North Carolina Arrests 3 More in Alleged Staged Auto Accident Ring

Three more people have been arrested in connection with an alleged staged accident ring in North Carolina, bringing the total to seven in what has been a two-year investigation in Rowland.

Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin announced the arrest of Barbara Mercedes Thompson, 29, and Derrick Devon Thompson, 30, both of Lumberton and Dormaine K. Baker, 34, of Rowland. Investigators allege that Barbara and Derrick Thompson and Dormaine Baker were all involved in a traffic crash in July 2006 and that all three conspired to submit false medical bills to AIG, Inc. The company paid out approximately $21,000 for the July accident to members of this staged accident ring, according to officials.

All three arrested are charged with one count each of insurance fraud, obtaining property by false pretense and conspiracy to commit insurance fraud and obtaining property by false pretense. They were processed at the Robeson County magistrate’s office and placed under a $10,000 unsecured bond.

Chassa Marie Blue, Eboni Adelle Moore, Matthew Solomon Green and Diedra Joann Werrell, all of Rowland, and allegedly the same staged accident ring were arrested in August. Investigators allege all four were involved in six staged traffic crashes and then created fake medical bills and lost wage documents that ultimately netted them more than $115,000.

These arrests came after a two-year joint investigation between the FBI and DOI-Criminal Investigations Division. Rowland Police Department assisted in the investigation.

Source: North Carolina Department of Insurance