, and co-conspirators withdrew the funds for their own personal use.

Robinson appeared in federal court on November 3, 2022, pursuant to a writ bringing him to Jacksonville from Georgia State Prison where he is serving a prison sentence for violating parole on a fraud related crime. Robinson is also wanted on violation of probation warrants from South Carolina and Columbia County, Florida on two unrelated financial crime cases.

This case was investigated by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Secret Service – Jacksonville Field Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Kiana Fiona Alphonse (29, Covington, Georgia) has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, seven counts of bank fraud, five counts of false representation of a Social Security number, and five counts of aggravated identity theft. Alphonse faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 2 years’ in federal prison on the aggravated identity theft charges, up to 30 years in federal prison for each count of bank fraud and conspiracy to commit bank fraud, up to 5 years in federal prison on each count of false representation of a Social Security number, and payment of restitution to the victims she and her co-defendant, Anthony Jermaine Robinson (31, Covington, Georgia), had defrauded. Her sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to court documents and public records, in 2019, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) stopped a car Robinson was driving for a cracked windshield. Based on a probable cause search of the car, the CCSO located among other items, counterfeit Social Security cards and driver licenses in the identity of genuine individuals, genuine credit cards in the name of individuals, and multiple phones. Pursuant to a search warrant, the CCSO conducted a forensic examination of Robinson’s cellphone and determined that it contained among other things, text messages between Robinson and Alphonse. The text messages outlined instructions on how to fraudulently set up business accounts at banks using fraudulent business documents for non-existent businesses, identification documents, and Social Security numbers.

Follow up investigation by law enforcement determined that in 2019, Robinson and Alphonse obtained the personally identifiable information (PII) of multiple victims and then obtained counterfeit driver licenses purportedly from Washington state and Delaware in the identity of the victims. The counterfeit driver licenses contained the PII of the victims, but a photo of Alphonse. Using the PII including the Social Security numbers of the victims, the counterfeit driver licenses, and documents created for fictitious businesses, Alphonse visited multiple banks and set up fraudulent business bank accounts in the name of various victims. These bank accounts were then utilized as part of a scheme to defraud multiple victims involving the online purchase of nonexistent cars. Once the bank accounts received funds from the victims, Robinson, Alphonse, and co-conspirators withdrew the funds for their own personal use.

Alphonse appeared in federal court on April 26, 2023, pursuant to a writ bringing her to Jacksonville from Newton County Jail in Georgia where she is serving a jail sentence for violating probation on a firearm related crime.

Robinson appeared in federal court on November 3, 2022, pursuant to a writ bringing him to Jacksonville from Georgia State Prison where he is serving a prison sentence for violating parole on a fraud related crime. The Court ordered Robinson detained pending trial. On February 8, 2023, Robinson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. He faces a maximum penalty of 32 years in federal prison and payment of restitution to the victims he and Alphonse defrauded. Robinson is also wanted on violation of probation warrants from South Carolina and Columbia County, Florida on two unrelated financial crime cases.

This case was investigated by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Secret Service - Jacksonville Field Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein.

Tampa, FL – U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez today announced that the Middle District of Florida received $998,000 from the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs and its component, the Office for Victims of Crime, to provide safe, stable housing and appropriate services to victims of human trafficking.

“Human trafficking is a barbaric criminal enterprise that subjects its victims to unspeakable cruelty and deprives them of the most basic of human needs, none more essential than a safe place to live,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “Throughout this Administration, the Department of Justice has fought aggressively to bring human traffickers to justice and to deliver critical aid to trafficking survivors. These new resources, announced today, expand on our efforts to offer those who have suffered the shelter and support they need to begin a new and better life.”

“Our Office is committed to aggressively pursuing and prosecuting those who commit these heinous crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez. “We are equally determined to the rescue, recovery, and assistance of those who have been traumatized by these unspeakable experiences. The awards announced today will provide our partners with much needed resources that will place trafficking victims on the road to restoration and hope.  

The grant, awarded to the United Way of Pasco County, Inc. and Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc. will provide 6 to 24 months of transitional or short-term housing assistance for trafficking victims, including rental, utilities or related expenses, such as security deposits and relocation costs. The grant will also provide funding for support needed to help victims locate permanent housing, secure employment, as well as occupational training and counseling. The above grant recipients are among 73 organizations receiving more than $35 million in OVC grants to support housing services for human trafficking survivors.

“Human traffickers dangle the threat of homelessness over those they have entrapped, playing a ruthless game of psychological manipulation that victims are never in a position to win,” said OJP Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “These grants will empower survivors on their path to independence and a life of self-sufficiency and hope.”

Human trafficking offenses are among the most difficult crimes to identify, and the scope of human trafficking victimization may be much greater than the limited data reflect. A new report issued by the National Institute of Justice, another component of the Office of Justice Programs, found that the number of human trafficking cases captured in police reports may represent only a fraction of all such cases. Expanding housing and other services to trafficking victims remains a top Justice Department priority.

The Office for Victims of Crime, for example, hosted listening sessions and roundtable discussions with stakeholders in the field in 2018 and launched the Human Trafficking Capacity Building Center. From July 2018 through June 2019, 118 OVC human trafficking grantees reported serving 8,375 total clients including confirmed trafficking victims and individuals showing strong indicators of trafficking victimization.

