Convictions

On 25 May 2023, in Cross County Circuit Court (CR 22-404) she entered a plea of guilty to one count of criminal attempt, Fraudulent Insurance Act (Class A Misdemeanor) and was sentenced to one year probation and a $1,500 fine, plus court costs. Between 14 May 2021 and 26 November 2021, Lakeisha Frost from Wynne, AR in Cross County filed 21 fictitious claims with AFLAC Insurance totaling $1,560 being paid out to which she was not entitled. She made full restitution on the case before the charges were filed.

On 04 May 2023, in the Circuit Court of Jefferson County, case # 35 CR 22-443 Sydney Dowd (27 of Pine Bluff) entered a plea of No Contest to one count of Fraudulent Insurance Acts (Class D Felony). She was sentenced to two (2) years of supervised probation, and was ordered to pay a fine of $500, plus court costs. On April 9, 2022, near midnight, there was a flood at Henslee Heights Apartments in Pine Bluff. Sydney Dowd was a resident at said apartment complex, in unit L15. The apartment manager, Robyn Wood, stated that she received an emergency call from apartment L14 and believed the flood to have started in apartment L24. On April 10, 2022, Wood wanted to gain access to Dowd’s unit to see if there was any water damage. Wood attempted to contact Dowd at 11:32 a.m., on April 10, but was unable to do so. Due to the flooding situation, Wood accessed Dowd’s apartment and discovered that it did have water damage. Wood was able to reach Dowd at 12:05 p.m., on April 10, and inform her of the situation and water damage. Later on April 10, at approximately 12:45 p.m., Dowd initiated a renter’s insurance policy for the aforementioned apartment with Allstate Insurance, after the apartment complex had notified her of the water damage. The policy had personal property limits of $50,000. Two days later, on April 12, Dowd filed a claim with Allstate Insurance under the renter’s policy, claiming water damage. Dowd claimed that the water damage occurred on April 11 at 1:30 a.m., and filed a police report on April 11, also alleging the water damage to have occurred on April 11. A claims representative from Allstate took a recorded telephone statement from Dowd on April 13, at which time, Dowd again stated that the loss occurred at 1:30 a.m. on Monday, April 11. Dowd stated that several items in the apartment were damaged. Dowd gave a false date of loss, knowing that damage had occurred to her apartment before she took out her renter’s policy. The claim was denied and no funds were paid. On May 4, 2023, in the Circuit Court of Jefferson County, case # 35 CR 22-443 Sydney Dowd (27 of Pine Bluff) entered a plea of No Contest to one count of Fraudulent Insurance Acts (Class D Felony). She was sentenced to two (2) years of supervised probation, and was ordered to pay a fine of $500, plus court costs.

On 04 May 2023, in Monroe County Circuit Court (48CR-22-58), Kamyra Robinson entered a negotiated plea of guilty to one count of Fraudulent Insurance Act (Class D Felony). She was sentenced to two (2) years of probation and was ordered to pay a $500 fine plus court costs. She was sentenced under Act 346. On 25 August 2021, Kamyra Robinson of Clarendon purchased a Progressive policy insuring her 2015 Lexus ES350. On 28 August 2021, Robinson filed a vehicle damage claim reporting the date of loss to be 27 August 2021, in Little Rock. During the claims process, Robinson submitted two photos of damages to her vehicle. However, the metadata indicated the photos were taken on 18 August 2021, which was before Robinson purchased her Progressive policy. An Arkansas Insurance Department Criminal Investigator later spoke with Kamyra Robinson, and Robinson admitted that the metadata was accurate and that she misrepresented the facts of her loss to obtain benefits.

On 27 April 2023, in the Circuit Court of Cleburne County (12 CR 22-235), Vicky Vines (45 of Quitman) entered a plea of Guilty to one count of Fraudulent Insurance Acts (Class D Felony). She was sentenced to two (2) years of supervised probation and was ordered to pay fine of $500, plus court costs. Vicky Vines had an insurance policy with General Insurance which cancelled on August 20, 2022. On August 30, 2022, Vines’ daughter was involved in an accident at approximately 6:15 p.m., according to the State Police investigative report. Vines’ daughter called Vines and told her about the accident at approximately 6:15 p.m.. After speaking with her daughter and learning of the accident, Vines renewed her insurance policy with General Insurance at approximately 6:31 p.m. On August 31, 2022, Vines called General Insurance and reported the claim. In reporting the claim, Vines stated that the accident had occurred between 7:00 and 7:30 p.m. on the 30th, which was after she had renewed the policy. Since the claim was so near the policy renewal, it was investigated by the insurance company and the claim was denied. An AIDCID investigator spoke with Vines on November 16, 2022, at which time Vines admitted to lying about the time of loss to get coverage.

On 24 April 2023, in the Circuit Court of Faulkner County, (23 CR 22-1006) Douglas Lewis (40 of Conway) entered a plea of Guilty to one count of Fraudulent Insurance Acts (Class D Felony). He was sentenced to two (2) years of supervised probation and was ordered to pay a fine of $500, plus court costs of $440. On September 30, 2021, Douglas Lewis signed a lease agreement for a first-floor room in a house located on College Avenue in Conway, AR. On December 9, 2021, Lewis told his landlord that there was a water leak and that his clothes and some electronics were damaged due to the water. Lewis did not have insurance at the time of this occurrence. On April 2, 2022, Lewis obtained a renter’s insurance policy with Allstate Insurance. On April 4, Lewis filed a claim with Allstate claiming that a pipe had burst upstairs and damaged many of his personal belongings which he valued at $30,000. Lewis claimed the date of loss to be April 3, just one day after he obtained the policy. On June 30, 2022, Lewis gave a statement to an AIDCID investigator, in which he again claimed the date of loss to be April 3, and again claimed to have several items damaged.

