TALLAHASSEE — An Orlando man was arrested in Honolulu while attempting to board a flight to Houston after allegedly defrauding a high-profile investor of $1,000,000 through a fictitious multi-billion-dollar entertainment project he called “Orlando World Live,” Attorney General James Uthmeier announced.
Minard, 57, pitched OWL as a massive entertainment and urban development project in downtown Orlando featuring futuristic “zones,” high-profile celebrity partnerships and projected revenues exceeding $1.6 billion. A forensic financial analysis and interviews with over a dozen witnesses revealed no such project existed — no permit applications or contracts were ever filed with the City of Orlando, and the funds were allegedly diverted to pay off Minard’s unrelated business debts and personal expenses.
“This case exemplifies the reach of our Statewide Prosecutors, who partner with state, local, and federal law enforcement to bring criminals back to Florida to face justice,” said Attorney General Uthmeier.
The investigation was conducted in collaboration with the Florida Office of Financial Regulation and Homeland Security Investigations New York El Dorado Task Force. HSI New York, HSI Orlando, HSI Honolulu and the Honolulu Police Department located and arrested Minard as he attempted to board a flight back to Houston, Texas. He is currently in custody with the Honolulu Police Department’s extradition detail, pending extradition to Florida.
“Today’s arrest marks a significant step in dismantling a sophisticated securities fraud scheme that deceived investors into believing in a fictitious real estate project, resulting in substantial financial losses for public figures and everyday citizens alike,” said HSI New York Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Alfonso. “The impact of this scheme reverberated far beyond its victims, eroding public trust and undermining confidence in legitimate investment opportunities.”
Florida Office of Financial Regulation Commissioner Russell C. Weigel, III, said the case demonstrated the strength of multi-agency cooperation. “Thank you to OFR’s investigators, the Department of Homeland Security Investigations, and Attorney General James Uthmeier’s Office of Statewide Prosecution for their hard work in bringing this case forward,” Weigel said. “Together with our partners, we will continue to combat investment fraud and protect Floridians from scammers and bad actors.”
Minard faces felony charges including one count of Scheme to Defraud over $50,000 and one count of Sale of an Unregistered Security. Special Counsel Robert Finkbeiner will prosecute the case in Florida’s Ninth Judicial Circuit.
Uthmeier’s office also announced a life sentence for Raul Brown, 45, of Wellington, on charges related to human trafficking of a minor and orchestrating commercial sex acts. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Human Exploitation and Trafficking Unit began the investigation in June 2021 after a referral from the Florida Department of Children and Families. Investigators found Brown had convinced a 16-year-old who had moved to America from a foreign country to live in his Wellington home, work as a stripper and engage in commercial sex acts, collecting half of her earnings.
“This predator knowingly took advantage of a child who was in a vulnerable position,” Uthmeier said.
Brown was convicted on five counts: Human Trafficking of a Child, carrying a life sentence; Promoting the Sexual Performance of a Child, 15 years; two counts of Deriving Support from Proceeds of Prostitution, 10 years each; and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device, 5 years. All sentences will run concurrently in the Florida Department of Corrections. Minard’s initial court appearance in Orlando is expected following his extradition from Hawaii.