PRESS RELEASE
State Attorney Ginger Bowden Madden announces that on November 12, 2024, Escambia County Circuit Court Judge Robinson sentenced Elijah Simmons to 8 years state prison followed by 20 years of probation
with $124,883.43 in restitution for charges of Racketeering, Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering, Trafficking in Debit Cards, Carrying Concealed Firearm, Unlawful Possession of Personal Identification Information, and Less than 20 grams of Marijuana.
From January 1, 2022 to August 16, 2022, Defendant engaged in a pattern of racketeering activity with codefendants Antonio Slocum Jr., Ramon Borner, David Cattell, Michael Hunter, and Tajiri Barnes, to
deposit fraudulently produced checks and withdraw cash. Defendant would recruit other conspirators to provide their banking information for deposits and withdrawals in an attempt to disguise the source of the checks. 15 additional defendants were prosecuted for their roles in this large scheme. An extensive investigation resulted in charges for 64 fraudulent checks and 40 victims with a total loss of approximately
$251,643.91. Other codefendants charged with racketeering received the following sentences:
– Antonio Slocum Jr. received 13 years prison from all cases.
– Ramon Borner received 10 years prison.
– David Cattell received 5 years prison.
– Michael Hunter received 40 months prison and 10 years probation.
– Tajiri Barnes received 23 months prison and 10 years probation.
The investigation was led by Sgt. Greg Goult of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant State Attorney, Robert Paul Gillespie, prosecuted the case along with the dedicated staff of the economic crimes unit. For further information, please contact 850-595-4200.
Dewitt Charles Echols Convicted – ASA Trey Myers & ASA Robert Little
PRESS RELEASE (Escambia County, Florida), on January 15, 2025, Dewitt Charles Echols was found guilty of Second Degree Murder by an Escambia County jury. The Honorable Judge Amy Brodersen presided
