U.S. District Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington has handed down sentences to Jacob Spinoza, aged 50, and Veronica Jo Barback, aged 29, both residents of Weeki Wachee, for their involvement in a conspiracy to distribute dangerous drugs. Spinoza will serve nine years in federal prison, while Barback has been sentencedContinue Reading
United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg has announced the return of an indictment charging Devin Alan Rhoden (24, Pinellas Park) and Berman Jerry Nowlin, Jr. (20, Huntsville, AL) with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. If convicted, Rhoden and Nowlin each face a maximum penalty of five yearsContinue Reading
In Immokalee, Florida, Javier Joel Perez, aged 45, has pleaded guilty to serious charges related to drug trafficking and illegal firearm possession, announced United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg. Perez admitted to possessing controlled substances with the intent to distribute, having a firearm to aid drug trafficking, and unlawfully possessingContinue Reading
The United States has lodged a complaint under the False Claims Act against Rick Nassenstein, a former executive of Cardiac Imaging Inc. (CII), based in Illinois. Nassenstein, residing in Florida, previously served as the president, chief financial officer, and co-owner of CII, a provider of mobile cardiac positron emission tomographyContinue Reading
United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg revealed that Amit Patel of Ponte Vedra Beach, aged 31, has chosen to waive indictment by a grand jury and has pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud and engaging in an illegal monetary transaction. Patel potentially faces a maximum penalty of 30 yearsContinue Reading
Senior United States District Judge Gregory A. Presnell has sentenced Frantz Brignol to two years in federal prison for tax evasion. In addition to the prison sentence, Brignol was ordered to pay the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) $896,588.89 for his outstanding tax liabilities. A federal jury had found Brignol guiltyContinue Reading
A Florida man, Anthony Sargent, 47, from St. Augustine, was sentenced for his involvement in the breach of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Sargent faced a felony charge of civil disorder and six misdemeanor charges related to his actions during the disturbance. Sargent received a 60-month prison sentenceContinue Reading
U.S. District Judge Paul G. Byron has handed down a 15-year federal prison sentence to Terrell Robinson, 37, for charges related to firearm possession and possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances. Robinson pleaded guilty on August 14, 2023. The sentencing follows an incident in which law enforcement officersContinue Reading
U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton has handed down a 27-month federal prison sentence to Coury Robert Badnell (38, Oakland, FL) for his involvement in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The sentence follows guilty pleas from Anthony Roberto Hutchinson (26, Orlando), Deandre Devante Levy (26, Orlando), and Jordan BrianContinue Reading
Senior United States District Judge Gregory A. Presnell has sentenced Passion Lajodia Jackson (31, Ocala) to two years in federal prison for wire fraud related to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. As part of the judgment, Jackson was ordered to forfeit $20,132, which represents the proceedsContinue Reading