For a complete list of individual award amounts and jurisdictions that will receive funding, visit: https://www.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh241/files/media/document/htvictimsfactheet.pdf

The Office of Justice Programs, directed by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan, provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal and juvenile justice systems. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Susan C. Bucklew today sentenced Steven Zoernack (55, Sarasota) to 5 years in federal prison for conspiring to commit wire fraud. He was also ordered to forfeit $2,890,518.54 in ill-gotten gains and to make restitution to victims in the amount of $3,435,194.56. Zoernack pleaded guilty on March 31, 2017.

 

According to court documents, Zoernack owned and operated an investment advisory firm, EquityStar Capital Management LLC (“EquityStar”), through which he formed and managed multiple hedge funds, including the Petroleum Black Energy Fund, the Global Partners Fund, and the Momentum Growth Fund. Beginning in August 2012, Zoernack and his co-conspirators marketed these funds to accredited investors across the United States and Canada from offices in Sarasota and New Port Beach, California. They ultimately raised more than $6 million through their solicitations. 

 

In marketing the funds, Zoernack failed to disclose numerous material facts about his background and the funds he was managing. Specifically, he failed to disclose that he had been convicted on federal wire fraud charges in 2007; had previously filed for bankruptcy; had a history of tax liens and adverse money judgments; and still owed hundreds of thousands of dollars in restitution to past fraud victims. In fact, Zoernack actively sought to conceal his past by misappropriating fund assets to pay an online reputation manager to manipulate Internet search engine results about him to prevent potential investors from learning of his past. He also routinely lied about his educational background and expertise as an investment manager, and his experience in the financial industry. Similarly, Zoernack lied about the educational backgrounds and professional experience of his employees, as well as the size of the firm’s staff. He repeatedly impersonated former EquityStar employees and corresponded with investors online using fictitious names and phony email accounts. In addition, he lied to potential investors about his portfolio’s ratings, profits, market returns, and losses.

 

After obtaining investor contributions, Zoernack began misappropriating fund assets for his personal use. Specifically, he made monthly withdrawals of unauthorized “salaries” and “bonuses” in amounts ranging from $12,000 to $25,000 and used these and other fund assets to pay for personal and non-business related expenses, none of which were disclosed to investors. In total, through a combination of trading losses and the misappropriation of fund assets, Zoernack lost millions of dollars of investors’ money. 

 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, alongside a parallel civil enforcement action brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission.  It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eric K. Gerard. 

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Robert L. Birchum (55, Tampa) has pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing and retaining classified documents relating to the national defense of the United States. Birchum faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. Birchum has also agreed to surrender certain computer equipment that contained classified information and facilitated the unlawful retention of national defense information.

According to the plea agreement, Birchum, who retired in 2018 as a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force, had served in various positions in intelligence, including those requiring him to work with classified intelligence information for the Joint Special Operations Command, the Special Operations Command, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. While he was on active duty, Birchum entered into several agreements with the United States regarding the protection and proper handling of classified information. In 2017, however, law enforcement officers discovered that Birchum had removed more than 300 classified files or documents, including more than 30 items marked Top Secret, from authorized locations to his home, his overseas officer’s quarters, and a storage pod in his driveway. None of these locations were authorized for storage of classified national defense information, and Birchum knew as much. For example, Birchum possessed two documents on a thumb drive found in his home that contained information relating to the National Security Agency’s capabilities and methods of collection, and targets’ vulnerabilities. Both documents were classified as Top Secret/SCI, and their unauthorized release could be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to the national security of the United States.

This case was investigated by the United States Air Force—Office of Special Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Cherie L. Krigsman and Trial Attorney Evan N. Turgeon of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

 





