700 FL Handicapped Parking Placards Sold Illegally, 7 Arrests So Far

FLORIDA — Seven people have been arrested on charges related to fraudulently procuring and selling about 700 disabled person parking placards, with arrest warrants issued for four more suspects, authorities said.

The investigation began in February when the Liberty County Tax Collector's Office contacted the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles after learning a large number of placards were applied for and issued to one person in the county on behalf of multiple South Florida residents.

Florida law states that people submitting a request for a disabled person parking placard must provide FLHSMV an application signed by a certifying medical authority. The Florida Highway Patrol contacted the listed medical authority, a retired pediatrician, who had no knowledge or involvement in the fraudulent use of his name.

“These placards are reserved for Floridians with mobility issues, and it is extremely infuriating that the defendants exploited this state-run program," said Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody. "It’s even more disheartening that there were hundreds of buyers eager to pay for the ill-gotten privilege to essentially steal parking spots from people with disabilities.”

“The individuals charged in this scheme have profited off of a resource the state reserves to assist those with a medical need,” said FLHSMV Executive Director Dave Kerner. “They took advantage of this resource by using fraud, forgery and deception. While we continue to locate and arrest others responsible, those arrested will be held accountable for their actions and prosecuted as they well deserve.”

During the investigation, analysts discovered online content advertising the group's ability to procure disabled person parking permits for those who had a "long walk to class" or were "tired of parking in the back."

Due to the large number of placards applied for, issued and sold, investigators knew others were involved in the scheme. As a result of the investigation, the following people were charged with scheme to defraud, money laundering, criminal use of personal identification number and uttering a forged instrument:

• Norman Caison
• Dislaisis Alfonso
• Yendry Toboso
• Blandine Sermon
• Indya Murphy
• Lateshia Swann
• Nicole Senelin

Warrants have been issued for the arrest of:

• Eryn Cheeley
• Corey Martin
• Maiya Cosby
• Rykiah Kendrick

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the FHP Bureau of Criminal Investigations and Intelligence at 850-617-2302.