ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – U.S. District Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington has sentenced Jonathan Daniels, 46, of St. Petersburg, to 14 years and 7 months in federal prison for his role in a sophisticated fraud scheme that stripped bank liens from more than 100 vehicles, enabling the conspirators to obtain clear titles and sell the vehicles for profit.
Daniels was found guilty at trial on February 10, 2023, on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
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According to testimony and evidence presented during the trial, Daniels and his co-conspirators orchestrated a scheme to defraud financial institutions and vehicle owners by submitting fraudulent documents to Florida tax collector offices.
The conspirators used counterfeit paperwork and fake certified mail receipts to create the appearance of towing and storage liens on vehicles. This allowed them to obtain clear titles to the vehicles, which they then sold to unsuspecting buyers, depriving the rightful owners and financial institutions of their property.
“The Secret Service is proud to partner with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Florida Highway Patrol,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Engel of the United States Secret Service – Tampa Field Office. “The results of this investigation are a testament to strong partnerships across the law enforcement community. The Secret Service remains committed to investigating those who engage in crimes that exploit our financial system.”
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The scheme, which spanned several years, caused significant financial losses to banks, credit unions, and individual vehicle owners. The conspirators’ actions not only defrauded financial institutions but also left unsuspecting buyers with vehicles they believed were legitimately purchased, only to later discover the titles were fraudulently obtained.
Steven Hodges, Acting Postal Inspector in Charge of the Miami Division, emphasized the commitment of law enforcement to combat such crimes. “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service will aggressively investigate individuals who engage in fraudulent schemes at the expense of the American public and our financial institutions,” Hodges said. “We are committed to working with our partner law enforcement agencies to bring justice to those looking to use fraudulent means for personal gain. Criminals must understand there are consequences for their actions.”
The U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Florida Highway Patrol investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer L. Peresie prosecuted the case, which highlighted the collaborative efforts of federal and state agencies to dismantle complex fraud operations.
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