Nineteen individuals have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, according to a July 6 announcement by U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe. The defendants include Qornelious Campbell, Kenneth Cole II, Kenisha Coffer, D’Andranika Crews, Ebony Fields, Victoria Ferrer, Aaliyah Gotay-Woods, Bre’asia Harris, Jaun Hillman, Keith Honors Jr., Kendrick Iles, Arkuria Lewis, Deven Little, Josie Lopez, Clarissa Morris, Tamiria Perry, Tamaries Richardson, Kalei Spicer and Tyler Jacob. Jacob also pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft, witness tampering, and destruction of evidence.
According to court documents cited in the announcement from Tampa authorities and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, “In 2023, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office initiated an investigation into a violent street gang known as the ‘Trap Boys,’ who were operating throughout the Middle District of Florida.” The investigation began after several retaliatory shootings between this group and other violent gangs.
The authorities said that during arrests related to these shootings, “Several members of the gang were found to be in possession of large quantities of checks, debit cards, financial statements and identification cards in the names of third parties.” Further investigation revealed that from at least July 2021 through November 2023 a group had engaged in a conspiracy targeting banks and credit unions across multiple cities including Winter Haven, Auburndale, Riverview, Kissimmee, Lakeland, Tampa, and Miami.
“As part of this conspiracy,” court documents state, “the co-conspirators stole checks from individuals and businesses. Using check writing software, the co-conspirators then altered those checks and created fictitious checks…Using automated systems and online databases, the co-conspirators then learned of banking information…Members…then recruited accomplices who provided members…with their own bank account numbers, Social Security numbers, debit cards, and their own individual bank account log credentials…” These fraudulent checks were deposited at dozens of banks throughout central Florida.
Authorities report that approximately 26 banks and more than 200 victims—including insurance companies, law firms, businesses, and public institutions—were defrauded during this period. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Polk County Sheriff’s Office, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diego F. Novaes.