U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida
Recent News About U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida
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A federal jury has convicted Ludwin Borgen for distributing fentanyl that resulted in a woman's death in Tampa Bay. Authorities say toxicology results confirmed an overdose level far above therapeutic limits. Sentencing is set for June.
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Michael Peacock from North Fort Myers has been sentenced to over six years in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine. He pleaded guilty and was linked to a drug ring operating in Palmona Park. The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation.
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A Sarasota man received over four years in prison for smuggling Florida-purchased guns into Canada where some were found at crime scenes. Authorities say collaboration between U.S. and Canadian agencies helped uncover the trafficking scheme.
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A Georgia man has been sentenced to over two years in prison for making violent threats against IRS employees and a federal law enforcement officer after a dispute about his tax refund. The case was investigated by TIGTA and prosecuted by federal attorneys.
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A St. Petersburg man faces charges after allegedly calling in threats to MacDill Air Force Base earlier this month. Authorities say Jonathan James Elder's actions led to base closures and heightened security measures while he remains in custody awaiting prosecution.
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A Land O’Lakes man has been indicted for allegedly attempting to set off an explosive device at MacDill Air Force Base's Visitor’s Center in Tampa earlier this month. Authorities report that law enforcement safely disassembled the improvised device after it failed to detonate.
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Ann Mary Zheng has been indicted for allegedly helping her brother after an attempted bombing at MacDill Air Force Base and tampering with evidence. She faces up to 30 years if convicted. Authorities emphasize she remains presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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Elizabeth Danielle Rowe of Tampa was found guilty by a federal jury of sending a death threat via Instagram and faces up to five years in prison. The conviction follows evidence that included explicit threats made against multiple users online.
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Rusbel Montoya Mandujano has been convicted for attempting to coerce what he thought was a minor into sexual activity. Law enforcement officials say he communicated online with undercover detectives posing as a teenager before his arrest.
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A Lakeland couple has pleaded guilty to several armed robberies targeting businesses around Tampa and Seffner last year. Authorities say Andres Correa brandished firearms during each robbery while Cassandra Kerr acted as lookout or accomplice. Both now face possible life sentences.
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Luis Emilio Hernandez has pleaded guilty to defrauding an elderly person out of over $1.2 million following Hurricane Ian through false promises of home repairs he never performed or permitted in Florida law enforcement say he laundered these funds via vehicle trades at local dealerships.
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A Fort Myers man has been sentenced to twelve years in federal prison for crimes involving child sexual abuse material after pleading guilty last year. Authorities say John James Adducci accessed illegal content online over several years before being apprehended following an FBI investigation.
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A Canadian man has been sentenced in Orlando for attempting to entice a minor for sex acts and distributing child sexual abuse material after an undercover operation led by multiple agencies resulted in his arrest. Authorities emphasize ongoing collaboration against crimes targeting children.
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A Jacksonville man has been sentenced to fourteen years in federal prison after pleading guilty to attempting online enticement of an underage girl. Authorities say undercover operations led directly to his arrest following explicit communications about meeting a minor.
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Mario Lisandro Flores Moradel has pleaded guilty for his role in a major payroll fraud scheme that cost the U.S government over $38 million between 2015 and 2022. Authorities say he used shell companies for illegal payments within Florida's construction industry.
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Denzel Demoree’a Prince has pleaded guilty to robbing a Jacksonville hotel while armed with a firearm. Surveillance footage captured him confronting an employee before taking cash from the register. Authorities later found clothing matching his description at his home.
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Arturo Sanchez-Morales has been sentenced to three years in federal prison for illegally reentering the United States after prior deportation. The case involved previous convictions and multiple removals from the country.
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A Mexican national has been sentenced to federal prison for illegally reentering the United States after multiple deportations. The case was prosecuted in Jacksonville as part of Operation Take Back America.
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A St. Cloud man has been indicted for allegedly trafficking a minor while working at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station in Antarctica. Authorities say Justin Vancott-Harnish faces serious federal charges under Project Safe Childhood.
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Osnyson Desrosiers has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for his role in a firearm trafficking scheme involving straw purchases of Glock handguns later smuggled into Canada. The case is part of Operation Take Back America.