Agents with Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Miami Regional Operations Center arrested Peggy Sue Juffre, 43, of 629 Southwest 167 Way in Pembroke Pines, Florida, for one count of organized fraud and one count of grand theft in the first degree.
According to investigators, Juffre embezzled nearly $300,000 from her employer, a fitness company based in the Miami area, between January 2015 and January 2016. FDLE’s investigation began after the business owner discovered the funds were missing, confronted Juffre, and reported the theft.
FDLE agents, with the assistance of the Office of the Statewide Prosecutor, obtained an arrest warrant for Juffre based on the results of the investigation. Juffre turned herself in to FDLE on Tuesday.
Juffre was booked into Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. Bond has been set at $10,000.
FDLE
Medical Examiners Commission Releases Drugs in Deceased Persons Report
The Florida Medical Examiners Commission released its 2016 annual report, Drugs Identified in Deceased Persons by Florida Medical Examiners.
The report, covering Jan. through Dec. 2016, shows drugs either caused or were present in 11,910 deaths across Florida. Data is collected on 46 drugs including opioids, benzodiazepines, and cocaine.
The report can be found online HERE.
Florida Fusion Center recognized as Fusion Center of the Year
The Florida Fusion Center, which is housed at FDLE’s headquarters, was recognized last week by the National Fusion Center Association as the 2017 Fusion Center of the Year for its continued commitment to vigilance and excellence in defense of Florida and its citizens.
The Florida Fusion Center also received the Maritime Domain Awareness Excellence Award in recognition of its efforts to improve the safety and security of Florida’s coasts, waterways, and ports.
FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen said, “The Florida Fusion Center is committed to being at the forefront of public safety and security, working with our partners across the state and nation to ensure the safety of our great state and its residents. Congratulations to our team and our partners for these awards as recognition of their continual commitment to excellence.”
A fusion center is a collaborative effort of state and federal agencies working in partnership with local partners to share resources, expertise and/or information to better identify, detect, prevent, apprehend and respond to criminal and terrorist activity utilizing an all crimes/all hazards approach. Located in Tallahassee, the Florida Fusion Center serves as Florida’s primary fusion center for the gathering, processing, analysis and dissemination of terrorism, law enforcement and homeland security information.
FDLE arrests couple for crimes in health care practice
FDLE agents today arrested Asok Roy, 74, and his wife, Manjula Roy, 72, at 9183 Old A1A, St. Augustine, Florida, after a comprehensive investigation spanning more than a year.
Asok Roy was arrested for five counts of solicitation to commit prostitution, two counts of writing a prescription for monetary benefit, two counts of falsely omitting information on a document or report, and one count of being principle to practicing a health care profession without a license. Manjula Roy was arrested for practicing a health care profession without a license.
The arrests were the result of evidence collected during multiple undercover operations, interviews and search warrants at both the Roys’ residence and the Medical Clinic of St. Augustine. Asok Roy was also served with an Emergency Suspension Order by the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) which prevented him from practicing medicine in the state and he has since voluntarily relinquished his license.
The North Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA), St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, DEA Diversion and FDOH partnered with FDLE on the investigation.
The Roys were booked into the St. Johns County Jail and the case will be prosecuted by the State Attorney’s Office, Seventh Judicial Circuit.
FDLE investigation leads to four arrests in scheme to sell property with sinkhole damage
An investigation led by the Tampa Bay Regional Operations Center, Brooksville Office, of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement has led to the arrest of four suspects on a charge of organized scheme to defraud relating to the sale of a home with sinkhole property damage.
Those arrested are: Clarence Surrena and Mary Surrena of 230 E. Panama Rd., Winter Springs; Karen Sherwin of 5230 Miller Bayou Dr., Port Richey; and Shawn Poole of 17529 Monteverde Dr., Spring Hill.
During the investigation, agents found that Clarence and Mary Surrena sold their home at 18735 Bonnie Drive, Spring Hill, in Pasco County, to a couple for $275,000. Prior to the closing, the Surrenas completed a Seller’s Disclosure Form on which they denied any sinkhole damage to their property. The Surrenas did acknowledge filing a sinkhole claim; however, they did not reveal the claim was paid. Although the Surrenas received $155,000 in October 2013 to fix the sinkhole, the money was not used for that purpose.
Both Karen Sherwin, the Surrenas’ realtor, and Shawn Poole, the buyers’ agent, were aware of the insurance claim and the incomplete Seller’s Disclosure Form. The buyers only became aware of the sinkhole after moving into their home when a representative of a home insurance company called to say the home could not be insured. The buyers believed they were insured at closing.
