Investigation uncovers criminal network responsible for fraudulent sales of disabled person parking placards
FHP graphic of Disabled Person Placard.
Tallahassee, Florida - On Friday, August 11, 2023, the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) Bureau of Criminal Investigations and Intelligence (BCII) announced the arrest of seven individuals on charges related to the fraudulent procurement, issuance and sale of approximately 700 disabled person parking placards. Warrants for four additional suspects have been obtained, and are active and outstanding.
The investigation began in February 2023, when the Liberty County (Florida)Tax Collector's Office contacted the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) after learning that a large number of placards had been applied for and issued to one individual within Liberty County on behalf of multiple persons residing in South Florida.
Florida law states that individuals who submit a request for a disabled person parking placard must providet the FLHSMV an application signed by a Certifying Medical Authority. BCII contacted the listed medical authority, a retired pediatrician who had no knowledge or involvement in the fraudulent use of his name and credentials.
“These placards are reserved for Floridians with mobility issues, and it is extremely infuriating that the defendants exploited this state-run program," said Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody. "It’s even more disheartening that there were hundreds of buyers eager to pay for the ill-gotten privilege to essentially steal parking spots from people with disabilities.”
“The individuals charged in this scheme have profited off of a resource the state reserves to assist those with a medical need,” said FLHSMV Executive Director Dave Kerner. “They took advantage of this resource by using fraud, forgery and deception. While we continue to locate and arrest others responsible, those arrested will be held accountable for their actions and prosecuted, as they well deserve.”
During the investigation, analysts discovered online content advertising the group's ability to procure disabled person parking permits for those who had a "long walk to class" or were "tired of parking in the back."
Due to the large number of placards applied for, issued, and sold, investigators knew that others were involved in this scheme to profit. As a result of the investigation, the following individuals were arrested for their involvement with charges that include: scheme to defraud, money laundering, criminal use of a personal identification number, and uttering a forged instrument:
Norman Caison
Dislaisis Alfonso
Yendry Toboso
Blandine Sermon
Indya Murphy
Lateshia Swann
Nicole Senelin
The additional suspects, who remain at large with active warrants for their arrest, include:
Eryn Cheeley
Corey Martin
Maiya Cosby
Rykiah Kendrick
If you have information related to this case, or know the location of the four suspects yet to be arrested, please contact the FHP Bureau of Criminal Investigations and Intelligence by phone at (850) 617-2302.