On 19 April 2023, in the Circuit Court of Crawford County (17 CR 22-938) Casie Crews (27 of Van Buren) entered a plea of Guilty to one count of Fraudulent Insurance Acts (Class D Felony). She was sentenced to three (3) years of supervised probation, and ordered to pay a fine of $3,000, plus court costs. She was also ordered to perform 30 days of community service. On 12 September 2022, Casie Crews backed a 2014 Nissan truck into her neighbor’s car, which was parked. At the time of the accident, Crews did not have insurance on the 2014 Nissan, which belonged to her live-in fiancé, Jonathan Guynes. After Crews hit the car, Jonathan Guynes went to talk to the neighbor (on the same day) and told the neighbor not to file a claim yet, as there was no insurance on the truck. Guynes explained that a claim could be filed after the insurance was obtained with a date of loss after the policy was taken out. On 18 September 2022, Crews reinstated her policy, adding the 2014 Nissan truck. On 26 September 2022, Crews filed a claim for the above loss, but stated that the date of loss was 26 September 2022, which was after the policy was taken out. During the investigation of the claim, the neighbor provided a photograph which showed to be taken on 13 September 2022. The neighbor explained that he took the photograph the next day when it was light outside. On 18 November 2022, an AIDCID investigator met with Crews, at which time Crews admitted to lying about the date of loss to obtain coverage because she did not have the money to pay for the damage. The claim was denied and no funds were paid.

On 17 April 2023, in Pulaski County Circuit Court (CR21-4251), Penelope Harris entered a plea of no contest to one count of criminal attempt Fraudulent Insurance Act (Class A Misdemeanor). She was sentenced to one year Suspended Imposition of Sentence, and was ordered to pay a $500 fine , plus court costs. In 2021 Penelope Harris purchased a 2008 Toyota Sienna from Precision Auto and insured the vehicle through Safeco Insurance. On 24 May 2021 Penelope Harris filed a vehicle damage claim with Safeco Insurance. Harris said that on 22 May 2021 she parked her 2008 Toyota Sienna in the parking lot of the Longhorn Steakhouse in North Little Rock. Harris later left the restaurant and in doing so, noticed that the rear of her vehicle was damaged. During the claims process, Harris submitted photos of damages to her rear bumper and lift gate and told Safeco that prior to this incident her vehicle was not damaged. Safeco learned that prior to selling to Precision Auto, Atlas Auto Auction took photos of the Sienna that showed the exact same damage that Harris was claiming in her hit and run claim.

On 12 April 2023, in the Calhoun County Circuit Court (CR 22-62), David Banks entered a plea of guilty to one count of Fraudulent Insurance Act (Class D Felony). He was sentenced to 2 years Suspended Imposition of Sentence (SIS), and ordered to pay a $500 fine plus court costs. He was sentenced under Act 346. On May 29, 2021, David Banks filed an insurance claim with State Farm Insurance. Banks claimed on that day, his daughter (Insured) while attempting to park her 2003 Toyota Camry at the “Mad Butcher” parking lot, struck his 2008 Cadillac Escalade. Banks submitted photographs of the damage to his vehicle, and Banks later received a payment of $1,623.56. On May 30, 2021, Banks filed another claim with his own insurance company, Liberty Mutual. Banks claimed on May 30, 2021, he parked his 2008 Cadillac Escalade in the Mad Butcher parking lot and went inside the store. When he exited the store, he discovered he was a victim of a hit and run accident. Banks submitted photographs of the damage to his vehicle that matched the claim he filed with State Farm on May 29, 2021. In his interview with an AIDCID investigator, Banks stated, the accident which occurred on May 29, 2021, in the Mad Butcher parking lot, Main Street, Fordyce, AR. did actually happen. He was meeting his daughter in the parking lot when her vehicle struck his. Banks stated he filed a claim with his daughter's insurance, State Farm, and then went and filed a hit and run claim with his insurance company, Liberty Mutual the next day. Banks stated the accident claimed on May 30, 2021, with the hit and run driver never occurred. Banks admitted to submitting photographs of the same damage to State Farm Insurance and Liberty Mutual Insurance. Banks stated he filed both claims using his cell phone from his residence.

On 10 April 2023, in the Circuit Court of Pulaski County, case (CR23-413), Michael Stokes (36 of Maumelle) entered a plea of Guilty to one count of Fraudulent Insurance Acts (Class D Felony). He was sentenced to two (2) years of Suspended Imposition of Sentence (SIS), and was ordered to pay a fine of $250, plus court costs. On August 31, 2022, Michael Stokes reinstated his automobile insurance policy for his 2011 Chevrolet Camaro with Geico Insurance Company. On September 6, 2022, Stokes filed a claim with Geico Insurance on his Camaro. In his claim, Stokes stated that he hit a post in the Wal-Mart parking lot that resulted in damage to the right rear of his car. Stokes claimed that the accident occurred on September 6, 2022. As the date of loss was so close to the renewal of the policy, the claim was investigated. On September 8, 2022, Stokes gave a recorded statement again stating the date of loss was on September 6 and also agreed to have the data event recorder on his car downloaded and examined. When the data was downloaded, it was found that the accident occurred before the policy was renewed. Later on September 8, Stokes was confronted with the information found on his car’s data recorder and then gave a recorded confession that the accident happened before he reinstated his policy. Stokes then withdrew his claim and no funds were paid.

On 06 April 2023, in the Circuit Court of Pulaski County, case (CR 60 CR22-3936) Debra Hedden (64 of Sherwood) entered a plea of Guilty to one count of Fraudulent Insurance Acts (Class D Felony), one count of Computer Fraud (Class D Felony), and one count of Theft of Property (Class C Felony). She was sentenced to 10 years of supervised probation and was ordered to pay a fine of $500, plus court costs. She was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $18,145.28. On 30 September 2021, the Arkansas State Employees Association (ASEA) reported discovering a fraud involving ASEA employee Debra Hedden regarding funds that were paid for insurance policies for Hedden and her son. Hedden worked for the ASEA for several years and oversaw the accounts regarding the policies in question. To receive insurance benefits, a member of the ASEA has the cost of premiums deducted from their payroll and that amount is deposited into ASEA’s insurance premium account. It is from this account that payments are made to the respected insurance companies. After Hedden’s employment with ASEA was ended in 2021, it was found that Hedden intentionally used funds to pay premiums for policies for her son, who was never a member of ASEA and was not entitled to any benefits. In addition, Hedden requested to cancel deductions from her payroll for certain premium payments, however, Hedden still used ASEA funds to make those premiums and keep her insurance valid. From 01 October 2019, through on 21 May 2021, Debra Hedden used ASEA funds to pay for premiums to which she was not entitled in the amount of $18,145.28.

