I guess there's some confusion about who you are and what you tell stories. I should be okay. So, when can I call my husband? I'll let as soon as we get and my lawyer. I'm actually supposed to be leaving now because I have to go pick up um my nephew. But what's going on? This teenager is about to find out what happens when you enter the bank with a fraudulent check and a weapon. This check right here does not belong to you and was not written to you. Correct. Well, that's what you're in charge with. On January 2nd, 2023, Sarasota police officers were dispatched to a region's bank after employees reported a woman trying to cash out what appeared to be a fraudulent check. Bank staff were suspicious because the check had irregularities, and the account holder said they had never issued it. When officers arrived, a woman quickly made her way out of the bank, leaving her teenage cousin. She's You got your idea? Um, it's right there. I'm sorry. Is there a problem? Yeah. Where'd your friend go? Um, my cousin. Yeah. Um, I'm assuming to the car. Is it I'm sorry. Is there a problem? Yeah. Where'd she go? Hey, what's the What's the issue? Well, she just left without you. Where'd she go? She went back to I'm actually supposed to be leaving now because I had to go pick up um my nephew. But what's going on? Okay. Where'd she go to? I just said to the car, sir. What is going on again? She got she got in a car in the middle of the road. I'm sorry. in the in the middle of the road. Yeah. When she saw me saw me, she ran out of here. Okay. So, they left me. Yeah. I don't even have my phone on me. Okay. What's your name? Serenity. Serenity. Yes. Okay. Now, there's a case worker that's following her. Hi. How you doing? How you doing? Oh, yeah. You can slide that. What's that? So, here's the You can slide that. Um, so Jim Milford, I told him the calling. He's our corporate security. Okay. Um, so the other day we've had a very We get the similar situations all the time where it's kind of like what happens is they get these fraudulent checks. They put enough money in they come to try to cash the check against it. Um, and then they appear fraudulent. So, we had one the other day that came in yesterday. Was it the same same group? Different a different girl, but I imagine it's like the same probably the same group, but at your branch. Was it at your branch? Yeah, there was another girl here yesterday and um she went to Golf Gate. She left here. She went to GF Gate and they called the police. So now, okay, she's here. We got information from another branch that said that she was there. When officers spoke with the bank official, they discovered that this wasn't a one-time attempt at fraud, but a coordinated fraud attack. But this wasn't even the worst of it. It's pretty common thing that happens at the banks. Um, so they have an account with us. So there's like a ring or she does. Okay. Yeah. So they like have like a ring of people and what they do is they deposit like cash in the account like 900 bucks. Okay. They got multiple checks. I don't know if you can see this one. I can show you a picture. I couldn't print it any better. But they went she went to Cortez Road at like earlier today at like 12 1:00 today. Okay. And she had a different completely different check for $743. So what they try to do is they say, "What's my available balance?" Oh, I have $900 in there. So they know what's that $900. Sometimes banks don't know any better. And what they'll do is they'll cash the check against the $900 saying that they have left. We're We're kind of wondering though how they're Do you have any idea how they're getting these checks? I mean, is does this Sharon Jones report this check stolen or is it a I mean, is it um Well, Lisa Princess is calling me because there's a different check that she had. So, it's completely different person. Yeah. So, I don't She's going to give me the details on that one. And is that one a branch? I haven't called and verified this one yet. But as the officers questioned her, her story started falling apart. But then things took a turn when officers searched her bag. That discovery shifted the situation from a simple fraud check call to something much more serious. I keep the bag to go. Well, here here's what's going to happen. You're going to be going to jail today. Okay. regarding what's what's going on here. If you'd like to talk, but I'm still going to go to jail. Yes, you're right. Sounds like like what's going to happen to me? Well, you're going to go to jail or you're going to be bumped and like grown ass woman. Yes, you're an adult. Okay. What if they beat me up or something? You'll be protected. Protected. Were your uh were your friends going to come back and get you or were they going? No. What's happening? Where the I was with that. Well, do you want to explain to her what she's being charged with? Uh, you're being charged with uttering a forge incident instrument. Okay. This check right here does not belong to you and was not written to you. Correct. Well, that's what you're being charged with. I'm going to start with the gun because they put a gun in my purse. They put a what? Holy [ __ ] they did. Yep, they did. Do you want to tell us about this? I think I was You were set up. I don't know. I'm just going along with it. She tried to explain that she didn't know the gun was there and