Four Florida suspects have been arrested and extradited to Nevada after deputies said elderly residents in the Virginia City Highlands were contacted by people pretending to be federal agents and bank fraud investigators.
The Storey County Sheriff’s Office said the victims were contacted in May 2025, according to KRXI. Deputies said the victims were defrauded of a substantially large amount of cash, and the suspects traveled from Broward County, Florida, to Storey County addresses to collect cash and other valuable items.
The investigation has expanded beyond the original Virginia City Highlands victims. Storey County detectives said they have identified numerous other victims in Nevada and around the country.
The suspects have been identified as Jeoffrey White, Haydn Thelusma, Inari Nelson, and Armani Anderson. The case remains active, and the accusations against the suspects have not all been resolved in court.
Deputies Say the Scam Used Fake Federal Agents
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Storey County deputies said the victims were contacted by people claiming to represent federal law enforcement or bank fraud investigators.
In an earlier report on the same investigation, a victim told authorities that people claiming to be FBI agents came to her home over several weeks after about a month of contact. The victim said they threatened arrest if she did not comply.
The first arrest in the case came after investigators identified Jeoffrey White as a suspect, according to earlier local reporting. Deputies said White was arrested in Florida on a Storey County warrant before being extradited to Nevada.
Four Suspects Were Extradited From Florida
After an extensive investigation, Storey County detectives obtained arrest warrants and worked with the Broward County Sheriff’s Office to locate the suspects.
White, 26, of Coconut Creek, Florida, was arrested and extradited to Storey County on Oct. 16, 2025. Thelusma, 24, of Sunrise, Florida, was arrested and extradited on Nov. 21, 2025.
Nelson, 23, also of Sunrise, was arrested and extradited on March 18, 2026. Anderson, 27, of North Lauderdale, Florida, was arrested and extradited on July 2, 2026.
Storey County detectives are also working with the Broward County Sheriff’s Office Gang Task Force as the investigation continues.
The Case Has Grown Beyond Storey County
The sheriff’s office said detectives have identified numerous other victims in Nevada and across the country. Deputies did not release a full loss amount or describe the other cases in detail.
Thelusma is expected to be sentenced next month in Storey County District Court for his portion of the criminal activity, according to the sheriff’s office update.
The investigation remains ongoing.
A Home Pickup Is a Red Flag in Elder Fraud Cases
Federal agencies and bank fraud investigators do not send strangers to a person’s home to collect cash, gold, cards, or valuables.
The FBI has warned about courier-style scams in which criminals pressure victims, often older adults, to turn assets into cash or precious metals before sending someone to pick them up. In many cases, the caller claims the money must be moved to protect it, clear the victim’s name, or avoid arrest.
Anyone who receives a call from someone claiming to be a federal agent, bank investigator, or law enforcement officer should end the call and verify the claim through a known public number. If a caller is arranging an in-person pickup, the person should contact local law enforcement before leaving the house or meeting anyone.