Melbourne Police Arrests Suspects For Selling Fake Medical Cards and Cannabis
By Space Coast Daily // April 25, 2015
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Over the past few months the Special Investigations Unit of the Melbourne Police Department has been investigating the illegal distribution of marijuana within the City of Melbourne.
The investigation discovered that suspects Ray Cunningham Jr. and Margherita Cunningham were using different methods to distribute alleged medical marijuana contrary to current Florida law, according to the Melbourne Police Department.
According to investigators, the suspects were selling marijuana under the guise of a medical certification as a “care giver.”
The male suspect, Ray Cunningham Jr., 62, was issuing medical certifications for patients to possess marijuana, but the certifications were fake and in violation of Florida Statute, according to the Special Investigations Unit.
The Florida Department of Health also assisted in the investigation and looked into practicing medicine without a license.
The investigation found that on 10 separate occasions Ray Cunningham engaged in the sale of marijuana while acting as an unlicensed health care practitioner.
According to Special Investigations Unit, Ray Cunningham was selling Florida Medical Marijuana Certifications Cards that were fraudulent for approximately $350 dollars each.
The suspect was telling the people who purchased these certifications they were allowed to possess a certain amount of marijuana regardless of Florida law.
Ray Cunningham was charged with Unlicensed Practice of Health Care Profession, Practice Medicine without a License, Obtaining Property by False Personation, Sale of Cannabis, Possession Of Cannabis with Intent to Sell, Possession Of Cannabis more than 20 grams, Use and Display of Official County Seal.
Margherita Cunningham was charged with Scheme to Defraud, Sale of Cannabis, Possession of Cannabis with Intent to Sell and Possession of Less than 20 grams of Cannabis.
The Melbourne Police Department wants to warn the people who purchased these certification cards that they are fraudulent and do not give anyone the authority to legally possess marijuana.
In addition, the people who purchased these certification cards are victims of this scam and the investigators would like anyone who purchased these cards to come forward and participate in the suspect’s prosecution.
If anyone has any information that could help detectives with these type investigations, please call Central Florida Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477).
Calls to Crimeline are anonymous, and tips that lead to an arrest may be eligible for a cash reward.
