Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Office of Statewide Prosecution today announced the arrest of a man wanted in connection to drug diversion schemes after five years on the run. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested Gil Hevia, 47, this week in Orlando.
Hevia is involved in a drug diversion enterprise operating in Florida, Puerto Rico and Texas, involving the buying and selling of more than $40 million in black market pharmaceuticals. These drugs included anti-depressants, anti-psychotics and HIV medications.
Additionally, Hevia is involved in a separate but similar multistate drug diversion ring that orchestrated the purchase of millions of dollars of medications on the black market. This criminal enterprise operated from Florida to Tennessee, Michigan, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey. The defendant purchased the black market drugs primarily from Medicaid recipients in Florida and New Jersey, and then resold the drugs to pharmacies in the Northeastern United States.
Attorney General Bondi’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, with the assistance of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, investigated both cases. For more information about these cases, click here and here.
Between the two cases, Hevia faces several felony charges related to trafficking in contraband prescription drugs, Medicaid fraud, money laundering and organized scheme to defraud. If convicted of all charges, Hevia faces up to 375 years in prison. Attorney General Bondi’s Office of Statewide Prosecution will prosecute these cases.
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Tampa Man Arrested for Stealing Fuel With Counterfeit Credit Cards
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today announced that investigators with his Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement arrested Yaders Hernandez Angel, 33, of Tampa for filling an unlawful “bladder truck” with fuel illegally purchased with counterfeit credit cards. A “bladder truck” is a vehicle that has been retrofitted with hidden tanks that hold high volumes of fuel.
Law enforcement officers were preforming surveillance at gas stations in Hillsborough County and observed Hernandez Angel pumping fuel into a vehicle equipped with an unlawful tank in plain view. Investigators recovered 10 counterfeit credit cards from Hernandez Angel’s possession, two of which were used to illegally purchase 95 gallons of fuel.
Hernandez Angel was charged with unlawful conveyance of fuel, which is a third degree felony; two counts of fraudulently obtaining fuel, which is a second degree felony; and possession of 10 counterfeit credit cards, which is a second degree felony. Hernandez Angel was booked into the Hillsborough County Jail.
The Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement protects Florida’s agriculture and consumers through law enforcement in support of all the regulatory aspects of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. For more information, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.
Statement by President Negron on State General Revenue Forecast
Florida Senate President Joe Negron (R-Stuart) today released the following statement regarding the state’s economic forecast provided at today’s Revenue Estimating Conference.
“Today’s modest increase in expected state revenues is an encouraging sign as Florida continues to demonstrate steady economic growth. Make no mistake; every penny in our state budget originates from the hard work and sacrifice of our constituents who get up and go to work every day, sometimes to a second or third job. I am confident that beginning in our September committee meetings, the Senate will carefully evaluate competing budget priorities in a fiscally conservative manner. I also know from past experience that revenue estimates fluctuate and circumstances change. It is always best to remain cautious and prudent.”
Homestead man claims first top prize in new $2,500 A WEEK FOR LIFE Scratch-Off game
The Florida Lottery announces that Paulo Morales Marquez, 65, of Homestead, claimed a top prize in the $2,500 A WEEK FOR LIFE Scratch-Off game at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee.
Morales Marquez chose to receive his winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $2,040,000.00. He purchased his winning ticket from Krome Chevron, located at 23150 Southwest 177th Avenue in Miami.
The new $5 Scratch-Off game, $2,500 A WEEK FOR LIFE, launched on July 3, and features more than $103 million in total cash prizes and over 7.5 million winning tickets! The game’s overall odds of winning are one-in-3.95.
Scratch-Offs are an important part of the Lottery’s portfolio of games, generating more than $784 million for the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF) in FY 2016-17, and comprising approximately 68 percent of ticket sales.
Agency for State Technology and Florida National Guard Host Cyber Security Training
The Agency for State Technology (AST) in collaboration with the Florida National Guard is hosting cyber security training this week for state agency information technology and security professionals to learn how to combat potential cyber incidents.
“We often say, it’s not a matter of IF – but WHEN, a cyber security incident will occur. We need to constantly train our security professionals since the types of threats are always evolving. This exercise provides a hands-on opportunity to mitigate a simulated real-life scenario using the tools and techniques that will be deployed during an actual security event,” said AST Executive Director and State Chief Information Officer Eric Larson.
