Attorney General's Weekly Newsletter
Volume 7, Issue 36 • September 11, 2009

Eight years ago today, America experienced an attack that forever changed our country and the way we view our national security. We watched, horrorstruck, as terrorists turned airplanes into guided missiles, prayed for victims’ families and grieved the loss of total strangers. I remember exactly where I was, as I’m sure the majority of Americans also remember where they were that moment.

Today, my thoughts remain with the families of the victims and the heroes of September 11, 2001. Additionally, I am grateful to the brave men and women who, following the attacks, put country before self to fight to protect our country and our freedom.

As we mark the anniversary of this tragic event, we must remember that the American spirit perseveres through the darkest hour and shines in our proudest moments. We are a nation that is stronger than we were eight years ago. We have strengthened our national security efforts and we are looking to the future —but we have never forgotten.

Criminal Proceedings:


A Lake County man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for trafficking narcotics. Desmond Gordon was charged with three counts of trafficking 400 or more grams of cocaine, trafficking more than 25 pounds of marijuana, and dealing in stolen property. He was prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution, which also prosecuted 41 other members of a drug trafficking ring in Central Florida.

A former Gulf County resident has been arrested for exploiting a disabled adult and defrauding over $70,000 from the victim. John Stephen Onorato was arrested in Augusta, Georgia by authorities with the Richmond County Sheriff's Office with assistance from the South Carolina Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, on a warrant issued by the Florida Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.

A Jensen Beach Pastor and his wife have been sentenced to prison terms for a mortgage fraud scheme. Rodney McGill will serve 20 years in prison and his mortgage broker wife Shalonda will serve a 10-year prison sentence for running a mortgage fraud scheme that enticed victims to participate in a real estate investment “opportunity” but instead was an effort to rid the McGills of their mortgages. In addition to their sentences, each will serve 10 years of probation upon their release. The case was prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution in partnership with the State Attorney Bruce Colton of the 19th Judicial Circuit.

Civil Litigation:


Attorney General McCollum announced that his office has obtained a settlement for a Central Florida couple resolving allegations of civil rights violations related to their condominium. Under the settlement, Brevard County developer Tricon Development Corporation paid $15,000 in civil damages to Josephine and Dominic DeRusso, which included the cost of retrofitting the couple’s home.

News Releases:



Lake County Man Gets 15 Years for Trafficking Narcotics

Former Gulf County Resident Arrested for Exploiting Disabled Adult

Attorney General's Statement in Remembrance of September 11, 2001

McCollum Obtains Civil Rights Settlement for Central Florida Couple

Attorney General's Statement on Death of Polk County Deputy

Jensen Beach Pastor, Wife Sentenced to Prison for Mortgage Fraud Scheme

Additional Notes:


Attorney General Bill McCollum today issued the following statement in remembrance of September 11, 2001:

"Eight years ago today, America experienced an attack that forever changed our country and the way we view our national security. As we mark the anniversary of this tragic event, we remember that the American spirit perseveres through the darkest hour and shines in our proudest moments. We as a nation are stronger than we were eight years ago.

"Today, my thoughts remain with the families of the victims and the heroes of September 11, 2001, as well as with the men and women who continue to put country before self to fight to protect our country and our freedom. We must never forget the lives sacrificed on that horrific morning and every day since in the fight to spread freedom globally."

Attorney General McCollum issued the following statement regarding the death of Detention Sergeant Ronnie Brown of the Polk County Sheriff's Office:

"My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Polk County Detention Sergeant Ronnie Brown, who died after a violent encounter with an inmate at the Polk County Jail. The men and women in the law enforcement community daily risk their lives to protect our state and citizens, and Sergeant Brown made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. He will certainly be remembered."