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Home Court filings United States v. Cindi Ellis Denton — S.D. Fla., No. 0:21-cr-60171-RS

Case docket

United States v. Cindi Ellis Denton — S.D. Fla., No. 0:21-cr-60171-RS

United States v. Cindi Ellis Denton — S.D. Fla., No. 0:21-cr-60171-RS — 68 documents in the archive, dated March 16, 2021 to December 13, 2021.

Case facts

CourtU.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
Docket numbersNo. 0:21-cr-60171 — main docket · CourtListener docket 594906
No. 0:21-mj-06149 — magistrate docket (complaint and arrest papers) · CourtListener docket 588994
Filings68 public filings (105 documents also held as a second copy)
Filed2021-03-16 – 2021-12-13
Original PDFs68 of 68

Case summary

Cindi Ellis Denton was charged by a criminal complaint filed March 16, 2021 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida with wire fraud, bank fraud, and attempt and conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1343, 1344, 1349 and 2, and then by an information filed June 21, 2021 charging conspiracy to commit wire fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371. The court accepted her guilty plea to the information on July 22, 2021. A defense motion states that on October 8, 2021 the court sentenced her to six months' imprisonment with self-surrender before 2 p.m. on January 10, 2022. She agreed to a forfeiture money judgment of $491,310.00, which the government later reduced to $377,802.12.

Case at a glance

Defendant(s)Cindi Ellis Denton
Court and docketU.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, No. 0:21-cr-60171-RS; filings also carry the numbers 0:21-mj-06149-PMH, 21-cr-60171-SMITH and 21-60171-CR-SMITH. Rule 5(c)(3)/Rule 40 documents were received from the Central District of California
ProgramPaycheck Protection Program (PPP) under the CARES Act
ChargesA criminal complaint of March 16, 2021 charging wire fraud, bank fraud, and attempt and conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1343, 1344, 1349 and 2, from on or about June 1, 2020 to at least on or about September 30, 2020. An information filed June 21, 2021 charged conspiracy to commit wire fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371, with forfeiture allegations under 18 U.S.C. § 982(a)(2)(A). The information itself is not on this page
Outcome and sentenceThe court accepted her guilty plea to the information on July 22, 2021. A defense motion of December 9, 2021 states that on October 8, 2021 the court sentenced her to six months' imprisonment with a self-surrender before 2 p.m. on January 10, 2022. As part of the plea she agreed to a forfeiture money judgment of $491,310.00; the government's proposed preliminary order of forfeiture states that after the victim financial institution recovered $113,507.88, it sought a money judgment of $377,802.12. No judgment and commitment is on this page
Status checked2026-09-23 · against the court docket and DOJ press releases through 2026-09-22

What did the complaint allege?

The affidavit in support of the complaint states that Denton participated in a conspiracy and scheme to obtain by fraud millions of dollars in forgivable loans through the Paycheck Protection Program and other government programs, with a person now cooperating with the investigation and others, and that she obtained a fraudulent PPP loan for her own company, Emerald Jade Solutions, Inc. It states that the cooperating person, the defendant and their co-conspirators applied for PPP loans together worth more than $34 million, with at least approximately 42 of those loans approved and funded for a total of approximately $17.6 million, and that certain recipients wired a kickback of 25% of the loan proceeds.

What did the factual proffer establish?

The government's proposed preliminary order of forfeiture states that, as described in the factual proffer, from in or around June 2020 through in or around at least September 2020 the defendant knowingly and willfully conspired with two individuals and others to submit and cause the submission of millions of dollars' worth of fraudulent PPP loans, and that she caused the submission of a loan on behalf of Emerald Jade Solutions, Inc. that she knew contained materially false information. It records that Bank Processor 1 approved the loan and that Bank 1 funded it by an electronic wire transfer of $491,310.00 on June 3, 2020.

What happened to the forfeiture figure?

It fell from $491,310.00 to $377,802.12. The proposed preliminary order of forfeiture states that the United States subsequently learned that in November 2020 the financial institution holding the Emerald Jade account closed it and returned the remaining balance of $113,507.88 to Bank 1, so that the total value of the proceeds traceable to the offense of conviction is $377,802.12.

Docket

68 documents in docket-entry order; attachments follow their entry. Gaps name the entries we do not have.