Training groups will participate in potential real-world cyberattacks and will learn how to identify, mitigate and remediate such threats.
“The cyber threat is real. The Florida National Guard takes the threat seriously and is honored to be able to partner with other state agencies to hone our current cyber defense skills as well as learn new techniques in the battle against cyberattacks. Additionally, these trainings bring agency security professionals together and build relationships that will benefit the State when a cyber incident occurs,” said Lt. Colonel Gray Johnson, Chief Information Officer/G6 for the Florida Army National Guard.
Community Health Centers Warn of Possible Closing, Adverse Health Impacts from State Plan for Reimbursement Payments
A state agency plan to change the way community health centers can draw down $50 million in indigent care funding could drive some centers out of business, shutting the door on a key part of Florida’s health care safety net in some communities. That was the message delivered by the Florida Association of Community Health Centers in a news conference call Tuesday afternoon.
Andrew Behrman, President & CEO of the Florida Association of Community Health Centers, was joined by the heads of three centers around the state to urge the state Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) to drop consideration of a proposal that would run all health center reimbursement payments through managed care organizations. They said the organizations would introduced inefficiency and potential loss of payments, at a time when many of the state’s centers are struggling to keep their doors open. AHCA is to discuss the requirement at a meeting tomorrow.
“Our centers represent the largest safety net provider system in the state, and without them uninsured or underinsured low-income Floridians would have nowhere to turn for their health care needs,” Behrman said. “The last thing these Floridians need is for their health care to be tied up in bureaucratic delays caused by unwarranted administrative hoops.”
Behrman was joined by Dr. Michael Gervasi, CEO of Florida Community Health Centers, based in West Palm Beach; Brad Herremans, CEO of Suncoast Community Health Center, based in Brandon; and Annie R. Neasman, CEO of Jessie Trice Community Health Center in Miami. Together, they called for AHCA keep the bureaucracy of managed care organizations out of the vital process of reimbursing community health centers for uncompensated care.
“It is simply no exaggeration to say that for thousands of people in our community, the work we perform is a matter of life and death,” Dr. Gervasi said. He noted that without community health centers, most of those patients would have no choice but to seek treatment in an emergency room, and considerably higher cost to taxpayers.
According to figures compiled by the association, community health centers have saved Florida taxpayers more than $1.6 billion that otherwise would be spent to care for poor residents in more costly emergency rooms. The 48 centers are Florida’s Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), and together they treated over 1.4 million patients last year. Their patients included 41 percent who receive Medicaid, 7 percent Medicare, 36 percent uninsured, and 16 percent with commercial or VA coverage.
State funding for the FQHCs was cut from $9 million in 2016-17 to $6 million in 2017-18, funds that will be supplemented by $50 million included in the $1.5 billion LIP fund.
Neasman, who is a registered nurse, said some of Florida’s community health centers are already owed $1 million or more in reimbursements for care they already provided to patients.
“If those funds don’t flow soon, some centers will be in real trouble,” she said. “There’s no incentive for managed care companies to make it easy for our centers to receive the money we’re owed. This inherent conflict may serve the interests of the managed care organizations, but it doesn’t help us – and it sure doesn’t help our patients.”
Herremans noted that Florida’s FQHCs must treat everyone who walks in the door. “That’s a requirement, but it’s also our mission. So we will continue to do so, with or without the money, for as long as we can,” he said. “But by erecting unnecessary barriers that keep us from accessing these funds, Florida may suffer the unintended consequence of driving some of these centers out of business.”
Special Olympics Florida to Host State Stand Up Paddle Championship in Sarasota
Who: More than 145 Special Olympics Florida athletes, plus coaches and volunteers
What: Special Olympics Florida State Stand Up Paddle Championship
Where: Nathan Benderson Park
5851 Nathan Benderson Circle
Sarasota, FL 34235
When: August 26, 2017
7:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. Opening Ceremony
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Competition and Awards
See fact sheet for more information.
About Special Olympics Florida
Special Olympics Florida provides year-round sports training, competition, and health services to children and adults with intellectual disabilities, at no cost to the athletes or their caregivers, as a means to achieve physical fitness, self-esteem, socialization skills, and the life skills necessary to be productive, respected, and contributing members of their communities. To learn more, visit www.specialolympicsflorida.org.
