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Florida sheriff breaks up alleged massive gang check fraud conspiracy

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Florida sheriff breaks up alleged massive gang check fraud conspiracy


A massive check fraud conspiracy resulted in the arrests of three gang members following a yearslong investigation, authorities announced on Tuesday.

The alleged crimes victimized 200 people and businesses in Polk County, according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice. 

Back in June 2022, Polk County Sheriff’s office deputies responded to a call at a gas station resulting in the search for Tyler Jacob, a convicted felon known to be a member of the “Trap Boys” gang.

Although Jacob had tried to run away when he was apprehended, he was found with a handgun, ammunition, numerous fraudulent checks, checks that had been returned as altered, personal information of other people written in a notebook, 27 debit cards in other people’s names, a computer and a cell phone, FOX 13 Tampa Bay reported. 

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FLORIDA MAN ARRESTED AFTER PRETENDING TO BE UNDERCOVER POLICE OFFICER TO AVOID BACKGROUND CHECK

Polk County Sheriff’s Office and other agency investigators share evidence located in “Operation Spin Cycle,” resulting in the arrest of three gang members. (Polk County Sheriff’s Office)

The checks Jacob was found with allegedly belonged to businesses that had reported fraud on their checking accounts, and had been deposited into the accounts associated with the debit cards, U.S. Attorney Mark Handberg said. 

Following a search warrant execution on Jacob’s computer, investigators found check-writing software and copies of fraudulent checks, Handberg added.

Deputies later determined the information in the notebook was stolen and belonged to dead people, people who lived in assisted living facilities and people who were mentally incompetent, FOX 13 reported. 

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The three gang members were arrested for their alleged involvement in a massive check fraud conspiracy. (Polk County Sheriff’s Office)

Suspect Jaquavious Green was stopped on gun charges when he was discovered to have blank checks, blank check paperwork and debit cards. Green also belongs to the “Trap Boys” gang, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said. 

A similar story ensued when a third alleged gang member, Daquan Carey, was arrested on murder charges following a shooting in Lake Wales. 

“When we arrested him, we fought with him,” Judd said during the presser. “Our deputies put their lives on the line, and they got a gun out of his waistband. What else did he have? Checks, credit cards, and so we saw that we have the beginning of a large operation here.”

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Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said the “Trap Boys” gang was “flushed” down the toilet. (Polk County Sheriff’s Office/Facebook)

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Jacob and at least 19 conspirators are believed to have worked from July 2021 to November 2023 defrauding banks, credit unions and businesses throughout central Florida. 

“These guys were kind of instrumental for this gang they call the ‘Trap Boys’,” Judd said. “In fact, Tyler Jacob was known as the ‘Money Man’. He kind of perfected the scheme and was teaching it and bringing people in…. But, guess what? We flushed the ‘Trap Boys.’ They cease to exist. They’re in the toilet and down in the sewer. We’re going after their accomplices now. There are more flushes for this toilet.”



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‘The naughty list:’ Wrong tag leads to arrest of wanted Central Florida man

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‘The naughty list:’ Wrong tag leads to arrest of wanted Central Florida man


VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – A wanted Central Florida man was caught after deputies noticed that his car had a wrong tag, according to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office.

In a release on Wednesday, deputies said they initially spotted a car with a tag that didn’t belong on it.

“A little research showed (the driver) had an open warrant for occupied burglary,” the release reads. “He tried to accelerate and ram his way out of trouble, but that only led to more charges.”

Body-camera footage shows deputies confront and ultimately catch the driver, identified as 33-year-old Dillon Cottrell.

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Dillon W. Cottrell, 33, of Bunnell (Volusia Sheriff’s Office)

According to the sheriff’s office, deputies also recovered a trafficking amount of fentanyl and other drugs.

Now, Cottrell faces charges of burglary, criminal mischief, fleeing law enforcement, trafficking in fentanyl, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest, and obstructing law enforcement.

He is held without bond. His passenger, Kelli Jo Hands, was also arrested, deputies added.

Kelli Jo Hands, 39, of DeLand (Volusia County Jail)

“Both are still in jail and most likely spending Christmas there,” the release concludes.

