Jennifer Garula-Mers Faces Felony Charges in Major Theft Case
Jennifer Garula-Mers of Spring Hill, Florida Arrested Held With No Bond
SyndicatedNews | SNN.BZ
Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies issued a warrant for the arrest of 53-year-old Jennifer Garula-Mers of Spring Hill, Florida yesterday, November 20, 2025 for Grand Theft over $20,000 and less than $100,000, F.S.S. 812.014(2)(b)(1). She was taken into custody yesterday by the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office. She is being held on No Bond until First Appearance.
Spring Hill, FL – Authorities in Polk County have issued a warrant for the arrest of 53-year-old Jennifer Garula-Mers, a resident of Spring Hill, Florida, on charges of grand theft involving more than $20,000 but less than $100,000. The arrest, carried out by the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office on November 20, 2025, has sent ripples through the local business community, where Garula-Mers is known for her involvement in local real estate and investment ventures.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), the warrant stems from an investigation into alleged financial misconduct under Florida Statute 812.014(2)(b)(1), which classifies theft in this monetary range as a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison and fines up to $5,000. Details of the case remain limited as the investigation is ongoing, but sources close to the matter indicate the theft may involve embezzlement or fraudulent transactions tied to business dealings in Hernando and Polk counties.
Garula-Mers was apprehended without incident on the evening of November 20 by deputies from the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, acting on the PCSO warrant. She is currently being held at the Land O’ Lakes Detention Center on a no-bond status, pending her first appearance in court. No court date has been scheduled as of press time, but legal experts anticipate a hearing within the next 24-48 hours, in line with Florida’s procedural timelines for felony arrests.
PCSO spokesperson Carrie Horstman emphasized the agency’s commitment to protecting residents from financial crimes. “Grand theft of this magnitude erodes trust in our communities and businesses,” Horstman stated in a release. “We encourage anyone with information related to this case to come forward.” Tips can be submitted anonymously to Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477) or online via the PCSO website.
The case has drawn attention due to Garula-Mers’ profile in Spring Hill, a growing suburb northwest of Tampa. Neighbors and associates expressed shock on social media, with one local business owner posting, “Jennifer was always so professional— this is unbelievable.” While no prior criminal history for Garula-Mers was immediately available, the swift execution of the warrant highlights the collaborative efforts between Hernando and Polk County law enforcement.
As the legal process unfolds, community members are left grappling with the implications of white-collar crime in their backyard. Updates on the case will be provided as they become available from official sources. For more information on grand theft statutes in Florida, visit the Florida Statutes online portal.
Key Allegations and Evidence from PCSO Affidavit
The affidavit outlines a pattern of self-enrichment without board approval, detailed as follows (paraphrased from PCSO’s release for clarity):
| Category of Theft | Description | Amount | Evidence Cited |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unauthorized Salary Increases | Hired at $80,000/year in July 2020. Self-approved multiple raises starting November 2020 (e.g., to $85,000, then incrementally to $99,472 by 2023), bypassing board oversight. | $43,105.86 | Payroll stubs, direct deposit records, and lack of board meeting minutes approving changes. Garula-Mers was the sole signatory on payroll. |
| Extra Payroll Checks | Issued herself additional checks beyond approved salary, signed by Garula-Mers. | $20,348.89 | Bank transaction logs and canceled checks traced to her personal account. |
| Unauthorized Bonuses | Self-awarded bonuses, including one in late 2020 shortly after hiring. | $12,500.00 | Bonus deposit slips without corresponding performance metrics or board approval. |
| Credit Card Misuse | Charged personal/non-business expenses (e.g., retail purchases, travel not tied to EPCAR events) on the corporate card. | $3,267.51 | Itemized statements from the card issuer, cross-referenced with EPCAR expense policies; no reimbursements sought. |
| Retirement Account Manipulation | Increased EPCAR’s contribution rate to her individual 401(k)-style account without authorization. | $7,938.27 | IRA provider records showing rate hike from standard 3% to higher percentage, effective post-hiring. |
| Improper Reimbursements | Submitted and approved false expense reports for personal items. | $2,112.97 | Receipt audits revealing non-business items (e.g., home goods); self-approved via accounting software. |
| **Total | $81,453.92 | Comprehensive forensic audit by PCSO accountants. |
- Additional Supporting Facts:
- Discovery Process: RJ Webb (EPCAR President, 2021–2023) and his father noticed irregularities in 2021 during board reviews. Garula-Mers refused document requests, citing “executive privilege.” The board initially dismissed concerns, but a 2023 civil lawsuit compelled production of records, exposing discrepancies.
- Related Threats: In September 2024, Webb received an anonymous call from “Anthony from Chicago” demanding lawsuit withdrawal. PCSO traced a burner phone (purchased in Orlando) to David Stachowiak (55, Weeki Wachee), hired by Garula-Mers for “paving work” at her home. Stachowiak was arrested October 2024 for extortion, evidence tampering, and related charges—further corroborating Garula-Mers’ involvement.
- No Prior Authorization: Affidavit includes sworn statements from EPCAR board members confirming no votes or approvals for the transactions. Garula-Mers had sole access to QuickBooks and banking portals.
- Motive/Opportunity: As CEO, she controlled finances with minimal oversight in a small non-profit (EPCAR had ~200 members, budget under $500,000/year).
- Discovery Process: RJ Webb (EPCAR President, 2021–2023) and his father noticed irregularities in 2021 during board reviews. Garula-Mers refused document requests, citing “executive privilege.” The board initially dismissed concerns, but a 2023 civil lawsuit compelled production of records, exposing discrepancies.
Sheriff Judd emphasized in the affidavit narrative (per press conference): “Our investigation found that she made unauthorized raises and bonuses to herself, and non-business credit card charges that began within a few months after she was hired in 2020. Jennifer Garula-Mers is a thief and stole tens of thousands of dollars from the association. I urge all nonprofit associations to have effective checks and balances in place.”
Status and Next Steps
- Custody: Garula-Mers remains at Hernando County Detention Center (no bond). Extradition to Polk County pending first appearance (likely completed by November 23, 2025). Arraignment in Polk County Circuit Court expected within 21 days.
- Impact: EPCAR is merging with another association due to financial strain; board issued a statement supporting the investigation.
This article is based on official statements from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Hernando County Sheriff’s Office. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