KKK Members Convicted in Plot to Murder Former Inmate
Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Office of Statewide Prosecution has secured the conviction of two members of the Traditionalist American Knights of the Ku Klux Klan for conspiracy to commit first degree murder. A Columbia County jury found David Elliot Moran, 49, and Charles Thomas Newcomb, 45, guilty of one count each for plotting to kill a former inmate.
The convicted were arrested in 2015 along with defendant Thomas Jordan Driver, 27, following an investigation by members of the North Florida Joint Terrorism Task Force, led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security Investigation, with assistance from additional federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The joint investigation revealed that Newcomb, Moran and Driver enlisted an FBI informant to kill a former inmate as retaliation for a fight between the former inmate and Driver. The murder plot was captured on recorded conversations between the three subjects and the FBI informant.
At the time of the murder conspiracy, Driver and Moran were correctional officers for the Florida Department of Corrections, and Newcomb was a former correctional officer. In March 2017, Driver pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit murder and was sentenced to four years in prison.
“These Klansmen plotted to murder a black inmate after he was released from prison, but swift action and clever investigative tactics on behalf of investigators foiled their plot and may have saved a life,” said Attorney General Bondi. “We will continue to work daily to ensure the KKK or any other hate-filled organization is unable to inflict violence on the citizens of our great state.”
“This case would not have been possible without the collaboration of our partnering law enforcement agencies,” said Charles P. Spencer, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division. “We commend the members of the North Florida Joint Terrorism Task Force (NFJTTF) who combined their talents, skills, and knowledge to work as a cohesive team and successfully disrupt this conspiracy.”
“These men had positions of trust, which they violated when they conspired to kill a former inmate, and we worked closely with our law enforcement partners to ensure they are held accountable for their crimes,” said HSI Tampa Special Agent in Charge James C. Spero.
Attorney General Bondi’s Office of Statewide Prosecution prosecuted the case. Members of the Joint Terrorism Task Force that participated in the investigation include the Federal Bureau of Investigation Jacksonville Division, Homeland Security Investigations, Florida Department of Corrections Office of Inspector General, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Highway Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office.
FDLE Members recognized for exceptional performance
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam along with FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen honored FDLE’s top performers today at the department’s Annual Awards Ceremony. Members were recognized for their outstanding performances during 2016. In total, more than 200 members were nominated.
“Our dedicated law enforcement officers deserve all the support we can provide, and I’m honored to celebrate some of the best and brightest at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement annual awards ceremony,” said Commissioner Putnam. “Their innovation and hard work continues to keep Floridians and visitors safe.”
“It is a pleasure to recognize the winners of this year’s awards,” said FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen. “The dedication of these professionals to seek excellence in their work performance is a reflection of their commitment to FDLE’s core values of service, integrity, respect and quality.”
Award winners are as follows:
Special Agent of the Year – Don Cannon, Special Agent, Miami Regional Operations Center
This award recognizes commendable investigative or intelligence activity by a sworn member. Special Agent Cannon is assigned to the region’s Cyber/High Tech Crime Squad and FBI Child Exploitation Task Force that focuses on abducted children, human trafficking and investigations of child pornography. In 2016, SA Cannon was leader of an investigation that resulted in the arrest of a Florida resident engaging in the international sex trafficking of children, child exploitation and sex tourism in Medellin, Colombia. This complex investigation resulted in the first time a U.S. Attorney ever charged a suspect with Child Sex Tourism.
Distinguished Team of the Year – Electronic Surveillance Support Team, Orlando Regional Operations Center
FDLE
- Andrew Watts
- Arthur Brewster
- Jeff Duncan
- Jeff Timmons
- Amanda Stephens
- Kerri Plaza
- Kevin Bass
Orange County Sheriff’s Office
- Adalberto “Sam” Lopez
- Collin Bruce
- Rod Dantes
- Reshma Persaud
- Bill Gabrielski
Seminole County Sheriff’s Office
- Justin Zeigler
Orlando Police Department
- Jerome Kenon
Brevard County Sheriff’s Office
- Tim Hart
The Orlando Regional Operations Center Electronic Surveillance Support Team is an FDLE-led task force, with members from FDLE as well as the Brevard, Orange and Seminole County Sheriffs’ Offices and the Orlando Police Department, which supports criminal investigations throughout the Orlando region.
The work done by this team resulted in 200 arrests, predominantly for violent crime, in 2016.
