Topline: Detectives uncovered an ongoing financial fraud scheme, with large sums of money being transferred from the victim’s accounts to fraudulent accounts linked to Schiliro, police said.
Published: February 27, 2025 8:30 am ET
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Left: Joseph Romano (via U.S. Department of Justice). Right: Joseph Schiliro (via Pinellas County Sheriff's Office).
VALRICO, FL — Authorities have arrested two men in connection with a homicide investigation that began as a missing person case in January 2025.
Joseph Schiliro, 45, and Silviano Christman, 31, were arrested for their respective roles in the exploitation and eventual murder of 71-year-old Joseph Romano.
According to a press release, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office received a missing persons report on January 16, 2025, regarding 71-year-old Joseph Romano.
Through investigative means, detectives discovered that Joseph Schiliro, 45, was attempting to retrieve Romano’s mail at the apartment complex where he lived. Detectives also uncovered an ongoing financial fraud scheme, with large sums of money being transferred from the victim’s accounts to fraudulent accounts linked to Schiliro, police said.
Further investigation revealed that Silviano Christman, 31, flew to Tampa from New York on January 3, 2025, and was with Schiliro during that time.
On February 13, 2025, a search warrant was served at Schiliro’s residence, where detectives discovered dismembered human remains in the backyard.
The remains were later identified as Romano.
According to police, the remains were discovered in the 2500 block of Regal River Road in Valrico, Florida.
On February 20, 2025, Silviano Christman was arrested by the New York Police Department Regional Fugitive Task Force and now faces the following charges:
- Pre-Meditated First-Degree Murder
- Conspiracy to Commit Pre-Meditated First-Degree Murder
- Burglary with Battery
- Abuse of a Dead Body
- Fraudulent Use of Personally identifiable information of a Deceased Person
On February 21, 2025, Joseph Schiliro was arrested in Pinellas County by the U.S. Marshals Task Force and now faces the following charges:
- Pre-Meditated First-Degree Murder
- Conspiracy to Commit Pre-Meditated First-Degree Murder
- Burglary with Battery
- Fraudulent Use of Personally identifiable information of a Deceased Person
- Fraudulent Use of Personally identifiable information
- Money Laundering
- Exploitation of a Disabled Adult
“The actions of these two men are despicable and deeply disturbing,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “Through deceit and violence, they exploited and took the life of another individual. Thanks to the determined efforts of our detectives and law enforcement partners, they are both now behind bars. We remain committed to seeking justice for the victim and his loved ones.”
A mugshot for Christman was not available as of Wednesday evening.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Two Arrested After Victim of Fraud Scheme Found Dismembered in Florida Backyard
Detectives uncovered an ongoing financial fraud scheme, with large sums of money being transferred from the victim’s accounts to fraudulent accounts linked to Schiliro, police said.
By Jacob Charles
Published: February 27, 2025 8:30 am ET
Left: Joseph Romano (via U.S. Department of Justice). Right: Joseph Schiliro (via Pinellas County Sheriff's Office).
VALRICO, FL — Authorities have arrested two men in connection with a homicide investigation that began as a missing person case in January 2025.
Joseph Schiliro, 45, and Silviano Christman, 31, were arrested for their respective roles in the exploitation and eventual murder of 71-year-old Joseph Romano.
According to a press release, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office received a missing persons report on January 16, 2025, regarding 71-year-old Joseph Romano.
Through investigative means, detectives discovered that Joseph Schiliro, 45, was attempting to retrieve Romano’s mail at the apartment complex where he lived. Detectives also uncovered an ongoing financial fraud scheme, with large sums of money being transferred from the victim’s accounts to fraudulent accounts linked to Schiliro, police said.
Further investigation revealed that Silviano Christman, 31, flew to Tampa from New York on January 3, 2025, and was with Schiliro during that time.
On February 13, 2025, a search warrant was served at Schiliro’s residence, where detectives discovered dismembered human remains in the backyard.
