U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg
Recent News About U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg
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Travel firm settles $2 million claim over improper Paycheck Protection Program loan
Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that Miles Partnership, LLC (Miles), a travel and tourism consulting company headquartered in Sarasota, Florida, has agreed to a civil settlement of $2,281,950 to resolve allegations that Miles improperly obtained and received forgiveness of a loan under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
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Clay County felon pleads guilty to firearm possession
Anthony Rodriguez, Jr., a 32-year-old resident of Orange Park, has pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that Rodriguez faces up to 15 years in federal prison and forfeiture of a Glock pistol and ammunition traceable to the offense. Rodriguez made his initial appearance in federal court on July 9, 2024, and was ordered detained.
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Jacksonville woman pleads guilty to wire fraud in credit scheme and COVID relief
Crystal Denean Harvell, a 37-year-old resident of Jacksonville, Florida, has pleaded guilty to charges involving a line of credit scheme and COVID relief fraud through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The announcement was made by United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg. Harvell faces up to 20 years in federal prison for each count and will be required to pay restitution to her victims and the U.S. government. Additionally, she has agreed to forfeit $20,415 linked to the wire fraud offense involving COVID relief fraud. A sentencing date is yet to be determined.
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Marion County man pleads guilty in child enticement case
Joseph Raymond Morin, 51, of Ocala, Florida, has pleaded guilty to attempting to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg. Morin faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years and up to life in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
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Kissimmee felon pleads guilty to firearm possession
Giovanny Rivera-Sanchez, a 38-year-old resident of Kissimmee, has pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, according to an announcement by United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg. Rivera-Sanchez could face up to 15 years in federal prison. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 17, 2024.
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Ocala woman charged with wire fraud over COVID-19 relief funds
Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced the arrest of Lisa Yvette Starkes (52, Ocala) on an indictment charging her with two counts of wire fraud. If convicted, Starkes faces up to 20 years in federal prison on each count and a forfeiture order for $41,452—an amount representing the unlawful proceeds of the offense. The indictment was returned on August 6, 2024.
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Plant City man indicted for making threats
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg has announced the return of an indictment charging Janye B. Evans (18, Plant City) with interstate transmission of a threat to injure. If convicted, Evans faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison.
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Jacksonville felon pleads guilty to federal firearm offense
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that William Earl Union, Jr. (32, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to possessing firearms as a convicted felon. He faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
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Florida man pleads guilty to acting as agent for Chinese government
Ping Li, 59, of Wesley Chapel, Florida, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to act as an agent of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) without notification to the Attorney General.
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Oviedo man pleads guilty to receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material
Orlando, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that Carl Vecchione, 62, of Oviedo, has pleaded guilty to receipt and possession of child sexual abuse material. Vecchione faces a minimum mandatory penalty of five years, up to 40 years in federal prison. Sentencing is scheduled for November 19, 2024.
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Mexican national pleads guilty to illegal reentry into the United States
Daniel Hernandez-Casiano, 44, of Orlando, has pleaded guilty to illegal reentry by a deported alien, according to an announcement by United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg. Hernandez-Casiano faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison, with his sentencing hearing scheduled for November 4, 2024.
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Port Richey brothers plead guilty to trafficking large quantities of fentanyl
Marcus and Pierre Fowler, both residents of Port Richey, Florida, have pleaded guilty to charges related to the distribution of significant quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine. United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that Marcus Fowler (33) and Pierre Fowler (35) admitted to conspiring to distribute over 400 grams of fentanyl, over 500 grams of methamphetamine, and cocaine. Additionally, Marcus Fowler pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. Both face a maximum penalty of life in federal prison; however,...
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Fort Myers man convicted of drug trafficking after bench trial
Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that Nicholas P. Smith (45, Fort Myers) has been found guilty of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance following a bench trial before United States District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell. Smith faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 18, 2024.
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Restaurant owners charged with harboring undocumented workers
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that Hua Yao Ke (38) and Ping Ping Zheng (37), both of Jacksonville, have been charged by criminal complaint with harboring undocumented workers for commercial advantage and private financial gain. Each faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
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Orlando felon pleads guilty to illegal firearm possession
Byron Louder, a 34-year-old resident of Orlando, has pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that Louder faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison, with sentencing scheduled for November 6, 2024.
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Ocala man charged with attempted enticement of minor
Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg has announced the arrest of Scott Alan Colson, 59, of Ocala, on an indictment charging him with attempted enticement of a minor. If convicted, Colson faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years to life in federal prison. A federal grand jury indicted Colson on August 6, 2024. His trial is scheduled for October 2024 before U.S. District Judge Thomas Patrick Barber.
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Tampa woman pleads guilty to smuggling over $100K from Cuba
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that Mirtza Ocana (39, Tampa) has pleaded guilty to one count of bulk cash smuggling and one count of conspiracy to commit bulk cash smuggling. Ocana faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
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Two Orlando men charged with armed robbery spree
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg has announced the return of an indictment charging Nijah Jahni Mitchell (22, Orlando) and Dany Telfort (20, Orlando) with multiple counts of Hobbs Act robbery and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. If convicted on all counts, Mitchell faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 28 years to life in federal prison, while Telfort faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 14 years to life in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Mitchell and Telfort that the United States intends to forfeit the Glock...
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Wisconsin man sentenced to life for double homicide and armed robbery
United States District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell has sentenced Alex Jared Zwiefelhofer, 27, of Wisconsin, to consecutive life sentences in federal prison following his convictions for multiple charges including conspiracy to commit robbery and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Zwiefelhofer was also ordered to pay $10,886 in restitution to the victims' families. He was found guilty by a jury on March 8, 2024.
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Orlando felon pleads guilty to possessing firearm
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg has announced that Chadwick Lemaine, 26, of Orlando, has pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Lemaine faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is set for October 31, 2024.