FLORIDA – The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement (OALE) has arrested two suspects for submitting fraudulent security officer training certificates to the FDACS Division of Licensing (DOL) office in Miami-Dade County, Florida, the FDACS has announced.
“Thanks to the vigilance of our Ag Law officers and our Division of Licensing team, these individuals will be held accountable for submitting fraudulent security officer training certificates,” said Commissioner Nikki Fried.
“These arrests should send a clear message that our department is committed to tracking down and cracking down on illegal activities that threaten the safety of Floridians.”
Investigators with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement obtained arrest warrants for Jordan Correa and Veronica Casanas based on information and evidence discovered during their investigations. Correa was arrested on March 23 on an active warrant. Casanas was located by FDACS OALE and arrested on March 25.
Both suspects were booked into the Miami-Dade County Jail on the following charges:
- Arrestee: Jordan Correa of Lauderhill, Florida; DOB: 05/05/1990
- Charges: Violation of Section 493.6120 (7), Florida Statutes, Knowingly submitting a fraudulent training certificate; Third-Degree Felony; 1 count. Violation of Section 817.568 (2)(a), Florida Statutes, Criminal use of personal identification information; Third-Degree Felony; 1 count. Violation of Section 837.06, Florida Statutes, Knowingly making false official statements; Second-Degree Misdemeanor; 1 count.
- Arrestee: Veronica Casanas of Miami, Florida; DOB: 01/12/1996
- Charges: Violation of Section 493.6120 (7), Florida Statutes, Knowingly submitting a fraudulent training certificate; Third-Degree Felony; 1 count. Violation of Section 817.568 (2)(a), Florida Statutes, Criminal use of personal identification information; Third-Degree Felony; 1 count. Violation of Section 837.06, Florida Statutes, Knowingly making false official statements; Second-Degree Misdemeanor; 1 count.
Bond and court appearance dates for both suspects will be set by the Miami-Dade County Court.
To obtain a Florida Security License, applicants must first complete a 40-hour Class “D” Security Course.
According to Florida Statutes states, a person may not knowingly possess, issue, cause to be issued, sell, submit, or offer a fraudulent training certificate, proficiency form, or other official document that declares an applicant to have successfully completed any course of training required for licensure under this chapter when that person either knew or reasonably should have known that the certificate, form, or document was fraudulent. A person who violates this subsection commits a felony of the third degree.
