# Florida theft and impersonation scam investigations

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/florida-theft-and-impersonation-scam-investigations
> Updated: 2026-08-26T21:50:22.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

Authorities in Florida are investigating incidents involving theft and impersonation scams. A security guard at the Krome Service Processing Center in Miami was arrested for allegedly stealing $5,382 from a detainee, an act reportedly captured on surveillance footage. 

In a related development, Patrick Marquelle Turner was extradited to Florida following allegations that he used a contraband cellphone while incarcerated in a Georgia facility to conduct impersonation scams. Turner allegedly pressured an elderly resident into depositing $5,600 into a cryptocurrency ATM by posing as a sheriff’s office official. Investigators are examining whether inmates in Georgia prisons are operating networks of similar scams.

## Claims

- Patrick Marquelle Turner allegedly used a contraband cellphone in a Georgia prison to scam an elderly resident. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The scam involved the victim depositing $5,600 into a cryptocurrency ATM after being told they missed jury duty. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Investigators suspect inmates in Georgia prisons are running impersonation scam networks. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Matthew Christian Torres allegedly stole $5,382 from a detainee at the Krome Service Processing Center. (single source)
- Surveillance footage shows Torres placing the victim's money in a logbook without recording it in the property ledger. (single source)
- Torres faces a charge of third-degree grand theft, a felony in Florida. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-26: Security guard and inmate face theft and fraud charges in Florida

A Miami security guard faces felony theft charges for stealing cash from a detainee, while a Georgia inmate was extradited to Florida for running cryptocurrency impersonation scams via a contraband phone.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/security-guard-and-inmate-face-theft-and-fraud-charges-in-florida

### 2026-08-19: Florida woman charged with bank fraud and smuggling cash into jail

A Florida woman, Moniquie Love Turnbull, faces fraud charges after allegedly posing as a bank worker to scam a senior citizen and attempting to smuggle $3,200 in cash into jail.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/florida-woman-charged-with-bank-fraud-and-smuggling-cash-into-jail

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Cite as: Florida theft and impersonation scam investigations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/florida-theft-and-impersonation-scam-investigations