Lewiswas a law partner of notorious convicted Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein. The police uncovered a combination of physical and circumstantial evidence to bring the killer to justice. "Rothstein was somewhat tied into organized crime. and help keep the future of New Times, Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our. Butts testified that police weren't interested in pursuing the case and that Villegas even went to school the next day and back to work at the bar the next night. Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1. A pest exterminator also came by Melissas home to find the garage door open and her car missing, an ominous sign. Butts testified that Villegas moved out of her home at age 15 and lived in a truck while completing high school and working in a bar. 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The hearing hit its dramatic zenith during testimony from Villegas' psychologist regarding her youth, which she said was marred by an alcoholic mother, living on her own in a truck at the age of 15, and rape. 11:18AM. Where was the concern for your children when you were engaging in this criminal activity? he asked. A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Debra Villegas received the maximum sentence of ten years in prison this morning for her role in the massive Scott Rothstein Ponzi scheme. Both have since been forfeited to the government and will be sold. Rick Telander/Sun-Times. The whole family was extremely proud of her. She said she and Lewis armed themselves against his threats. May 2, 2022, 5:00pm PST. Villegas admitted when she pleaded guilty in June to a money laundering conspiracy charge that she helped Rothstein forge signatures on fake legal settlements, which were used to lure investors with false promises of fat profits. However, his estranged wife Debra Villegas contends that her husband was jealous of her close friendship with Lewis. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et magna aliqua. Debra Villegas - Scientology Service Completions Note: Preliminary analysis suggests that about 60% of people who try Scientology do only a single course or service, that 80% of new members become inactive within 2 years, and that 65% of those who reach the level of Clear become inactive within a year after doing so. Villegas was a conductor on the train. . Debra Villegas, left, appealed for leniency because her children were already traumatized by the murder charge their father is facing in the death of Melissa Britt Lewis, at right. Become a member to support the independent voice of South Florida He received a 50-year sentence. He broke the corruption story[2] of $1 billion Ponzi scheme operator Scott Rothstein's October 27, 2009 flight to Morocco under suspicious circumstances. Her 10-year prison term was reduced because she cooperated. South Florida's independent South Florida's independent Debra Villegas 's Record in 2018. "I was just thinking about gettinghome to take care of my children. Debra was released from jail in 2014 after serving three and a half years. was a partner of Individual B and was arrested as part of the same investigation as Mr. Benitez. Debra K Vosburg Gender: Female Race: White Residential Address: Ocean Isle Beach Nc 28469 Mailing Address: Ocean Isle Beach Nc 28469 Party Affiliation: Unaffiliated Registered to Vote In: Brunswick County, NC Voter Status: Active. First published on June 21, 2016 / 3:14 PM. debra villegas released. Find Debra Villegas. All rights reserved, VCA Walk for the Animals Kicks Off in Fort Lauderdale, BSO Searching forMissing 11-Year-Old Girl From Pompano Beach, Miami-Dade Mayor, State Attorney Announce New Measures to Protect HOA Residents, Check Your Change! Her childhood, Butts testified, was marked by an alcholic mother, sexual abuse by one of her mother's boyfriends, and 52 different homes in her native Texas by the time she was a teenager. She was 30 years of age when she was fatally shot . '"But you and your friends will be sorry. MORE NEWS: COVID-19 Testing Site Finder Updated Oct 9, 2010, 12:00am EDT. State of Texas records show Debra A Villegas held one job from 2017 to 2021. The two spent a lot of time together, with Melissa cooking for her children and going out on family vacations with them. Collaborations. Join the New Times community and help support independent Tracking records showed Lewis' cell phone went back and forth between Broward and Miami-Dade on an FEC train line after her death. She said she and Lewis armed themselves against his threats. Both Debra and her children stated that he was abusive. dennis malloy wikipedia; 335th infantry regiment, 84th infantry division; chris bey net worth Debra Villegas, 47, was granted a reduction to her 10-year prison sentence by U.S. District Judge William Zloch. It was found in her car. Bob Norman is a journalist in South Florida who joined WPLG-Channel 10 in 2011 as an on-air investigative reporter. In a press release, John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge of . local Journalism in South Florida. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Debra Villegas, RRA's chief operating officer, was released from prison Dec. 18, 2014 after serving 3 1/2 years. The investigators started to question everyone involved in Melissas life. Scott W. Rothstein (born June 10, 1962) is a disbarred lawyer, convicted felon, and the former managing shareholder, chairman, and chief executive officer of the now-defunct Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler law firm.He funded an extravagant lifestyle with a $1.2 billion Ponzi scheme, one of the largest such in history. The third result is Debra Ann Villegas age 60s in Lakeport, CA. According to the charges and statements made in court during her plea, Villegas participated in the scheme by assisting with the fabrication of names for fictitious plaintiffs and defendants who were purportedly parties in the confidential settlements. Deborah Villegas Found 57 people in California, Texas and 25 other states View contact information: phones, addresses, emails and networks. She will be released on $250,000 bail. More this Friday at 10p/9c on NBC. Police found pepper spray residue in the garage of Lewis home. Debra was released from jail in 2014 after serving three and a half years. Paralyzed inmate says Mazza made earlier dry run o Man indicted on first-degree murder in Cape day ca As their crime rate climbs, more women filling jails, Another video raises questions about jail abuse. Debra L Villegas from Jurupa Valley, CA. I'm going to win in the end.'". Her 10-year prison term was reduced because she cooperated. 