Nash residents accused of insurance fraud [The Wilson Daily Times, N.C.]

Feb. 21--Two Nash County residents are among seven arrested Wednesday in an insurance fraud scheme involving staged auto accidents in Wake County.

Three more suspects are being actively sought, including one from Nash County, according to information from N.C. Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin.

Department of Insurance criminal investigators allege between May 7, 2012, and June 26, 2012, the suspects staged three auto accidents, during which suspects claimed to be injured. They allegedly submitted false insurance claims to Allstate Insurance, Nationwide Insurance, North Carolina Farm Bureau, Travelers Insurance and Progressive Insurance.

All kinds of insurance fraud picks up when the economy suffers a downturn, said Marni Schribman, assistant director of public Information for the N.C. Department of Insurance.

"If someone is suspicious, we ask them to contact the office," Schribman said.

The insurance commission essentially has its own police force of 20 sworn law enforcement officers. They investigate such claims.

"All they do is investigate insurance and bail bonding fraud," Schribman said.

Here are the arrests made so far:

Erica Merritt, 21, of 804 S. Brooklyn Blvd., Nashville, was charged with three counts of obtaining property by false pretense, one count of attempting to obtain property by false pretense, three counts of insurance fraud and four counts of conspiracy to obtain property by false pretense. Merritt is being held on a $35,000 secured bond.

Sedrick Jones, 21, of 4629 S. Halifax Road, Rocky Mount, was charged with two counts of obtaining property by false pretense, two counts of insurance fraud and two counts of conspiracy to obtain property by false pretense. Jones is being held on a $10,000 secured bond.

Iwaun Harper, 39, of 105 Canal St., Conetoe, was charged with two counts of obtaining property by false pretense, one count of attempting to obtain property by false pretense, two counts of insurance fraud and three counts of conspiracy to obtain property by false pretense. Harper is being held on a $75,000 secured bond.

Morgan Hollins, 23, of 4536 Dilford Drive, Raleigh, was charged with one count of insurance fraud, one count of obtaining property by false pretense and one count of conspiracy to obtain property by false pretense. Hollins is being held on a $10,000 unsecured bond.

Adante Howell, 23, of 1705 Brown Owl Drive, Raleigh, was charged with one count of attempting to obtain property by false pretense and one count of conspiracy to obtain property by false pretense. Howell is being held on a $10,000 unsecured bond.

Roger Trevon Howell, 22, of 1705 Brown Owl Drive, Raleigh, was charged with one count of attempting to obtain property by false pretense and one count of conspiracy to obtain property by false pretense. Howell is being held on a $10,000 unsecured bond.

Brittany White, 23, of 4902-B Arcadian Court, Raleigh, was charged with one count of obtaining property by false pretense, one count of insurance fraud and one count of conspiracy to obtain property by false pretense. White is being held on a $10,000 secured bond.

Allstate and Farm Bureau representatives alerted the Department of Insurance after discovering that all three accidents involved the same suspects as either passengers or drivers. More than $84,000 had been paid by the insurance companies to the suspects for their medical claims, state officials said.

Investigators are seeking these three additional suspects:

Maurice Ricks, 31, of 120 Tony Drive, Rocky Mount, is wanted for three counts of obtaining property by false pretense, one count of attempting to obtain property by false pretense, four counts of conspiracy to obtain property by false pretense and three counts of insurance fraud.

Derrick Fortune, 25, of 4902 Arcadian Court, Raleigh, is wanted for one count of obtaining property by false pretense, one count of insurance fraud and one count of conspiracy to obtain property by false pretense.

Corey Jones, 28, of 3912 Old Coach Road, Raleigh, is wanted for one count of obtaining property by false pretense, one count of insurance fraud and one count of conspiracy to obtain property by false pretense.

Investigators are requesting the public's assistance in locating these suspects. Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to contact the North Carolina Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division at 919-807-6840.

Since 2009, criminal investigators have received more than 16,800 complaints, resulting in 720 arrests and 380 criminal convictions, according to state figures.

State officials said more than $50 million in restitution and recoveries have been made to victims.

However, an estimated 10 cents of every dollar paid in insurance premiums goes toward the payment of fraudulent claims, officials said. To report suspected fraud, call the Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division at 919-807-6840. Callers don't have to identify themselves.

[email protected] -- 265-7813

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