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Attorney General Pam Bondi

Florida Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Human Trafficking and Branding

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Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Office of Statewide Prosecution today secured a prison sentence for a man convicted of human trafficking and branding a victim. Friday, a Marion County Judge sentenced Ryan Gemelle Poole, 33, to 30 years in state prison. The sentence comes after the jury found Poole guilty of human trafficking, deriving support from prostitution, unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate a felony, sexual battery and branding. This is Florida’s first conviction under the state’s branding statute.

“This disgusting human trafficker branded his victim, raped and forced her to perform sex acts. We will not allow this evil to persist in Florida, and today’s sentencing serves as a strong warning to anyone trying to enslave and traffic people in our state,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi. “I want to thank my Statewide Prosecutors Julie Sercus and Rita Peters for their resolve and determination to ensure this monster did not escape justice.”

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office began investigating Poole in 2016. The investigation revealed that Poole met the victim on a dating website and started a romantic relationship. Poole then began grooming the victim for prostitution by giving the victim cocaine and coercing the victim to work as a stripper. Soon Poole began selling the victim for sex, advertising on the now defunct Backpage.com website.  

Poole forced the victim to travel from Marion County to Alachua, Charlotte, Hillsborough and Orange counties for the purposes of prostitution for personal financial gain. In addition, Poole forced the victim to have his initials tattooed on the victim’s body—to signify the victim as property. In August 2016, the victim tried to escape and Poole raped the victim as punishment.  

The trial commenced on April 23, before the Honorable Anthony Tatti in Marion County.  After four days of testimony, including that of the victim and Poole, the jury found the defendant guilty on all charges.

Attorney General Bondi Urges Floridians to Help Combat Opioid Crisis

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Attorney General Pam Bondi is encouraging Floridians to help combat the national opioid crisis by participating in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Take back locations will be open across the state on Saturday, April 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event allows the public to take expired or no longer needed prescription drugs to local drop-off points for proper disposal.

“People struggling with addiction will do anything to get their hands on deadly drugs in search of a quick high––even going as far as rummaging through a relative’s medicine cabinet. That is why I urge everyone to get rid of your nonessential or outdated prescription drugs. Look in your medicine cabinet and if you come across any unused prescriptions, please take them to the nearest Drug Take Back location. This simple task will help us fight the opioid crisis and save lives,” said Attorney General Bondi.

The Drug Enforcement Administration conducts Drug Take-Backs in conjunction with state and local law enforcement. Floridians can find nearby participating locations by clicking, here.

Medicine take-back options are the preferred way to safely discard of most types of unneeded prescriptions. This option compared to disposal in the household trash or down the toilet is much safer for everyone. Flushing medicine down the toilet can bring harm to the environment, as well as, unintended human health risks. Consumers can visit the DEA’s website for more information about drug disposal.  

Attorney General Bondi’s Statement on Two Gilchrist County Deputies Killed in the Line of Duty

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Attorney General Pam Bondi today released the following statement regarding the death of two Gilchrist County Sheriff’s deputies:

“My heart breaks with the tragic news of two Gilchrist County deputies that were senselessly killed today while in the line of duty. The daily risk that law enforcement officers take to protect our communities is overwhelming. My deepest condolences and prayers are with their families as they mourn the devastating loss of their loved ones. May their families, friends and fellow officers find peace and comfort during this very difficult time.” 

Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Trafficking More Than 100 Grams of Heroin

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Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Office of Statewide Prosecution Office today secured the conviction and sentencing of Jorge Rivera, of Hillsborough County, for conspiracy and trafficking in heroin.
“Today my Office of Statewide Prosecution secured another vital conviction of a monster tainting our streets with deadly heroin,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi. “I want to thank the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office for their great investigative work and my statewide prosecutors Joseph Ravelo and Joe Spataro for the minimum mandatory sentence they secured in this case.”

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office led the investigation that uncovered Rivera had obtained multiple ounces of heroin from two main suppliers. Throughout the investigation, authorities used electronic surveillance in the form of wiretaps to determine when Rivera would meet with sources. In October 2015, HCSO saw Rivera meet with suppliers and apprehended the defendant with more than 100 grams of heroin in possession. Attorney General Bondi’s Office of Statewide Prosecution previously tried and convicted both suppliers of conspiracy to traffic heroin, 28 grams or more, in July 2017.