Commissioner’s Award Winner – Zane Harrell, Security Agent Supervisor, FDLE Headquarters/Tallahassee Regional Operations Center
The recipient of this award is chosen by the Commissioner and gives special recognition to an “unsung” hero whose performance is outstanding yet low profile within the Department. This award is established for those who provide outstanding performance from “the trenches.” In 2016 Mr. Harrell was integral to the success of FDLE Headquarters security enhancements and assisted in the development and training of the department’s Active Shooter Training Program.
Distinguished Member of the Year – Holly Williams, Senior Crime Intelligence Analyst II, Office of Executive Investigation, FDLE Headquarters
This award is given to a member who demonstrates superior performance or who accomplishes a significant achievement. Holly Williams is tasked with investigating allegations of criminal or other misconduct on the part of elected and public officials in Florida. In 2016 she used her expert analytical skills to identify a fraud ring which resulted in the arrest and successful prosecution of six individuals who defrauded the state of $190,000. She was also instrumental in identifying two main subjects of another fraud ring that recruited single mothers to file fraudulent checks through the state’s child support system, resulting in more than $109,000 in losses to the state.
Forensic Scientist of the Year – Carol Seagle, Crime Laboratory Analyst, Tallahassee Regional Operations Center
This award is given to a laboratory member who advances forensic science by implementing new or improved technology, methods development or professional expertise. Carol Seagle is a dedicated and skilled professional whose positive attitude, attention to detail and willingness to accept additional responsibilities are critical to both the Tallahassee Regional Crime Laboratory’s and Toxicology discipline’s provision of important services to assist law enforcement in the investigation of crime. In 2016, she was the principle instructor for seven analysts, as well as performing well above her casework standard by completing 1,390 work units, nearly three times above her work unit expectations.
Distinguished Support Member of the Year – Sara Hill, Forensic Technologist, Tallahassee Regional Operations Center
Forensic Technologist Hill was solely responsible for working the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network-only cases within the region’s Firearms Section and she helped reduce turnaround times statewide in the Firearms discipline. During 2016, she worked approximately 160 cases from other FDLE regional labs and completed a total of 591 cases for the year, which was 23 percent above standard. She also testified 13 times, including six times in other regions, which often requires a significant time out of the office.
Excellence in Leadership – Charlotte Fraser, Chief of Financial Support Services, FDLE Headquarters
Chief Fraser manages FDLE’s Office of Financial Management, which includes over 30 members who are responsible for the agency’s accounting and financial management/reporting. In her role she also serves as the department’s Chief Financial Officer, which carries tremendous responsibility and oversight for the accounting and financial management for the agency.
Capitol Police Officer of the Year – Douglas Stribling, Investigator, Capitol Police
Officer Stribling provided logistical assistance at the 2016 Missing Children’s Day event at the Capitol and continually assists the Honor Guard Team by traveling on short notice to ensure events are properly supported. He provided crucial office support within the Capitol Access Card Section and Background Unit by working over 200 background checks of various Capitol Complex vendors, employees, and other personnel. In addition to his investigative duties, Officer Stribling helped the Capitol Police Patrol Unit in a uniformed capacity and assisted on fixed posts and with Legislative Session details as needed.
Innovation of the Year – Operation Locator II Team, FDLE Headquarters
- Alan Moses
- Jon Roddenberry
- Stephanee Hires
- Kathy Cutler
- Robert McNeal
- Debbie Payne
- Amari Bennett
- Chad Hoffman
- Jeremy Gordon
- Brad Carrozza
- Rob Moon
- Sue Burton
- Cindy Durrett
- Pam Bullard
- Rahul Gupta
- Gopi Dasari
- Shishir More
The Operation Locator II team worked to locate high risk sex offenders living in Florida.
Contribution to Criminal Justice – Intelligence Watch and Warning Desk, FDLE Headquarters
- Melanie Walker
- Ryan Phenix
- Keith Wilson
- Alfonso Lowry
- James “Devin” Lovett
- Allison Kempel
- Daniel Easter
- Bobbie Winn
- Lindsey Cole
- Alan Taylor
- Kyle Brannon
- Nikolai Patrick
- Shamekia Collins
- Gregory Miller
The Intelligence Watch and Warning Desk responds to a wide variety of intelligence and investigative requests and acts as the state’s domestic security sentinel, providing vital situational awareness. In 2016, Watch and Warning Desk analysts answered 54,000 calls for assistance, maintained 2,700 intelligence flags, made 8,000 notifications, wrote 1,600 investigative reports, triaged 1,100 suspicious activity reports, processed 1800 requests for Florida driver’s licenses and made notification on 66 crime scene call outs and 77 officer involved shootings.