No. 0:21-cr-60171 — main docket

  1. Criminal Complaint as to Cindi Ellis Denton (1). (tpl) [0:21-mj-06149-PMH]Entry 1 · CourtListener docket 594906
  2. —Entry 2 is not in the archive
  3. MOTION to Seal by USA as to Cindi Ellis Denton. (tpl) [0:21-mj-06149-PMH] — USA v. Denton - Cindi Ellis Denton (Dkt. 3)Entry 3 · CourtListener docket 594906
  4. ORDER granting 3 Motion to Seal as to Cindi Ellis Denton (1) — USA v. Denton - Cindi Ellis Denton (Dkt. 4)Entry 4 · CourtListener docket 594906
  5. Rule 5(c)(3)/ Rule 40 Documents received from Central District of… — USA v. Denton - Cindi Ellis Denton (Dkt. 5)Entry 5 · CourtListener docket 594906
  6. Order to Unseal — United States v. Denton, No. 0:21-cr-60171 (S.D. Fla.), Dkt. 6Entry 6 · CourtListener docket 594906 · also: copy 2 (identical file)
  7. Minute Order — Initial Appearance (filed 2021-04-07)Entry 7 · CourtListener docket 594906
  8. Appearance Bond — United States v. Denton (S.D. Fla.), Dkt. 8Entry 8 · CourtListener docket 594906 · also: copy 2 (identical file)
  9. Appearance of Counsel — Philip Trout for USAEntry 9 · CourtListener docket 594906
  10. Joint MOTION to Continue the Preliminary Hearing and the Arraignment by… — USA v. Denton - Cindi Ellis Denton (Dkt. 10)Entry 10 · CourtListener docket 594906
  11. —Entry 11 is not in the archive
  12. Unopposed MOTION to Continue Arraignment by USA as to Cindi Ellis… — USA v. Denton - Cindi Ellis Denton (Dkt. 12)Entry 12 · CourtListener docket 594906
  13. Text of Proposed Order — USA v. Denton - Cindi Ellis Denton (Dkt. 12.1)Entry 12, attachment 1 · CourtListener docket 594906
  14. —Entry 13 is not in the archive
  15. Unopposed MOTION for Protective Order as to Early Discovery by USA as to… — USA v. Denton - Cindi Ellis Denton (Dkt. 14)Entry 14 · CourtListener docket 594906
  16. Text of Proposed Order — USA v. Denton - Cindi Ellis Denton (Dkt. 14.1)Entry 14, attachment 1 · CourtListener docket 594906
  17. ORDER granting 14 Unopposed Motion for Protective Order as to Cindi… — USA v. Denton - Cindi Ellis Denton (Dkt. 15)Entry 15 · CourtListener docket 594906
  18. Clerks Receipt received from the C/D CA in the amount of $1,000.00 for… — USA v. Denton - Cindi Ellis Denton (Dkt. 16)Entry 16 · CourtListener docket 594906
  19. WAIVER of Personal Appearance at Arraignment and Entry of Plea of Not… — USA v. Denton - Cindi Ellis Denton (Dkt. 17)Entry 17 · CourtListener docket 594906
  20. Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time for 1-week extension of… — USA v. Denton - Cindi Ellis Denton (Dkt. 18)Entry 18 · CourtListener docket 594906
  21. —Entry 19 is not in the archive
  22. Information as to Cindi Ellis Denton (1) count(s) 1. Forfeiture Allegations — USA v. Denton (Dkt. 20, S.D. Fla.)Entry 20 · CourtListener docket 594906 · also: copy 2 (identical file)
  23. Notice of Appearance — Nicole Grosnoff for USA, Asset ForfeitureEntry 21 · CourtListener docket 594906
  24. SCHEDULING ORDER as to Cindi Ellis Denton.… — USA v. Denton - Cindi Ellis Denton (Dkt. 22)Entry 22 · CourtListener docket 594906
  25. WAIVER OF INDICTMENT by Cindi Ellis Denton — USA v. Denton - Cindi Ellis Denton (Dkt. 23)Entry 23 · CourtListener docket 594906
  26. Minute Order — Arraignment — USA v. Denton (S.D. Fla. No. 0:21-mj-06149, docketed in No. 0:21-cr-60171)Entry 24 · CourtListener docket 594906
  27. WAIVER OF INDICTMENT by Cindi Ellis Denton — USA v. Denton - Cindi Ellis Denton (Dkt. 25)Entry 25 · CourtListener docket 594906
  28. Government's First Response to the Standing Discovery OrderEntry 26 · CourtListener docket 594906 · also: copy 3 (identical file)
  29. —Entries 27–29 are not in the archive
  30. NOTICE /Consent to Appear by Video or Audio Teleconference by Cindi… — USA v. Denton - Cindi Ellis Denton (Dkt. 30)Entry 30 · CourtListener docket 594906
  31. —Entries 31–32 are not in the archive