The Hillsborough County jury found Rivera guilty of conspiracy to traffic heroin, 28 grams or more, and trafficking in heroin, 28 grams or more. The Honorable Samantha Ward, Circuit Judge for the 13th Judicial Circuit, sentenced Rivera to 25 years as a minimum mandatory sentence in the Department of Corrections.

Assistant Statewide Prosecutors Joseph Ravelo and Joe Spataro prosecuted the case.

For more information on the suppliers’ previous conviction, click here.

Attorney General Bondi Honors Victim Advocates

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Attorney General Pam Bondi today awarded victim advocates and law enforcement for exceptional efforts in protecting and counseling victims. Attorney General Bondi presented the awards at her annual ceremony commemorating National Crime Victims’ Rights Week at the state Capitol. This year’s theme, Expand the Circle Reach All Victims, highlights the importance of reaching all victims and emphasizing the importance of inclusion in victim services.

“I am thankful for all who dedicate their lives to serving victims of crime, including those who rushed to the scene of tragedy following recent mass casualty events,” said Attorney General Bondi. “All our award recipients are exceptional and play a vital role in helping victims heal and I am eternally grateful for their service.”

The Florida Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights states, “Victims of crime or their lawful representatives, including the next of kin of homicide victims, are entitled to the right to be informed, to be present, and to be heard when relevant, at all crucial stages of criminal proceedings, to the extent that these rights do not interfere with the constitutional rights of the accused.”

The award recipients honored today are the following:

  • Dr. Wade Barnes, Women’s Center of Jacksonville;
  • Carl Harms with the State Attorney’s Office, Fourth Judicial Circuit;
  • Julie Weintraub, Hands Across the Bay;
  • Detective Suzanne Clouchete with the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office;
  • Detective Greg Farless with the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office; and
  • Chief John Mina, City of Orlando Police Department.

To watch the full ceremony on The Florida Channel, click here.

For more information on crime victim services offered by the Florida Attorney General’s Office, click here.

For more information on National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, click here.

Attorney General Bondi Kicks Off 2018 Law Enforcement Torch Run

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Attorney General Pam Bondi today kicked off the 2018 Law Enforcement Torch Run, benefiting Special Olympics Florida. Hundreds of font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;”> law enforcement officers and supporters joined Attorney General Bondi and Special Olympics CEO and President Sherry Wheelock at the kickoff event. Local, state and federal law enforcement officers, corrections officers and support staff will carry the Flame of Hope 1,500 miles throughout Florida to bring awareness to Special Olympics. This year, Special Olympics is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

“Special Olympics Florida is a remarkable organization that provides amazing athletes the opportunity to showcase inspiring strength and skill for the world to see,” said Attorney General Bondi. “I want to thank our law enforcement community and all those involved in the Torch Run for supporting these dedicated athletes.”

Eight thousand members of the law enforcement and corrections community will carry the torch in a relay to the opening ceremonies at the Annual Florida State Summer Games. This year’s games take place May 18-19, 2018 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista. More than font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;”> 46,000 athletes participate in Special Olympics activities throughout Florida. Today, 156 runners from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and more than 50 runners from the Office of the Attorney General participated in today’s kick off.  

For a schedule of the Law Enforcement Torch Run routes by county, click here.

The Special Olympics is a global movement that serves more than four million athletes in 169 countries. The organization empowers athletes to improve physical fitness, build confidence and find new friendships, all while having fun and learning life-lessons.

For more information about Special Olympics Florida and how to get involved, visit SpecialOlympicsFlorida.org.

Attorney General Bondi to Kick Off 2018 Law Enforcement Torch Run

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MEDIA ADVISORY

Attorney General Pam Bondi will kick off the 2018 Law Enforcement Torch Run, benefitting Special Olympics Florida, tomorrow, April 05, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. in Tallahassee.

WHO: Attorney General Pam Bondi, State Director of the Law Enforcement Torch Run Dave Sklarek, Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil and Tallahassee Police Chief Michael DeLeo

WHAT: Law Enforcement Torch Run

WHEN: Thursday, April 05,11:00 a.m.

WHERE: Florida Capitol Courtyard
The Capitol
Tallahassee, Fla.

The run will begin at 10:15 a.m. in the parking lot of the Lake Ella Plaza, 1700 N. Monroe St, Tallahassee, Fla. 32303.

Drug Dealer Found Guilty of Trafficking Thousands of Dollars’ Worth of Heroin

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Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Office of Statewide Prosecution, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office today announced the conviction of Hasan Nguyen, 25, for trafficking thousands of dollars’ worth of deadly heroin.

