Federal prosecutors say a Louisiana group rented homes, insured them and caused about 13 residential fires between 2019 and 2026, then filed claims for fabricated losses; seven people have now been charged

​All seven defendants face wire fraud and arson-related federal charges. (FBI photo)

Federal prosecutors in Louisiana charged seven people on Tuesday, in an alleged insurance fraud and arson scheme involving about 13 residential fires between 2019 and 2026. Authorities say the group rented homes, obtained insurance policies and then allegedly caused fires at the properties before seeking money through fraudulent insurance claims.The charges were announced by US Attorney Zachary A Keller for the Western District of Louisiana. According to the official information, the defendants include Lashaundalyn Whitlock Brown, 41, of West Monroe; LaQuadra Whitlock, 26, of West Monroe; Latricia Whitlock, 20, of Monroe; Romenique Whitlock, 37, of Monroe; Jonika James, 25, of Monroe; Iesha Alexander, 26, of Monroe; and Travericka Williams, 27, of Dallas, Texas.According to the indictment, the alleged scheme took place in the Monroe and West Monroe areas. Prosecutors say the defendants rented homes in their own names or through several other co-conspirators and used fraudulent identities to obtain insurance coverage for the residences. They then allegedly set fire to the properties and submitted insurance claims for losses that did not actually occur.Morover, the group also allegedly submitted fraudulent disaster relief claims to a national humanitarian organisation and received cash payments meant for fire victims.

Seven people face federal charges

All seven defendants have been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and use of fire to commit a federal felony. Lashaundalyn Whitlock Brown, LaQuadra Whitlock and Latricia Whitlock also face charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering, concealment money laundering and structuring.The defendants were arrested on September 23, according to the US Attorney’s Office. If convicted on all charges, they could face decades in federal prison, along with substantial mandatory minimum sentences.Prosecutors allege that insurance claims submitted after the fires sought payments for fabricated personal property losses and extended-stay hotel reimbursements. Realtor.com reported that some of the claims allegedly contained identical entries and repeated spelling errors.The allegations also include the use of fraudulent identities when obtaining renters insurance for some of the properties. Authorities say the fires placed firefighters and people living nearby at risk.“The audacity, the recklessness, and the greed of these defendants to allegedly turn fire setting into a for-profit operation is staggering,” Keller said. “The conspirators charged here fed their greed by putting innocent lives at risk, including those of first responders, and destroyed the hard earned property of others while contributing to higher insurance costs for us all,” he added.

AI helps identify fraud

The case was investigated by the FBI, the Louisiana State Fire Marshal, the Monroe Fire Department and the Louisiana State Police.FBI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Tapp said the alleged scheme affects more than the people directly involved in the insurance claims.“The cost to Louisiana policyholders is impossible to calculate. But every single one of us pays the price when criminals take advantage of programs meant to help actual victims. There is also real damage done to the businesses who invest in our communities,” Tapp said.At a press conference in Ouachita Parish, Deputy Commissioner for the Office of Insurance Fraud Dominique Jones said the Louisiana Department of Investigation used an AI-powered tool called Anti-Fraud One to help identify suspicious claims. Jones said the tool helped investigators uncover organized fraud that might otherwise go undetected.The federal charges also cover alleged money laundering activity. Prosecutors say the money obtained through the alleged scheme was handled through transactions that led to the additional money laundering and structuring charges against three of the defendants.

Fires part of a years-long scheme

The indictment describes the alleged activity as a years-long conspiracy involving intentionally set residential fires, fraudulent insurance claims and fraudulent disaster relief claims.In court filings, prosecutors also argued that Lashaundalyn Whitlock Brown should remain in custody while awaiting trial, citing a long criminal history from age 17 to her current age of 40. Prosecutors said she was also paroled in 2021 and appears to have begun the subject conduct right after.