On 04 April 2023, in the Circuit Court of Perry County (53 CR22-66), Meosha Criswell (44 of Bigelow) entered a plea of Guilty to one count of Fraudulent Insurance Acts (Class D Felony). She was sentenced to two years Suspended Imposition of Sentence, and ordered to pay a fine of $500, plus court costs. On 23 February 2022, Meosha Criswell had an accident in her vehicle at approximately 2:00 p.m. At the time of the accident, Criswell did not have insurance on her vehicle. Criswell’s vehicle was towed by Steve’s Auto Center of Conway. Later on 23 February, Criswell added the vehicle that she had just had an accident in to her insurance policy with GEICO, at approximately 5:14 p.m. On 28 February 2022, Criswell had her daughter-in-law log into her GEICO account and file a claim. In the claim, Criswell reported that the accident occurred on 23 February 2022, at approximately 8:00 p.m. During the claims process, Steve’s Auto Center was contacted and they informed that they were dispatched to the scene at 2:23 p.m., which was before Criswell added insurance to her vehicle. Due to this finding, the claim was denied. On 28 March 2022, an AIDCID investigator met with Criswell at the Perry County Sheriff’s Office and spoke with Criswell about the incident. During this time, Criswell confessed to the investigator that she had lied about the time of loss during the claims process to get coverage on her vehicle.

On March 28, 2023, in Pulaski County Circuit Court (CR 22-425), Kenneth Womack entered a plea of no contest to one count of Criminal Attempt, Fraudulent Insurance Act (Class A Misdemeanor) and was sentenced to one year probation and ordered to pay a $1,500 fine, plus court costs. On March 12, 2021, Kenneth Womack obtained a homeowner’s policy through Travelers Insurance for a residence in Little Rock. On June 23, 2021, he reported a claim of a break-in that occurred on June 21, 2021, and claimed, among other things, that a refrigerator, a stove and a dishwasher were stolen. To support his claim, an invoice from “Aaron’s” was provided reflecting these items. It was later established that this was an altered Aaron’s receipt, and he did not purchase these items from Aaron’s.

On 24 March 2023, in Montgomery County Circuit Court (49CR 22-52), Ceji Francis entered a plea of guilty to one count of Fraudulent Insurance Act (Class D Felony). She was sentenced to 4 years of probation, fined $1,500 and was assessed court costs. She was sentenced under Act 531. Ceji Francis of Norman, Arkansas, in Montgomery County, obtained an insurance policy with Esurance Insurance on October 25, 2021, for her 2011 Toyota 4Runner. She filed a claim on October 27, 2021, with an alleged date of loss of October 26, 2021. Francis gave a statement to Esurance on November 3, 2021, and advised that the accident happened on October 27, 2021. Investigation revealed that on October 24, 2021, the vehicle was uploaded into the tracking system of Davis Brothers Auto. The manager of Davis Brother's, Zach Hamilton, advised that he uploaded the car into the system on the day of the accident. Based off this evidence it appears that Francis obtained a policy a day after the accident actually occurred and lied about the date of loss in an attempt to gain coverage. Conviction Report: Ceji Francis – AIDCID Case #1037/2021

On 14 March 2023, in Pulaski County Circuit Court (CR 22-1166), Keyonna Johnson entered a negotiated plea of guilty to one count of Fraudulent Insurance Act (Class D Felony). She was sentenced to 5 years of probation, a $500 fine and was assessed court costs. This sentence to run concurrent to sentences in CR 22-3949 and CR 21-1175. On 03 January 2022, Keyonna Johnson was stopped by the Cammack Village PD, and her car was impounded because she did not have her driver’s license. The next day, she appeared at the Cammack Village Impound Lot and presented a forged Direct Insurance proof of insurance card and was arrested.

On 06 March 2023, in Pulaski County Circuit Court in CR 22-2352 Raymond Rochelle entered a plea of guilty to one count of Theft of Property (C Felony), and three counts of Forgery 2nd (C felony). He was sentenced to 4 years of probation and a $1,500 fine and was assessed court costs and ordered to pay restitution of $5,644.81 to Americo Insurance, which he remitted by cashier’s check at sentencing. He was sentenced under Act 531.Raymond Rochelle was an insurance agent with Americo Life Insurance. On four separate occasions in April and May of 2021, Rochelle forged the signatures of prospective clients in order to bind coverage an receive commissions to which he was not entitled. The fraudulent commissions that he was paid totaled $5,644.81.

On 06 March 2023, in the Circuit Court of Pulaski County (60 CR22-2083) Lavenia Bell-Billings (65 of Little Rock) entered a plea of No Contest to one count of Fraudulent Insurance Acts (Class D Felony). She was sentenced to one year of probation. She was also ordered to pay a fine of $500, plus court costs. As part of the plea agreement, she was ordered to pay the full amount of restitution to AFLAC Insurance within two weeks. At all times herein, Lavenia Bel-Billings (Bell)l had an insurance policy with AFLAC. Bell filed numerous claims on her policy from May 12, 2017, through March 19, 2021. On one of the claims submitted by Bell, AFLAC needed to verify some information and was unable to do so through the provider. As such, an investigation was opened on the claims that she had submitted. Bell submitted a claim from a Dr. Brown, dated 8/31/18, a claim from Dr. Riley dated 8/5/19, a claim from Dr. Riley dated 10/14/19, a claim from Dr. Riley dated 12/30/20, and another claim from Dr. Riley dated 3/9/20. Upon contacting these providers to verify the dates of treatment and the treatment rendered, it was discovered that Bell was not seen on any of these dates at any of these providers and that Bell had not received her claimed treatment at these doctors as she had claimed and been paid for. Further, the records provided by Bell were not produced by the alleged providers. During this time period, Bell was paid $23,539.44 to which she was not entitled as she had no medical treatment as she had claimed. Bell provided fictitious records on each claim in support of her claim(s). When confronted with this information, Bell confessed the same to a representative from AFLAC, but stated that she misunderstood and would start paying them back. AFLAC sent correspondence to Bell on 23 June 2021, requesting reimbursement in the amount of $69.333.34, representing the amounts she was paid during the time period covered in the applicable statute of limitations and also the amounts on the older claims. As part of the plea agreement, Bell agreed to pay the entire amount of restitution to AFLAC in the amount of $64,533.34, which represents the entire amount less the $4,800 she has already paid back.

