Spokane, WA – Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced today that eleven Washington and California residents have pleaded guilty for their participation in a staged automobile accident scheme to defraud insurance companies, or for obstructing official proceedings.
Defendants have pleaded guilty as follows:
Ali Abed Yaser, age 52 of Kennewick, Washington – conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, conspiracy to commit health care fraud, conspiracy to obstruct official proceedings, making a false statement to the FBI, and two counts of mail fraud,
Hussein A. Yasir, age 41 of Kennewick, Washington – conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, conspiracy to commit health care fraud, five counts of wire fraud, and five counts of mail fraud,
Maria Elena Sanchez, age 42 of Kennewick, Washington – conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, conspiracy to commit health care fraud, seven counts of wire fraud, and three counts of mail fraud
Jesus George Sanchez, age 57 of Pasco, Washington – conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, conspiracy to commit health care fraud, two counts of mail fraud, and one count of wire fraud
Ali F. Al-Himrani, age 41 of Temecula, California – conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, conspiracy to commit health care fraud
Mohammed F. Al-Himrani, age 34 of Kennewick, Washington – conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, conspiracy to commit health care fraud,
Khalil Abdul-Razaq, age 40 of Kennewick, Washington – conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, conspiracy to commit health care fraud
Ameer R. Mohammed, age 46 of Kennewick, Washington – conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, conspiracy to commit health care fraud
Sinan Akrawi, age 44 of La Mesa, California – conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud
Mohammed Naji Al-Jibory, age 55 of Kennewick, Washington – conspiracy to obstruct official proceedings
Noor Tahseen Al-Maarej, age 33 of El Cajon, California – misprision (concealment) of a felony
These eleven defendants face the following possible maximum statutory sentences: 20 years for each count of mail fraud and wire fraud, each count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, and each count of conspiracy to obstruct official proceedings; 10 years for conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud; 5 years for making a false statement to the FBI; and 3 years for misprision of a felony. United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke will determine sentences for each defendant after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
“Staged accidents make our streets dangerous and distract police from responding to legitimate distress calls,” said Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington. “Moreover, efforts to hinder federal criminal proceedings will not be tolerated. We will continue to work closely with our federal and state law enforcement, and private industry, partners to investigate fraud schemes.”
“The number of people and the amount of planning involved in this fraudulent scheme make this crime even more shocking and unacceptable,” said Richard A. Collodi, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle Field Office. “Deliberate, staged accidents increase the risk to the public, increase rates for drivers with legitimate claims, and we are committed to holding these subjects accountable for their actions, including their fabricated stories against FBI agents.”
According to court documents, between approximately July 2017 and April 2020, members of the conspiracy staged automobile accidents and thereafter caused the submission of false insurance claims for property damage, wage loss and personal injury. In some of the staged accidents, Maria Elena Sanchez, who worked as a case manager at a personal injury law firm in Washington, used her position to help members of the conspiracy submit their fraudulent insurance claims and collect settlement payments totaling approximately $657,812.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, with the assistance of the National Insurance Crime Bureau. This case is being prosecuted by George J.C. Jacobs, III, Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.