she had been set up, but her tears only led to the back of a police car. How many bullets were it? It was loaded with one in the clip. Isn't that like extra years every bullet? I don't believe so. I don't believe so. [Music] Serial number. Oh. Uh-oh. This just gets worse and worse. What happened? Possession of a firearm with an altered serial number. Oh my god. I'm going to have to look it up, but I think that's a charge, too. It's unclear what happened to her, but she would need a good lawyer if she's to get out of this. This scammer might have been set up, but the same can't be said for this next suspect. Put your hands behind your back. So, I So, when can I make my my phone call? On May 25th, 2023, officers executed a search warrant at the home of a former financial administrator suspected of masterminding a multi-million dollar corporate fraud. The investigation began after a routine audit uncovered irregular payroll entries dating back to 2017. What appeared at first to be minor discrepancies quickly turned into a six-year embezzlement scheme involving forged checks, fake deposits, and unauthorized spending. Open the door. I have a search warrant. Open the door. Yes. Open the door. Or you're going to I'm going to break your door. Sure. Okay, man. Anyone else home? No, it's just me and my dog. Are your dog? Can I please see the warrant, please? Yep. We'll give you a copy. Is your husband home or your children home? No, my children are at school. Yeah, sure. Go and step out. Step with my partner over here. I got to explain everything to you. Okay. We have to search it and make sure there's no one else here. to go out. I have to step out. Please. Okay. Can I not get my purse or anything? You have to go out without them. Let go of the phone now. No, I'm on the phone with my lawyer. I'm on the phone with my lawyer. Let go of the phone. Please. Thank you. I'll stay. I'm going to hang out with you. Okay. Can you please explain to me what's going on? Yep. There's a search for your house. Okay. I have an officer that's going to talk to you once we make sure that everything's safe in here. Okay. All right. There's no one else home. There's no kids home. Anything like that? No. But is your husband home or is he not home? Okay. Can I call my lawyer at least? Like Yep. You can do that. Okay. But we're going to work on it. Okay. So, I have to wait until you guys give me my comments. There's a search war signed by a judge that says that we will be searching. Okay. Max, you got upstairs. Yeah, I'll hold it. I'm going to go right. bedroom over here. Watch that deep corner. I don't My lawyer said I shouldn't open the door, do anything, but tell you guys to contact them first. That's not If you didn't open the door, I would have broke it down. Okay. So, you're doing what you're supposed to be doing. Okay. I've got a search warrant signed by a judge. It's not like I asked to come in. I got an order to come in by the judge. Okay. Okay. I'm going to left. Clear. Clear. Are there any weapons in the home or anything like that? Yeah, my husband has concealed carry. Yeah, they're locked up though. I'm I'm pretty sure. Yeah. And he's not here. No. Okay. You'd think someone stealing over a million bucks could at least hire a housekeeper. According to investigators, between 2017 and 2023, she embezzled company funds and even used a security fob to bypass internal control. In just 6 months, she moved over $380,000, which is more than 10 times her salary, into her personal account. She also redirected the company's Amazon orders to her home and disguise the purchases. After being fired in early 2023, she admitted to signing fraudulent checks, but denied any wrongdoing and skipped a follow-up meeting. And now, officers will make sure she sits down for that meeting. Uh, 3 years now. Okay. How many dogs? Six. Two I'm babysitting and four. All right. So, this is Detective Li. We've got a lot of questions. He's got the information for you. Okay. So, um patients, if you would please just go ahead and slip on the swing. Why can't we stand? I would like to stay closer to my house if that's possible. Well, at at this point at this point in time, unfortunately, I'm going to have to have you come down station with me. Okay. For what? Huh? As for right now, you're in custody. You're in custody. You're under arrest for theft as of right now. Okay. So, I'm being charged as of right now. Yes. Okay. So, when can I call my husband? I'll let as soon as we get down there and I know you have a lot I know you have a lot of questions and I want to be as accommodating as possible. Okay. So, as soon as we get down there says we'll sit down, we'll have a talk and uh when everything's everything's situated, like I said, I can answer questions for you and I'll let you make my phone calls you need to. Okay. So, who's all under arrest? Who's all under arrest? Who's charging? As of right now, you're the only one here. So, as of right now, you're the you're the only one that's being charged. Who else would be charged? My husband will be charged. I don't at this this point in time. This is I'm just concerned about talking to you. Okay. You said he would answer more of my questions. He will. He will. We've got to do this part first. We will talk to you more at the police department. So, for now, put your hands behind your back. So, I So, when can I make