  32. PLEA AGREEMENT as to Cindi Ellis Denton — USA v. Denton (Dkt. 33)Entry 33 · CourtListener docket 594906 · also: copy 2 · copy 3 (identical file)
  33. Factual Proffer Statement as to Cindi Ellis Denton — USA v. Denton (Dkt. 34, S.D. Fla.)Entry 34 · CourtListener docket 594906 · also: copy 2 (identical file)
  34. WAIVER OF PHYSICAL PRESENCE IN COURT AND CONSENT TO APPEAR BY VIDEO OR… — USA v. Denton - Cindi Ellis Denton (Dkt. 35)Entry 35 · CourtListener docket 594906
  35. —Entries 36–37 are not in the archive
  36. Objections to Presentence Investigation Report by Cindi Ellis Denton — USA v. Denton (Dkt. 38, S.D. Fla.)Entry 38 · CourtListener docket 594906
  37. Unopposed Motion for Forfeiture of Property Preliminary Order of Forfeiture — USA v. Denton (Dkt. 39, S.D. Fla.)Entry 39 · CourtListener docket 594906
  38. Text of Proposed Order — USA v. Denton - Cindi Ellis Denton (Dkt. 39.1)Entry 39, attachment 1 · CourtListener docket 594906
  39. —Entry 40 is not in the archive
  40. Sentencing Memorandum by USA as to Cindi Ellis Denton — USA v. Denton (Dkt. 41, S.D. Fla.)Entry 41 · CourtListener docket 594906 · also: copy 2 (identical file)
  41. NOTICE to Court as to Status of Objections to the Presentence… — USA v. Denton - Cindi Ellis Denton (Dkt. 42)Entry 42 · CourtListener docket 594906
  42. Motion for Downward Departure /Variance by Cindi Ellis Denton. Responses due by 10/12/2021Entry 43 · CourtListener docket 594906
  43. Defendant's Sentencing Memorandum — United States v. Cindi Ellis Denton (S.D. Fla.)Entry 44 · CourtListener docket 594906
  44. —Entry 45 is not in the archive
  45. SUPPLEMENT to 44 Sentencing Memorandum filed by Cindi Ellis Denton by… — USA v. Denton - Cindi Ellis Denton (Dkt. 46)Entry 46 · CourtListener docket 594906
  46. Exhibit CDC's Adult BMI CalculatorEntry 46, attachment 1 · CourtListener docket 594906
  47. NOTICE of Filing Character Reference Letters by Cindi Ellis Denton — USA v. Denton - Cindi Ellis Denton (Dkt. 47)Entry 47 · CourtListener docket 594906
  48. Exhibit letter from Salyna Smith — USA v. Denton (Dkt. 47-1, S.D. Fla. No. 0:21-mj-06149, docketed in No. 0:21-cr-60171)Entry 47, attachment 1 · CourtListener docket 594906
  49. Exhibit letter from Ellis Anthony RiveraEntry 47, attachment 2 · CourtListener docket 594906
  50. Exhibit letter from Elizabeth NievesEntry 47, attachment 3 · CourtListener docket 594906
  51. Exhibit letter from Donna Hyde — USA v. Denton (Dkt. 47-4, S.D. Fla. No. 0:21-mj-06149, docketed in No. 0:21-cr-60171)Entry 47, attachment 4 · CourtListener docket 594906
  52. Exhibit letter from C.G. Turner — USA v. Denton (Dkt. 47-5, S.D. Fla. No. 0:21-mj-06149, docketed in No. 0:21-cr-60171)Entry 47, attachment 5 · CourtListener docket 594906
  53. NOTICE of Filing Additional Character Reference Letter by Cindi Ellis… — USA v. Denton - Cindi Ellis Denton (Dkt. 48)Entry 48 · CourtListener docket 594906
  54. Exhibit letter from Jessica RodriguezEntry 48, attachment 1 · CourtListener docket 594906
  55. —Entries 49–50 are not in the archive
  56. Judgment as to Cindi Ellis Denton (1), Count(s) 1, 6 months imprisonment — USA v. Denton (Dkt. 51, S.D. Fla.)Entry 51 · CourtListener docket 594906
  57. Preliminary Order of Forfeiture — United States v. Cindi Ellis Denton (S.D. Fla.)Entry 52 · CourtListener docket 594906
  58. Amended Judgment in a Criminal Case — United States v. Cindi Ellis Denton (S.D. Fla.)Entry 53 · CourtListener docket 594906
  59. MOTION to Modify Conditions of Release /Permission to Reside at… — USA v. Denton - Cindi Ellis Denton (Dkt. 54)Entry 54 · CourtListener docket 594906
  60. Text of Proposed Order Granting permission to new changed address — USA v. Denton - Cindi Ellis Denton (Dkt. 54.1)Entry 54, attachment 1 · CourtListener docket 594906
  61. Order Granting Motion for Permission to Reside — United States v. Denton, No. 0:21-cr-60171 (S.D. Fla.), Dkt. 55Entry 55 · CourtListener docket 594906 · also: copy 2 (identical file)

