Escambia Insurance Agent Pleads Guilty To Wire Fraud, Money Laundering
August 27, 2021
The owner of an Escambia County insurance agency has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering offenses as the FBI seeks more potential victims.
John Michael Thomas, 51, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering charges related to selling fraudulent insurance policies to his clients in exchange for approximately $4.8 million in insurance premium payments.
Court documents reflect that between September 2013 and February 2021, Thomas operated an insurance business known as Thomas Insurance, LLC. and defrauded customers through a type of insurance fraud known as premium diversion. Thomas executed this scheme by collecting insurance premiums from customers and keeping the funds for personal use instead of producing insurance policies. To conceal his acts, Thomas gave the customers fraudulent documents referencing insurance policies that did not exist.
This case resulted from a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Investigative & Forensic Services, Bureau of Insurance Fraud. W
Thomas’ sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 29 at the United States District Courthouse in Pensacola before District Judge T.K. Wetherell. Thomas faces a maximum term of 20 years imprisonment for wire fraud, a maximum term of 10 years imprisonment for money laundering, and a maximum term of 20 years imprisonment for money laundering to conceal proceeds of specified unlawful activity.
Work is ongoing to ensure all alleged victims are identified. If you are a client of Thomas Insurance, LLC. and wish to speak to an investigating agent regarding your policy, you are asked to contact FBI Jacksonville at (904) 248-7000 or email FLinsurancefraud@fbi.gov, and reference “Thomas Insurance.” An FBI representative will respond with additional instructions.
I-10 Wrong Way Driver Enters Plea To DUI Manslaughter, DUI Bodily Injury
August 27, 2021
A wrong-way driver entered plea for the death of a man on I-10 in Escambia County early the morning of June 20, 2020.
Theresa Bernadette King entered a no contest plea to DUI manslaughter and DUI causing serious bodily injury. King, age 47 of McKinney, Texas, remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond awaiting a sentencing hearing on October 28.
The Florida Highway Patrol said King was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes when her SUV collided head on with a sedan driven by a 25-year old male from Theodore, Alabama. The vehicles collided head on about 1:30 a.m. The male was pronounced deceased at the scene. A passenger in sedan, a 34-year old male from Theodore, was extricated and transported to an area hospital in serious condition.
Prosecutors said an open bottle of wine was located on the floorboard of King’s vehicle. Her blood alcohol level was 0.132, well above the legal limit of 0.08. Additionally, prosecutors said the prescription drug alprazolam (Xanax) was found in her system.
King faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in state prison.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
M-Braves Postpone Remainder Of Series Against Blue Wahoos
August 27, 2021
The Mississippi Braves have postponed their series against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos.
The M-Braves said the following in a released statement:
“As we continue testing and contact tracing for members of our organization, we have postponed our games against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos through Sunday. We will continue to use caution, follow health and safety protocols, and listen to medical experts.”
There were no additional details provided.
ECUA Bulk Waste Collections Are Back
August 27, 2021
Emerald Coast Utilities Authority bulk waste collections are back to their regular weekly schedule.
On August 18, ECUA had suspended all bulk waste collections for one week due a driver shortage.
Bulk waste includes items such as couches, mattresses, desks and chairs.
ECSO: Escambia County’s Biggest Ever Marijuana Distributor Arrested, About $2 Million In Assets Seized
August 26, 2021
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has announced the largest marijuana grow and distribution operation ever busted in Escambia County.
Nhan Thanh Vo, 38, was charged with one federal count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Additional charges are expected to be forthcoming against Vo, and more arrests are possible, according to Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, Jason R. Coody.
A four-month investigation led to the August 19 service of search warrants at nine locations in Escambia County and two in Santa Rosa County in an operation that was centered around a home in the 7400 block of Klondike Road.
Local and federal investigators seized:
- 2,156 pounds of the “highest grade” marijuana
- 24 pounds of spice
- 18 pounds of THC
- 32 firearms
- 12 vehicles (two of which were stolen)
- $820,000 in cash
- $150,000 worth of gold bars
- $750,000 worth of jewelry
- a tractor
- a ski boat
Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons described it as the largest asset seizure in the history of Escambia County as photos were displayed during a news conference. The photos showed some of the seized items, including a suitcase containing about a half million dollars, a safe containing weapons, an Audi and a Porsche.
“This is a major drug dealer that has major ties throughout the country,” Simmons said during a Thursday afternoon press conference. “This was a major player in Northwest Florida.”
The sheriff said the investigation began after a series of violent crimes in Escambia County.
