jail prison Handcuffs arrested

12 From Florida, South Carolina, And Puerto Rico Indicted On Drug, Murder, And Fraud Charges

jail prison Handcuffs arrested
Handcuffs, Source: Pexels

Twelve individuals were indicted Friday in Florida on a range of charges including drug trafficking, money laundering, wire fraud, and even murder. The indictments also seek the forfeiture of over $6.5 million in assets, two properties, and firearms.

The central charge involves a multi-year conspiracy to traffic cocaine and fentanyl within the Middle District of Florida, leading to multiple seizures of both drugs.

One defendant, Roberto Rodriguez Almodovar, is accused of committing murder during a drug trafficking operation, potentially facing the death penalty.

Read: US Coast Guard Offloads $50 Million In Seized Drugs In Florida

Several defendants face charges related to money laundering, wire fraud, and bank fraud, including schemes to acquire properties using illicit funds and fraudulently obtaining COVID-related loans.

Indictment One: The Carlos Limery Dones Drug Trafficking Organization

  1. Carlos Limery Dones, aka “Siervo,” “Chino” (46, Puerto Rico)
    • Charges: Drug trafficking conspiracy, money laundering, and bank fraud
    • Max Penalty: Life in federal prison.
  2. Santos Cruz Rivera (44, Kissimmee)
    • Charges: Drug trafficking conspiracy, distribution of controlled substances, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, maintaining a drug premises, possessing a firearm while a convicted felon, and money laundering conspiracy
    • Max Penalty: Life in federal prison.
  3. Nelson Franco, aka “Voltio” (48, South Carolina)
    • Charges: Drug trafficking conspiracy, distribution of controlled substances, and money laundering conspiracy
    • Max Penalty: Life in federal prison.
  4. Rebel Rivera Carbonell (46, Dundee)
    • Charges: Drug trafficking conspiracy, maintaining a drug premises, and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute
    • Max Penalty: Life in federal prison.
  5. Madelyn Sanchez, aka “La Negra” (50, Kissimmee)
    • Charges: Drug trafficking conspiracy and maintaining a drug premises
    • Max Penalty: Life in federal prison.
  6. Roberto Rodriguez Almodovar (59, Kissimmee)
    • Charges: Drug trafficking conspiracy and committing murder in furtherance of drug trafficking
    • Max Penalty: Death.
  7. Luis Torres Sanchez, aka “Gordo” (39, Puerto Rico)
    • Charges: Drug trafficking conspiracy, distribution of controlled substances, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking
    • Max Penalty: Life in federal prison.
  8. Johnson Rivera Martinez (40, Orlando)
    • Charges: Drug trafficking conspiracy and distribution of controlled substances
    • Max Penalty: Life in federal prison.
  9. Yesenia Laracuente (35, Kissimmee)
    • Charges: Money laundering conspiracy
    • Max Penalty: 20 years in federal prison.
  10. Nancy Contreras, aka “La Doña” (46, Dundee)
  • Charges: Money laundering conspiracy
  • Max Penalty: 20 years in federal prison.
  1. Carol Flores Morales (48, South Carolina)
  • Charges: Money laundering conspiracy and money laundering
  • Max Penalty: 20 years in federal prison.

Read: Chicago Man Receives Life Sentence For Fort Myers Murder-For-Hire

Indictment Two: Wire Fraud Conspiracy in Purchase of a Home

  1. Yesenia Laracuente (35, Kissimmee)
    • Charges: Wire fraud conspiracy
    • Max Penalty: 20 years in federal prison.
  2. Wilmary Sepulveda (36, Kissimmee)
    • Charges: Wire fraud conspiracy
    • Max Penalty: 20 years in federal prison.

Indictment Three: COVID-Related Fraud

  1. Carlos Limery Dones (46, Puerto Rico)
    • Charges: Wire fraud
    • Max Penalty: 20 years in federal prison.

Indictment Four: COVID-Related Fraud

  1. Santos Cruz Rivera (44, Kissimmee)
    • Charges: Wire fraud
    • Max Penalty: 20 years in federal prison.

The case was investigated by multiple agencies, including the DEA, IRS-Criminal Investigation, ATF, and local law enforcement. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Dan Baeza and Michael Buchanan.

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