2 Florida men get probation for pleas in scheme to launder money through cards

Two Florida men were placed on probation after pleading guilty Friday to attempted money laundering charges. Shawnee Theoc and Douglas Cabrera both entered plea bargain agreements in Dickson County Circuit Court after being arrested last year in possession of hundreds of modified debit cards, gift cards and prepaid credit cards that prosecutors say were part of a money laundering scheme. Under the agreement, Theoc and Cabrera pleaded guilty to one count each of attempt to commit money laundering while seven counts each of money laundering were dismissed. Both were placed on two years of probation and allowed to transfer their supervision to Florida, but are prohibited from leaving the country without their probation officers’ permission. Both men also agreed to forfeit the property that was seized during their arrests. A prosecutor said agents of the 23^rd Judicial District Drug Task Force stopped the men on Interstate 40 in September and discovered hundreds of modified debit cards, gift cards and prepaid credit cards. Investigators said the cards were being used to launder the illegal proceeds of a criminal enterprise, more than likely being purchased with cash from illegal drug sales. Judge Larry Wallace also ordered both men to surrender the gun carry permits they hold in the state of Florida.