my my phone call? Because my kids get out at 12. Step forward, please. Thank you. Pull your sleeve up a little bit and your hair out of the way so we don't get stuck in there. Okay. I'm sure by the time her husband gets home, he won't even notice the place was turned upside down. After searching her home, investigators discovered over $100,000 in cash, luxury jewelry, and forged documents hidden inside the suspect's home. She allegedly drained company accounts to fund her Amazon shopping sprees and secretly tapped into health insurance benefits without paying a scent. Investigators also found Google searches on her phone, including things like, "How long do you go to prison for financial crimes?" A sign she knew exactly what she was doing. Now she's facing serious felony charges, including theft and forgery, and has pleaded not guilty. Her trial is still ongoing. This financial administrator really threw caution to the wind. Still, her scam couldn't be compared to that of these three. I've never been in trouble. I can't do this. On March 27th, 2024, officers were called to a rural dog training facility in Dayton, Ohio. After multiple reports from devastated pet owners claiming their dogs were returned emancipated, injured, and traumatized, authorities arrived expecting perhaps a case of negligence or overcrowding. What they found was a scene straight out of a nightmare. Dogs crammed into filthy cages, some covered in feces while others missing large patches of fur, and one with its teeth reportedly filed down. The smell of urine was overwhelming and several animals were visibly shaking, underfed, and suffering from untreated infections. We'll have to watch the kitchen, too, cuz it goes around, I think. Yeah, it does. Jennifer, Jennifer, show yourself. We're at the end of the hall. Show me your hands up ahead. Face away from me. Face away from me and walk back towards my voice. Walk back. Keep coming. Keep coming. Keep coming. Face away from me. Keep coming. Keep coming. Keep coming. Keep coming back. Keep coming back. Front. Jennifer. Matthew will be here. Where is your child? House in my room. All right. I did. Okay. Jennifer, search warrant for your house again. Oh my god. You guys got to stop this. You're You're in trouble. You understand that? I'm in trouble. Yeah, I've got arrest warrant for you. Oh my god. So, you got somebody to come get your kids? Yes. My dad's coming. He's already over. Why am I in trouble for you? I'll explain all that to you here shortly. No. Okay. We got to clear the house, but you should come out. Why? Why won't you guys come out? We didn't have to break the door again. This is ridiculous. Oh, come on. So, I'm going to We need to clear the house. We need to clear the house. I'm going to want to talk to you. If these are if these are customers dogs, I'm going to need the customer's phone number so they can come get them. Okay. So, so I'm going to talk to you, but wait till we clear the house. I got to make sure the house is safe. Okay. Oh, god. [Music] Why am I in trouble over here? Back tomorrow. God, I tried to talk to you the last time if you remember. I didn't. I said I said I said, "Jennifer, talk to me. Help yourself out." And you you chose not to talk to me. And so here we are again. You know, I didn't know this had anything to do with this. Very serious. This is not This is very serious. That's his business though. I know. But the facility was run by Jennifer Long, Tabitha Tivera, and Jason Jones, operators of what was advertised as a high-end dog training business. They collected over $300,000 upfront from trusting pet owners across multiple states, promising expert obedience training in top tier care. But instead of keeping their word, they left dozens of animals in terrible conditions for weeks, sometimes months. Girlfriend is still helping him train. I don't know what he does. I'm just being honest. I don't know what he does. But you're not being honest because what do you see? Just be honest. Let's say put yourself in in the shoes of a customer of his business. Knowing what you know, seeing what you see. Is he really training these dogs to take care of yourself? And this starts right here. Can you tell me what like what charges I'm I don't understand what charges am I facing because I mud can explain all the charges. It's a It's a conspiracy essentially because this is not anything to do with me. That's why we're trying to talk to you here. That's why we're trying to talk to you here. you are wrapped up in it both by records, finances, obviously living with him. I mean, these this business is operating in this house. He doesn't live here. He's been here every single time that we've come here. We've sat on surveillance watching the house more times than I can count. He's always here. He's been living here for months. Okay. You've got to stop trying to protect him and you've got to start trying to protect yourself. She acts like she had nothing to do with it, but she's clearly part of the whole thing. Officers discovered the dogs were left in squalor with little to no food, water, or exercise. In one heartbreaking case, a golden retriever returned home so weak it had to be euthanized. Another was so dehydrated and underfed that it vomited the moment it reached a water bowl. Some owners even reported receiving the wrong dog back. In all these, Jennifer did