“When you deal marijuana at this level, violence will ensue,” he said.
““The days of living large or fancy car driving, speed boat driving, community damaging is over. Your Ric Flair days are over,” Simmons said.
The investigation was conducted by agencies including the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Pensacola Police Department.
Dump Truck Driver Seriously Injured In Cantonment Rollover Crash
August 26, 2021
A dump truck driver was seriously injured when his truck overturned Thursday morning in Cantonment.
Firefighters worked about 20 minutes to extricate the 51-year old driver from the wreckage on Muscogee Road near Beulah Road. The driver was airlifted to a Pensacola hospital with injuries not considered life threatening.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the crash about 8:10 a.m. was due to a mechanical failure as the driver attempted to make a right turn.
The Cantonment, Beulah, Bellview, and Brent stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded, along with Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
ECUA Approves Water, Sewer And Sanitation Rate Increases
August 26, 2021
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority board has given final approval to increased sanitation, water and sewer rates.
For the average water and sewer customer using 6,000 gallons per month, the added cost will be $1.06. Much of the increase will go to fund a Brownsville sewer expansion project. The increase passed unanimously.
The cost of a single 90-gallon sanitation container, with included recycling and bulk service, jumps $1.85 from $24.54 to $26.39 per month. The increase is intended for pay increases for sanitation workers, include CDL drivers. The increase passed 4-1.
ECUA board members have said the utility is having trouble hiring and retaining personnel, including those in-demand CDL drivers.
Editor’s note: ECUA bulk service has returned as of August 25. It had been suspended for about a week.
Pictured: The Tuesday afternoon meeting of the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority. NorthEscambia.com image, click to enlarge.
Man Who Trespassed On Molino Woman’s Property Charged With Assault With A Deadly Weapon, ECSO Says
August 26, 2021
A Molino man allegedly found on a woman’s property is charged with assaulting her.
Marvin Arlo Lamb, 60, was charged with trespassing, felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and driving with no valid driver’s license.
The victim told the Escambia County Sheriff’s office she observed a gray van parked on her property near Molino. As she approached the vehicle, it drove off. The vehicle returned to her address a short time later, and Lamb was yelling as he approached the victim with a large wooden stick, according to an arrest report.
Lamb denied the allegations against him. An arrest report notes that a wooden stick was located next to the driver’s seat in Lamb’s vehicle.
The victim’s property has posted no trespassing signs and is behind a closed gate, according to the report.
Lamb remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday with bond set at $1,600.
Suspect Charged With Attempt To Deliver Drugs, Phones, Smokes Into Century Prison
August 26, 2021
A suspect allegedly prepared to throw contraband over the fence at the Century Correctional Institution was captured Tuesday afternoon after a manhunt.
Dickale Tanzano Cothrell, age 35 of Orlando, was arrested on a criminal offense of introduction of a contraband into a state correctional facility and one count of interference with prisoners. He was charged by the Florida Department of Corrections Office of the Inspector General.
About 7:50 a.m. Tuesday, Cothrell was reportedly spotted at the perimeter fence of the east side of Century CI. That led to a lockdown of the facility and a prisoner count, while a perimeter and manhunt occurred outside the facility.
Two Century correctional officers found Cothrell on east side of the prison Tuesday afternoon, and he was detained by two Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies. Corrections officers recovered a package that was ready to be introduced into the facility, according to an arrest report.
The package contained three cellphones, 23.8 grams of suspected synthetic cannabis (commonly known as “spice”), 111..5 grams of cigarettes, a cellphone charger and two charging cables.
Cothrell remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday with bond set at $3,000.
Local COVID-19 Hospitalizations Reach New Daily High
August 26, 2021
The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations reached a daily record of 398 on Wednesday in Escambia County, nine of those under age 18.
One month ago, only July 25, there 110 hospitalizations at Ascension Sacred Heart, Baptist and West Florida hospitals. On June 25, that number was just 23.
The numbers in the graph indicate daily hospitalizations in Escambia County and are provided by Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital, Baptist Hospital and West Florida Hospital.
The latest Ascension Sacred Heart data from Tuesday showed 153 hospitalizations at their facility, with 93% of those unvaccinated.
“I cannot emphasize enough the importance of getting vaccinated, and I encourage everyone to get the COVID-19 vaccine if you are able,” Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson said Wednesday.
Data sources: Escambia County, City of Pensacola, Ascension Sacred Heart, Baptist and West Florida hospitals. Graphics: City of Pensacola.