On 03 March 2023, in Hempstead County Circuit Court (CR 22-96), Anthony Calderon entered a plea of guilty, as an habitual offender, to one count of Forgery 2nd (Class C Felony), one count attempted theft of property (Class D Felony) and one count of Fraudulent Insurance Act (Class D Felony). He was sentenced to 12 years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections. Sentence to run concurrent with revoked probation convictions out of Benton and Washington Counties. During a winter freeze in February of 2021, the pipes froze and burst at a rental house in Hope Arkansas in Hempstead County. The house was owned by Maria Ramirez and managed by her husband, Anthony Calderon. The pipes were repaired and a claim was filed on 06 March 2021 with Farm Bureau Insurance. Although the policy was in the name of Maria Ramirez, the claim was handled by Anthony Calderon. At the request of the insurance company, a copy of the alleged invoice for repairing the pipes was requested. Anthony Calderon sent in an invoice from “Cole’s Plumbing” for $7,365.45 as well as a “copy’ of the check. There were some discrepancies on the invoice and the claims adjuster with Farm Bureau called Cole’s Plumbing to clarify. The owner of Cole’s Plumbing conveyed that he never did any work on the home and, the invoice was not his. Farm Bureau contacted Anthony Calderon who later admitted that the invoice was forged and the check was never actually issued. He also stated that he had the repair done by a non-plumber for $4,500.

On 21 February 2023, in the Circuit Court of Union County (70 CR22-416) Elroy Davis (35 of El Dorado) entered a plea of Guilty to one count of Fraudulent Insurance Acts (Class D Felony). He was ordered to pay a fine of $2,500 and was assessed court costs. Elroy Davis purchased an automobile policy with Dairyland Insurance for his 2017 Jeep on 17 June 2022, at 11:09 a.m. At 11:36 a.m., a police report was filed with the El Dorado Police Department in reference to a private parking lot accident involving vehicles belonging to Elroy Davis and Tyana Sims. The incident report states that Davis hit Sim’s parked vehicle with his 2017 Jeep. When the claim was investigated because the policy was so new, it was found that the accident actually happened before Davis purchased his policy. Sims had screen shots showing the damage to her truck and they were time stamped at 11:05 a.m. and also a screen shot of a phone call about the accident which was time stamped 11:03 a.m.; these were both before the policy was purchased. The claim was denied and no payments were made.

On 17 February 2023, in the Circuit Court of Union County (28 CR21-937) Tiphani Montgomery (32 of Paragould, AR) entered a plea of Guilty to one count of Fraudulent Insurance Acts (Class D Felony)). She was sentenced to four (4) years Suspended Imposition of Sentence (SIS), and was assessed court costs of $440. Freeman entered a plea in July of 2022On 17 May 2021, Tipahni Montgomery obtained an insurance policy with Esurance for her GMC Acadia. On 08 June 2021, a vehicle claim and injury claim were filed by Esurance policyholder Tiphani Montgomery and her passenger/sister Crystal Freeman. Montgomery stated that her vehicle was damaged in an accident that occurred on 01 June 2021, when her vehicle was struck in a parking lot by a vehicle being driven by Chelsie Brashear. On 10 June 2021, Montgomery gave a recorded statement to a representative from Esurance, during which time she stated that the date of loss was 01 June 2021. She also stated that her sister, Crystal Freeman, was injured in the accident. An estimate was completed on the damage to Montgomery’s vehicle in the amount of $2,132.00. Montgomery denied in her statement that the police responded to the accident. During the investigation of the claim, it was determined that the Paragould Police Department did respond to the scene to do an assault investigation between the aforementioned parties. The detective took photographs of the damage claimed by Montgomery and it is the same damage. The detective stated that the incident took place on 15 May 2021, not on 01 June 2021, as claimed by Montgomery and Freeman. Esurance spoke with the other driver involved, Chelsie Brashear, and Brashear confirmed that the incident occurred on 15 May 2021 and that she personally knew Montgomery and Freeman. Montgomery and Freeman both provided a date of loss that was after policy inception in the hope to obtain insurance claims funds to which they were not entitled.

On 13 February 2023, in Searcy County Circuit Court (CR21-79) Mr. Ramirez entered a plea of guilty to one count of Fraudulent Insurance Act (Class D Felony). He was sentenced to two (2) years of probation and was ordered to pay a fine of $500, plus court costs. He was sentenced under Act 346. On 28 AUG 2020, Roberto Ramirez filed a claim with Progressive Insurance concerning his vehicle (2009 Pontiac Vibe) being involved in an animal collision on 27 AUG 2020 at approximately 2100hrs. Mr. Ramirez had just added this vehicle to his policy on 21 AUG 2020 at 1543hrs via direct contact with his agent, Jeff Jennings, at his agent’s office. Because this accident happened within 10 days of the policy change, the insurance company began investigating the facts of the loss to determine if the vehicle was covered at the time of the loss. There was no police report completed, but Mr. Ramirez stated the vehicle was towed from the scene. On 09 SEP 2020, Keith Newton conducted a recorded interview with Mr. Ramirez during which Ramirez stated the accident happened on 27 AUG 2020 around 2100hrs. Contact was made with the local towing company, Parks Wrecker Service. The owner, Buddy Parks, confirmed the accident took place on 21 AUG 2020 at approximately 1230hrs. This would indicate that Mr. Ramirez’s vehicle was involved in the reported accident approximately three hours prior to him adding the vehicle to his policy. Vehicle which would not have been covered if he had provided the correct information at the beginning.

