93.9 The Eagle – The News and Talk of Columbia, MO
UPDATE: An arrest made in the Trails West Subdivision near the Midway Travel Plaza on Tuesday is not connected to recent federal indictments related to insurance fraud. Police told ABC 17 Ronald Thornton was arrested on suspicion of resisting arrest and delivery of a controlled substance. He has since bonded out of the Boone County Jail.
ORIGINAL: Federal prosecutors accuse several mid-Missourians of being part of a conspiracy to sucker insurance companies out of more than $1.2 million.
Most of the 19 suspects revealed on Tuesday are local. They are: Lawrence Courtney Lawhorn, 32, and Latoya Marie Brown, 35, who resided in Columbia and in the Kansas City area; Lauren Courtney Luque, 34, Michael Jadon Carter, 30, Tiera Rachell Wallace, 38, Lanay Deshawn Wallace, 26, Dylan James Danielsson, 26, Larell Montez Banks, 27, Kathy Davvy Kimhang, 29, Michael Lee Gene Stapleton, 34, and Cedrick Shawndale Goldman, 44, all of Columbia; Matthew Stephen Akins, 32, who resided in Columbia and Fulton, Mo.; Michael Stuart Smith, 34, Taron Donte Ford, 35, Dontay Laray Campbell, 31, and Eriona Tyjaez Fleeks, 28, all of Kansas City; Cornelius Deshawn Phelps, 35, who resided in Kansas City and Lee’s Summit; Tara Colleen Jackson, 57, of Independence; and Maurice Frank Penny, 37, of St. Louis.
They allegedly made false claims to insurance companies of injuries suffered in car accidents, then spent the money on personal things.
