TAMPA — Nineteen individuals linked to a violent street gang known as the Trap Boys have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud in a scheme that defrauded approximately 26 banks and more than 200 victims across Florida, U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announced.

The conspiracy ran from at least July 2021 through November 2023 and stretched across Winter Haven, Auburndale, Riverview, Kissimmee, Lakeland, Tampa and Miami, according to court documents filed in the Middle District of Florida. The FBI and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office launched the investigation in 2023 after a series of retaliatory shootings between the Trap Boys and rival street gangs.

During arrests tied to those shootings, law enforcement found gang members in possession of large quantities of stolen checks, debit cards, financial statements and identification cards belonging to third parties. That discovery cracked open the fraud operation.

The co-conspirators stole checks from individuals and businesses, then used check-writing software to alter them and create fictitious checks — changing the issuing banks, business names and dollar amounts. Using automated systems and online databases, they accessed banking information for various businesses, including transaction histories, account balances and check numbers. They then recruited accomplices who handed over their own bank account numbers, Social Security numbers, debit cards and login credentials so the fraudulent checks could be deposited at dozens of banks and credit unions throughout the Middle District of Florida.

Victims included insurance companies, law firms, construction companies, tile companies, auto shop businesses, public school districts, colleges and state agencies — more than 200 in all.

Among the 19 defendants who pleaded guilty are Qornelious Campbell, 33, of Winter Haven; Kenneth Cole II, 27, of Winter Haven; Kenisha Coffer, 27, of Minneola; D’Andranika Crews, 22, of Lakeland; Ebony Fields, 28, of Winter Haven; Victoria Ferrer, 24, of Lakeland; Aaliyah Gotay-Woods, 25, of Bartow; Bre’asia Harris, 28, of Winter Haven; Jaun Hillman, 53, of Winter Haven; Keith Honors Jr., 41, of Lakeland; Kendrick Iles, 22, of Plant City; Arkuria Lewis, 24, of Lakeland; Deven Little, 30, of Lakeland; Josie Lopez, 31, of Haines City; Clarissa Morris, 26, of Lakeland; Tamiria Perry, 29, of Winter Haven; Tamaries Richardson, 32, of Bartow; Kalei Spicer, 24, of Live Oak; and Tyler Jacob, 26, of Winter Haven.

Jacob faces the most serious exposure of the group. In addition to the bank fraud conspiracy charge, he also pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft, witness tampering and destruction of evidence.

Assistant United States Attorney Diego F. Novaes is prosecuting the case. Sentencing dates for the 19 defendants have not yet been announced.