On 07 February 2023, in the Circuit Court of Miller County (CR21-706), Kevin Hayes (50 of Texarkana, AR) entered a plea of Guilty to one count of Falsifying a Business Record (Class A Misdemeanor). He was sentence to one (1) year of probation, and ordered to pay a fine of $250, plus court costs. The sentence was handled by the local prosecutor. On 19 August 2020, there was a motor vehicle accident involving two cars in Texarkana, Arkansas. A 2015 Nissan Altima belonging to Wendie Green was hit from behind by a car belonging to Erica Henry. Green’s car received rear end damage that needed to be repaired at a body shop. Henry’s insurance company agreed to pay for the repairs to Green’s car and completed an estimate on the car that Green could take to the body shop of her choice. The insurance company estimate was in the amount of $1,601.79. Green took her car to B&K Body Shop to have it repaired. On 16 September 2020, the insurance company received a supplemental repair estimate, requesting an additional $1,502.63 from the body shop. An insurance adjuster contacted Kevin Hayes at the body shop. Hayes stated that he had already completed the repairs. As such, the adjuster requested the invoices of the parts to prove that the parts had been ordered and the work had been performed to justify the additional claims funds that the body shop was seeking. The adjuster was supplied an invoice purported to be from Keystone Automotive for a new bumper cover sold to B&K Body Shop. The invoice appeared to have been altered. On 08 October 2020, an appraiser, from Appraisers of Arkansas traveled to B&K Body Shop and met with Kevin Hayes who stated that Green’s car was no longer at the shop. Hayes provided the appraiser copies of the receipts, but Hayes could not provide original receipts. On 12 October 2020, the appraiser was able to inspect Green’s vehicle and it was his opinion that the rear bumper had been repaired and not replaced as Kevin Hayes had stated. On 15 December 2020, an AIDCID Investigator spoke with an employee at Keystone Automotive about the receipt in question. That employee advised that the invoice was fictitious. On 06 January 2020, the AIDCID investigator received a telephone call from Kevin Hayes. Hayes stated that the Keystone document was just a quote, although it is labeled as an invoice.

On 06 February 2023, in Pulaski County Circuit Court (CR 22-1832) Reginald Duffy entered a plea of guilty to one count of Fraudulent Insurance Act, (Class D Felony). He was sentenced to 18 months of probation and was ordered to pay a $500 fine. He was assessed court costs and sentenced under Act 346. An accident occurred on the 29th of December 2018 in Little Rock with a U-Haul rental truck and a 1999 Ford Bronco. Alexis Hendrix, Ettana Weatherspoon and Reginald Duffy were passengers in the two vehicles. Following the accident all filed claims with RepWest Insurance. It was later determined that the accident was staged and that Reginald Duffy had planned the event in order to file fraudulent insurance claims and Hendrix and Weatherspoon knowingly took part. Claims were denied.

On 03 February 2023, in Franklin County Circuit Court (CR22-150), Zachary Nicklin entered a plea of guilty to one count of Fraudulent Insurance Act (Class D Felony). He was sentenced to three (3) years of probation and was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine plus court costs. He was ordered to pay restitution of $7,670.73 to State Farm Insurance. In June of 2021, Zachary Nicklin was working at Orr Nissan in Fort Smith, AR. Mr. Nicklin was going to purchase a 2017 Lexus RC 200T passenger car from the dealership. He was advised on 18 JUN 2021 to take the vehicle home, and he could complete the paperwork later since the finance person at the dealership had already left for the day. Mr. Nicklin drove the car home. On 20 JUN 2021, Zackary Nicklin was involved in a hit and run accident where he fled the scene in the Lexus and was arrested a short time after the accident. Jennifer Smith, the owner of the vehicle that he struck was insured by State Farm Insurance. On 25 JUN 2021, Jennifer Smith filed a claim stating on 20 JUN 2021, her vehicle which was being driven by Emma Smith, was clipped in the back by Zachary Nicklin's vehicle. Mr. Nicklin's vehicle fled the scene. On 21 JUN 2021, Zachary Nicklin called a Shelter insurance agent about a policy for the vehicle. The agent completed the policy application for Mr. Nicklin while asking him the policy application questions over the phone. When the agent asked Mr. Nicklin to list all accidents and all moving traffic violations in the last three years Mr. Nicklin did not disclose the accident from the previous day to him.

On 23 January 2023, in the Circuit Court of Pulaski County (60 CR22-4050), Andrea Pearson (42 of Little Rock) entered a plea of Guilty to one count of Fraudulent Insurance Acts (Class D Felony). She was sentenced to two (2) years Suspended Imposition of Sentence (SIS), and was ordered to pay a fine of $500, plus court costs. The sentence was issued pursuant to Act 346. On 15 April 2022, Andrea Pearson was involved in an automobile accident at approximately 4:40 p.m. The parties agreed on the scene to simply exchange insurance information and Pearson told the other driver that she would provide him a copy of her insurance information when she got home. The other driver agreed and Pearson left the scene. The other driver then decided that he needed to report the accident and reported the accident to the Little Rock Police Department at approximately 5:27 p.m. The police investigated the scene and determined the accident to be the fault of Pearson. Pearson later texted a copy of her insurance information to the other driver. The insurance provided by Pearson was with Progressive Insurance and a claim was filed with Progressive for the accident. As the policy was so new, Progressive did an investigation into the claim. In a recorded interview conducted on 06 May 2022, Pearson stated that the accident happened after she purchased the policy, hoping that the damage to the other car would be covered. Based on the police report, the witness statement of the other driver, and other evidence provided, it was determined that the accident happened before Pearson took out the policy on her vehicle. During the claims process, Pearson provided false information to the insurance company in the hopes of obtaining coverage.

On 18 January 2023, in the Circuit Court of Jefferson County (CR20-594), Portia Johnson (54 of White Hall) entered a plea of No Contest to one count of Fraudulent Insurance Acts (Class D Felony). She was sentenced to two (2) years Suspended Imposition of Sentence and was ordered to pay a fine of $500, plus court costs. The sentence was issued pursuant to Act 346. On 07 February 2020, Portia Johnson filed a claim with State Farm Insurance, stating that a tree limb fell onto a 2010 GMC Terrain, which was registered in the names of Calvin Summers and Wendy Parent. The claim was filed under a policy belonging to Calvin Summers, said policy covering a 2000 Ford van. State Farm denied coverage of the loss to the GMC Terrain, explaining in a denial letter that it was an uninsured vehicle. On 05 March 2020, Portia Johnson obtained an automobile policy with Safeco Insurance for the 2010 GMC. On 27 April 2020 Johnson called Safeco to report that a tree branch had fallen on her vehicle. Johnson said that the date of loss was 06 April 2020. Johnson acknowledged that she had filed a previous claim, but stated that she had the damages from the first incident repaired and paid for it herself and a second tree limb had fallen on her vehicle. When asked for receipts proving the repairs, Johnson stated that the shop was no longer in business. Johnson did provide a receipt for a windshield being replaced on 05 March 2020, and provided a receipt for a hood replacement from Willie Hall. Johnson could not provide any other receipts for the alleged repairs. The photographs show that the hood was not replaced. Safeco did a claims review on the vehicle and saw that a similar claim had been reported earlier in the year. The owner of the home where the incident occurred stated that a tree had fallen on the GMC and that she had reported it to her homeowner’s insurance and that the insurance would not pay for the damage. Battles further stated that there was no second tree limb that fell, only one and that it happened in February. The photos submitted by Johnson for last claim are the same photographs that were submitted for the earlier claim, although Johnson stated that they showed the new damage and that the first damage had been repaired. On 13 May 2020, the claim was denied without payment as Johnson had misrepresented the facts in an attempt to obtained coverage on her vehicle.

