Defendants plead guilty in Port Everglades security case
Marcos Daniel Jimenez, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, said three defendants in a case involving security violations at Port Everglades have entered guilty pleas.
The U.S. Department of Justice had charged all three with “knowingly and willfully using unlicensed or fraudulently licensed individuals as security guards at Port Everglades, Fla.”
According to the government’s indictment, “undercover agents purchased fraudulent training certificates which were to be used to obtain Class D security guard licenses from the State of Florida.”
Also, employees at Port Everglades 'were working without even the most rudimentary background checks,” the indictment noted.
Defendant Edward Ebmeier faces a prison sentence of up to 11 years and a $500,000 fine. The other defendants, Almaida Cetoute and Fritz Victor, each face possible prison sentences of six years and fines of $250,000.