Copyright 2025 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.



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Grand Rapids police chief is candidate for Florida job: Eric Winstrom faced early trial

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Grand Rapids police chief is candidate for Florida job: Eric Winstrom faced early trial


GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Just weeks into his new job, Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom – sharing a small apartment with his wife and two children – was told that an officer was just involved in a shooting.

A former commander for Chicago Police Department, Winstrom had dealt with many shootings involving police.

Officer Christopher Schurr shot and killed Black motorist Patrick Lyoya after a Feb. 4, 2022, traffic stop. Schurr, a white officer, shot Lyoya in the back of the head.

Winstrom, who was named this week one of three finalists for police chief in Pensacola, Florida, recalled the tragedy in Grand Rapids in an MLive video 13 months after the killing.

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He became chief in Grand Rapids on March 7, 2022.

Protesters march through downtown Grand Rapids after a mistrial was declared in the Christopher Schurr murder trial after the jury could not come to a unanimous decision on Thursday, May 8, 2025. Schurr was charged with second-degree murder after killing Patrick Lyoya during a traffic stop in 2022. Joel Bissell | MLive.com

He described the shooting as “just like a slap across the face and a wake-up call because I had been involved in so many of these difficult situations in Chicago. So I was like, ‘Oh, OK, I guess we’re doing this here so quick’ and it was I would say a progression of sadness.”

Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom
Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom talks to media Tuesday, Nov. 11 after officers and an 18-year-old man exchanged gunfire in a Southeast Grand Rapids neighborhood. (John Agar | MLive)John Agar

He met with Lyoya’s family in his office, “crying literally with them.” He knew that Schurr, who was ultimately acquitted by a Kent County jury of second-degree murder, and his family were devastated, too.

Winstrom fired Schurr after charges were filed.

He knew that his officers had strong feelings, with many supporting Schurr, who said he acted in self-defense when Lyoya gained control of his Taser.

GR Fatal Stabbing 11.6.24
Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom responds to the scene of a fatal stabbing. (Joel Bissell|MLive)Joel Bissell | MLive.com

Winstrom, who often responds to serious crime scenes, said: “I’ll say that this department – I’m sure everybody’s got their opinions – but from what I’ve seen they’ve handled it professionally … have not let it impact job performance at all which was something that I was really afraid of.”

That has happened in other U.S. cities after controversial police shootings. Lyoya’s supporters held many protests, particularly when the officer was on trial.

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Windstrom said that calls to defund police can lead to a ‘mass exodus’ of officers, which data shows results in increasing violence in minority neighborhoods.

He said that “officers in Grand Rapids, whether they agree with my decision to fire Christopher or not, come to work every day. They just do a phenomenal, professional job. I’m really proud of them.”

Winstrom is a finalist for the Pensacola job with Brian Dugan, a former Tampa police chief, and Erik Goss, the acting deputy chief in Pensacola, the Pensacola News Journal reported.

The selection process will occur Jan. 12 to 14.

Winstrom declined an MLive request for comment on Wednesday, Dec. 24, but issued a statement the previous day.

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He asked for patience while he considered what is best for him and his family. He said he will be “engaged here as ever” during the process and “I remain fully committed to ensuring the City of Grand Rapids is a community where people feel safe and are safe at all times.“

City Manager Mark Washington appointed Winstrom nearly four years ago knowing “that he was a highly qualified, top-tier professional in the field of public safety. While he hadn’t served as a Chief of Police, his potential was evident.”

Washington added: “Given the significant progress he has led within the Grand Rapids Police Department – specifically in advancing constitutional policing, enhancing transparency, and centering the department’s commitment to serve all residents – it is certainly not surprising that other communities would seek out his leadership and expertise.”



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Florida man charged in racially motivated attack plot

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Florida man charged in racially motivated attack plot


Federal agents arrested a 20-year-old Sarasota man after finding Nazi propaganda, pipe bombs, guns, ammunition, a pressure cooker, and instructions for making explosives inside his home. Investigators also discovered an index card outlining plans for a racially motivated attack, including placing motion-activated bombs for police. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.



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