Convicted Felon Sentenced to More than Eight Years in Prison for Firearms and Identity Theft Offenses

MIAMI - A convicted felon was sentenced Feb. 3 to 104 months in federal prison after a drive-by shooting investigation uncovered firearms, contraband, and stolen personal information.

U.S. District Judge David S. Leibowitz imposed the sentence on Keith Bethel, 34, after a federal jury found him guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession of fifteen or more unauthorized access devices, and aggravated identity theft.

"What began as a drive-by shooting investigation led to the discovery of illegal firearms, stolen identities, and a calculated fraud operation," said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. "Federal investigators uncovered a dangerous combination of violence and identity theft that harmed real people - from a foster care specialist to a young Air Force firefighter. The Southern District of Florida will continue working with our partners to dismantle criminal enterprises and protect our community."

According to evidence presented at trial, on July 18, 2023, law enforcement responded to a high-caliber drive-by shooting at a residence in a Lauderhill neighborhood. Law enforcement learned that Bethel - who was on an ankle monitor at the time due to a prior felony conviction - fled the residence after the shooting.

A search of the residence, described as a "trap house," revealed multiple firearms, including a large-capacity Draco-style firearm, ammunition, and extensive evidence of identity-theft activity. Investigators uncovered folders containing victims' personal identifying information, stolen mail, blank checks, and a ledger with scripts and instructions for defrauding individuals and financial institutions.

Victims in the case included a Florida basketball coach, a foster care specialist, a retired nurse, and a young U.S. Air Force firefighter, all of whom suffered the theft and misuse of their personal information.

U.S. Attorney Reding Quiñones and Acting Special Agent in Charge José R. Figueroa of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami, made the announcement.

HSI Miami investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kseniya Smychkouskaya and General Crimes Chief Joseph Egozi prosecuted the case.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.govLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.govLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. under case number 24-cr-60103.

###