United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg has announced the return of an indictment charging Jonen Castillo, a 23-year-old from Orlando, with smuggling firearms from the United States to Canada. If found guilty, Castillo could face up to 10 years in federal prison. The indictment also states the intention to forfeitContinue Reading

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

Two Indicted for NFT Fraud Scheme Involving Millions in Cryptocurrency

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

U.S. Files Complaint Against Former Florida Cardiac Imaging Inc. Executive for Alleged False Claims in Cardiac PET Scan Scheme

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

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