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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Ronald St. Clair, a Florida CPA, has pleaded guilty to evading over $2 million in taxes between 2011 and 2017 by hiding assets from authorities according to court documents released April 8th. He faces up to five years in prison as sentencing awaits.
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A Clearwater man has been sentenced to more than seven years in federal prison after pleading guilty to distributing and possessing child sexual abuse material. The investigation uncovered hundreds of illicit images on his devices following an FBI search.
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Vivina Barnwell from Dade City has been sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated identity theft related to her missing son's disability benefits. Authorities say she used his social security payments after failing to report his disappearance properly.
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A former cruise ship crewmember has been sentenced to over seven years in prison after bringing child sexual abuse material into the United States through Port Canaveral. Authorities found hundreds of illegal images and videos on his phone during a border search.
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A Holly Hill man has been indicted for allegedly crashing through a gate at Daytona Beach International Airport and accessing restricted areas. The incident raises questions about airport security measures as authorities continue their investigation.
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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 Plant City man has been arrested after allegedly threatening to kill the president through an Instagram post. Authorities say Nick Guadalupe Cruz-Lopez faces up to five years in prison if convicted.
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A former Florida gun store employee has been sentenced to over three years in federal prison for illegally selling firearms and ammunition to a convicted felon. The sentencing follows multiple undercover purchases documented by authorities between late 2024 and early 2025.
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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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Leonard W. Krane from Naples faces federal charges related to an alleged $3.7 million fraud scheme involving promises of high returns from overseas funds. Authorities say victims' money was used for personal expenses or sent abroad instead.
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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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John Daniel Fowler has been sentenced to six years in federal prison for abusive sexual contact with a minor during an airplane flight from Indianapolis to Orlando. The case involved testimony about repeated unwanted advances toward minors as well as prior offenses against adults.
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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.