The Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigations Insurance Fraud and Auto Theft Unit announced that seven individuals were arrested and accused for their involvement in staged car crashes and fraudulent insurance claims in Jefferson Davis Parish.
Investigators with the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigations, in cooperation with the
Louisiana Department of Insurance and the National Insurance Crime Bureau, launch investigations earlier this year into staged car crashes in Jefferson Davis Parish. The investigation determined that a group of family and friends staged three separate crashes over the course of five months. The group was also involved in a “jump in” scheme months later, wherein one claims to have been in a vehicle at the time of a crash but were actually not.
State troopers obtained arrest warrants and arrested the suspected individuals Wednesday, reported
KATC.com.
The seven were booked into Jefferson Davis Parish Jail for various charges:
- Devondrick Sams, 28, of Jennings – booked on two counts of automobile insurance fraud, two counts of felony theft, filing or maintaining false public records, and two counts of child desertion
- Tamale Sonnier, 27, of Jennings – three counts of automobile insurance fraud, three counts of felony theft, two counts of child desertion
- Saundra Pete, 61, of Jennings – automobile insurance fraud
- Jaylin Sams, 26, of Jennings – automobile insurance fraud, felony theft , filing or maintaining false public records
- Dawn Sonnier, 26, of Jennings – three counts of automobile insurance fraud, felony theft, two counts of filing or maintaining false public records, three counts of child desertion
- Rhinehart Thibodeaux, 47, of Jennings – automobile insurance fraud, felony theft, filing or maintaining false public records
- Victoria Shaw, 39, of Mamou – automobile insurance fraud, filing or maintaining false public records
State troopers are still on the lookout for another suspect, 28-year-old Marlo Diggs of Abbeville, who is believed to be staying in either the Lake Arthur or Jennings area. Those who have any information on her whereabouts were advised to contact the authorities.
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