Executive Summary
Laws and Precedent
U.S. Attorney John P. Heekin announced today that 46 individuals were indicted on federal charges across the Northern District of Florida’s three divisions during October and November. The comprehensive series of indictments targets a wide array of federal crimes, including drug trafficking, firearms offenses, illegal immigration, child exploitation, financial fraud, and threatening communications, reflecting a significant effort to combat criminal activity in the region.
Indictments Across Divisions
The Gainesville division saw indictments against Peter Daniel Ring for threatening communications, Deshawn Russ for firearm possession by a prohibited person, and Khalil Keari Barnett for drug trafficking, firearm possession in connection with drug trafficking, and prohibited firearm possession.
In the Pensacola division, federal charges were filed against multiple individuals for illegal reentry after deportation or removal, including Pedro Lopez Calderon, Jonathan Callejas-Callejas, Mateo Linares-Aparicio, Jose Del Carmen Perez-Gomez, Eduardo Ramierez-Francisco, Joel Nahum Sanchez Montoya, Selvin Ramos Vasquez, Nicholas Mencho-Lucas, Augustin Bello Rodriguez, and Abel Dejesus Ronquillo-Martinez. Juan De La Cruz Mejia-Castro was indicted for illegal alien in possession of a firearm.
Several individuals, including Belarmino Basilio Godinez, Miguel Angel Gomez-Ical, Luis Maldonado, Carlos Eulogio Mortero-Sipac, Jose Julian Maldonado-Ramas, and Gustavo Ramirez-Guillen, faced charges for using fraudulent immigration documents and Social Security numbers. Treivorn McLeod was indicted for conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and multiple counts of mail and wire fraud.
Additional Pensacola indictments included Christopher Gene Summers and Daniel Bookout for mailing threatening communications, and Tamal Jenkins for interstate threatening communications with intent to extort. Damian Pressley, Logan Schoonmaker, Matthew Murillo, Tiffani Harris, and Marquis Dy’Monte Bethea were indicted on various drug trafficking and firearm offenses. Terrance Goodman faced charges for Hobbs Act robbery, brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The Tallahassee division’s indictments included Paul Hart for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and Michael Duane Dyson for theft of government funds related to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits. Edward Cromartie, Timeka Griffin, and Robert Rundles were indicted for conspiracy and distribution of cocaine and methamphetamine.
Child exploitation charges were brought against Justin Luis Ruiz, Jr., and Dalvert Encarnacion Francisco, involving offenses such as transferring obscene materials to a minor, enticement, child pornography production, receipt, distribution, and possession. Michael McDonald and Dani Cordoba Munoz were indicted for attempted enticement of a minor, with Munoz also charged with travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.
Other Tallahassee indictments included Tyler Ogden for fraudulent immigration documents and Social Security number use, Theodore Robinson and Howard Martin for firearm possession by a convicted felon, and Johnny Robinson for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Howard Martin also faced charges for methamphetamine distribution and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking offense. Jose Vasquez-Martinez was indicted for illegal reentry, Cordelle Collier for assault with a deadly weapon, and Miguel Hatcher for possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
Broader Initiatives and Law Enforcement Efforts
Thirty-four of the cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at combating illegal immigration, dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protecting communities from violent crime. This operation consolidates resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Four cases fall under Project Safe Childhood, a national effort launched in May 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), this initiative coordinates federal, state, and local resources to identify, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children online, and to rescue victims.
Investigations leading to these indictments involved a collaborative effort from numerous law enforcement agencies. Key agencies included the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. Local assistance was provided by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, Panama City Beach Police Department, Leon County Sheriff’s Office, Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office, Tallahassee Police Department, and the Rapid City (Iowa) Police Department.
Legal Proceedings
These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Brooke A. DiSalvo, Christopher C. Patterson, Ward Narramore, James A. McCain, Eric K. Mountin, Harley W. Ferguson, Joseph Ravelo, Jeffrey M. Tharp, Meredith L. Steer, Christie S. Utt, Alicia Forbes, Jessica Etherton, Jason Coody, David L. Goldberg, and Eric W. Welch.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial, during which the government bears the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
