United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg has announced the unsealing of an indictment charging 19 Polk County residents with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and bank fraud. If convicted, each individual could face a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison. The indictment also states the United States plans to forfeit any assets traceable to the proceeds of the offenses.
The individuals charged include:
- Qornelious Campbell, 31
- Kenneth Cole II, 25
- Kenisha Coffer, 25
- D’Andranika Crews, 20
- Ebony Fields, 26
- Victoria Ferrer, 22
- Aaliyah Gotay-Woods, 23
- Bre’asia Harris, 26
- Jaun Hillman, 51
- Keith Honors, Jr., 39
- Kendrick Iles, 20
- Arkuria Lewis, 22
- Deven Little, 28
- Josie Lopez, 29
- Clarissa Morris, 24
- Tamiria Perry, 27
- Mark Quesnel, 66
- Tamaries Richardson, 30
- Kalei Spicer, 22
The investigation, which began in 2023, focused on a violent street gang known as the “Trap Boys” operating throughout the Middle District of Florida. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office linked the gang to retaliatory shootings and large quantities of financial materials including checks, debit cards, and identification cards belonging to third parties.
From July 2021 to November 2023, the group is alleged to have orchestrated a widespread fraud scheme targeting banks, credit unions, businesses, and individuals in areas including Winter Haven, Auburndale, Riverview, Kissimmee, Lakeland, Tampa, and Miami. The conspirators reportedly stole and altered checks using specialized software and created fictitious checks. They also accessed banking information of various businesses to facilitate the fraud.
The conspirators allegedly recruited accomplices who provided bank account information, Social Security numbers, debit cards, and online banking credentials. These fraudulently created checks were deposited across numerous financial institutions in Florida. The scheme is believed to have defrauded 26 banks and over 200 victims, including businesses such as insurance companies, law firms, construction firms, schools, and state agencies.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diego F. Novaes.
An indictment is a formal charge, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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