not disassociate herself from the business and kept making excuses. So when you see him trying to and I'm with my mom a lot at their house. These are these are also excuses. By by keeping this to yourself, you are defending him. Okay. When you're here, do you see him doing anything with the dogs? What do you see? I guess I'm just confused how I'm being brought into this when it's not my business. It's operating under your roof for one. But it's not my business. But okay, if if let's let's let's turn it around and say it's a drug case. It's not. But let's just we use this example and we do a search warrant at 123 Main Street because we think one person in the house is selling drugs. the other person who owns the house, lives in the house, is just as liable for the drugs under that roof. Okay? It's kind of the same thing. Sorry. Um we're here. Not yet. All you can do is speak for yourself and what you've seen. Okay? And that's that's why we're taking this time to stop and talk to you. Okay? We want you we want you to cooperate. We want your help with this because at the end of the day, it is his responsibility and he has roped in some other people unfortunately like you who's going to suffer some consequences as well. We want to talk to you about your involvement so we fully understand. Right now all we know is what we can see from the investigation, the records, the cell phone data, surveillance, what we're being told by other people and customers, but we haven't heard the story from you. And that's what we want. We want your side of this. Otherwise, we're forced to just stick with what we know, what the facts have led us to believe. Police arrested Jennifer and although she continued pleading her case, the detectives explained that even without her name on the business, hosting the operation and accepting money made her complicit. The officers also confirmed that it is an RICO case involving a pattern of corrupt activity that serious criminal enterprises typically use. I really wish you'd just come to the door. It wasn't. You guys knew we wouldn't go away. It wasn't me. I didn't even know. I had no idea. Put your hands on your back. I've never been in trouble. I can't do this. Well, you you started out big. This is a RICO case. It's in case you get a pattern of corrupt activity. This business name's not even on his business. Doesn't matter. You're facilitating it at your address and taking money. So, like I said, when you're when you're a lawyer, when you talk to your lawyer, have him reach out to me. I'll be glad to talk to you. Sorry, I'm coming this way. is there anything on you that shouldn't be poke no we we've wasted enough time you wouldn't even come to the door a while ago they're they're ready I love you babe Careful getting in, man. It's a hard seat. What a [ __ ] hero. That [ __ ] piece of right there. Everything's recorded, so be careful what you say. I can't even believe this. Monte, you fating piece of ing glory hound. You [ __ ] hero. Jennifer Long and Tabitha Tivera were sentenced to up to 5 years of probation and ordered to pay $7,200 and $2,691.24 in restitution, respectively. Jason Thomas Jones, who plead guilty of 181 charges, also received probation and was ordered to pay 341,36324. Despite the severity of the case, all three avoided prison. Jennifer and her group managed to escape jail, but this next scammer wasn't that lucky. She was going to attempt to deposit that. I don't know how she was going to withdraw money. Okay. On June 4th, 2023, officers were called to a city bank branch after reports of a woman attempting to deposit a suspicious check using another person's identity. When officers arrived, they met with the branch manager, who explained that the suspect had been making a series of fraudulent transactions for months, stealing over $50,000 by depositing fake checks into her victim's account and withdrawing the funds before the checks bounced. Is he in there? How are you? Is my partner in there? She's with the girl. Okay. So, I just want to give you a little bit of a history without her hearing me. Okay. She's been coming into branches for the last few weeks taking money. Yesterday, we got a call from back office. She's not who she says she is. They've already blocked the account. We've confirmed with the client that this is not her. She's taken a lot of money from these people. The officers found the woman inside the bank, calm and collected, pretending to be a legitimate customer. She handed over a counterfeit ID matching her victim's information. But the disguise didn't last. What she didn't know was that her paper trail had caught up to her. And this time, she wouldn't be walking away clean. Can I speak to you for a second? Yeah, sure. All right. Um I guess there's What's going on with your account? I don't know. That's what I'm trying to figure out. All right. Do you have your ID with you? She has it. She has it. All right. All right. Um what's her name? Grace. Yeah, she has all my information. Here, let's go over to the counter. I was going to use the restroom. Um, well, give it a second. All right. Okay. Thank you. All right. Here, let's just go up to the counter here. Um, could you see that we get her ID? I guess there's some confusion about who you are and what your accounts are. There should be. Okay. Yeah. Go outside. No, no, no, no. Here, have a seat