Maryland Police Officers Plead Guilty in Multi-Vehicle Auto Insurance Fraud Scheme

Two former Maryland police officers, Michael Anthony Owen, Jr. and Jaron Earl Taylor, have pled guilty to federal charges related to an auto-insurance fraud scheme involving multiple co-conspirators.

The scheme, conducted between August 2018 and February 2020, involved filing false police reports to substantiate fraudulent insurance claims for vehicles staged as stolen or damaged. Owen pled guilty to falsification of records, while Taylor pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. They collaborated with other officers and individuals to defraud insurance companies, receiving payouts for vehicles that were not legitimately lost or stolen.

Notable incidents include the staged theft of a Chevrolet Tahoe for which the United Services Automobile Association paid $38,670, and a fraudulent claim against Liberty Mutual Insurance for a vandalized Jaguar XKR resulting in a $17,585 payout to a lienholder. The conspirators used their official positions to lend credibility to false reports to obstruct investigations and ensure successful claims.

The fraudulent activities also extended to helping co-conspirators avoid payments on vehicles by disposing of them fraudulently, as seen in an Infiniti sedan case that was ultimately denied by GEICO upon detecting the fraud. Sentencing for the accused is scheduled for September 23 with potential prison terms of up to 20 years for Owen and three years for Taylor, reflecting the severity of insurance fraud violations.

This case underscores the risks of internal fraud within law enforcement and highlights the importance of vigilant insurance compliance and investigative processes. The U.S. Attorney's Office continues to emphasize enforcement and community awareness to combat insurance fraud schemes effectively.