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Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Lee Ann Roberts (43, Altamonte Springs) has pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon and possessing unregistered machineguns and silencers. Roberts faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon and up to 10 years in federal prison for possessing unregistered machineguns and silencers. Roberts must also forfeit the firearms, silencers, and ammunition involved the offense.According to court documents, officers and agents with the Altamonte Springs Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives received a tip that Roberts was selling firearms, machineguns, and silencers out of a hotel room in Altamonte Springs and storing the contraband in a white sedan. Law enforcement located Roberts driving the white sedan. When questioned, Roberts admitted that there was at least one firearm in the vehicle and that she is a convicted felon.Officers searched the vehicle and located a hunting rifle, two AR-platform receivers, three silencers, tactical gear, vests, magazines, and hundreds of rounds of assorted ammunition. The AR-platform receivers had been modified to allow fully automatic firing, making them machineguns under federal law.           (Machinegun receivers and silencers recovered from Roberts’s vehicle)Law enforcement also searched Roberts’ phone and found evidence that Roberts had sold or attempted to sell several firearms, including many of the firearms which law enforcement found in her car.(Image of firearms, magazines, and ammunition recovered from Roberts’s phone)As a convicted felon, Roberts is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law. None of the machineguns or silencers were registered to Roberts in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, as required under federal law.This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Altamonte Springs Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Richard Varadan.This case is part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence for occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Orlando, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the charging of six defendants with violations of federal firearms laws as listed below: Name, Age, City of ResidenceChargesMaximum PenaltiesNumber of Firearms InvolvedAngel Velazquez Delgado34, DelandFirearms TraffickingStraw Purchasing40 years10+Jesus Hernandez32, DelandConspiracyFirearms TraffickingStraw PurchasingMaking False Statement on Firearm Transaction Record60 years10+Edgar Jimenez30, DelandStraw Purchasing25 years5Jesus Paulino27, DelandStraw Purchasing25 years4Jonathan Borja23, DelandStraw Purchasing25 years2Jesus Andres28, DelandMaking a False Statement on Firearm Transaction Record10 years2According to charging documents and other records filed in court, in May 2023, investigators with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) began investigating a firearms trafficking organization operating in the Middle District of Florida. The organization was comprised of at least six individuals and led by Angel Velazquez Delgado. These individuals purchased high-caliber firearms in the United States for resale to Mexican drug cartels. These cartels were and are criminal organizations engaged in the trafficking of controlled substances into the United States.The firearms trafficked by the defendants included high-caliber, armor-piercing and anti-material weapons. For example, approximately 11 of the firearms trafficked by this organization were Barrett .50 caliber rifles, which can expel a very accurate, heavy, and fast-moving projectile that defeats all individually worn body armor, can penetrate and disable vehicles, aircraft, boats, and can also defeat some types of protection provided by armored vehicles. The organization also trafficked approximately 16 FN M249S rifles, which are sold in the United States as a semi-automatic weapon but are easily converted into a machinegun.(photographs located in cellphone communications amongst defendants)It is alleged that the firearms were purchased at the request of the cartels and transported to the cartels soon after purchase. None of the defendants possess a license to sell firearms. The defendants were paid in cash, illegal narcotics, or the profits of illegal narcotics sales, to purchase each of the firearms. All firearms were purchased in Florida or Georgia and transported to Mexico.Using the eTrace Firearm Recovery Notification Program, Mexican authorities were able to confirm the presence of at least one of the trafficked firearms in Mexico. On March 22, 2023, Mexican State Police and Mexican Military Personnel were involved in a shooting with suspected cartel members in Michoacan, Mexico. Two individuals were killed during the exchange of gunfire. After the shooting, a Barrett .50 caliber rifle purchased by Jesus Hernandez on November 8, 2022, was recovered.At some point during its operation, the trafficking organization began removing the serial numbers from the firearms to avoid tracing by law enforcement.An indictment or information is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until proven guilty.         “The investigation and prosecution of violent crime continues to be one of the top priorities of my District,” said U.S. Attorney Handberg. “These defendants are alleged to have trafficked high-caliber, military-grade weapons into the hands of dangerous Mexican cartel members. Our law enforcement partners worked efficiently and effectively to hold the defendants accountable for their crimes and to stop them from continuing to jeopardize public safety.”This case was prosecuted under the new criminal provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which Congress enacted and the President signed in June 2022. The Act is the first federal statute specifically designed to target the unlawful trafficking and straw-purchasing of firearms.This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, the Volusia Bureau of Investigations and the Deland Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Rachel Lyons and Noah Dorman.

Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Virginia Hernandez Covington today sentenced Chris J. McDonald, Sr. (53, Riverview) to one year and one day in federal prison for his role in a conspiracy to commit theft of government property. As part of his sentence, the Court also ordered him to pay $117,952.35 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service, and entered a separate money judgment against McDonald in the amount of $64,924.

McDonald was found guilty on December 14, 2017, following a four-day jury trial.

This case is related to the earlier federal prosecution of Jeanette Hevel, a former Tampa Police Department (TPD) corporal who stole 13 United States Treasury tax refund checks, money orders, and a refund anticipation loan from various locations inside TPD, including its secure evidence property room. Her unlawful conduct occurred over an approximately 9-month period, beginning in or around September 2011. In April 2015, Hevel pleaded guilty for her conduct pursuant to a plea agreement in which she agreed to cooperate in the government’s ongoing investigation of those responsible for cashing the stolen tax refund checks.

On December 9, 2015, a federal grand jury returned an indictment against McDonald and Joseph Lugo for their roles in the criminal conduct. According to court records, Hevel provided 9 of the 13 stolen tax refund checks to Lugo, who then delivered them to Robert Sanders and McDonald. McDonald deposited the checks into one of his bank accounts and then typically returned to the bank the next business day and withdrew the funds and shared them with the conspirators. None of the conspirators knew any of the payees listed on the tax refund checks, nor did they have permission from any of the payees to possess or deposit the checks.

Lugo pleaded guilty in June 2017. Sanders pleaded guilty in 2014 and testified for the government at trial.

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and the Tampa Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jay G. Trezevant and Frank Murray.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces that Gloria Wiley (72, Dansville, KY) has pleaded guilty to a charge of failure to refund federally insured student aid funds, commonly referred to as Stafford Loans and Pell Grants. Wiley faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. As part of her plea agreement, Wiley has agreed to pay nearly $300,000 in restitution to affected students, the U.S. Department of Education, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

According to the plea agreement, Wiley was the owner of Stenotype Institute of Jacksonville, Inc.—a Jacksonville-based stenography school that provided professional education to individuals pursuing stenography careers, including court reporting and medical transcription. Stenotype was authorized to receive federal student aid funds from the U.S. Department of Education on behalf of its students to cover tuition, fees, and living expense stipends. Excess funds drawn on behalf of students were required to be refunded to the U.S. Department of Education or to the student within 45 days. 

Beginning in June 2015, instead of refunding the excess refunds, Stenotype began tracking the amounts owed in a spreadsheet. Meanwhile, Wiley continued to draw funds from the school for her personal use. In total, Wiley and Stenotype held approximately $290,000 in refunds due to the U.S. Department of Education and to former students, and $9,000 due to the Department of Veterans Affairs, none of which have ever been paid. Stenotype ceased operations in March 2016, shortly after a program review by the U.S. Department of Education.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General and the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Cofer Taylor.

