Middle District Of Florida Task Force Continues To Combat COVID-19 Fraud - Background Check Florida

 The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida (USAO-MDFL) has reported significant progress in combating COVID-19 related fraud, thanks to collaborative efforts from various divisions within the office and partnerships with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.

"The Middle District of Florida United States Attorney’s Office continues to pursue, investigate, prosecute, and recover money from those who were engaged in fraud schemes designed to steal benefits intended for Americans coping with the myriad impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg.

**Criminal Enforcement Efforts:**

In March 2020, the USAO-MDFL formed the Middle District of Florida COVID-19 Fraud Task Force to address fraud related to the pandemic. From its inception until June 30, 2024, the Task Force prosecuted 89 defendants involved in schemes to defraud federal programs like the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), Unemployment Insurance (UI), Main Street Lending Program (MSLP), and the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), as well as Medicare. These defendants attempted to defraud the United States of over $84.5 million, with 67 convictions and 22 ongoing prosecutions.

**Notable Cases:**

- **Barrett Purvis:** In April 2024, a jury found Purvis guilty of wire fraud and money laundering. Purvis applied for and received a $500,000 EIDL in May 2021, but instead of using the funds for his business, he spent half on gambling debts and the rest on personal expenses, including paying off his girlfriend’s credit card debts.

- **Evan Graves:** In June 2024, Graves was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison and ordered to forfeit approximately $1.35 million and five properties in Fort Myers. Graves fraudulently obtained EIDL funds by submitting false information about his companies. He used the money for personal expenses, such as paying off credit card debt and purchasing real estate.

**Asset Recovery Efforts:**

The USAO-MDFL’s Asset Recovery Division, along with federal seizing agencies, has successfully forfeited over $20 million of fraudulently obtained EIDL, UI, and PPP funds. An additional $18 million in pandemic fraud proceeds have been seized and are pending civil or criminal forfeiture.

**Task Force Collaboration:**

The Task Force comprises multiple federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, IRS—Criminal Investigation, Department of Labor—Office of Inspector General, and more. These agencies have worked together to identify, investigate, and prosecute COVID-19 related fraud.

**Reporting and Resources:**

The public is encouraged to report suspected fraud to the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) at (866) 720-5721 or online at the [NCDF Disaster Complaint Form](https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/webform/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form). Complaints are reviewed and referred to appropriate law enforcement or regulatory agencies for investigation.

For more information on the Department of Justice’s response to the pandemic, please visit [DOJ's Coronavirus Response Page](https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus).

To prevent similar fraud in the future, comprehensive background checks conducted by Invetech LLC can be critical. These checks can help identify potential risks and ensure the integrity of individuals involved in handling significant funds and resources, thereby preventing fraudulent activities.