On 12 January 2023, in the Circuit Court of Pulaski County (CR22-1611), Tianna Jackson (30 of Maumelle) entered a plea of Guilty to one count of Fraudulent Insurance Acts (Class D Felony). She was sentenced to two (2) years of supervised probation and ordered to pay a fine of $500, plus court costs. The sentence was issued pursuant to Act 346. Crystal Hinton entered a guilty plea to the same on 12 December 2022. On 03 December 2021, Crystal Hinton rented a U-Haul truck. Later that same day, Hinton was involved in an automobile accident with Tianna Jackson. On 07 December 2021, Tianna Jackson filed a claim with Rep West Insurance, which is the insurer for the U-Haul truck that was being driven by Hinton. Jackson was claiming injuries as a result of the accident. On 09 December 2021, both Hinton and Jackson gave recorded statements to the insurance company at which time they both denied knowing each other. During a claims investigation, a representative of Rep West met in person with Hinton and Jackson. Each admitted to knowing each other and that they had staged the accident to be able to make insurance claims. The claims were withdrawn and no claims payments were made.

On 11 January 2023, in the Circuit Court of Lawrence County, case # 38 CR-22-150, Laura Crouch (41 of Walnut Ridge) entered a plea of Guilty to one count of Fraudulent Insurance Acts (Class D Felony). She was sentenced to two (2) years of probation. She was ordered to pay a fine of $500 plus court costs of $440. On 21 November 2021, at 4:56 p.m., Laura Crouch went online and applied for an automobile insurance policy for her 2013 Toyota Highlander. On 22 November 2021, Crouch filed a claim on her car, alleging that she tried to avoid road debris, lost control of her vehicle, and went into a ditch. Crouch reported the claim to have occurred at approximately 6:00 p.m. Since the policy was new and so close to the time of inception, Crouch was specifically asked if the accident happened after she had taken out the policy or before she had taken out the policy. Crouch stated that the accident happened after she had taken out the policy. As part of the claims process, Crouch submitted photos of her damage. The metadata in the photographs showed that they were taken at 4:21 p.m., on 21 November 2021, which was before Crouch took out the policy. The claim was denied and no payment was issued. An AIDCID Investigator met with Crouch at the Lawrence County Sheriff’s office on 09 February 2022, and took a statement from Crouch regarding the claim. During the statement, Crouch admitted that she filed the claim, submitted the photographs, and also admitted that the loss occurred before she took out the policy on her vehicle.

On 09 January 2023, in the circuit court of Phillips County (CR18-118), Randy Williams entered a plea of guilty to one count of Attempted Fraudulent Insurance Act (Class A Misdemeanor) and was sentenced to one (1) year of probation. He was ordered to pay a $500 fine plus court costs. He was sentenced under the provisions or Act 346. On 03 January 2006, Adlean Rhodes obtained a $4,000 life policy through United Heritage Life with her husband, Charlie Rhodes, as the beneficiary. On 01 February 2018, Adlean died, and Peaceful Rest Funeral Home, owned by Randy Williams, handled the mortuary services. When Mr. Rhodes’ family checked on the life policy with United Heritage Life they found that Mr. Williams had forged Charlie Rhodes’ signature and cashed in the policy. Mr. Rhodes was 93 when Adlean passed in 2018 and has since died.

On 09 January 2023, in Pulaski County Circuit Court (CR 22-3624) Kyler Simmons entered a plea of guilty to one count of Fraudulent Insurance Act (Class D Felony) and was sentenced to 18 months of probation. He was ordered to pay a $500 fine plus court costs. He was sentenced under the provisions of Act 346.Kyler Simmons was involved in a vehicle accident on 24 December 2021. Simmons filed a claim with GEICO Insurance and alleged he was placed on medical leave for 13 weeks following the accident and could not work. On 24 January 2022, Simmons submitted paperwork to Geico showing the 13 weeks prior to the accident he worked 5 days a week at the Little Rock Air Force Base, where he was paid $1,310 a week for a total of $17,030. AIDCID investigators spoke with Simmons’ Air Force leadership, and it was determined Simmons is in the Air National Guard serving one weekend a month. Simmons was on temporary active-duty orders for a short time before his accident, but those orders ended 09 December 2021. According to Simmons' command staff he did not miss any drill after the accident. Furthermore, the paperwork that Simmons submitted was signed by SMSgt. Leonard Jones, who according to Simmons’ command staff does not exist.

On 09 January 2023, in the Circuit Court of Pulaski County, (CR-22-472), Talaysia Smith (26 of Jacksonville) entered a plea of guilty to one count of Fraudulent Insurance Acts (Class D Felony). She was sentenced to two (2) years of probation, and was ordered to pay a fine of $1,000, plus court costs. The sentence was issued concurrent with a separate non-insurance case. In 2019, Talaysia Smith purchased a 2010 Dodge from JD Byrider, a car dealership. Smith had problems with the vehicle and returned it to the dealer for service. When the vehicle was being serviced, Smith requested a loaner vehicle to drive while her vehicle was being fixed. In order for the dealership to give Smith a loaner vehicle, it requested that Smith provide proof of insurance. On 21 November 2019, Smith texted a copy of an insurance card purported to be from State Farm Insurance Agency. When the dealership attempted to verify the insurance, it was told that the insurance was not valid. The agent listed on the card stated that his office did not sell a policy to Smith and that their computer system did not show that Smith had ever had insurance with State Farm. An AIDCID investigator interviewed Smith regarding the card and Smith denied ever seeing the card, stating that somebody else was responsible for sending it. The photograph of the card was texted from the phone number listed on the vehicle contract that is the contact number for Smith. The AIDCID Investigator subpoenaed the phone records and the phone number from which the text was sent came back as belonging to Smith.