Ocala, Florida –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that David O. Isagba today pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud and one count of conspiring to defraud the United States with respect to tax claims. Isagba faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison. A federal grand jury had indicted Isagba and his wife, Joyce Isagba, on May 27, 2020. Her portion of the case is set for trial in May 2022 before Senior U.S. District Judge John Antoon II.  

According to the plea agreement and other court documents, between 2009 and 2019, David Isagba submitted 227 fraudulent claims to the IRS falsely claiming to be entitled to more than $2.9 billion in tax refunds on behalf of nonexistent trusts. David Isagba subsequently received a total of $5,815,723.65 from the IRS as a result of this fraudulent scheme. He used the money to purchase a home and multiple luxury vehicles.

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William S. Hamilton.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

Tampa, FL – Acting United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow announces that a federal jury today found Chris J. McDonald, Sr. (53, Riverview) guilty of conspiracy to commit theft of government property and nine related substantive counts of theft. He faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison for the conspiracy count and up to 10 years’ imprisonment on each theft count. A sentencing date has not yet been set.  

 

This case is related to the earlier federal prosecution of Jeanette Hevel, a former Tampa Police Department (TPD) corporal with more than 20 years’ experience who stole 13 United States Treasury tax refund checks, money orders, and a refund anticipation loan check from various locations inside TPD, including its secure evidence property room. Her unlawful conduct occurred over an approximately 9-month period beginning in September 2011. In April 2015, Hevel pleaded guilty for her conduct pursuant to a plea agreement in which she agreed to cooperate in the government’s ongoing investigation of those responsible for cashing the stolen tax refund checks. (See United States v. Jeanette Hevel, Case No. 8:15-cr-59-T-33MAP).

 

On December 9, 2015, a federal grand jury returned an indictment against McDonald and Joseph Lugo for their roles in the criminal conduct. According to the indictment and other court records, Hevel provided 9 of the 13 stolen tax refund checks to Lugo who then delivered them to Robert Sanders and McDonald. McDonald deposited the checks into one of his bank accounts and then typically returned to the bank the next business day and withdrew the funds and shared them amongst the conspirators, including Hevel. None of the conspirators knew any of the payees listed on the tax refund checks nor did they have permission from any of the payees to possess or deposit the checks.

 

In June 2017, Lugo pleaded guilty for his role in this case. Sanders pleaded guilty in 2014 and testified for the government during the trial. (See United States v. Robert Sanders, Case No. 8:14-cr-411-T-23AEP).

 

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation and the Tampa Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jay G. Trezevant and Frank Murray.

NORFOLK, Va. – A Virginia Beach man was sentenced to 40 years in prison for attempted production of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) and distribution of CSAM.According to court documents, on March 10, 2024, Andrew Joseph Fernandez, 33, a married Machinist’s Mate in the U.S. Navy, contacted a victim, identified as Minor Victim 1 (MV1), by private message on TikTok and later continued to engage with her by text messages. The victim told Fernandez that she was 10 years old and Fernandez told her that he was under 13 years old, that his name was Levi, and that he previously attended her school before he moved to another state.Fernandez’s text messages quickly turned sexual, sending a sexually graphic message within one minute of his first text and a video exposing himself two minutes later. Fernandez continued to engage the child in sexual conversations and sending graphic images, even after the victim declined his offers to send more. He also made the victim promise to keep their conversations a secret.On March 14, 2024, a school bus driver overheard MV1 describing sexually explicit subjects and alerted the school principal, who contacted MV1’s parent. Law enforcement began an investigation and learned that MV1 was actually nine years old. An FBI agent assumed the victim’s identity and continued to engage with Fernandez, who continued to send sexually explicit images, which he directed the victim to delete. Fernandez attempted to persuade MV1 to produce CSAM depicting herself by telling her that the images would lead to a lucrative modeling audition.On Oct. 3, 2023, Fernandez engaged Minor Victim 2 (MV2), a 14-year-old girl, in text and WhatsApp messages, introducing himself as 13-year-old “Levi.” Less than four minutes after his first text message to MV2, Fernandez sent her a video of himself engaged in a sexual act. MV2 reacted negatively, and no messages were exchanged for about two months. When their messages resumed, Fernandez offered to send more sexual images of himself, which the victim declined. On Dec. 3, 2023, Fernandez asked MV2 to produce CSAM, and she declined. When MV2 expressed concern after Fernandez threatened to end their relationship, Fernandez took the opportunity to again send sexually graphic images of himself and pressured her to provide CSAM.On July 13, 2023, Fernandez began engaging in text messages with Minor Victim 3 (MV3), a friend of MV1 who was eight years old, but told Fernandez that she was 10. Fernandez told MV3 that his name was Levi and that he attended her school. Less than one minute after his first message, Fernandez asked MV3 whether she was dating anyone and if she wanted “to go out.” Then, after asking MV3 if she could keep a secret, Fernandez began sending sexually graphic messages.On Aug. 19, 2023, after asking her age again, Fernandez sent to MV3 a video depicting himself in a sexual act, then became angry that she did not want to see images of that type of content. He nonetheless sent similar images and videos and requested that MV3 send him CSAM.Messages found on Fernandez cellphone show that he engaged in similar conduct with several other victims, including sending sexually explicit images of himself, sending CSAM, and requesting CSAM from the victims, some of whom acquiesced to his requests.Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Michael Feinberg, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen. The FBI New York Field Office and Dutchess County (New York) Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the Dutchess Child Advocacy Center provided valuable assistance in this case.Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony C. Marek prosecuted the case.This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, 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 U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (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.A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-55.