The remains were later identified as Romano.
According to police, the remains were discovered in the 2500 block of Regal River Road in Valrico, Florida.
On February 20, 2025, Silviano Christman was arrested by the New York Police Department Regional Fugitive Task Force and now faces the following charges:
- Pre-Meditated First-Degree Murder
- Conspiracy to Commit Pre-Meditated First-Degree Murder
- Burglary with Battery
- Abuse of a Dead Body
- Fraudulent Use of Personally identifiable information of a Deceased Person
On February 21, 2025, Joseph Schiliro was arrested in Pinellas County by the U.S. Marshals Task Force and now faces the following charges:
- Pre-Meditated First-Degree Murder
- Conspiracy to Commit Pre-Meditated First-Degree Murder
- Burglary with Battery
- Fraudulent Use of Personally identifiable information of a Deceased Person
- Fraudulent Use of Personally identifiable information
- Money Laundering
- Exploitation of a Disabled Adult
“The actions of these two men are despicable and deeply disturbing,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “Through deceit and violence, they exploited and took the life of another individual. Thanks to the determined efforts of our detectives and law enforcement partners, they are both now behind bars. We remain committed to seeking justice for the victim and his loved ones.”
A mugshot for Christman was not available as of Wednesday evening.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Two Arrested After Victim of Fraud Scheme Found Dismembered in Florida Backyard
Detectives uncovered an ongoing financial fraud scheme, with large sums of money being transferred from the victim’s accounts to fraudulent accounts linked to Schiliro, police said.
By Jacob Charles
Published: February 27, 2025 8:30 am ET
Left: Joseph Romano (via U.S. Department of Justice). Right: Joseph Schiliro (via Pinellas County Sheriff's Office).
VALRICO, FL — Authorities have arrested two men in connection with a homicide investigation that began as a missing person case in January 2025.
Joseph Schiliro, 45, and Silviano Christman, 31, were arrested for their respective roles in the exploitation and eventual murder of 71-year-old Joseph Romano.
According to a press release, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office received a missing persons report on January 16, 2025, regarding 71-year-old Joseph Romano.
Through investigative means, detectives discovered that Joseph Schiliro, 45, was attempting to retrieve Romano’s mail at the apartment complex where he lived. Detectives also uncovered an ongoing financial fraud scheme, with large sums of money being transferred from the victim’s accounts to fraudulent accounts linked to Schiliro, police said.
Further investigation revealed that Silviano Christman, 31, flew to Tampa from New York on January 3, 2025, and was with Schiliro during that time.
On February 13, 2025, a search warrant was served at Schiliro’s residence, where detectives discovered dismembered human remains in the backyard.
The remains were later identified as Romano.
According to police, the remains were discovered in the 2500 block of Regal River Road in Valrico, Florida.
On February 20, 2025, Silviano Christman was arrested by the New York Police Department Regional Fugitive Task Force and now faces the following charges:
- Pre-Meditated First-Degree Murder
- Conspiracy to Commit Pre-Meditated First-Degree Murder
- Burglary with Battery
- Abuse of a Dead Body
- Fraudulent Use of Personally identifiable information of a Deceased Person
On February 21, 2025, Joseph Schiliro was arrested in Pinellas County by the U.S. Marshals Task Force and now faces the following charges:
- Pre-Meditated First-Degree Murder
- Conspiracy to Commit Pre-Meditated First-Degree Murder
- Burglary with Battery
- Fraudulent Use of Personally identifiable information of a Deceased Person
- Fraudulent Use of Personally identifiable information
- Money Laundering
- Exploitation of a Disabled Adult
“The actions of these two men are despicable and deeply disturbing,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “Through deceit and violence, they exploited and took the life of another individual. Thanks to the determined efforts of our detectives and law enforcement partners, they are both now behind bars. We remain committed to seeking justice for the victim and his loved ones.”
A mugshot for Christman was not available as of Wednesday evening.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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