Florida Legal professional Common James Uthmeier introduced that 5 individuals have been charged in reference to what prosecutors describe as an organized scheme to defraud Florida’s Digital Profit Switch program.
Based on Uthmeier’s workplace, the defendants are accused of utilizing stolen EBT card data and private identification data to purchase merchandise that might simply be resold for money, together with Monster and Crimson Bull power drinks, espresso, bottled water and different objects. Authorities stated the alleged scheme passed off in Orange and Seminole counties.
“Florida will not be going to tolerate organized schemes that steal taxpayer-funded advantages supposed for Florida households,” Uthmeier stated. “We’ll proceed to work alongside our regulation enforcement companions to determine each particular person related to this scheme and maintain them accountable.”
The 5 defendants charged within the case are Carlos Ruben Gomez Jimenez, Maite Lazara Mesa Labrada, Carlos Luis Diaz Jimenez, Enrique Gonzalez and Luis Gonzalez Dominguez. Based on immigration data cited by the Legal professional Common’s Workplace, Gomez Jimenez and Mesa Labrada entered america illegally in 2024.
All 5 defendants face prices of organized scheme to defraud involving lower than $20,000 and public help fraud involving $200 or extra however lower than $20,000.
Gomez Jimenez, Mesa Labrada and Diaz Jimenez are additionally charged with legal use of non-public identification data involving EBT accounts of 10 or extra individuals. Dominguez is charged with legal use of non-public identification data, whereas Diaz Jimenez and Gonzalez are charged with dealing in stolen property.
If convicted, Diaz Jimenez faces as much as 40 years within the Florida Division of Corrections. Gomez Jimenez, Gonzalez and Mesa Labrada every withstand 25 years, whereas Dominguez faces as much as 15 years.
Diaz Jimenez, Mesa Labrada and Gomez Jimenez additionally face three-year obligatory minimal sentences tied to the legal use of non-public identification data prices involving 10 or extra victims.
The investigation stays energetic and ongoing, in response to the Legal professional Common’s Workplace. Further prices could also be filed because the case progresses.
The case is being investigated by the Orlando Police Division and the Workplace of Statewide Prosecution. It’s being prosecuted by Particular Counsel for Public Help Fraud Scott Strauss in Florida’s Ninth Judicial Circuit.
