LOS ANGELES, California – A notorious woman, Natalie Le Demola, 37, serving a life prison sentence, has been accused of leading a ring that allegedly obtained at least $2 million in California unemployment insurance (UI) benefits using stolen identities, some of which belonged to California prison inmates. Demola, originally of Corona, is currently being brought to federal court to face the charges in this case.
The scheme, which allegedly occurred during the second half of 2020, involved Demola and her associates using misappropriated personal identifying information (PII) to fraudulently apply for and receive unemployment benefits. The indictment also charges Carleisha Neosha Plummer, 32, of Los Angeles, who was a close associate of Demola in prison until she was paroled in July 2020.
The indictment charges all 13 defendants with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud. The conspiracy count alleges 150 overt acts, including illegally obtaining PII, some of which was provided by an unnamed prison official employed by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
The indictment names various defendants in 31 bank fraud counts and seven aggravated identity theft counts. Demola and her associates allegedly used the stolen identities to make fraudulent online applications for UI benefits from the California Employment Development Department (EDD).
Once the applications were approved, members of the conspiracy received EDD-funded debit cards that allowed them to withdraw money from ATMs across Southern California, according to the indictment.
Those arrested today are being arraigned this afternoon in United States District Court in Los Angeles. The conspiracy and bank fraud charges each carry a statutory maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison. Aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two-year consecutive sentence.
Demola’s alleged accomplices include:
- Carleisha Neosha Plummer, 32, of Los Angeles, who was arrested today;
- Loresha Shamone Davis, 31, of Moreno Valley, who was arrested today;
- Porsha Latrice Johnson, 32, of Lynwood, who was arrested today;
- Donisha Lashawn Pace, 38, of South Los Angeles, who was arrested today;
- Amber Jane Wade, 34, of Palmdale, who was arrested today;
- Khanshanda King, 31, of Los Angeles, who is still being sought;
- Cleshay Johnson II, 28, of Los Angeles, who is still being sought;
- Felicite Aleisha King, 41, of Los Angeles, who is still being sought;
- Shafequah Lynete Mitchell, 33, of Los Angeles, who is currently traveling outside of California;
- James Antonio Johnson, who has several aliases including “Big Dawg Niddy,” 31, of Los Angeles, who is currently in custody in a Los Angeles County jail;
- Dominique Charmone Martin, 37, of Yucaipa, who is still being sought;
- Mykara Destiny Robertson, 23, of Los Angeles, who is still being sought;
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
The investigation into this scheme was conducted by the Los Angeles El Camino Real Financial Crimes Task Force, a multi-agency task force led by Homeland Security Investigations that includes federal and state investigators who are focused on financial crimes in Southern California.
The California Employment Development Department and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation were also involved in the investigation.
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Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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