54 Berrick St Boston MA 02115. by 2Paragraphs in Culture | March 2, 2017. For money laundering charges, term of custody up to 20 years' imprisonment, a fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the monetary instrument or funds involved, and three years of supervised release. On June 11, 2010, Villegas pled guilty to a criminal Information charging that she and co-conspirators participated in an investment scheme, commonly known as a Ponzi scheme. Villegas was a conductor on the train. Debra is related to Crystal Nichole Villegas and Elexis Villegas as well as 2 additional people. 1996 Jessie Banks: Competed in Basketball . By Rick Telander. The Business . If the judge agrees, that could pave . Watch. 100% FREE! This study explored heart failure and depression-related research from a bibliometric perspective.MethodsRelevant publications were searched on June 24, 2022. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Kaplan, however, said Villegas was key to a fraud that affected hundreds of people who lost some $430 million, most of which is gone forever. . Following the verdict, the judge immediately sentenced him to life in prison. Their older sister, Aimee Villegas, who alsoworked at the Rothstein firm, was never mentioned during the hearing but sat beside them. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. We will all suffer this loss as long as we live, but we forgive you. He remains incarcerated at the Columbia Correctional Institution in Lake City, Florida. Jurors also saw evidence, pictures of Lewis' vehicle with her jacket in the back, and her last conversation with a co-worker. Debra Villegas' roommate testified that when he came home the day of Lewis's disappearance, he found Tony Villegas washing pepper spray off of his hands and arms. Debra Villegas was born on 06/28/1966 and is 55 years old. Personal details about Debra include: political affiliation is unknown; ethnicity is Hispanic American; and religious views are listed as Christian. "I hope the court will show mercy on us today.". Share. Villegas's next court appearance is scheduled for May 13. This is not the last to fall.. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. June 27, 2016 / 5:12 PM In her first interview, Debra Villegas speaks to Dennis Murphy about the billion dollar Ponzi scheme run by Scott Rothstein. In January 2007, Debraturned to her boss, Rothstein, and her best friend,Lewis, for help, Buttstestified. source of local news and culture. U.S. District Judge William Zloch also took the unusual step of allowing Villegas to remain free until June 24, 2011, so she can assist in the ongoing investigation of the now-defunct Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler firm. Villegas's next court appearance is scheduled for May 13. "We talked about it, neither one of us wanted a gun, she was living alone so she felt she needed something to, you know I was going through a difficult divorce and living on my own as well, so I decided on a Taser and she decided on pepper spray," Villegas testified. Rothstein was sentenced to 50 years in prison. More than $363 million in restitution is owed by Rothstein, Villegas and possibly others. A witness stated that she saw a car similar to Tonys in the parking lot where Melissas car was eventually found. Debra Villegas received the maximum sentence of ten years in prison this morning for her role in the massive Scott Rothstein Ponzi scheme. Melissa returned from work sometime in the evening on March 5, 2008, but she didnt show up the next day. Hall of Winners | Performance.gov All comments and opinions are submitted by Internet users . Location. Prosecutors say Villegas helped Rothstein prepare fake court settlements used to lure investors. Phone Ad. debra villegas released. Debra Villegas testified that her ex-husband was violent man and threatened Villegas. Vendor, lawmakers suggest cutting $11 million from Ruling: Bush can't order hearing for condemned Mex Florida Legislature makes formal apology for slavery, Georgia man convicted in 1997 Daytona Beach killing. The search for her ended in tragedy when her body was found in a canal. FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) - The verdict is in for a man accused of killing a Plantation attorney and then dumping her body in a canal. She won early release for cooperating with the state. 2002 Penny Zavichas: Competed in Golf, Coach. Investigators said a struggle took place inside her garage, using DNA and pings from her cell phone to allegedly connect Villegas to the crime. Work: - San Diego MET High . Debra Villegas, who has been released following a federal prison term for her role in one of the largest Ponzi schemes, is expected to testify as is the couple's son. Debra lived in Honolulu, Hawaii 96826, USA. Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office; and Daniel W. Auer, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CID), announced that Debra Villegas, 43, formerly the Chief Operating officer of the Ft. Lauderdale law firm of Rothstein, Rosenfeldt & Adler, was sentenced today in Ft. Lauderdale by U.S. District Judge William J. Zloch to 120 months incarceration.