Tampa Couple Charged with Conspiracy, Theft, and Money Laundering

Strategic Insights -

LaJoyce and Eric Houston, both law enforcement officers in Tampa, have been charged with a string of federal crimes, including conspiracy, theft, and money laundering. According to the indictment, the couple accessed law enforcement databases to obtain personally identifiable information of individuals, which they then sold to third parties who used it to commit crimes. The scheme allegedly generated over $239,000 in fraudulent tax refunds.

Key Takeaways:

  • LaJoyce and Eric Houston, a Tampa Police Department couple, have been charged with conspiracy, theft of government property, and money laundering conspiracy.
  • The indictment alleges that the couple accessed law enforcement databases, including the State of Florida's Driver and Vehicle Information Database (DAVID), to obtain personally identifiable information (PII) of individuals.
  • The PII was then sold to third parties, including Rita Girven, who used it to commit crimes such as identity theft, tax refund scams, and bank account manipulation.
  • The scheme generated at least $239,116.91 in fraudulent tax refunds, which the government intends to forfeit.
  • LaJoyce Houston, a sworn law enforcement officer, abused her position to access restricted databases and facilitate the conspiracy.
  • Eric Houston, also a law enforcement officer, was complicit in the scheme and aided his wife in accessing and transmitting the PII.
  • The indictment is a formal charge, and the couple is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
  • Rita Girven, a friend of the couple and a TPD informant, was separately charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and has pleaded guilty.
  • The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, the Tampa Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
  • Assistant United States Attorneys Mandy Riedel and Megan Kistler will prosecute the case.

Statistics:

  • At least $239,116.91 in fraudulently obtained tax refunds were generated through the scheme.
  • The State of Florida's Driver and Vehicle Information Database (DAVID) was accessed without authorization by LaJoyce Houston.
  • The conspiracy allegedly began around 2010 and continued until the indictment was filed.
  • Rita Girven, the third-party recipient of PII, was a TPD informant and a friend of the Houston couple.

Sources:

  • United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida
  • "United States v. Houston"
  • Tampa Police Department (TPD)
  • Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
  • United States Department of Justice