Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office arrests two suspects in separate fraud schemes

Hillsborough County deputies in Tampa, Florida, arrested Bryce Swanson, a 28‑year‑old Canadian woman, after a traffic stop revealed twelve fraudulent driver’s licenses bearing her photo but different names and birth dates. Swanson, who has overstayed her visa, was charged with fraudulent use of personal information, providing a false name to law enforcement and driving without a valid license. She remains in custody under an ICE hold.

In a separate investigation, the sheriff’s office, working with Manatee County officials, arrested 32‑year‑old Juan Miguel Acosta Ramos for operating a large‑scale credit‑card counterfeit ring. A search of his Apollo Beach residence uncovered 154 fake credit cards, multiple skimming devices, and equipment used to produce counterfeit cards. Ramos faces charges including trafficking in fifty or more counterfeit credit cards and possession of credit‑card making equipment. Authorities say the bust prevented potentially millions of dollars in further fraud.

Both arrests were announced by Sheriff Chad Chronister, emphasizing the department’s commitment to dismantling fraud operations that target residents and businesses in the Tampa Bay area.