FL Gang Members Charged In Scheme To Defraud Banks, Residents

POLK COUNTY, FL — Several people connected to a violent street gang are facing federal charges after prosecutors said they participated in a scheme to steal financial information and defraud hundreds of Florida banks, businesses and residents.

The indictment unsealed Tuesday charges 19 Polk County residents with one count each of bank fraud and conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Those charged and their ages include:

• Qornelious Campbell (31)
• Kenneth Cole II (25)
• Kenisha Coffer (25)
• D’Andranika Crews (20)
• Ebony Fields (26)
• Victoria Ferrer (22)
• Aaliyah Gotay-Woods (23)
• Bre’asia Harris (26)
• Jaun Hillman (51)
• Keith Honors, Jr. (39)
• Kendrick Iles (20)
• Arkuria Lewis (22)
• Deven Little (28)
• Josie Lopez (29)
• Clarissa Morris (24)
• Tamiria Perry (27)
• Mark Quesnel (66)
• Tamaries Richardson (30)
• Kalei Spicer (22)

According to court documents, the FBI and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation last year into a violent street gang known as the Trap Boys following a series of retaliatory shootings between the Trap Boys and other gangs.

While making arrests, prosecutors said authorities discovered that several members of the Trap Boys were in possession of large quantities of stolen checks, debit cards, financial statements and identification cards.

Further investigation revealed that from at least July 2021 until November 2023, the defendants took part in a scheme to defraud banks, credit unions, individual persons, and various businesses throughout Florida from cities including Winter Haven, Auburndale, Riverview, Kissimmee, Lakeland, Tampa and Miami.

According to court documents, the defendants stole checks and altered them using check-writing software. The defendants also used online systems to learn the banking information of various businesses and recruited others to provide them with bank account numbers, Social Security numbers, debit cards, and bank account log-in credentials and passwords, prosecutors said.

According to the indictment, the defendants also deposited fraudulent checks at dozens of banks and credit unions throughout the state.

In all, prosecutors said approximately 26 banks and more than 200 victims were defrauded, including insurance companies, law firms, construction companies, tile companies, auto shop businesses, public school districts, colleges, and state agencies.

If convicted on all counts, each defendant faces a maximum of 30 years in federal prison.