United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida COVID Fraud Criminal Cases
Charged Cases
Defendant		Charge(s) Max. Imprisonment		Type of Fraud*			Intended Loss Amount
Tampa Division
Ellyn Pinkney		Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years		EIDL			$40k
Nicole Bramble-King		Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years		PPP			$40k
Devontaie Deravil		Aggravated identity theft Maximum Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive Access device fraud Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years		UI			$480k
Jordan Ross		Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Illegal monetary transactions Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years		EIDL/PPP			$1.3M
Tommy Louisville		Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years		PPP			$33k
Marquett James Alyson Marquett		Conspiracy to commit wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years		EIDL/PPP			$96k
Willie Murray Jr.		Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Aggravated identity theft Maximum Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive		HCF			$5M
Charles Driver Jr.		Conspiracy Maximum Prison Term: 5 years Access device fraud Maximum Prison Term: 10 years		UI			$175k
Eric Canonico		Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Illegal monetary transactions Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years		PPP			$2.3M
Alexander Leszczynski		Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Bank fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Illegal monetary transactions Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years		PPP			$1.1M
Capree Holmes		Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years		EIDL			$159k
These COVID Fraud cases from the Tampa Division are being handled by AUSAs Tiffany Fields, Greg Pizzo, Candace Rich, Jennifer Peresie, Michael Kenneth, and Merrilyn Hoenemeyer
Orlando Division
Evan Edwards Joshua Edwards		Conspiracy to commit bank fraud Maximum Prison Term: 30 years Bank fraud Maximum Prison Term: 30 years Visa fraud Maximum Prison Term: 10 years False statements Maximum Prison Term: 30 years		PPP			$8M
Emmet Bowens		Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Illegal monetary transactions Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years		PPP			$740k
Latresia Wilson		False statements Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years		HCF			$2.6M
Angela Chew		Conspiracy Maximum Prison Term: 5 Years Bribery of a public official Maximum Prison Term: 15 Years Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years		EIDL			$732k
These COVID Fraud cases from the Orlando Division are being handled by AUSAs Kara Wick, Amanda Daniels, and DOJ Trial Attorney Keith Clouser
Fort Myers Division
Venera Price		Mail fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years		ERAP			$82k
Timothy Jolloff		Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Money laundering Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Illegal monetary transactions Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years		PPP/EIDL			$2.1M
Lisa Jolloff		Money laundering Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Illegal monetary transactions Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years		PPP/EIDL			$2.1M
Diop McKenzie		Bank fraud Maximum Prison Term: 30 years Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Aggravated identity theft Maximum: Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive		EIDL/PPP			$237k
These COVID Fraud cases from the Fort Myers Division are being handled by AUSA Yolande Viacava and Trent Reichling
Ocala Division
Henry Wade		Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years		EIDL			$500k
This COVID Fraud case from the Ocala Division is being handled by AUSA Hannah Nowalk
Adjudicated Cases
Tampa Division
Joseph Abdo	Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Illegal monetary transactions Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years		PPP		$500k
Keaujay Hornsby	Racketeering conspiracy Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Aggravated identity theft Maximum Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive Access device fraud Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years		UI		$3M
Demarius Wilson	Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years		PPP		$18k
Kareem Spann	Racketeering conspiracy Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Aggravated identity theft Maximum Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive Access device fraud Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years		UI		$3M