No. 0:21-mj-06149 — magistrate docket (complaint and arrest papers)

  1. Criminal Complaint and Affidavit — United States v. Cindi Ellis Denton (S.D. Fla.)Entry 1 · CourtListener docket 588994
  2. —Entry 2 is not in the archive
  3. MOTION to Seal by USA as to Cindi Ellis Denton — USA v. CINDI DENTON - Cindi Ellis Denton (Dkt. 3)Entry 3 · CourtListener docket 588994
  4. ORDER granting 3 Motion to Seal as to Cindi Ellis Denton (1) — USA v. CINDI DENTON - Cindi Ellis Denton (Dkt. 4)Entry 4 · CourtListener docket 588994
  5. Rule 5(c)(3)/ Rule 40 Documents received from Central District of… — USA v. CINDI DENTON - Cindi Ellis Denton (Dkt. 5)Entry 5 · CourtListener docket 588994
  6. Order to Unseal — United States v. Denton, No. 0:21-mj-06149 (S.D. Fla.), Dkt. 6Entry 6 · CourtListener docket 588994 · also: copy 2 (identical file)
  7. Court Order/Minutes — USA v. Cindi Denton (S.D. Fla.)Entry 7 · CourtListener docket 588994
  8. $26,000 PSB Bond Entered as to Cindi Ellis Denton Approved — USA v. Cindi Denton (Dkt. 8, S.D. Fla.)Entry 8 · CourtListener docket 588994
  9. Appearance of CounselEntry 9 · CourtListener docket 588994 · also: copy 3 (identical file)
  10. Joint Motion to Continue the Preliminary Hearing — USA v. Cindi Denton (Dkt. 10, S.D. Fla.)Entry 10 · CourtListener docket 588994
  11. —Entry 11 is not in the archive
  12. Unopposed MOTION to Continue Arraignment by USA as to Cindi Ellis… — USA v. CINDI DENTON - Cindi Ellis Denton (Dkt. 12)Entry 12 · CourtListener docket 588994
  13. Text of Proposed Order — USA v. CINDI DENTON - Cindi Ellis Denton (Dkt. 12.1)Entry 12, attachment 1 · CourtListener docket 588994
  14. —Entry 13 is not in the archive
  15. Unopposed MOTION for Protective Order as to Early Discovery by USA… — USA v. CINDI DENTON - Cindi Ellis Denton (Dkt. 14)Entry 14 · CourtListener docket 588994
  16. Text of Proposed Order — USA v. CINDI DENTON - Cindi Ellis Denton (Dkt. 14.1)Entry 14, attachment 1 · CourtListener docket 588994
  17. Order granting 14 Unopposed Motion — USA v. Cindi Denton (Dkt. 15, S.D. Fla.)Entry 15 · CourtListener docket 588994
  18. Clerks Receipt received from the C/D CA in the amount of $1,000.00… — USA v. CINDI DENTON - Cindi Ellis Denton (Dkt. 16)Entry 16 · CourtListener docket 588994
  19. WAIVER of Personal Appearance at Arraignment and Entry of Plea of… — USA v. CINDI DENTON - Cindi Ellis Denton (Dkt. 17)Entry 17 · CourtListener docket 588994
  20. Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time for 1-week extension of… — USA v. CINDI DENTON - Cindi Ellis Denton (Dkt. 18)Entry 18 · CourtListener docket 588994

Other cases in the archive from U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

Court, dates and docket numbers are as recorded on the filings.

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