On 09 January 2023, in the Circuit Court of Phillips County (CR-21-169), Gloria Scoggins (39 of West Helena) entered a plea of Guilty to one count of Attempted Fraudulent Insurance Acts (Class A Misdemeanor). She was sentenced to one (1) year of supervised probation, and was ordered to pay a fine of $500 plus court costs. On 18 November 2020, Gloria Scoggins filed an insurance claim with Farmers Insurance, who she had her home insured through. Scoggins’ house was broken into on 17 November 2020. Scoggins claimed that, during the burglary, several items were taken from her house. In support of her claim, Scoggins uploaded, and provided to Farmers Insurance, several photographs of items that she said were stolen. Scoggins claimed these to be photographs of the actual items that she had stolen in the 17 November occurrence. On 03 December 2020, Scoggins gave a recorded statement to a representative from Farmers Insurance. In this statement, Scoggins stated that the photographs that she had uploaded and supplied to Farmers Insurance were of the actual items that she had taken from her home. Meta data from the photographs shows that the photographs were taken on 19 November 2020, two days after Scoggins claimed the items were stolen. Scoggins maintained that she had taken the photographs before the date of the loss. Farmers denied the claim in its entirety.

On 20 December 2022, in the Circuit Court of Searcy County (CR22-53), Brandi Tritten (32 of Leslie) entered a plea of Guilty to one count of Fraudulent Insurance Acts (Class D Felony). She received two (2) years Suspended Imposition of Sentence and was ordered to pay a fine of $250, court costs and fees of $590. The sentence was issued pursuant to Act 346. On 07 March 2022, Brandi Tritten added comprehensive coverage to her automobile insurance policy with GEICO on her 2008 Nissan. On 08 March 2022, Tritten filed a claim on her 2008 Nissan, stating that she had hit a deer on 08 March, at approximately 6:50 p.m. Due to the claim being filed so near the policy change, an investigation was conducted on the claim. On 10 March 2022, Tritten gave a recorded statement to a GEICO representative, during which time she again stated that the deer hit occurred on 08 March. She explained that she added the coverage at that time to be prepared for incoming bad weather. When pressed about the matter, Tritten admitted that she had added coverage after she hit the deer on advice of a relative and that she wanted to withdraw the claim. On 30 March 2022, an AIDCID Investigator spoke to Tritten. At this time, Tritten explained that the accident happened on 07 March, but she found out that she did not have the applicable coverage for the loss. She then again admitted to adding the coverage after the deer hit in the hopes of getting paid on a claim.

On December 14, 2022, in the Circuit Court of Faulkner County, case # CR22-730, Kelsey Wilkinson (31 of Conway) entered a plea of Guilty to one count of Fraudulent Insurance Acts (D Felony). She received 2 years SIS, a fine of $500, and was assessed court costs and fees of $690. The sentence was pursuant to Act 346. On July 20, 2021, Kelsey Wilkinson filed an insurance claim with Progressive Insurance on her 2015 Chrysler for a hit and run that she claimed occurred at a Wal-Mart parking lot. The damage was in the area of the left rear door. The claim was handled and paid by Progressive. After the claim was paid, Wilkinson decided not to fix the car and kept the money instead. On February 20, 2022, Wilkinson obtained an automobile policy for her 2015 Chrysler with Allstate Insurance. On March 9, 2022, Wilkinson filed a claim on her Chrysler, stating that she went off the road and hit a sign. As the policy was so new, a representative investigated the claim and took a recorded statement from Wilkinson on March 14. In the recorded statement, Wilkinson stated that her vehicle was damaged on the left rear door, which is the same place that it had been damaged the year prior. Also in the statement, Wilkinson was asked if her vehicle had any prior damage, to which she stated “no.” In looking at the photographs from the prior claim and the current claim, it is clear that it is the exact same damage. On April 25, 2022, A CID investigator took a recorded statement from Wilkinson. At that time, Wilkinson admitted to lying about the prior damage in hopes of receiving claims funds. The claim was denied and no payments were made.

On 12 December 2022, in the Circuit Court of Pulaski County (CR22-1611), Crystal Hinton (30 of Conway) entered a plea of Guilty to one count of Fraudulent Insurance Acts (Class D Felony). She was sentenced to two (2) years of supervised probation and was ordered to pay a fine of $500, plus court costs. The sentence was issued pursuant to Act 346. On 03 December 2021, Crystal Hinton rented a U-Haul truck. Later that same day, Hinton was involved in an automobile accident with Tianna Jackson. On 07 December 2021, Tianna Jackson filed a claim with Rep West Insurance, which is the insurer for the U-Haul truck was that being driven by Hinton. Jackson was claiming injuries as a result of the accident. On 09 December 2021, both Hinton and Jackson gave recorded statements to the insurance company at which time they both denied knowing each other. During a claims investigation, a representative of Rep West met in person with Hinton and Jackson. Each admitted to knowing each other and that they had staged the accident to be able to make insurance claims. The claims were withdrawn and no claims payments were made.

On 07 December 2022, in Pulaski County Circuit Court (CR 22-388) Takisha Reynolds entered a plea of guilty to one count of Criminal Attempt, Fraudulent Insurance Act (Class A Misdemeanor). She was sentenced to one year of probation and was ordered to pay a $500 fine plus court costs. She was sentenced pursuant to Act 346. On 06 December 2019, Takisha Reynolds went to the Arkansas DF&A office in SW Little Rock to register her vehicle. While there, she presented the clerk with a forged National General Insurance Company proof of insurance card.

On 07 December 2022, in Pulaski County Circuit Court (CR 21-2175) Samoan Watkins entered a plea of guilty to one count of Criminal Attempt, Fraudulent Insurance Act (Class A Misdemeanor). She was sentenced to one year of probation and was ordered to pay a $200 fine plus court costs. She was sentenced pursuant to Act 346. On 17 January 2021, Samoan Watkins filed a fire claim with Assurant Insurance. Among the items that she claimed to have lost in the fire was a comforter quilt. The photo of the fire damage to the quilt was very distinctive, and Assurant did an internet comparison and found the exact same photo had been uploaded in 2007 and 2012 by other individuals.