Ocala, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Robert Edward Smith (59, Fort McCoy) with possession of unregistered National Firearms Act (NFA) weapons—a machinegun and two silencers. If convicted, Smith faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

According to court documents, special agents searched Smith’s Marion County residence on February 15, 2024, pursuant to a federal search warrant. Inside Smith’s bedroom, agents located a Sten machinegun and two silencers. None of the items were registered to Smith in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, as required under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Belkis H. Crockett.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Brian Carroll (46, Tennessee) has pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to the plea agreement, Carroll was the Executive Vice President of Southeastern University, a university based in Lakeland, Florida. His responsibilities as Executive Vice President of Southeastern University included being the chief operating officer of the university, with responsibility for strategy, financial operations, and legal affairs.

Carroll was involved in a scheme to enrich himself and to defraud the university of funds in 2016. The scheme involved Carroll’s creation of a New Mexico corporation, which he secretly controlled, and the establishment of a bank account in the name of that corporation. He also created an email address for the company, which he used to further the scheme.

Around mid-2016, the leadership of Southeastern University was interested in rebranding the university and its web image. Carroll worked on the project and secretly “engaged” his New Mexico corporation to perform that project work. Over a six-month period, Carroll’s corporation generated a contract to do the work and a number of invoices for payment by Southeastern University for work purportedly performed. The total payment to the New Mexico corporation, for which Carroll sought and received payment from the university, was in excess of $180,000. Carroll kept his involvement with the New Mexico corporation a secret from any members of Southeastern University. In reality, Carroll’s New Mexico corporation did none of the work on this project. Instead, it had engaged a New York-based corporation to do the work on the project at the reduced cost of approximately $30,000.

During the course of the fraud scheme, Carroll, in his position at Southeastern University, approved a number of payments from university funds to his New Mexico corporation for its purported work on the project. Only after Southeastern University had spent over $180,000 on the project did it discover the involvement of Carroll in the New Mexico corporation and the real cost of the project. The Board of Directors suspended Carroll immediately and ultimately terminated his employment at the university soon thereafter in early 2017.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Lakeland Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jay L. Hoffer.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Rocco Joseph Frakes (50, Middleburg) has pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing unregistered silencers and an unregistered short-barrel rifle. Frakes faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.According to the plea agreement, on July 25, 2024, federal agents executed a search warrant at Frakes’s home and located a .22 caliber rifle with a threaded barrel, three silencers, a rifle with a 7 ½ inch long barrel, and a .45 caliber machinegun in Frakes’s bedroom. Contrary to federal law, none of these devices were registered to Frakes in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record—a database maintained by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Frakes is retired from the United States Navy, where his primary duty was as a weapons instructor for Atlantic Fleet squadrons.This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Elisibeth Adams.This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Paul G. Byron has sentenced Jermica Jerri Dominick Brooks (37, Orlando) a/k/a “Jermica Jerri Dominick Sykes” to six years and nine months in federal prison for two separate wire fraud schemes and aggravated identity theft. The court also ordered Brooks to forfeit more than $25,000, which is traceable to benefits she had received as a result of the offenses. 

Brooks had pleaded guilty on November 12, 2020.

According to court documents, following Hurricane Irma in 2017, Brooks used stolen identities to file five applications for disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Brooks had obtained the personally identifiable information of certain victims during the course of her employment at a local plumbing business, where she worked as an office manager in or about 2016.  Brooks obtained other stolen identities by purchasing the information through illicit channels. At sentencing, a victim informed the Court that she was unable to obtain FEMA assistance following Hurricane Irma because Brooks had already filed a fraudulent application in her name.

In a separate scheme, from January through May 2018, Brooks applied for and obtained 10 apartment leases in the names of identity theft victims. She used unauthorized or nonexistent financial account information to make it appear that her application and initial rent payments were legitimate, and feigned personal emergencies to secure occupancy in the leased apartments before those electronic payments were returned or rejected. Those leases resulted in a series of evictions in the names of Brooks’s victims. According to victims’ statements provided to the Court at sentencing, Brooks’s repeated use of their identities resulted in significant hardships surrounding their efforts to secure credit, housing, and car loans.

This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security – Office of the Inspector General, the Orlando Police Department, the Casselberry Police Department, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Emily C. L. Chang.

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Lee Ann Roberts (42, Altamonte Springs) with possession of a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon and possession of unregistered machineguns and silencers. If convicted, Roberts faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon and up to 10 years in federal prison for possessing unregistered machineguns and silencers. The indictment also notifies Roberts that the United States intends to forfeit the firearms, silencers, and ammunition involved in the offense.

According to the indictment, Roberts is a four-time convicted felon. Despite knowing that she was a felon, on February 12, 2024, Roberts possessed a Savage Arms rifle and ammunition. As a convicted felon, she is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law. Roberts also possessed two AR-type machineguns and three silencers. None of the machineguns or silencers were registered to Roberts in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, as required under federal law.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. 

