Rock Rapids man placed on probation for insurance fraud

ROCK RAPIDS, Iowa -- A Rock Rapids man has been placed on probation and will serve time on electronic monitoring for defrauding an insurance company.

Justin Fastert, 42, pleaded guilty Friday in Lyon County District Court to single counts of fraudulent submission to an insurer and third-degree fraudulent practice, which was amended from first-degree fraudulent practice as part of a plea agreement.

On Tuesday, District Judge Adam Miller suspended a five-year prison sentence on the fraudulent submission charge and placed Fastert on two years' probation. On the fraudulent practice charge, Fastert was sentenced to 180 days in jail. In lieu of jail, he will be allowed to serve the time on electronic monitoring.

Fastert also must pay $1,880 in fines.

Fastert submitted fictitious invoices from multiple companies in June 2023 in support of an insurance claim that was an attempt to collect money to which he was not entitled. The invoices totaled $47,856. The insurance company denied the claim, and Fastert later admitted creating the documents.