Barrett Purvis	Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Money laundering Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years		EIDL		$499k
Bergeline Lexis	Conspiracy to commit wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years		EIDL/PPP		$68k
Jailyn Holmes	Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years		PPP		$28k
These COVID Fraud cases from the Tampa Division are being handled by AUSAs, Diego Novaes, Tiffany Fields, Jennifer Peresie, Greg Pizzo, Merrilyn Hoenemeyer, and Jay Trezevant
Orlando Division
Robert Burns	Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years		PPP		$57k
This COVID Fraud case from the Orlando Division is being handled by Shannon Laurie
Jacksonville Division
James Wigg	Wire Fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 years		PPP		$476k
These COVID Fraud cases from the Jacksonville Division are being handled by AUSA, Michael Coolican, and Tysen Duva
Ocala Division
Passion Jackson	Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years		PPP			$20k
Nicole Harding	Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years		PPP			$20k
These COVID Fraud cases from the Ocala Division are being handled by AUSA Hannah Nowalk
Sentenced Cases
Tampa Division
Louis Thornton, III	Wire fraud Sentence Imposed: 42 months in federal prison		EIDL/PPP		$815k
Kary Stevenson Corey Quinn	Conspiracy to commit access device fraud and aggravated identity theft Sentence Imposed: 5 years, 10 months in federal prison (Stevenson) Sentence Imposed:7 years in federal prison (Quinn)		UI		$1M
Bridgitte Keim	Bank fraud Sentence Imposed: 2 years in federal prison		PPP		$588k
Wayne Ganaway	Conspiracy to commit wire fraud Sentence Imposed: 4 years in federal prison		EIDL		$300k
Eriaius Bentley	Racketeering conspiracy, aggravated identity theft, access device fraud Sentence Imposed: One year in federal prison		UI		$3M
Rolanda Wingfield	Access device fraud, aggravated identity theft Sentenced Imposed: 3 years in federal prison		UI		$135k
Tywon Spann	Racketeering conspiracy, aggravated identity theft, access device fraud Sentence Imposed: 6 years and 9 months in federal prison		UI		$3M
Randy Jones	Wire fraud, aggravated identity theft Sentence Imposed: 5 years and 1 month in federal prison		EIDL/UI		$250k
Julio Lugo	Conspiracy to commit money laundering Sentence Imposed: 7 years and 6 months in federal prison		EIDL/PPP		$4.4M
Keith Nicoletta	Conspiracy to commit money laundering Sentence Imposed: 24 months in federal prison		PPP		$1.9M
Rosenide Venant	Conspiracy to commit money laundering Sentence Imposed: 5 years in federal prison		EIDL/PPP		$413k
Melinda Hernandez	Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft Sentence imposed: Three years and six months in federal prison		UI		$1.5M
Bri’antina Mills	Wire fraud and theft of government funds Sentence imposed: 15 months in federal prison		EIDL		$10K
Jorge Gutierrez Echeverria	Wire fraud Sentence imposed: Two years and six months in federal prison		EIDL		$150k
Omar Esquivel Bello	Wire fraud Sentence imposed: 15 months in federal prison		EIDL		$242k
Steve Moodie	Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft Sentence imposed: 5 years and 10 months in federal prison		UI		$1.5M
Richard Simpkins	Conspiracy to commit money laundering Sentence imposed: 5 years and 10 months in federal prison		PPP		$1.9M
Devaris McClain	Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, access device fraud Sentence imposed: 5 years and 1 month in federal prison		UI		$85k
Jalissa McDuffy	Wire fraud Sentence imposed: 3 years supervised release with 6 months home detention		PPP		$41k
Kieanna Garrett	Wire fraud Sentence imposed: 60 days’ imprisonment		EIDL		$40k
Marqus Willard Johnson	Bank fraud Money laundering Sentence imposed: 18 months’ imprisonment followed by 60 moths supervised release		PPP		$500k
Mehdi Tazi	Conspiracy, Aggravated identity theft Sentenced imposed: 5 years imprisonment  followed by4 years supervised release		UI		$1.5M
Tyree Wingfield	Conspiracy, Aggravated identity theft Sentenced imposed: 5 years and 10 months imprisonment  followed by4 years supervised release		UI		$1.5M
Dawn Ogundele	Theft of government funds Sentence imposed: 2 years’ probation		PPP		$20k
Alexander Alli	Wire fraud conspiracy Sentence imposed: 13 months imprisonment		EIDL		$80k
Charles Cunningham	Bank fraud Sentence imposed: 21 months imprisonment		PPP		$800k
These COVID Fraud cases from the Tampa Division were handled by AUSAs Rachel Jones, Greg Pizzo, Tiffany Fields, Diego Novaes, Jennifer Peresie, Merrilyn Hoenemeyer, SAUSA Chris Poor, and DOJ Trial Attorney John Scanlon