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Altamonte Springs Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Richard Varadan.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Orlando, FL – A Florida man was sentenced to 21 months in prison for obstructing the IRS in connection with his use of the “Note Program,” a tax fraud scheme.According to court documents and statements made in court, from 2015 to 2018, Arthur Grimes, of Ocoee and Orlando, was a client of a tax fraud scheme promoted by Jasen Harvey and Christopher Johnson. The scheme involved Harvey and Johnson filing false tax returns for clients that claimed that large nonexistent income tax withholdings had been paid to the IRS and sought substantial refunds based on those purported withholdings. Grimes participated in the scheme by causing four false income tax returns prepared by Harvey to be filed that sought refunds totaling $627,587 of which the IRS paid approximately $270,000. When the IRS attempted to recover a refund issued to Grimes based on one of those returns, Grimes made false statements and submitted false documents to an IRS revenue officer and transferred funds to a nominee bank account.Harvey and Johnson previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the IRS and were respectively sentenced to 48 months in prison and 37 months in prison.In addition to his prison sentence, U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton Jr. for the Middle District of Florida ordered Grimes to serve one year of supervised release and to pay approximately $238,973 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 Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida made the announcement.IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case.Trial Attorneys Melissa Siskind, Jeffrey McLellan and Caroline Pearson of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Hu for the Middle District of Florida prosecuted the case.

 Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the results achieved by the Middle District of Florida’s efforts to combat fraud related to COVID-19. Those efforts have included complementary actions by the United States Attorney’s Office’s (USAO-MDFL) Criminal, Asset Recovery, Appellate, and Civil Divisions, along with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.



“The Middle District of Florida United States Attorney’s Office continues to pursue, investigate, prosecute, and recover money from those who were engaged in major or sophisticated fraud schemes designed to steal benefits intended for Americans coping with the myriad impacts of the pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg.



On the criminal enforcement front, the USAO-MDFL and federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies combined resources in March 2020 to form the Middle District of Florida COVID-19 Fraud Task Force to identify, investigate, and prosecute fraud related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Since its inception, the Task Force has prosecuted 67 defendants for fraud schemes designed to exploit federal programs including the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), Economic Injury Disaster Loans (“EIDL”), Unemployment Insurance (“UI”), the Main Street Lending Program (“MSLP”), the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (“ERAP”), as well as government Healthcare programs such as Medicare (“HCF”). Collectively, these defendants sought to defraud the United States of over $78 million. Forty-seven of those defendants have been found guilty, while prosecution remains pending against 20 defendants. (See chart below for criminal case details.)

For example, in April 2023, former Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Corrections Officer Deconna Burke was charged with wire fraud relating to an alleged scheme to obtain a PPP loan for a nonexistent babysitting business.

And in June 2023, Timothy and Lisa Jolloff were charged in a scheme relating to EIDL and PPP applications submitted by Timothy Jolloff between April and May 2020. Timothy Jolloff’s false and fraudulent representations caused the SBA and a PPP lender to approve and fund 11 EIDLs and 6 PPP loans, totaling approximately $2.14 million. Timothy Jolloff and his wife, Lisa Jolloff, allegedly used the funds to purchase three pontoon boats, real estate in Indiana, home furnishings, outdoor kitchens for their homes, a 2020 Polaris UTV, as well as jewelry, and two dogs. The couple also fraudulently used more than $600,000 in EIDL funds to purchase a furniture business in Indiana and a landscaping business in Sarasota, which had no connection to the businesses for which the couple had obtained COVID relief funds.



As a result of the USAO-MDFL’s Appellate Division’s advocacy, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed the convictions and sentence of Casey David Crowther, who had been found guilty in Ft. Myers of bank fraud, making a false statement to a lending institution, and two counts of money laundering in connection with his PPP loan scheme. Crowther had obtained a $2.1 million PPP loan by stating that he intended to use the money for payroll, rent, and utilities for his company, Target Roofing and Sheet Metal, but, according to the evidence at trial, he instead had his bank deposit the money into a secret account separate from his company’s main operating account. He quickly used the account for personal use, spending nearly $700,000 on a 40-foot pleasure boat and $55,000 on a horse. When Crowther’s bank warned him that he was likely to be audited, he attempted to conceal his fraud by falsely “hiring” family members and dozens of fictitious employees to inflate his company’s apparent payroll.

The U.S. Attorney General has 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. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

Through the PPP, the federal government authorized over $600 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through the PPP. The EIDL program provides economic relief to small businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. The MSLP provided support to small and medium-sized businesses and their employees across the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. UI programs provided unemployment benefits to eligible workers who became unemployed through no fault of their own.

The criminal cases charged by the Middle District of Florida COVID-19 Fraud Task Force have been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Secret Service, Internal Revenue Service—Criminal Investigation, the Department of Labor—Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Postal Service, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the Small Business Administration, the Small Business Administration—Office of Inspector General, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation—Office of Inspector General, Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery, Federal Reserve Board—Office of Inspector General, Department of Health and Human Services—Office of Inspector General, the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation, the Tampa Police Department, the Orlando Police Department, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, the Winter Park Police Department, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys throughout the Middle District of Florida.    

The Department of Justice needs the public’s assistance in remaining vigilant and reporting suspected fraudulent activity. To report suspected fraud, contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud (“NCDF”) at (866) 720-5721 or file an online complaint at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/webform/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form. Complaints filed will be reviewed at the NCDF and referred to federal, state, local, or international law enforcement or regulatory agencies for investigation.









