Guilty Plea in Oregon Insurance Fraud Scheme

A Eugene, Ore., man accused of filing at least 30 fraudulent car damage claims that cost insurance companies nearly $200,000 has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

U.S. Attorney Dwight Holton said 45-year-old Timothy Devon Huntley Jr. pleaded guilty in federal court.

Huntley admitted using both fictitious names and the identities of real people to obtain insurance policies for recently acquired used vehicles. The U.S. attorney says that shortly after insuring a vehicle, Huntley would claim to have damaged a parked car with it. The parked car would typically be another used vehicle that Huntley had acquired.

The man would pose as the owner of the damaged parked car, make a claim on the newly issued insurance policy and collect a settlement check.

Prosecutors say at least 11 insurance companies were hit.

Sentencing is set for May 24.