A Cape Coral man is one of nearly 20 Floridians charged in a nationwide health care fraud case.Eric Strom Holland, 55, was charged with wire fraud and distributing and dispensing controlled substances in connection with an alleged scheme to deceive doctors into writing controlled substance prescriptions based on false pretenses.The charges stem from the 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown, which resulted in criminal charges against Holland and 323 other defendants, including 96 doctors, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and other licensed medical professionals, in 50 federal districts and 12 State Attorneys General’s Offices across the United States, for their alleged participation in various health care fraud schemes involving over $14.6 billion in intended loss.

—Seth Bloom of Sarasota is facing charges connected to orchestrating a multi-county construction fraud scheme that defrauded at least 13 victims across seven Florida counties, resulting in more than $3 million in losses. The charges were filed by the Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution. During Bloom’s arrest and the execution of a search warrant, investigators also uncovered a large cache of firearms and ammunition—despite Mr. Bloom being a convicted felon.

Alexander Lightner of Venice was sentenced in federal court today to 51 months in prison for possession of an unregistered firearm. His case was investigated by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.Court documents said Lightner is a member of the Terrorgram Collective — an online organization promoting white supremacy. The group espouses that violence and terrorism are necessary to ignite a race war and accelerate the collapse of the government.

Former Hendry County Sheriff’s Office deputy Tyler Williams will serve nearly three years in federal prison for violating an individual’s civil rights and obstructing justice.The 30-year-old Williams was found guilty in February by a federal jury and was sentenced Tuesday by United States District Judge Sheri P. Chappell. Williams was also a former Fort Myers police officer fired for not reporting suspected child abuse. Williams was fired from the Hendry County force at the close of the investigation in 2023.

Scam artists are always looking for new fraudulent ways to separate people from their money. Cape Coral Police Economic Crimes Unit Detective Christopher Simonds gives out a warning about a particularly new such new trend — courier scams

The arrest of three men in connection with separate and unrelated child sexual abuse material cases was described today by Florida Attorney General James Uthemeyer at a media briefing in Fort Myers.Those arrested included former LaBelle resident 46-year-old Jason Harrison of Jacksonville, 41-year-old Kevin Sheffield of Naples and 34-year-old Travis Montgomery of Bradenton.

A Charlotte County Public Schools teacher/coach is on administrative leave for an issue a school official said is “serious.” The official confirmed the district is cooperating with an investigation by Punta Gorda police.