(Image courtesy of Second Chance Veterans Foundation)
Blake listed an E. International Speedway Blvd. address as the location of his foundation's office. The owner of the building said Blake paid for 1 month's rent and neglected to pay rent for 6 months. Blake met with the owner and a detective, who was introduced as a friend and dressed as a civilian, and said one of the Hilton's family members was going to give him funds and that he would soon have money to pay rent. The detective asked Blake about the foundation and recorded their conversation. Blake said he started the foundation with $40,000 of his own money and he showed the detective the giveaway and videos from the golf tournament. On December 21, detectives contacted Debary Gold and Country Club about Blake. They said Blake did not pay upfront and kept making excuses for why he could not pay. Blake charged 40 attendees $100 each for lunch and to play golf. A week after the event Blake gave the club the bad check and the club expressed that Blake has yet to pay them. The Holiday Inn advised detectives that Blake asked them to be a sponsor of his organization. They donated $100 and Blake said they would be advertised as a donor and would receive golf t-shirts with their logo. The Holiday Inn said they never received anything from Blake. Blake also asked the Holiday Inn to donate the rooms for his tournament. They declined but offered a discount. The room charge of $956.30 was never paid after Blake's debit card was declined. Detectives also made contact with retired NFL player Gerald Riggs who was advertised as the celebrity guest at the golf tournament. Riggs said Blake was supposed to pay him $2,500 for his appearance, but the check Blake gave him was returned due to insufficient funds. Blake was arrested Friday morning and transported to the Sheriff's Operations Center in Daytona Beach for questioning. Blake has been charged with organizing a scheme to defraud and is being held on a $10,000 bond. The case is ongoing and the VCSO urges anyone who has donated to Second Chance Veterans Foundation or has been victimized by Blake to call 386-254-1537.(Blake mugshot courtesy of Volusia County Corrections)
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