right here for me. Here, have a seat. Have a seat. All right. Now, who gave you this check? Um, it's right here. Mhm. Okay. Um, and what did they give you the check for? Um, I'm a lawyer, so Okay. All right. So, it's for uh services. Yes, sir. All right. And you live in Coral Gables right now? Yes, I have an Airbnb that I'm doing in Biscaya. Okay. So, All right. So, what does Larazza Enterprises do? It's um one of the um my my clients with uh like like what kind of work do you what what uh what what business are they in? Healthy. Um, I'm not sure. It's my client. He wrote the the check. Okay. You say it was your client, but you don't know. Doesn't seem No, it's a person or actual business. No, it's a person. [Music] I need a translator. Yeah, I need help going on. I just told your partner. So, she's been coming into two branches the last few weeks withdrawing money. We got um an email from back office yesterday that this is not the client. So So um so this company they said did not issue this actual person Uhhuh. does not this is not her. That's not her. We got emails yesterday from back office that that person has not came into a branch at all. Right. She lives in Coral Gables. That's where she does all her banking. She does not come to Delray. So So she's not That's correct. And uh we don't know who she is. That's correct. I have a client who needs a translator in the lobby. I'm not sure what she needs. She's sitting down. Say bank officials had discovered the fraud after the real account holder reported unauthorized transaction through online banking. The suspect had deposited a fake check and withdrawn cash the day before. After confirming with the client that they didn't make those transactions, the bank verified it was fraud and contacted authorities. So, how do they know that who she is? They um they looked at their banking, their online banking, and saw transactions that were not authorized by the client. So, they contacted the client being is No, no. The client is I don't know where this check came from. She's depositing it. Yesterday, she deposited a check and made a withdrawal. And that's so they saw on their online banking that um they saw in the online banking that they did not do the clients did not do the transactions. So they verified it's confirmed fraud. She is committing fraud. This and she's trying to deposit this trying to deposit. Yesterday she took cash back but that is not her. They confirmed it last night. We've been mailing back and forth since since like almost immediately after the transaction. While police are questioning her, the real victim is at a Miami police station confirming her identity over the phone. Meanwhile, the suspect refuses to give her real name and asked to speak to her lawyer. She's read her rights, arrested for fraud, and calmly taken into custody. Yeah. So, I'm on the phone. Um, this client is right now in a police station in Miami right now. This uh the actual lady is in a police station right now. Correct. Mhm. Yeah. Well, this is this is the actual woman. Yeah, that's similar, but not, you know, but not definitely not. Mhm. Think I forgot to advise you to speak to them cuz I have them on the phone. Or does that not matter? No, no, it it'll be good to speak to them. Um, they're in the police department. She's in a police department in Miami. Um, have have her speak to an officer to get a sworn statement. Sworn statement. Yeah. a sworn statement if possible on video. If not, paper is good. Perfect. Okay. All right. I think we figured this out. All right. I'm reported to warn you before you make any statements that you have the following constitutional rights. Okay. You have the right to remain silent and not answer any questions. Do you understand? You have the right to remain any statement you make must be freely and voluntarily given. Do you understand? Yes, sir. You have the right to the presence and representation of a lawyer of your choice before you make any statements and during any question. Do you understand? All right. You said you're a lawyer, so I guess those right understand. All right. I guess the big question is um while I have your driver's license in hand, what's your real name? That is when I'll speak to my attorney. All right. You can do that. Thank you. All right. I'm going to place you under arrest. Yes, sir. Okay. Just shut down. Yeah. That's what I was doing. I'm just trying to make it comfortable for you. If you do it like you're praying, it's more comfortable. Let's grab this one. Should I put these things down first? All right. I'm placing under arrest for fraud. Okay. All right. What we're going to do is I'm going to collect some information. You want to hang with her for a second while I get some of the supporting stuff? I guess you were here yesterday. You withdrew some money. Okay. I just attorney. All right. She was transported to the local detention facility for further interrogation by investigators. At the station, detectives confirmed that she had committed multiple instances of fraud and had defrauded victims of over $50,000. She was eventually sentenced to 9 months probation. She knew better than to talk without her lawyers, which probably made all the difference in how easy she got off. However, instead of lying low, she kept committing fraud. And this new round of scams triggered a federal investigation.