Clarence and Mary Surrena were both taken to the Seminole County Jail on $15,000 bond each; Karen Sherwin and Shawn Poole were both taken to the Pasco County Jail on $5,000 bond each.
The case will be prosecuted by the State Attorney’s Office, 6th Judicial Circuit.
FDLE investigation leads to arrest in Vermont, child pornography charges
Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Orlando Cyber Crime Task Force executed two search warrants at a residence for Donald Noble, 80, that led to charges of child pornography and his arrest in Vermont.
Noble resides at 7119 Honeycomb Street, Orlando, and travels seasonally to Vermont. He was arrested by Vermont law enforcement on Thursday on 10 counts of possession of child pornography. The search warrants were in support of a child pornography investigation launched by Vermont authorities. Vermont State police arrested Noble on similar charges on October 9, 2017.
During one search warrant, FDLE agents found evidence of child pornography on videotapes and digital media. A subsequent warrant led to the seizure of thousands of photos of young boys who were clothed but unaware, possibly, that their images were taken. All of the materials were seized for further investigation and possible identification of the subjects.
While some of the photographs seized have already led to the identification of at least 14 subjects, authorities believe more are possible in both Florida and Vermont. Noble may have had a background in photography that gave him access to children. The photographs seized appear to span from the 1970s to early 2000s.
If anyone has information about this investigation, they are asked to call FDLE Orlando at 407.245.0888.
Noble is being held on a $50,000 bail in Vermont. He will face charges in Florida upon extradition.
FDLE arrests Lehigh Acres man for child pornography
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement today arrested William Michael Lenahan, 40, of 860 Bumby Street, Lehigh Acres, Florida for 20 counts of possession of child pornography.
FDLE special agents, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, the FDLE Cyber Crimes Task Force, and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Lenahan’s home on November 1, 2017. Agents seized a computer and numerous computer related media devices. FDLE agents conducted a forensic examination on the computer owned by Lenahan. During the exam, agents recovered more than 1,600 videos and more than 200 images containing suspected child pornography that included very young children engaged in various sex acts.
Lenahan was arrested by agents and transported to the Lee County Jail. The case will be prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney, 20th Judicial Circuit.
Please visit the FDLE website to review tips for keeping your children safe online.
FDLE Agents arrest St. Petersburg man for computer crime
FDLE Agents today arrested Ivan Ross Marik, 36, of 3924 N. 45th Ave., St. Petersburg, on one charge of offense against computer users. The offense resulted in combined revenue loss and recovery costs estimated at $277,000.
In March, agents launched an investigation after the St. Petersburg Police Department received a complaint alleging that Marik destroyed work product files at a graphics company where he worked. Marik had been terminated just hours before the files were destroyed. The investigation showed the IP address where the activity originated was associated with the specific street address where Marik resides.
FDLE Agents obtained and executed a search warrant at Marik’s address today and arrested him.
Marik was taken to the Pinellas County Jail on a $10,000 bond. The case will be prosecuted by the State Attorney’s Office, 6th Judicial Circuit.
FDLE Agents execute search warrant; Rockledge man arrested for child pornography
Agents with the Orlando Cyber Crime Task Force obtained and executed a search warrant today at the residence of Jacob Albert Breslin, at 934 Lexington Road, Rockledge, on suspicion of possession of child pornography.
FDLE Agents obtained the search warrant after an investigation was launched when the Winter Springs Police Department received a complaint in June 2017. During the search, FDLE Agents collected digital devices at Breslin’s residence. Breslin, 25, was located at a relative’s home in Cocoa. He was arrested and charged with promoting the sexual performance of a minor, computer solicitation of a child and 10 counts of possession of child pornography.
Breslin was taken to the Brevard County Jail with a no-bond status. The case will be prosecuted by the State Attorney’s Office, 18th Judicial Circuit.
FDLE arrests Orlando man on 13 counts of child pornography
Agents with the Orlando Cyber Crime Task Force of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement today arrested Kevin Todd Jones, 52, of 319 S. Boyd Street, Orlando, on 13 counts of possession of child pornography.
Agents received a tip about Jones downloading suspected child pornography and began an investigation. After obtaining a search warrant, agents went to Jones’ home and conducted an on-scene forensic examination. They found evidence of child pornography on digital devices, which were seized for additional forensic analysis.
Jones was taken to the Orange County Jail with a no-bond status. The case will be prosecuted by the State Attorney’s Office, 9th Judicial Circuit.
