MIAMI, Fla. (WFLA) — Four men were arrested Thursday after being accused of acting outside the legal authority of bail bondsmen’s duties.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement reports that Alexander Michael Rispa, 43, Luis Angel Hernandez Salas, 34, Eduardo Francisco Caceres, 47, and Juan Carlos Soto Arraga, 30, were apprehended following an inquiry.
On May 14, a detective from the Department of Financial Services reached out to FDLE Miami about a bail bonds company operating in Monroe and Miami-Dade counties, which was conducting activities beyond what is allowed by Florida law.
FDLE, collaborating with the Florida Department of Financial Services, initiated an inquiry that found that on Jan. 1, 2022, Rispa, Caceres, and Hernandez Salas were illegally entering individuals’ homes with weapons, evicting them without proper protocol, and transporting them to the agency that issued the warrant.
The investigation further uncovered that during these operations, the trio wore badges and body armor labeled with “Agent,” directly contravening Florida law.
Appointment records from Rispa and Hernandez Salas’ insurance company revealed that they were not appointed on the dates the crimes occurred.
Between May 2023 and January 2024, FDLE discovered that Soto Arraga, lacking licensure as a Florida bail bond agent, had unlawfully interacted with multiple inmates in Monroe County.
On Sept. 16, Rispa, Hernandez Salas and Soto Arraga voluntarily surrendered at the Monroe County Jail. The following day, Caceres did the same at the FDLE Miami Regional Operations Center.
According to FDLE, all four men are facing charges of armed kidnapping and battery; violating the Florida Communication Fraud Act; a scheme to defraud; unlawful use of a two-way communication device; violation of licensure and appointment; solicitation; and conspiracy.
