SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - A South Florida pastor and an associate are behind bars after, authorities said, they orchestrated a months-long fraud scheme that targeted immigrants seeking legal assistance, using a church as the front.
Pastor Nelson David Ochoa Vásquez was arrested Thursday at La Iglesia de Dios Jireh, located on Southwest 40th Street in Southwest Miami-Dade, which houses three different congregations.
The 46-year-old was charged in connection with an organized fraud investigation by the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Organized Crimes Bureau that they called Operation Broken Dreams.
A co-defendant, 45-year-old Ismer Gonzalez, was arrested separately the same day.
According to arrest reports, between April 2024 and January 2025, Ochoa Vásquez introduced at least 16 victims to Gonzalez through his church, falsely claiming Gonzalez was an immigration attorney who could help them obtain work permits and driver’s licenses.
Victims paid more than $21,000 through Zelle payments made to a company registered to Gonzalez, Brothers Multiservicio LLC, or in cash directly to Ochoa Vásquez, according to the reports.
Detectives said neither man provided the promised services or issued refunds. Instead, they took the money and deposited it into an account belonging to Gonzalez.
Subpoenaed financial records show the funds were “depleted on personal expenses, including high-end purchases from Gucci, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Versace, Bottega Veneta and Fendi, as well as travel to South America and Europe.”
Friday afternoon, a 7News crew paid a visit to Ochoa Vásquez’s home. His family declined to speak with them on camera.
A view inside the church captured the house of worship completely empty.
Florida Bar records confirm neither Gonzalez nor Ochoa Vásquez is licensed to practice law in the state.
Ochoa Vásquez and Gonzalez were arrested and taken to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in West Miami-Dade.
Due to the amount of victims, authorities said, a Nebbia hearing is necessary to make sure Ochoa Vásquez and Gonzalez are not using the money they allegedly defrauded out of these people as bond money, so both suspects are staying in jail for the time being.
Officials said Gonzalez has two outstanding warrants out of North Carolina for the same crime.
Ironically, Ochoa Vásquez is being held on an immigration hold.
Detectives believe there are additional victims, and they are asking for them to come forward to report and/or provide any additional information about this case.
If you have any information that could help detectives in their investigation, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.
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