State Police Reported Multiple Insurance Fraud Arrests This Month

The Louisiana State Police Insurance Fraud and Auto Theft Unit is reporting the month of June was rife with fraud arrests that altogether yielded more than $130,000.

LSP Superintendent Col. Michael D. Edmonson reported investigations occurring across the state concluded in 12 arrests for mutliple fraud-related crimes such as staged crashes, “jump-in” crashes, fraudulent injury claims and worker’s compensation fraud.

State Police investigators worked with the Louisiana Department of Insurance, local judicial offices, and the Louisiana Attorney General’s office in investigating the fraud cases.

Below is the complete list of  arrests as reported by the Louisiana State Police.

• On June 4, 2015, Troopers arrested 32 year old Terrence Jackson of Albany, LA pursuant to a State Police warrant charging him with one count of Insurance Fraud. A State Police investigation determined that on September 14, 2014, Jackson participated with others in staging a two vehicle crash using a rented U-Haul truck. Through the investigation, it was determined that all involved parties knew each other and staged the rear end collision using the rented U-Haul truck in an attempt to collect money from an insurance settlement. The fraud amount in this case was estimated to be $40,603.24 by Repwest Insurance. The others arrested in connection with this investigation are Kiara Claiborne, 21, of Albany, LA arrested on June 23 and  Tamata Cooper, 24, of Albany, LA arrested on June 11.All subjects were booked into the Tangipahoa Parish Prison with one count of Insurance Fraud.

• On June 4, 2015, Troopers arrested 28 year old Krystall Powell of Marrero, LA charged with one count of insurance fraud. Troopers’ investigation revealed that on April 14, 2014, Powell participated with others in staging a two vehicle rear-end collision involving a rented U-Haul truck. Powell along with others filed fraudulent injury claims with U-Haul’s insurer, Repwest, in an attempt to collect money from an insurance settlement. The potential fraud amount has not yet been determined. Willie Storey, Jr., 63, of New Orleans was also arrested in connection with this case on June 8, 2015. Both subjects were booked into the Orleans Parish Central Lock Up on one count of Insurance Fraud.

• On June 4, 2015, 33 year old Lashonta Bridgewater of Hammond, LA was placed into custody and booked into the Tangipahoa Parish Prison on one count of Insurance Fraud. The arrest followed Bridgewater’s participation in a staged crash involving a rented U-Haul truck on August 3, 2012. Following the staged crash, Bridgewater filed a fraudulent injury claim with Repwest Insurance in an attempt to collect money from the insurance settlement. The fraud amount was estimated at $40,798.12 by Repwest Insurance. Christopher Bridgewater, 29, of Hammond, LA was also arrested in connection with this case on June 25, 2015 and booked into the Tangipahoa Parish Prison with one count of Insurance Fraud. More arrests are expected in this case.

• On June 16, 2015, 25-year-old Tonya Dixon and 24-year-old Kevia Kinchen both of Baton Rouge, LA were arrested on one count each of Insurance Fraud and booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison. LSP Investigators determined that Dixon and Kinchen attempted to defraud Go-Auto by claiming there were three additional passengers in their vehicle when rear-ended by one of Go-Auto’s insured drivers. The investigation revealed this claim to be fraudulent and that Dixon and Kinchen both gave false statements in an attempt to collect money from an insurance settlement. The fraud amount in this case was estimated at $32,200 by Go-Auto Insurance.

• On June 9, 2015, 45 year old Toni Thomas of Shreveport was arrested and booked into the Caddo Correctional Center pursuant to a State Police warrant for one count of Insurance Fraud and one count of Filing False Public Records. A State Police investigation determined that on June 20, 2012, Thomas’ vehicle was struck by another vehicle insured by State Farm insurance while it was parked unoccupied in a parking lot. Thomas made false statements to the Shreveport Police Officer investigating the crash that she and her son were in the vehicle at the time of the collision. Thomas filed an injury claim with State Farm claiming her son received injuries during the collision in an attempt to collect money from an insurance settlement. The fraud amount in this case was estimated at $2,000.

• On June 22, 2015, Troopers arrested 27 year old Rhaneka Mathews of Schriever, LA for seven counts of Insurance Fraud. The arrest was the result of a false insurance claim filed in June of 2014 with Farm Bureau alleging her vehicle was involved in a hit and run crash in a store parking lot. Mathews also claimed that there were six children in the vehicle that received injuries at the time of the crash in an attempt to collect money from an insurance settlement. The fraud amount in this case was estimated at $4,451 by Farm Bureau. Mathews was booked into the Lafourche Parish Jail without incident.

•  On June 25, 2015, 31 year old Keon Antoine of Baton Rouge was arrested and booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on one count of Insurance Fraud. A State Police Investigation determined Antoine filed a false claim with State Farm insurance alleging he was injured as a result of a crash involving a State Farm insured vehicle. The investigation revealed that the vehicle was never involved in a crash and that Antoine’s claim was completely fabricated. The fraud amount in this case was estimated at $10,056.13 by State Farm.

The public plays an integral role in identifying suspects accused of these crimes and is strongly urged to report criminal or suspicious activity.  For more information and/or to contact the Louisiana State Police Insurance Fraud and Auto Theft Unit visit www.lsp.org/ifu.html

The Louisiana State Police on-line reporting system is available to the public through a convenient and secure reporting form that is submitted to the appropriate investigators.  Citizens can access the form by visiting www.lsp.org and clicking the Suspicious Activity link.