Keith Oelerich, Wire Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft, Florida 2025

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Apopka Man Sentenced for Wire Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft

Orlando, Florida – In a shocking turn of events, Keith Oelerich, a 62-year-old resident of Apopka, has been sentenced to five years and five months in federal prison for his role in a complex wire fraud and aggravated identity theft scheme.

According to court documents, Oelerich, the owner of Empire Sheds and More, LLC, a portable storage shed company, entered into an agreement with a loan financing company in December 2018. Under the agreement, Empire Sheds submitted rent-to-own contracts between Empire Sheds and its customers for the rental and purchase of sheds. The loan financing company paid Empire Sheds the purchase price of the sheds, and Empire Sheds’ customers were required to pay the loan financing company regular monthly rental payments for the sheds under the terms of the rent-to-own agreements.

However, between December 2018 and September 2023, Oelerich used the personal identifiable information of others to create 1,043 false and fraudulent rent-to-own agreements and submitted those false and fraudulent agreements to the loan financing company. As a result, the loan financing company paid Oelerich a total of $17,964,680, the purchase prices of the sheds referenced in the agreements. In fact, most of the sheds did not exist.

Oelerich’s scheme was uncovered by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, who investigated the case. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diane Hu, who stated that Oelerich used this scheme to obtain loan proceeds to which he was not entitled and to enrich himself.

The court also entered an order of forfeiture in the amount of $17,964,680, the proceeds of the wire fraud offense. Oelerich pleaded guilty on September 22, 2025, and was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Julie S. Sneed.

U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement, stating that Oelerich’s sentence serves as a reminder that those who engage in complex financial crimes will be held accountable for their actions.

The case serves as a warning to individuals and businesses who engage in similar schemes, and highlights the importance of proper due diligence and oversight in financial transactions.