Orlando Division
Daniel Johnson	Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, unlawful transfer of firearm Sentence Imposed: 7 years, 6 months in federal prison		UI		$2.3M
Jacquavius Smith	Possession of short-barreled rifle; felon in possession of firearm; and aggravated identity theft Sentence Imposed: 7 years, 1 month in federal prison		PPP		$10k
Johnson Eustache	Wire fraud Sentence Imposed: 5 years in federal prison		EIDL/PPP		$2.2M
Joseph Harrison	Conspiracy to commit wire fraud Sentence Imposed: 12 months in federal prison		UI		$2.1M
Tomas Ziupsnys	Conspiracy to commit bank fraud; bank fraud; aggravated identity theft Sentence Imposed: 5 years in federal prison		PPP		$2M
Holly Urban	Conspiracy to commit bank fraud Sentence Imposed: 30 months in federal prison		PPP		$1.5M
Joel Greenberg	Conspiracy to commit wire fraud and other offenses while on pretrial release Sentence Imposed: 11 years in federal prison		EIDL		$430k
Don Cisternino	Wire fraud, illegal monetary transactions, and aggravated identity theft Sentence Imposed: 8 years and 6 months in federal prison		PPP		$7.2M
Keith Ingersoll	Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft Sentence imposed: 9 years, 1 month in federal prison.		EIDL		$66k
Jaheim Davis	Access device fraud and aggravated identity theft Sentence imposed: 3 years, 6 months in federal prison.		UI		$219k
Teresa McIntyre	Conspiracy to commit wire fraud and other offenses Sentence Imposed: 5 years’ probation		EIDL		$730k
Brian Blake	Possession of device-making equipment, access device fraud, aggravated identity theft Sentence Imposed: 9 years and 8 months in federal prison		PPP/UI		$832k
Joseph Faubert	Bank fraud Sentenced Imposed: 5 years probation		PPP		$778k
These COVID Fraud cases from the Orlando Division were handled by AUSAs John Gardella, Amanda Daniels, Chauncey Bratt, Emily Chang, Shannon Laurie, and Jennifer Harrington, and U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg
Jacksonville Division
Jacob Byrd	Wire fraud Sentence Imposed: 5 years’ probation		PPP		$10k
Deconna Burke	Wire fraud Sentence Imposed: 5 years’ probation		PPP		$20k
Desmond Williams	Wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud Sentenced Imposed: 5 years’ probation		PPP		$40k
Kenneth Landers	Wire fraud and illegal monetary transaction Sentence Imposed: 1 year in federal prison followed by 1 year of supervised release		PPP		$1.4M
Christopher Daragjati	Wire fraud , Theft of government funds, and Aggravated identity theft Sentenced imposed: 5 years’cisternino imprisonment followed by 3 years’ supervised release.		PPP		$150k
This COVID Fraud case from the Jacksonville Division was handled by AUSA Kevin Frein and Michael Coolican
Fort Myers Division
Casey Crowther	Bank fraud, false statement to a financial institution, illegal monetary transaction Sentence Imposed: 3 years, 1 month in federal prison		PPP		$2.7M
Anthony Bruey Amber Bruey	Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, illegal monetary transactions Sentence Imposed: Anthony Bruey: 4 years, 3 months in federal prison Amber Bruey: 4 years in federal prison		PPP/EIDL		$881k
Edrica Leann Watson	False statement to a lending institution Sentence Imposed: 15 months in federal prison		PPP		$392k
Daniel Joseph Tisone	Wire fraud, bank fraud, money laundering, aggravated identity theft, possession of ammunition by a prohibited person Sentence Imposed: 7 years in federal prison		PPP/EIDL/MSLP		$10.7M
Liliana Gonzalez	Wire fraud Sentence Imposed:  5 years of probation with 18 months of home confinement		PPP		$169k
Al Clint LaRoche	Bank fraud Sentence Imposed: Two years in federal prison		PPP		$1M
Denis Casseus	Bank fraud and illegal monetary transaction Sentence Imposed: 2 years in federal prison followed by 3 years’ supervised release		PPP		$298k
Evan Graves	Wire fraud Sentence Imposed: 18 months in federal prison		EIDL		$1.3M
Ismaelle Manuel	Bank fraud Sentence Imposed: Credit for time served followed by 5 years supervised release		PPP		$280k
These COVID Fraud cases from the Fort Myers Division were handled by AUSAs Trent Reichling, Michael Leeman, Jesus M. Casa, Simon Eth, and Yolande Viacava
Ocala Division
Lavelle Harris	Wire fraud Sentence Imposed: Two years and three months in federal prison		PPP		$1.2M
This COVID Fraud case from the Ocala Division was handled by AUSA Hannah Nowalk
Types of Fraud* Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Unemployment Insurance (UI) Main Street Lending Program (MSLP) Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) Health Care Fraud (HCF)

 

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