Florida Trio Convicted in Staged Accident Fraud Ring

GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN – A federal jury has convicted Belkis Soca-Fernandez, 47, David Sosa-Baladron, 41, and Antonio Ramon Martinez-Lopez, 35, all of Florida, in a sprawling auto accident fraud conspiracy that operated from 2012 to 2015. The trio faces up to 20 years in prison for their roles in the scheme that bilked insurance companies out of substantial sums.

The ring, which operated three therapy clinics across Michigan, used a complex method to stage accidents and falsify insurance claims. Soca-Fernandez and Sosa-Baladron, from Tampa, were found to have orchestrated the fraud from afar, while Martinez-Lopez managed operations in Michigan. They are among eight individuals convicted for their roles in the conspiracy.

Acting U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge emphasized the impact of such scams on the community: ‘This staged automobile accident ring operated a sophisticated fraud over several years in our community. Soca-Fernandez and Sosa-Baladron led this from Florida, using Martinez-Lopez and others as their managers here in Michigan.’

The clinics, Revive Therapy Center and HH Rehab Center in Wyoming, and Renue Therapy Center in Lansing, were at the heart of the operation. The ring recruited individuals to stage accidents, then directed them on how to present symptoms for unnecessary therapy sessions. They would then sign blank forms, making it appear as if they were receiving treatment.

Steve Francis, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations, Detroit Field Office, commented on the need for continued vigilance against such schemes: ‘Criminal groups often believe they are employing ingenious techniques to cheat the system. HSI will continue to aggressively target these schemes.’

This conviction is a testament to the efforts of the FBI, U.S. Department of Homeland Security-HIS Investigations, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to combat health care fraud. ‘Health care fraud results in economic consequences that impact every American,’ said David P. Gelios, Special Agent in Charge, Detroit Division of the FBI.

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