United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida

COVID Fraud Criminal Cases









Charged Cases









Defendant(s) (Age)





Charge(s)

Max. Imprisonment





Type of Fraud*





Intended Loss

Amount









Tampa Division









Alexander Alli





Wire fraud conspiracy

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years





EIDL





$80k









Ellyn Pinkney





Wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years





EIDL





$40k









Kieanna Garrett





Wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years





EIDL





$40k









Nicole Bramble-King





Wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years





PPP





$40k









Mehdi Tazi





Conspiracy

Maximum Prison Term: 5 years

Wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

Aggravated identity theft

Maximum Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive





UI





$1.5M









Modupe Ogundele





Wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years





PPP





$20k









Jalissa McDuffy





Wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years





PPP





$41k









Devontaie Deravil





Aggravated identity theft

Maximum Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive

Access device fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years





UI





$480k









These COVID Fraud cases from the Tampa Division are being handled by AUSAs Rachel Jones, Tiffany Fields, Greg Pizzo, Candace Rich, and Jennifer Peresie









Orlando Division









Evan Edwards

Joshua Edwards





Conspiracy to commit bank fraud (E. Edwards)

Maximum Prison Term: 30 years

 

Bank fraud (J. Edwards)

Maximum Prison Term: 30 years

Visa fraud (J. Edwards)

Maximum Prison Term: 10 years

False statements (J. Edwards)

Maximum Prison Term: 30 years





PPP





$8M









Emmet Bowens





Wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

Illegal monetary transactions

Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years





PPP





$740k









Latresia Wilson





False Statements

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years





HCF





$2.6M









These COVID Fraud cases from the Orlando Division are being handled by AUSAs Kara Wick and Amanda Daniels









Jacksonville Division









Deconna Burke





Wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years





PPP





$20k









Christopher Daragjati





Wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

Theft of government funds

Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years

Aggravated identity theft

Maximum: Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive





UI





$150k









These COVID Fraud cases from the Jacksonville Division are being handled by AUSA Kevin Frein









Fort Myers Division









Venera Price





Mail fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years





ERAP





$82k









Ismaelle Manuel





Bank Fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 30 Years

Wire Fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years





PPP





$280k









Denis Casseus





Bank Fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 30 Years

Wire Fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years





PPP





$298k









Timothy Jolloff





Wire Fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

Money laundering

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

Illegal monetary transactions

Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years





PPP/EIDL





$2.1M









Lisa Jolloff





Money laundering

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

Illegal monetary transactions

Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years





PPP/EIDL





$2.1M









These COVID Fraud cases from the Fort Myers Division are being handled by AUSA Yolande Viacava and Trent Reichling









Ocala Division









Henry Wade





Wire Fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years





EIDL





$500k









This COVID Fraud case from the Ocala Division is being handled by AUSA Hannah Nowalk









Adjudicated Cases









Tampa Division









Joseph Abdo





Wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

Illegal monetary transactions

Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years





PPP





$500k









Alexander Leszczynski





Wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

Bank fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 30 Years

Illegal monetary transactions

Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years





PPP





$200k









Keaujay Hornsby





Racketeering conspiracy

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

Aggravated identity theft

Maximum Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive

Access device fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years





UI





$3M









Kareem Spann





Racketeering conspiracy

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

Aggravated identity theft

Maximum Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive

Access device fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years





UI





$3M









Marqus Willard Johnson





Bank fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 30 Years

Money laundering

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years





PPP





$500k









Charles Cunningham





Bank fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 30 years





PPP





$800k









These COVID Fraud cases from the Tampa Division are being handled by AUSAs Rachel Jones, Diego Novaes, Tiffany Fields, Jennifer Peresie, and Greg Pizzo, and DOJ Trial Attorney John Scanlon









Orlando Division









Brian Blake





Possession of device-making equipment

Maximum Prison Term: 15 Years

Access device fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years

Aggravated identity theft

Maximum: Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive





PPP/UI





$832k









This COVID Fraud case from the Orlando Division is being handled by AUSAs Chauncey Bratt









Jacksonville Division









Desmond Williams





Wire fraud conspiracy

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

Wire fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years





PPP





$40k









Kenneth Landers





Wire Fraud

Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years

Money Laundering

Maximum Prison Term: 30 Years





PPP





$1.4M









These COVID Fraud cases from the Jacksonville Division are being handled by AUSA Kevin Frein and Michael Coolican









Sentenced Cases









Tampa Division









Louis Thornton, III





Wire Fraud

Sentence Imposed: 42 months in federal prison





EIDL/PPP





$815k









Kary Stevenson

Corey Quinn





Conspiracy to commit access device fraud and aggravated identity theft

Sentence Imposed: 5 years, 10 months in federal prison (Stevenson)

Sentence Imposed:7 years in federal prison (Quinn)





