TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — James Uthmeier announced today that five individuals have been charged in connection with an organized scheme to defraud Florida’s public assistance program by using stolen Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card information and personal identifying information (PII) to obtain taxpayer-funded benefits.

According to the Attorney General’s Office, the investigation was conducted by the Orlando Police Department and involves an alleged fraud operation that spanned Orange County and Seminole County.

“Florida is not going to tolerate organized schemes that steal taxpayer-funded benefits intended for Florida families,” Uthmeier said in a statement.

“We will continue to work alongside our law enforcement partners to identify every individual connected to this scheme and hold them accountable.”

Investigation Details

Investigators allege the defendants used stolen personal identifying information and EBT card data belonging to numerous victims to purchase high-resale merchandise, including:

• Monster energy drinks
• Red Bull energy drinks
• Coffee
• Bottled water
• Other retail goods

Authorities allege the merchandise was later resold for cash, diverting taxpayer-funded nutritional assistance intended for eligible Florida families.

Defendants Charged

The five defendants are:

• Carlos Ruben Gomez Jimenez
• Maite Lazara Mesa Labrada
• Carlos Luis Diaz Jimenez
• Enrique Gonzalez
• Luis Gonzalez Dominguez

According to the Attorney General’s Office, immigration records indicate that Gomez Jimenez and Mesa Labrada entered the United States unlawfully in 2024.

Criminal Charges

All five defendants are charged with:

• Organized Scheme to Defraud (less than $20,000)
• Public Assistance Fraud ($200 or more but less than $20,000)

Additional charges include:

• Gomez Jimenez, Mesa Labrada and Diaz Jimenez are charged with Criminal Use of Personal Identification Information involving EBT accounts belonging to 10 or more individuals.
• Dominguez is charged with Criminal Use of Personal Identification Information.
• Diaz Jimenez and Enrique Gonzalez are also charged with Dealing in Stolen Property.

Potential Sentences

According to prosecutors:

• Carlos Luis Diaz Jimenez faces up to 40 years in prison.
• Carlos Ruben Gomez Jimenez, Maite Lazara Mesa Labrada and Enrique Gonzalez each face up to 25 years in prison.
• Luis Gonzalez Dominguez faces up to 15 years in prison.

Additionally, Gomez Jimenez, Mesa Labrada and Diaz Jimenez face mandatory minimum sentences of three years if convicted of Criminal Use of Personal Identification Information involving 10 or more victims.

Investigation Remains Active

The Attorney General’s Office said the investigation remains active and ongoing. Additional arrests or charges may be filed as investigators continue to identify others connected to the alleged fraud scheme.

The case is being prosecuted by Special Counsel for Public Assistance Fraud Scott Strauss in Florida’s Ninth Judicial Circuit of Florida.