MIAMI - Federal judges in the Southern District of Florida sentenced three defendants to a combined 73 years in prison in cases spanning child sexual exploitation, an armed kidnapping and carjacking, and a $50 million real estate fraud scheme, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced.

The heaviest sentence went to Ariel Espinosa, 63, of Miami, who received 27 years — 324 months — for soliciting sexually explicit videos and images from a 14-year-old child in Cuba and transporting hundreds of files of child sexual abuse material. U.S. District Judge K. Michael Moore imposed the sentence after Espinosa pleaded guilty to attempted production and transportation of CSAM.

“Ariel Espinosa knew his victim was only 14 years old, yet he repeatedly paid and directed the child to create sexually explicit material for his gratification,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones. “His conduct was calculated, exploitative, and profoundly cruel. This 27-year sentence holds him accountable and sends a clear message that those who prey on children, whether here or abroad, will face severe consequences.”

According to court records, Espinosa arrived at Miami International Airport on a flight from Holguin, Cuba. During a secondary inspection, law enforcement officers conducted a cursory search of his cellphone and discovered hundreds of images and videos depicting CSAM, along with communications showing he had repeatedly solicited explicit material from the minor in exchange for electronic payments. Homeland Security Investigations Miami investigated the case with assistance from the HSI Caribbean Regional Attaché Office and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Montes prosecuted.

In the second case, Judge Moore sentenced Bakari Jahiem Dixson, 24, of West Park, to more than 26 years — 319 months — following a jury trial conviction on one count of kidnapping, one count of carjacking, and one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.

“After shooting a woman multiple times, Bakari Jahiem Dixson turned a hired driver into his getaway driver at gunpoint and threatened to kill him if he did not comply,” Reding Quiñones said. “This was a terrifying act of violence that showed complete disregard for human life. The more than 26-year sentence imposed holds Dixson accountable and protects the public from a dangerous armed offender.”

Court records and trial evidence showed Dixson hired a chauffeur service in Fort Lauderdale. While waiting for transportation, the driver witnessed an altercation in which Dixson shot a woman multiple times. Dixson and several associates then entered the victim’s vehicle, and Dixson brandished a firearm and ordered the driver to “drive or be killed.” The driver complied, driving from Fort Lauderdale to West Park before dropping them at Dixson’s residence. Eleven days later, Dixson was arrested in Omaha, Nebraska. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Miami Field Office investigated with substantial assistance from the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Camille Smith and Justin McCormack prosecuted.

The third case involved Jean Joseph, 55, of Boca Raton, also known as “Jon,” whom U.S. District Judge Jose E. Martinez sentenced to 20 years — 240 months — for wire fraud after Joseph pleaded guilty to leading a real estate fraud scheme that raised over $50 million from investors. His wife and accomplice, Janalie Camille Bingham, 44, also known as Janalie Camille Joseph, received 48 months for her role.

“Jean Joseph was already serving a federal prison sentence for wire fraud when he continued directing another massive investment scheme from behind bars,” Reding Quiñones said. “He lied about the company’s assets, diverted millions of dollars into speculative trading and personal expenses, and used new investor money to pay earlier investors. This 20-year sentence delivers serious accountability for an unrepentant fraudster who repeatedly abused the trust of his victims.”

Joseph and Bingham formed Wells Real Estate Investment, LLC in or around 2017. Beginning in approximately 2019, they concealed Joseph’s involvement after he became a convicted felon. Joseph began serving a prison sentence in June 2020 in an unrelated wire fraud case — case number 19-cr-20177 — yet continued directing the scheme from behind bars. From approximately 2019 through 2024, the pair solicited investors to purchase promissory notes, falsely representing that funds would acquire and improve residential and commercial real estate. In reality, only a small portion went to real estate; Joseph diverted approximately $28 million into other uses. Bingham served as CEO and was the sole authorized signer on the Wells Real Estate bank account, though Joseph directed transactions even while incarcerated.

A restitution hearing in the Joseph case is set for September 4.