Jimmie and Thanikwa Thompson, Wire Fraud, West Virginia 2019

Local Couple Sentenced for Wire Fraud in Martinsburg, West Virginia

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – In a shocking case of deceit, Jimmie and Thanikwa Thompson, a couple from Martinsburg, West Virginia, have been sentenced for their role in a wire fraud scheme.

The Thompsons, 27 and 25 years old, respectively, were each sentenced to 37 months incarceration for their involvement in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

According to court documents, the Thompsons secured a renter's insurance policy from Allstate Insurance Company in February 2018 for $85,000. Later that month, they purchased a space heater and positioned it against an inflatable air mattress in their apartment on Winchester Avenue in Martinsburg.

The couple then left the apartment with their dog to allow the space heater time to catch the apartment on fire. They then filed a fraudulent claim with Allstate to recover $50,000 of losses from the fire and to secure a hotel room for several months of temporary housing.

The Thompsons were ordered to pay $54,891.28 in restitution as part of their sentence.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lara Omps-Botteicher and Jarod J. Douglas prosecuted the cases on behalf of the government, while the West Virginia State Fire Marshal and Allstate Insurance Company investigated.

Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided over the case.

The Thompsons' deceitful actions have left many in the community stunned, highlighting the importance of vigilance in protecting against fraudulent schemes.

The sentence serves as a reminder of the severity of wire fraud and the consequences that come with it.

The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as more information becomes available.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/berkeley-county-couple-sentenced-fraud