Gallup, N.M., Man Sentenced in Insurance Fraud Case

A Gallup, N.M., glass repair shop owner has been sentenced to three years in prison after he pleaded guilty to five counts of insurance fraud.

State District Judge Robert Aragon accepted the plea earlier this month from Danny A. Martinez.

The case stemmed from a joint investigation by the New Mexico Insurance Fraud Bureau and the Arizona Fraud Division, the state Public Regulation Commission announced Thursday. The PRC oversees the state Insurance Division.

Martinez also pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud in Arizona and will be sentenced Nov. 1 in Maricopa County, Ariz., PRC spokeswoman Doris Cherry said.

Martinez was ordered to pay about $20,000 in restitution in the New Mexico case.

Authorities alleged he obtained vehicle information and insurance policy information from consumers and sent fake bills to insurance companies. The PRC said the insurance policy owners did not have any repairs done, but claims were made on their policies — sometimes more than once.

Martinez allegedly targeted members of the Hopi and Navajo tribes.