Gov. Scott: Florida Sets All-Time Tourism Record in First Half of 2017
Governor Rick Scott announced that Florida set another record by welcoming the highest number of visitors of any six months in the state’s history with 60.7 million visitors, according to VISIT FLORIDA. This represents a 4.1 percent increase over the same period in 2016, and includes 53.2 million domestic visitors, 5.3 million overseas visitors and 2.2 million Canadian visitors.
Governor Scott said, “I am proud to announce today that Florida has continued its record breaking success by welcoming more than 60 million visitors to our state over the first half of 2017- the highest number of visitors of any six months in our state’s history. This means back-to-back record quarters for our state. Now, with the investments made in VISIT FLORIDA during this year’s Special Legislative Session, we can continue to break records and work toward our goal of 120 million visitors this year. Florida’s booming tourism industry supports 1.4 million jobs across the state, and I know that VISIT FLORIDA and their many local partners are continuing to focus on breaking more records in order to help create even more opportunities for our families.”
VISIT FLORIDA estimates that a record 29.9 million visitors traveled to Florida in the second quarter of 2017 (April-June), an increase of 6.8 percent over the same period last year. This Q2 number breaks down to 26.4 million domestic visitors, 2.6 million overseas visitors and 899,000 Canadians coming to Florida. Total enplanements at Florida’s 18 major airports in Q2 2017 increased 6.1 percent over the same period the previous year, with a record 22.8 million enplaned passengers. The number of hotel rooms sold in Florida during quarter two of 2017 grew by 4.2 percent compared to quarter two 2016. During the same period, Florida’s average daily room rate (ADR) increased by 4.0 percent and occupancy by 2.5 percent.
Ken Lawson, President and CEO of VISIT FLORIDA, said, “With more than 60 million visitors to the state so far this year, this is an exciting and historic time for the Florida tourism industry. VISIT FLORIDA is committed to continuing to create cutting-edge marketing programs for our industry partners of all sizes that showcase the state to visitors and help make Florida the number one vacation destination in the world.”
The Florida Aquarium President and CEO Roger Germann said, “I am proud to join Governor Scott for this exciting announcement today. Our team at The Florida Aquarium welcomes hundreds of thousands of Tampa Bay residents and guests from around the world every year, and we are incredibly proud of our economic and educational impact in the community and our state. I look forward to working with Governor Scott, VISIT FLORIDA and our partners across the state to continue Florida’s thriving tourism industry and create even more opportunities at The Florida Aquarium.”
The Florida Aquarium Chief Operating Officer Scott Rose said, “The news that Florida tourism has had another record quarter and the biggest six months in our history is no surprise to me. Florida is an incredible state with so many things to see and experience, especially right here in Tampa Bay, including The Florida Aquarium. Our partnership with VISIT FLORIDA contributes significantly to our success and we look forward to continuing to work with them to share our mission and vision with others.”
Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association President and CEO Carol Dover said, “Florida continues to set record tourism numbers, which supports our economy and the 1.4 million industry jobs across the state. As ambassadors of Florida’s tourism industry, we will continue to work diligently to attract even more visitors to enjoy our incredible state. The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association is proud to be a champion of the tourism industry and honored to share Florida’s world-renowned hospitality with residents and visitors alike.”
Mise en Place President and CEO Maryann Ferenc said, “Six consecutive years of record visitation and now two more record quarters to start off the year do not happen by accident. It’s the result of really smart marketing by VISIT FLORIDA and the entire Florida tourism industry. Now is the time for all of us – big, small, public, private, DMO, commercial entity – to work together so that we can achieve our goal of 120 million visitors this year and make Florida the number one travel destination in the world.”
Madame Tussauds Orlando Senior Trade Sales Manager and Board Chair of the Florida Attractions Association Nick Romeo said, “With another quarter of record visitation numbers, it’s clear to see why Florida is a top worldwide destination. Florida’s world-class attractions play an important role in bringing people here, and we are working every day to market ourselves more aggressively. We look forward to continuing to work with VISIT FLORIDA to set more records and make Florida the number one global destination.”
To view additional Florida visitor data, go the Research page on VISIT FLORIDA’s media website.
*Preliminary estimates are issued 45 days after the end of each calendar quarter. Final estimates are released when final data are received for all estimates in the report.
