FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 5, 2026

PERRY, Fla. – The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) arrested Keith Sanders, 46, of Raleigh, North Carolina, on one count of grand theft, a first-degree felony, and one count of scheme to defraud a financial institution, a second-degree felony.

“Manipulating Florida’s financial institutions affects our citizens statewide. Scheming a loan program out of tens of thousands of dollars will not be tolerated in the law-and-order State of Florida,” said FDLE Tallahassee Special Agent in Charge Keith Wilmer. “In financial crime investigations, our agents and analysts work diligently and sift through countless financial documents to hold these individuals accountable.”

“The men and women of the Perry Police Department proudly worked with FDLE to bring Mr. Sanders to justice. We continue to work with our partners at FDLE and all law enforcement agencies to protect our citizens against individuals taking advantage of our financial assistance programs,” said Perry Police Chief Jamie Cruse.

FDLE’s investigation began on Nov. 4, 2025, when agents received information from the Perry Police Department that Sanders had falsified a loan application with Blue Coast Federal Credit Union for more than $198,000. Sanders later defaulted on the loan.

Investigators found that, during the loan application process, Sanders falsely claimed he lived in Panama City and worked in Tallahassee. He also provided the credit union with a fraudulent title for a boat that does not exist.

FDLE obtained an arrest warrant, and on Feb. 23, 2026, Sanders surrendered at the Taylor County Jail.

The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation assisted with the investigation.

The State Attorney’s Office of the Third Judicial Circuit is prosecuting the case.

The investigation remains active.

For Further Information Contact:

FDLE Office of Public Information

Info@fdle.state.fl.us