SHREVEPORT, La. – In a stunning turn of events, two Monroe women have pleaded guilty to their involvement in a scheme that saw over 100 stolen vehicles get new titles within mere hours.
Felicia Simpson, 40, and Ashley Owens, 30, both residents of Monroe, face substantial prison terms for their roles in the elaborate fraud. Simpson, who worked as a title processor for a private business, was able to expedite titles for stolen cars in just 48 hours – far quicker than the standard 10 to 14 days required by the Louisiana State Office of Motor Vehicles.
According to their guilty pleas, Simpson and Owens operated from November 2014 to June 2015. Owens would receive titles for stolen or illegally obtained vehicles and deliver them to Simpson, who processed them at an expedited rate. The pair is said to have processed a total of 104 titles during the course of the scheme.
On May 23, Simpson pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. to one count of misprision of felony. Owens followed suit on May 24, pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud. Both women now face significant penalties: Owens is looking at up to 20 years in prison and three years of supervised release, while Simpson faces three years behind bars and one year of supervision. Additionally, both could be fined a staggering $250,000. The sentencing date has been set for August 30, 2017.
This investigation was a collaborative effort, involving the FBI, Louisiana State Police, Miami Dade Police Department, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia, and the Monroe Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Earl M. Campbell and Grady A. Crooks are handling the prosecution of this case.
The sentence handed down will undoubtedly send a strong message about the consequences of engaging in fraudulent activities involving stolen property. The community is relieved that these women have been held accountable for their actions.
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Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Public Corruption|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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