“We are in the midst of a national opioid crisis claiming lives in Florida, and we will not tolerate anyone trafficking heroin or any other deadly opioids in our state,” said Attorney General Bondi. “I want to thank the DEA for their great investigative work and my statewide prosecutors Mary Sammon and David Gillespie for the strong prison sentence they secured in this case.”

The investigation into Nguyen began in 2015 and covered crimes in Orange and Seminole counties. Investigators captured audio and video recordings of Nguyen selling trafficking amounts of heroin on three separate occasions to undercover officers. Nguyen preferred to sell amounts of heroin more than 30-50 grams so that substantial profits could be made. Investigators paid Nguyen more than $2,000 in undercover drug deals through the course of the investigation. In total, authorities seized more than 45 grams of heroin with a street value of approximately $10,000.

An Orange County jury found Nguyen guilty of four counts, including trafficking in heroin 20 grams or more, conspiracy to traffic heroin 28 grams or more, trafficking in heroin 14 grams or more and unlawful use of a two-way communication device. The Honorable Leticia Marques sentenced Nguyen to a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in the Florida Department of Corrections. Assistant Statewide Prosecutors Mary Sammon and David Gillespie prosecuted the case.

The Office of Statewide Prosecution prosecutes multi-circuit organized crime while working regularly with federal and state counterparts to coordinate efforts against criminal activity. The office provides proactive partnership to law enforcement and is not limited to geographic or judicial boundaries.

Four Arrested in Connection to 150 Stolen Guns, One Still Wanted

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Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Office of Statewide Prosecution, the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement today announced the arrest of four men relating to more than 150 stolen firearms. The guns were stolen from stores in and around the Central Florida area. Authorities arrested, Richard Jernigan, 30, Robert Tilmon, 31, Raymond Williams, 28, and Jermeil Williams, 28, in connection to the burglaries. These men were allegedly involved in numerous armed burglaries of firearms and other valuable items for several years. Authorities are still searching for Kentric Collier, 28, in connection to the case.

“The ATF and the FDLE did a tremendous job in stopping a dangerous gun burglary ring targeting firearms dealers. The charges against these individuals are alarming—stealing guns to sell on our streets. My Office of Statewide Prosecution will aggressively prosecute this case to ensure justice is done,” said Attorney General Bondi.

“ATF’s primary focus is protecting the public by reducing violent crime”, said Special Agent in Charge Daryl McCrary. “ATF continues to aggressively pursue violent offenders and will continue to protect and serve communities with our law enforcement partners.”

Beginning in late 2016 and into 2017, ATF began investigating burglaries of Federal Firearms Licensees stores in and around the Central Florida area. A review of intelligence aided in determining some of the burglaries had similar distinguishing characteristics, such as the use of sledgehammers and pry bars to gain entry. The men are believed to be involved in more than five burglaries of FFLs that resulted in the loss of more than 150 firearms.

The investigation found that the suspects allegedly sold many of the firearms in the Orlando area within days of the burglaries. According to ATF, law enforcement has recovered approximately 35 of the 156 stolen firearms, most seized from prohibited individuals involved in previous violent criminal acts. These suspects are also allegedly involved in numerous burglaries targeting cash, electronics, firearm stores, jewelry, safes, and other valuable items in Orange, Polk, and Seminole counties

All five suspects face separate charges in connection to burglaries, grand theft of a firearm, grand theft and racketeering. The Altamonte Springs Police Department, the Longwood Police Department, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the Orlando Police Department and the Winter Park Police Department assisted in this investigation.

The Attorney General Office of Statewide Prosecution will prosecute the case.

Florida Attorney General Bondi and Utah Attorney General Reyes Joint Statement on Passage of H.R. 1865

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Attorney General Pam Bondi and Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes, both leaders in the fight against human trafficking, today issued the following joint statement commending the U.S. Senate passage of H.R. 1865:

“Today, we applaud the U.S. Senate for making the right decision and overwhelmingly passing H.R. 1865, the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act, in a 97 to 2 vote. This legislation will significantly support all state attorneys general and state prosecutors in their effort to hold online sites accountable for supporting the sale of sex trafficking victims.

“We thank President Trump and his Administration for working closely and proactively with Members of Congress, including our dedicated Florida and Utah federal delegations, industry experts and human trafficking survivors in the fight to eradicate sex trafficking across the country and around the world.”