A group of bail bondsmen from the Florida Keys, including three individuals of Cuban descent, have been arrested and are facing serious charges such as armed kidnapping, assault, and fraud, according to authorities this week. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the Department of Financial Services (DFS) announced on Thursday the arrest of four men accused of operating beyond the legal authority granted to bail bonds agents.
The FDLE identified the suspects as Alexander Michael Rispa, 43, a resident of Homestead; Luis Ángel Hernández Salas, 34, from Florida City; Eduardo Francisco Cáceres, 47, from Miami-Dade County; and Juan Carlos Soto Arraga, 30, also from Miami-Dade. The first three have Cuban roots, as confirmed by CiberCuba.
Rispa, Hernández, and Cáceres are facing the most severe charges, including armed kidnapping and assault, as stated in a police report. In addition, all four men have been charged with violating Florida's Communication Fraud Act, a scheme to defraud, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, and breaching required license and appointment regulations, along with incitement and conspiracy charges. Soto is also accused of operating as an unlicensed bail bondsman.
Illegal Operations Uncovered
The Miami Herald reported that the suspects are employed by Paradise Bail Bonds in Key Largo, Monroe County, a company owned by Hernández. The investigation began on May 14 when a detective from the Department of Financial Services contacted the FDLE in Miami regarding a bail bond company operating in Monroe and Miami-Dade counties, engaging in activities beyond the authority provided by Florida statutes.
According to a joint investigation by the FDLE and DFS, on January 1, 2022, Rispa, Cáceres, and Hernández Salas unlawfully entered a residence in Miami-Dade using firearms, forcibly removing the victim without prior notice and transporting them to the agency that had issued the warrant. During this event, the suspects wore badges and bulletproof vests labeled "AGENT," a violation of Florida law, the report emphasized.
Further Investigation Findings
The inquiry also revealed that the insurance company listed in the appointment records for Rispa and Hernández had not officially designated them at the time of the offense. Delving deeper into the investigation, agents found that between May 2023 and January 2024, Soto, who is not a qualified, licensed, or designated bail bondsman in Florida, had engaged in illegal communications with several inmates in Monroe County.
According to an affidavit cited by local media, Soto, who is related to Hernández by marriage, negotiated bail payments, terms, and conditions for prisoner releases, which constitutes fraudulent activity under Florida law.
On Tuesday, September 16, Rispa, Hernández, and Soto surrendered at the Monroe County Jail, complying with arrest warrants issued by the FDLE and DFS. The following day, Cáceres reported to the FDLE's Regional Operations Center in Miami and was transferred to the Turner Guilford Knight Detention Center. Subsequently, all four were released on bail.
State Officials React
"When operating within the parameters of Florida Statutes, bail bondsmen can be a valuable resource for the public in judicial and law enforcement processes. These individuals deliberately exploited the system and violated the statutes," stated Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia.
"We are a state that upholds law and order. We will not tolerate fraudulent behavior or any other financial crimes, as they impact the citizens of our great state of Florida," he warned.
The 16th Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office is overseeing the case, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Key Questions About Florida Bail Bondsmen Case
What charges are the bail bondsmen facing in Florida?
The bail bondsmen are facing charges of armed kidnapping, assault, fraud, violating Florida's Communication Fraud Act, and operating without proper licenses, among others.
Which companies were involved in the illegal operations?
The suspects were working for Paradise Bail Bonds in Key Largo, owned by one of the accused, Luis Ángel Hernández Salas.
How did the authorities discover the illegal activities?
The investigation began when a detective from the Department of Financial Services contacted the FDLE about unauthorized operations by a bail bonds company in Monroe and Miami-Dade counties.