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 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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Ana Zahia Gonzalez has been found guilty by a federal jury for naturalization fraud after submitting false documents during her citizenship process. She faces up to ten years in prison and denaturalization at sentencing set for July 13.
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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.
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A Guatemalan man has been sentenced to over 24 years in federal prison for leading a major cocaine trafficking operation into the United States. Authorities say Marlon Alexis Aguilar Reyes used corrupt officials and violence as part of his activities before being arrested in Miami.
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A businessman from Apollo Beach has been indicted on charges related to fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program loans during the COVID-19 pandemic. Authorities allege misuse of funds for luxury purchases and travel. The case highlights ongoing efforts against pandemic-related financial crimes.
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A Canadian man has been indicted in Tampa on charges related to importing synthetic opioids and money laundering following an international investigation involving U.S., Canadian, and Spanish authorities. Authorities allege he sold tens of thousands of illicit pills using cryptocurrency payments.
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Esteban Garcia-Gutierrez of Arcadia received a six-year federal prison sentence for illegally possessing a loaded firearm as a convicted felon. The case was investigated by several agencies and prosecuted under Operation Take Back America.
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Michael Deon Woulard has pleaded guilty to multiple armed robberies in Florida involving significant thefts from pawn and jewelry stores. Authorities say he faces at least 14 years in prison with sentencing pending.
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A Bradenton woman has been sentenced to federal prison for passport fraud and theft related to government funds totaling nearly $185,000. The case involved multiple federal agencies and highlights enforcement against benefit program abuse.
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Cristian Daniel Diaz-Garcia has been sentenced to over three years in federal prison for aggravated identity theft and related charges after using stolen identities to seek employment in Florida. The case involved multiple law enforcement agencies and highlights challenges with employment verification systems.
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Lenard White and Sheldon Robinson were sentenced to consecutive life terms plus 100 years each for orchestrating and carrying out a contract killing of a teenage girl in Hernando County. The case involved extensive investigation by local and federal authorities.