Naples Man Pleads Guilty to $1.2 Million Fraud and Money Laundering Scheme Targeting Elderly Hurricane Ian Victim

Fort Myers, Florida - Luis Emilio Hernandez (45, Naples) today pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud and six counts of money laundering in connection with a scheme to defraud an elderly victim following Hurricane Ian. Hernandez faces up to 20 years in federal prison for each wire fraud count and up to 10 years for each money laundering count. The indictment also seeks forfeiture of over $1.2 million and other assets traceable to the proceeds of the offenses. A sentencing date has not yet been set. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to court records, following Hurricane Ian in 2022, Hernandez convinced an 85-year-old victim to write him personal checks totaling over $1.2 million for construction materials and repairs that were never performed. Instead, Hernandez cashed the checks for his own personal gain. Investigators confirmed that Hernandez did not hold a contractor's license in Florida, and no permits were ever pulled for any of the alleged work. Even after the elderly victim sold the home and it had been demolished, Hernandez continued to contact the victim through text messages and even made personal visits to their assisted living residence, intentionally lulling the victim to provide him with additional funds. To conceal the source of the funds, Hernandez laundered the victim's money by purchasing and flipping vehicles in trade-ins at multiple car dealerships throughout the area.

This case was investigated by the Lee County Sheriff's Office and the United States Secret Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick L. Darcey.