US v. Silvio Carrano, Patrick Williams, Donald Williams, and Gregory Fleming

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

Most recent update 5/13/11 (See end of document)

U.S. v. Silvio Carrano, Patrick Williams, Donald Williams, and Gregory Britt Fleming, No. 10-20154-CR (S.D. FL) 

Update 6/17/10:

On March 9, 2010, a federal grand jury in Miami, Florida, returned a 14-count indictment charging conspiracy, mail fraud and wire fraud against Silvio Carrano, Patrick Williams, Donald Williams, and Gregory Britt Fleming.  The indictment alleges that from 2004 through 2009, Carrano, Patrick Williams, Donald Williams, and Fleming and others conspired to sell fraudulent business opportunities to U.S. citizens.  Donald Williams was arrested in Houston, Texas on May 7, 2010.  Carrano and Patrick Williams were arrested in Costa Rica on June 15, 2010.  The United States will be requesting the extradition of both of these defendants.  For additional information, see the Department of Justice Press Releases dated June 15, 2010.

Charges in an indictment are only allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Update 6/24/10:

On June 18, 2010, Gregory Britt Fleming was arrested in Costa Rica on the charges in this matter.  The United States will be requesting Fleming’s extradition to this country.

Update 10/28/10:

On June 29, 2010, Donald Williams entered a guilty plea in Miami Federal District Court to count one of the indictment, which charged conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. 

On September 24, 2010, Patrick Williams and Silvio Carrano were extradited from Costa Rica to the United States.  On September 27, 2010, Patrick Williams and Silvio Carrano had their initial appearances in federal court in Miami, Florida.  Patrick Williams was released on conditions of bond pending trial.  Silvio Carrano is currently being held in federal custody in pre-trial detention.  

On October 22, 2010, Gregory Fleming was extradited from Costa Rica to the United States.  On October 25, 2010, Gregory Fleming had his initial appearance in federal court in Miami, Florida.  A pre-trial detention hearing for Gregory Fleming is set for October 29, 2010, in Miami, Florida.

On October 27, 2010, Donald Williams was sentenced by United States District Court Marcia G. Cooke in Miami to a term of 78 months in prison and a term of five years of supervised release.  Williams was also ordered to pay $3.9 million in restitution to victims of the scheme.  For additional information, see the Department of Justice Press Release dated October 27, 2010.

Update 10/29/10:

On October 29, 2010, the United States District Court in Miami, Florida ordered that Greg Fleming be held in custody prior to trial.

Update 11/10/10:

On November 8, 2010, the Court ordered that trial in this case, which had been scheduled to begin November 22, 2010, be rescheduled to start during the Court’s two-week trial period beginning January 18, 2011.

Update 1/19/11:

On January 12, 2011, the Court granted a defense motion to continue the trial, which had been scheduled to begin January 18.  The Court set a new trial date of February 28, 2011. 
On January 18, 2011, defendant Patrick Williams pled guilty to all counts of the Indictment.  The Court scheduled sentencing in his case for March 30, 2011, at 10:00 a.m.

Update 2/17/11:

On February 16, 2011, defendants Silvio Carrano and Gregory Fleming pled guilty to count one of the indictment, which charged conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. The Court scheduled sentencing for both defendants for April 20, 2011, at 10:30 a.m. Trial in this case, previously scheduled to begin February 28, 2011, has been canceled.  For additional information, see the Department of Justice Press Release dated February 16, 2011.

Update 5/13/11:

On May 11, 2011, Gregory Fleming was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Marcia G. Cooke in Miami to a term of 60 months in prison and a term of four years supervised release.  Fleming was also ordered to pay more than $2.5 million in restitution to victims of the scheme.  For additional information, see the Department of Justice Press Release dated May 11, 2011.

Sentencing for defendant Patrick Williams has been scheduled for May 31, 2011, at 9:30 am, before Judge Cooke in Miami.