Thirteen Halifax County, N.C. residents, suspected of masterminding a family auto insurance fraud ring that allegedly swindled insurance companies out of $56,000 in fraudulent motorcycle and auto claims has been apprehended by Sheriff’s Department and Department of Motor Vehicle License and Theft Enforcement officers.
“This is one of the largest arrests in recent department history,” Insurance Commissioner Jim Long said. “Our investigators had to seek out each suspect individually. We now have the opportunity to investigate this case more carefully and potentially see the suspects in court.”
Claims adjusters from Nationwide, Geico and GMAC insurance companies grew suspicious of possible fraudulent activity after claims with strikingly similar stories and circumstances began popping up in Durham, Rocky Mount, Ahoskie, Roanoke Rapids, Oxford and Raleigh. From February to June of 2005, Department investigators suspect that an estimated 13 motorcycle crashes were deliberately caused so the defendants could collect insurance payments.
Twelve of the 13 suspects were taken into custody last week, and the suspected ringleader, Joe Louis Jefferson (also known as Andrew Stansberry) of Roanoke Rapids, was arrested late Thursday night.
Others arrested include: Danzella Evans of Enfield; Timothy K. Harvey of Roanoke Rapids; Nathan Higgs of Roanoke Rapids; Reginald R. Ivey of Roanoke Rapids; Donnie M. Jefferson of Littleton; Joe L. Jefferson of Roanoke Rapids; Sapata D. Jefferson of Littleton; Michael Stansbury of Roanoke Rapids; Carlton L. Wilkins of Littleton; Turrell Wills of Littleton; Christopher L. Wood of Halifax; and Jackie J. Wood of Littleton.
Charges included obtaining property by false pretenses, financial identity fraud and conspiracy to obtain property by false pretenses. Several of the suspects had prior records for other charges as well.
The Department of Insurance employs 21 sworn law enforcement officers dedicated to investigating claims of insurance fraud. In 2005, these investigators saw 90 cases successfully closed with more than $25.8 million recovered in restitution and 52 guilty convictions.
Topics Auto Fraud North Carolina
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