On 05 December 2022, in Pulaski County Circuit Court (CR 22-1543), Omotara Aridawe entered a plea of guilty to one count of Fraudulent Insurance Act (Class D Felony) and was sentenced to two (2) years of probation. She was ordered to pay a $300 fine plus court costs. She was sentenced under the provisions of Act 346. Omotara Arikawe of Little Rock had an auto policy with GEICO Insurance. On 20 August 2021, Omotara Arikawe’s insurance policy canceled for non-payment. On 30 January 2022, she had it reissued. On 13 February 2022, Omotara Arikawe of Little Rock filed a claim with GEICO insurance stating she struck a Sonic menu stand on 12 February 2022, reporting damage to the front left fender of her 2017 Jeep. An SIU with Geico Insurance, inspected the vehicle and found there was rust present on the damage. The SIU spoke to Omotara Arikawe about the rust, and she admitted to the SIU that the damage occurred on 28 January 2022, prior to her having the policy reissued. Omotara Arikawe signed a withdrawal form, withdrawing her claim. An AIDCID investigator conducted an interview with Omotara Arikawe where she admitted to filing an insurance claim with Geico Insurance on 13 February 2022, stating the damage to her vehicle actually occurred on 28 January 2022, during a period when she was not insured.

On 29 November 2022, in the Circuit Court of Lonoke County (CR22-349), Jason Steven Cole (48 of Carlisle) entered a plea of Guilty to one count of Fraudulent Insurance Acts (Class D Felony). He was sentenced to 18 months of probation and was ordered to pay a fine of $500, plus court costs. Steven Cole had an insurance policy with Foremost Insurance Company, for his residence located in Carlisle, Arkansas. On 16 July 2021, Cole filed a theft claim with Foremost. On 03 September 2021, Cole provided a proof of loss, claiming that he had specific property stolen, including a pressure washer, a self-propelled lawn mower, and two riding mowers. Before anything on the claim could be paid out, Foremost asked for proof of purchase for the lawn mowers. Cole stated that he purchased the Bad Boy mower from Tractor Supply Company in Stuttgart, Arkansas, on 11 March 2021, and paid cash for it. Cole further stated that he had purchased the Cub Cadet mower from Home Depot in North Little Rock, Arkansas, on 11 July 2021, also for cash. An investigator for Foremost, contacted both businesses. Neither Home Depot nor Tractor Supply had any record of a sale for either referenced mower. Cole provided Foremost with an invoice from Tractor Supply, dated 11 March 2021, and an invoice from Home Depot, dated 11 July 2021. Home Depot and Tractor Supply were shown the invoices to verify and each said that it was only a quote and not an invoice. An AIDCID Investigator also contacted Home Depot and Tractor Supply and each told him that the paperwork given to Foremost by Cole was not a valid receipt, but just a quote. The AIDCID Investigator met with Cole on 17 November 2021, at which time Cole confirmed that he gave the receipts to Foremost and maintained that they were invoices from actual purchases.

On 10 November 2022, in Ashley County Circuit Court (CR 2022-157), Sy Gunter entered a plea of guilty to one count of Fraudulent Insurance Act. As a result of this case and others, Gunter was sentenced to six years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections (ADC) with an additional three years Suspended Imposition of Sentence. This sentence to run concurrent with the sentence he is presently serving in the ADC. On 04 March 2022, Sy Gunter lowered his deductible with USAA Insurance from $500 to $200 and added Rental coverage. On 22 March 2022, Sy Gunter advised USAA Insurance that on 05 March 2022, he had a one vehicle accident when he slid off the road in icy conditions. A check of Gunter’s story showed that his 2016 Chrysler 300, had been towed to a body shop on 02 March 2022. A check of weather records found no icy weather on 05 March 2022. Union County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of an accident involving Gunter’s vehicle on 26 February 2022. Union County Sheriff’s office confirmed that Gunter reported the accident on 26 February 2022. The vehicle was towed by OTM Wrecker Service who confirmed the vehicle was towed on that date. They also confirmed that Gunter came to OTM and arranged to the have the vehicle towed to Murphy’s Body Shop and that the vehicle was a total wreck. Murphy's Body Shop confirmed Gunter's vehicle was towed to their business on 02 March 2022 from OTM Wrecker Service. An AIDCID Investigator spoke with Sy Gunter who confirmed that he did file an insurance claim on 22 March 2022. Gunter confirmed that the accident did occur 26 February 2022, and he did change his policy 04 March 2022. Gunter further confirmed that he did state in his claim the accident occurred on 05 March 2022.

On 03 November 3, 2022, in the Circuit Court of Mississippi County, (#47BCR-22-105), Javion McGehee (38 of Blytheville) entered a plea of Guilty to one count of Fraudulent Insurance Acts (Class D Felony). He was sentenced to two (2) years of probation. He was also ordered to pay a fine of $350, plus court costs and fees of $440. On 19 September 2019, Javion McGehee obtained an automobile policy with Progressive Insurance Company for his 2016 Chevrolet Silverado. On 13 November 2019, McGehee reported to the Blytheville Police Department that his vehicle had been in a hit and run and received damage to the passenger side. McGehee then filed a claim with Progressive for the resulting damage. Progressive inspected the vehicle and paid the claim in the amount of $3,490.88. On or about 27 April 2020, McGehee reported to Progressive Insurance that his 2016 Silverado had been stolen and made a claim. During the claims process, McGehee was asked if the damage that occurred in 2019 was repaired. McGehee stated that the damage had been repaired. On or about 06 May 2020, McGehee stated that the damage had been repaired by “Mr. Holly” in Little Rock. On or about 08 May 2020, McGehee stated that the damage had been repaired by Floyd Hayes in Dumas and that Mr. Hayes had since passed away. As McGehee could not provide any proof of repairs being made, other than alleging that it had been fixed, McGehee was asked to provide photographs of the truck showing that the damage had been repaired, so that this amount would not be deducted from the claims settlement. In response to this request from Progressive, McGehee submitted photographs to Progressive on 12 May 2020, purportedly showing repaired damage of his truck. When the meta data of the photographs was examined by Progressive, it was found that the photos were taken at Cannon Nissan in Blytheville on 06 May 2020, which was 9 days after the truck was reported stolen. McGehee took photographs of another vehicle and provided false information to Progressive to show that the old damage to his truck had been repaired.