Ernest Earl Erbe, Jr., a/k/a Richard Allen Dixon was arrested in the Southern District of Florida for bank fraud in connection with a mortgage loan.

A criminal complaint signed on June 1, 2006, charges that Erbe, using the name Richard Allen Dixon, made false statements to obtain loans totaling $1.1 million to purchase a residence at 5810 Center Street, Jupiter, Florida. The complaint alleges that the loan applications contained a false name and Social Security Number. It further alleges that Erbe falsely claimed that he did not owe any child support and that he was not the subject of any pending lawsuits. It also asserts that “Dixon” signed a sworn statement to the lender falsely stating that he had never used any other name, when, in fact, his birth name was Ernest Earl Erbe, Jr. Erbe was arrested as he departed for the Bahamas on his personal boat.

If convicted, he faces up to thirty (30) years imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, and forfeiture of the residence at 5810 Center Street.

Erbe had his initial appearance on June 1, 2006, before United States Magistrate Judge Ann E. Vitunac in Fort Pierce, Florida. Erbe remains in custody at this time. Erbe’s next court appearance is a pretrial detention hearing on June 7, 2006, before United States Magistrate Judge James Hopkins in Fort Pierce, Florida.