UI





$1M









Bridgitte Keim





Bank fraud

Sentence Imposed: 2 years in federal prison





PPP





$588k









Wayne Ganaway





Conspiracy to commit wire fraud

Sentence Imposed: 4 years in federal prison





EIDL





$300k









Eriaius Bentley





Racketeering conspiracy, aggravated identity theft, access device fraud

Sentence Imposed: One year in federal prison





UI





$3M









Rolanda Wingfield





Access device fraud, Aggravated identity theft

Sentenced Imposed: 3 years in federal prison





UI





$135k









Tywon Spann





Racketeering conspiracy, aggravated identity theft, access device fraud

Sentence Imposed: 6 years and 9 months in federal prison





UI





$3M









Randy Jones





Wire fraud, aggravated identity theft

Sentence Imposed: 5 years and 1 month in federal prison





EIDL/UI





$250k









Julio Lugo





Conspiracy to commit money laundering

Sentence Imposed: 7 years and 6 months in federal prison





EIDL/PPP





$4.4M









Keith Nicoletta





Conspiracy to commit money laundering

Sentence Imposed: 24 months in federal prison





PPP





$1.9M









Rosenide Venant





Conspiracy to commit money laundering

Sentence Imposed: 5 years in federal prison





EIDL/PPP





$413k









Melinda Hernandez





Conspiracy to commit wire fraud

Wire fraud and aggravated identity theft

Sentence imposed: Three years and six months in federal prison





UI





$1.5M









Bri’antina Mills





Wire fraud and theft of government funds

Sentence imposed: 15 months in federal prison



 



$10K









Jorge Gutierrez Echeverria





Wire fraud

Sentence imposed: Two years and six months in federal prison





EIDL





$150k









Omar Esquivel Bello





Wire fraud

Sentence imposed: 15 months in federal prison





EIDL





$242k









Steve Moodie





Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft

Sentence imposed: 5 years and 10 months in federal prison





UI





$1.5M









Richard Simpkins





Conspiracy to commit money laundering

Sentence imposed: 5 years and 10 months in federal prison





PPP





$1.9M









These COVID Fraud cases from the Tampa Division were handled by AUSAs Rachel Jones, Greg Pizzo, Tiffany Fields, Diego Novaes, Jennifer Peresie, and SAUSA Chris Poor









Orlando Division









Daniel Johnson





Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, unlawful transfer of firearm

Sentence Imposed: 7 years, 6 months in federal prison





UI





$2.3M









Jacquavius Smith





Possession of short-barreled rifle; felon in possession of firearm; and aggravated identity theft

Sentence Imposed: 7 years, 1 month in federal prison





PPP





$10k









Johnson Eustache





Wire fraud

Sentence Imposed: 5 years in federal prison





EIDL/PPP





$2.2M









Joseph Harrison





Conspiracy to commit wire fraud

Sentence Imposed: 12 months in federal prison





UI





$2.1M









Tomas Ziupsnys





Conspiracy to commit bank fraud; bank fraud; aggravated identity theft

Sentence Imposed: 5 years in federal prison





PPP





$2M









Holly Urban





Conspiracy to commit bank fraud

Sentence Imposed: 30 months in federal prison





PPP





$1.5M









Joel Greenberg





Conspiracy to commit wire fraud and other offenses while on pretrial release

Sentence Imposed: 11 years in federal prison





EIDL





$430k









Don Cisternino

           





Wire fraud, illegal monetary transactions, and aggravated identity theft

Sentence Imposed: 8 years and 6 months in federal prison





PPP





$7.2M









Keith Ingersoll          





Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft

Sentence imposed: 9 years, 1 month in federal prison.  





EIDL





$66k









Jaheim Davis





Access device fraud and aggravated identity theft

Sentence imposed: 3 years, 6 months in federal prison.  





UI





$219k









Teresa McIntyre





Conspiracy to commit wire fraud and other offenses

Sentence Imposed: 5 years’ probation





EIDL





$730k









These COVID Fraud cases from the Orlando Division were handled by AUSAs John Gardella, Amanda Daniels, Chauncey Bratt, Emily Chang, Shannon Laurie, and Jennifer Harrington, and U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg









Jacksonville Division









Jacob Byrd





Wire fraud

Sentence Imposed: probation





PPP





$10k









This COVID Fraud case from the Jacksonville Division was handled by AUSA Kevin Frein









Fort Myers Division









Casey Crowther





Bank fraud, false statement to a financial institution, illegal monetary transaction

Sentence Imposed: 3 years, 1 month in federal prison





PPP





$2.7M









Anthony Bruey

Amber Bruey





Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, illegal monetary transactions

Sentence Imposed:

Anthony Bruey: 4 years, 3 months in federal prison

Amber Bruey: 4 years in federal prison





PPP/EIDL





$881k









Edrica Leann Watson





False statement to a lending institution

Sentence Imposed: 15 months in federal prison





PPP





$392k









Daniel Joseph Tisone





Wire fraud, bank fraud, money laundering, aggravated identity theft, possession of ammunition by a prohibited person

Sentence Imposed: 7 years in federal prison





PPP/EIDL/MSLP





$10.7M









Liliana Gonzalez





Wire fraud

Sentence Imposed:  5 years of probation with 18 months of home confinement





PPP





$169k









Al Clint LaRoche





Bank fraud

Sentence Imposed: Two years in federal prison





PPP





$1M









These COVID Fraud cases from the Fort Myers Division were handled by AUSAs Trent Reichling, Michael Leeman, and Jesus M. Casas









Ocala Division









Lavelle Harris





Wire Fraud

Sentence Imposed: Two years and three months in federal prison





PPP





$1.2M









This COVID Fraud case from the Ocala Division was handled by AUSA Hannah Nowalk









Types of Fraud*

Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

Unemployment Insurance (UI)

Main Street Lending Program (MSLP)

Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)

Health Care Fraud (HCF)