Orlando teen accused of leading sophisticated cybercrime operation

FLORIDA — In collaboration with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), the Florida Attorney General’s Office said it has successfully dismantled a sophisticated cybercrime operation that an Orlando teenager reportedly led.

According to Attorney General Ashley Moody, her Office of Statewide Prosecution (OSP) and the FDLE shut down the alleged criminal enterprise, which she said used the dark web and cryptocurrency to commit identity theft and launder money.

The lead defendant, Justin Vassell, is accused of using cryptocurrency to buy bundles of stolen personal information to open credit card accounts and purchase hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of merchandise, Moody said.

According to an announcement by the Attorney General’s Office and FDLE, the FDLE arrested Justin Vassell, Jacqueline Vassell, Shannon Vassell, Marc Williams, Deonte Benejan, and Lawrence Dority for the alleged criminal enterprise that reportedly purchased more than $350,000 worth of merchandise, including ammunition and firearm parts.

The group allegedly sold the items to pawn shops around the Orlando area to obtain cash.

“The mastermind behind this complex cyber fraud scheme thought he could avoid detection by using stolen identities and cryptocurrency to conceal the crimes,” said Moody.

“But through the diligent efforts of my Statewide Prosecutors and FDLE agents, the entire scheme was exposed and the criminals involved arrested.”

The multi-circuit investigation by Moody’s OSP and the FDLE began after FDLE Special Agents received a complaint from a business owner who suspected Justin Vassell of stealing nearly $90,000. Further investigation reportedly revealed that Vassell criminally victimized more than 70 citizens and 10 online merchants in a massive criminal scheme.

It is alleged that the investigation uncovered that Vassell used cryptocurrency to purchase bundles of stolen personal identification information belonging to innocent victims on illicit websites.

Vassell is accused of using stolen identities to open credit cards and bank accounts in the victims’ names to purchase more than $350,000 worth of merchandise from online merchants, including ammunition and firearm parts.

Each of the defendants faces charges of racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering.

Justin Vassell faces additional charges of grand theft of $100,000 or more, extortion, and criminal use of personal identification information of more than 30 persons.

If convicted, Vassell could potentially face up to 135 years in prison.

Senior Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Whitney Mackay will prosecute the case.