Close Menu
  • Home
  • COMMUNITY NEWS
  • LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS
  • SCHOOL NEWS
  • MILITARY NEWS
  • CRIME / PUBLIC SAFETY
  • THINGS TO DO
  • HEALTH & WELLNESS
  • HOME & GARDEN
  • NORTHWEST FLORIDA NEWS
  • FLORIDA NEWS
  • Contact
Facebook
Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Niceville.com
Niceville.com
Home»FLORIDA NEWS»Orlando crime ring members sentenced for stealing from churches and schools
FLORIDA NEWS

Orlando crime ring members sentenced for stealing from churches and schools

Niceville.comAugust 25, 20242 Mins Read
A close-up of a jail cell door lock with a key inserted, symbolizing incarceration and security.
A close-up view of a jail cell lock with a key. (File photo)

FLORIDA — Three members of a crime ring that operated out of Orlando have been sentenced to 40 years in prison for stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from schools and churches across six states.

Advertisement
Eglin Federal Credit Union auto loan ad with family and open road theme.

According to Attorney General Ashley Moody, a Fort Myers jury found Panait Dumitru, Catalin Trandafir, and Simona Trandafir guilty of multiple charges, including racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, grand theft, money laundering, aggravated white-collar crime, and unlawful possession of personal identification information.

A Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) investigation revealed that the group—reportedly a Romanian crime ring that operated from 2019 to 2021 out of Orlando—stole more than $800,000 in checks from over 250 churches and schools across Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

Ms Moody commended law enforcement and prosecutors for dismantling the operation.

Advertisement

“Thanks to the hard work of our law enforcement partners and our Statewide Prosecutors, we have stopped this illicit operation, and three group members will now serve serious time behind bars,” she said.

FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass emphasized the agency’s role in securing the convictions, highlighting their work from detailed analysis to courtroom testimony.

During the trial, more than 60 religious leaders testified about the thefts from their congregations. The ring funneled over 1,600 checks through 59 bank accounts, ultimately stealing over $800,000.

Two other alleged members of the group are currently at large, while another has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Advertisement
A square digital ad for Midbay Veterinary Hospital with multiple dogs of different breeds, a blue veterinary cross logo, Dr. Maya Chapman’s contact information, and a “Click” button for scheduling an appointment.
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Previous ArticleHeroin and fentanyl trafficking ring dismantled; Tampa man sentenced
Next Article Orlando and Tampa men plead guilty to $3 million tax scheme defrauding IRS

Related Posts

Aesthetic Artistry Medical Spa team members pose together in black and white attire.

Aesthetic Artistry expands with Santa Rosa Beach spa opening

September 15, 2025
Medical crew pushes stretcher toward life flight helicopter on hospital rooftop.

Baby’s arm saved after Eglin crews fly through storms

September 15, 2025
It's Geek to Me header illustration for weekly tech column by Jeff Werner

Passkeys may soon replace passwords for safer logins

September 14, 2025
Advertisement
Categories
  • COMMUNITY NEWS
  • CRIME / PUBLIC SAFETY
  • FLORIDA NEWS
  • HEALTH & WELLNESS
  • HOME & GARDEN
  • IT'S GEEK TO ME
  • LARRY WILLIAMS
  • LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS
  • MARKETPLACE NEWS
  • MILITARY NEWS
  • NORTHWEST FLORIDA NEWS
  • OUTDOORS
  • ROADS / TRANSPORTATION
  • SCHOOL NEWS
  • THINGS TO DO
Advertisement
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
  • EGLIN FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
  • EYEWEAR UNLIMITED
  • HAIR EXPRESS
  • MIDBAY VETERINARY HOSPITAL
  • NICEVILLE FARMERS MARKET
  • NICEVILLE INSURANCE AGENCY
  • RUCKEL PROPERTIES, INC.
  • THE WHARF 850
Advertisement
Categories
  • COMMUNITY NEWS
  • CRIME / PUBLIC SAFETY
  • FLORIDA NEWS
  • HEALTH & WELLNESS
  • HOME & GARDEN
  • IT'S GEEK TO ME
  • LARRY WILLIAMS
  • LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS
  • MARKETPLACE NEWS
  • MILITARY NEWS
  • NORTHWEST FLORIDA NEWS
  • OUTDOORS
  • ROADS / TRANSPORTATION
  • SCHOOL NEWS
  • THINGS TO DO
Advertisement
A square digital ad for Midbay Veterinary Hospital with multiple dogs of different breeds, a blue veterinary cross logo, Dr. Maya Chapman’s contact information, and a “Click” button for scheduling an appointment.
Advertisement

ABOUT NICEVILLE.COM

PRIVACY POLICY

TERMS OF SERVICE

© 2025 Niceville.com. All Rights Reserved.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.