Altamonte Springs Refinery Tied to Multi-State Gold Scam Targeting Seniors; Two Arrested

Orlando Gold Refinery in Altamonte Springs was one of three businesses searched this week as investigators executed coordinated warrants in a multi-state probe into a so-called gold bar scam that reportedly targeted senior citizens. ClickOrlando identified the two men arrested Wednesday at the Altamonte Springs refinery as Timothy Michael Odell and John Wesley Timmerman; one report listed Odell as 47 and Timmerman as 48. Authorities say the arrests were made on warrants issued in Texas.

Collin County Sheriff’s Office in Texas is leading the investigation, with Seminole County Sheriff’s Office assisting and executing the search warrant at the Orlando Gold Refinery location, officials reported. Investigators used months of digital forensics to trace transactions and movement of assets to three businesses in Florida, Texas and Georgia, according to reporting that summarized law enforcement statements. Yahoo reported investigators arrived at the Seminole County business after months of coordinated digital work.

Local and out-of-state reports describe a pattern in which callers posed as law enforcement or regulatory officials, pressured victims - often senior citizens - to withdraw money, purchase gold bars and hand the bars to couriers for safekeeping. ClickOrlando and WESH reported investigators believe portions of the gold were transported to affiliated businesses, including the Altamonte Springs refinery, for processing and melting to hide origin and make the assets untraceable.

Searches were carried out at Orlando Gold Refinery, a jewelry store in Richardson, Texas and a store in Decatur, Georgia. 11Alive named the two other locations as Malani Jewelers in Richardson and Malani Jewelers in Decatur. Investigators removed what 11Alive described as “dozens of boxes filled with jewelry and gold,” and that outlet reported authorities seized “nearly $100 million in gold” from the three businesses; other outlets confirmed boxes and property were removed but did not provide an independent valuation.

ClickOrlando reported both Odell and Timmerman face charges of engaging in organized criminal activity and abuse of the elderly greater than $150,000. The arrests in Altamonte Springs were made on the Texas warrants; news excerpts do not indicate whether Florida charges were filed or whether extradition proceedings have begun.

Collin County Sheriff Jim Skinner condemned the alleged scheme, saying, “They are so heartless, this is so cold-blooded.” Collin County Sheriff’s Office described the locations searched as connected to “the financial and gold processing components under review in this investigation.” The agency asked anyone who believes they may be connected to the probe to email CCSOScam@collincountytx.gov.

Investigators say the operation remains under active review and that additional leads are being pursued across jurisdictions. Seminole County residents who bank or hold physical precious metals should review recent transactions and contact their financial institution or Seminole County Sheriff’s Office if they believe they were contacted under similar pretenses, as law enforcement continues to gather seizure inventories and clarify the scope of alleged losses.