DAYTONA BEACH — Police have released the names of seven suspects arrested in a pair of raids last week, but the most severe charges have yet to be filed because of the extensive investigative legwork that remains, they said.
Two of the five suspects have been charged with a variety of felonies — including obtaining property by fraud and destroying evidence — while the remaining five have only had drug charges filed against them. The Daytona Beach Police Department said detectives need to wade through more evidence and that additional charges are forthcoming.
The two suspects charged with the most serious crimes so far are Robert "Tony" Smith, 32, and Samantha "Sammi Smith" Moore, 38. The two remain jailed.
The investigation, which began in November 2017, accelerated on Dec. 26 after a 69-year-old Daytona resident told police she suspected someone was using her identity to purchase merchandise in her name and having it sent to a different address, according to an arrest affidavit.
The ensuing investigation revealed that the suspects had stolen mail from unsuspecting victims, forged signatures and purchased electronics and other items, according to police.
The suspects obtained thousands of dollars of merchandise illegally in order to hock them and obtain drugs, Police Chief Craig Capri said last week.
On Feb. 10, police received a call from a homeowner who said there was a group of people occupying his home at 2228 S. Peninsula Drive who were not authorized to be there.
Police said Moore was one of the people in the house and she tried convincing authorities she was renting the house by providing a "leasing agreement," but the agreement was not verified and Moore and the other suspects were ordered to leave the premises, according to an arrest affidavit.
The house was searched and evidence was recovered that showed the suspects were committing mail fraud, police said.
Moore, during an interview with detectives, admitted she had been involved in check writing, check cashing, identity theft, fraud and mail theft, the affidavit stated.
At the end of her interview, Moore said, "I guess I just always thought they got their money back, so what does it hurt?" detectives said.
A search of the home on South Peninsula uncovered burned pieces of mail in the fireplace. Capri said the suspects were so thorough in their attempts to cover their tracks, they tried to burn everything, but enough was still salvaged to build a case.
Police said this week they are still building it.
The raids resulted in the confiscation of nine televisions, more than 30 computers, more than 40 cellphones and various other electronics, according to police.
Numerous checkbooks, credit cards, ledgers and a credit card printer also were seized, police spokeswoman Lyda Longa said.
The other suspects arrested in connection with the crime ring were Robert Raley, 54; Kelly Raley, 30; John Benning Jr.; 32; Zoe Greeny, 40; and David Curell, 50. They were booked last week on various drug-related charges.
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