Daytona Beach, FL – 18 people are in custody and more are being sought in a massive gift card fraud operation that authorities say led to millions of dollars stolen from retailers.
Volusia County Sheriff Ben Johnson and Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi announced those arrests in “Operation Plastic Paradise” during a press conference on Monday.
Bondi says 52-year-old Dale Holcombe and 27-year-old James Holcombe made millions of dollars by buying over 10,000 stolen gift cards – usually at 50 cents on the dollar – at their Cash For Gift Cards store locations in Deltona and Daytona Beach. Those store locations have since been closed.
“This is an attack on every consumer,” added Attorney General Bondi. “That injustice will not be tolerated in this state.”
Another location the father-son duo ran in Bunnell was also involved but has since been closed, according to Johnson.
Investigators say many of the arrested in this 7-months-long undercover operation shoplifted merchandise from big-box stores and then returned the goods in exchange for in-store credit placed onto gift cards.
VCSO says the Holcombes would buy the gift cards and flip them at a profit by selling them in bulk to Internet-based companies. Many of those who sold the gift cards also made off with tens of thousands of dollars, per Johnson.
“These are nothing but thieves,” said Sheriff Johnson. “That’s their occupation.”
Among those arrested are 23-year-old Paul R. Carpenella Jr., the grandson of former Daytona Beach mayor Paul Carpenella. Another 5 people are being sought by VCSO as part of this operation.
Most of those arrested face racketeering and conspiracy charges, while others are charged with dealing in stolen property.
A full list of those arrested and their charges are posted below.
– Dale Holcombe, 52, South Daytona: Racketeering, conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, $20,000 bond.
– James D. Holcombe, 27, Ormond Beach: Racketeering, conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, $20,000 bond.
– Matthew J. Angell, 27, Holly Hill: 2 counts of dealing in stolen property, $20,000 bond.
– Paul R. Carpenella, Jr., 23, Edgewater: 3 counts of dealing in stolen property, $30,000 bond.
– William J. Hooper, 23, Ormond Beach: 3counts of dealing in stolen property, $30,000 bond.
– Michael R. Welch, 22, Palatka: Dealing in stolen property, $10,000 bond.
– Blain R. Conner, 28, DeBary: Racketeering, conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, $20,000 bond.
– Tonja S. Harris-Conner, 47, DeBary: Racketeering, conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, $20,000 bond.
– Larry G. Cooley II, 36, Lake Helen: Racketeering, conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, $20,000 bond.
– Stephanie R. Cooley, 60, Lake Helen: Racketeering, conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, $20,000 bond.
– Barbara L. Gray, 32, Deltona: Racketeering, conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, $20,000 bond.
– Kenneth G. Hafner, 54, Sanford: Racketeering, conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, $20,000 bond.
– Nicole M. Hanrahan, 30, Lake Helen: Racketeering, conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, $20,000 bond.
– Erica L. Johnson, 28, DeLand: Racketeering, conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, $20,000 bond.
– William C. Kennerson III, 40, DeLand: Racketeering, conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity. Racketeering, conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, $20,000 bond.
– Brian M. Miller, 30, Ormond Beach: Racketeering, conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, $20,000 bond.
– Roshell D. Osborne, 25, Sanford: Racketeering, conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, $20,000 bond.
– Bruce L. Tiger, 33, Deltona: Racketeering, conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, $20,000 bond.
Copyright 2015 Southern Stone Communications.
