Leonardtown Man Charged In Alleged $6,600 Auto Insurance Fraud Scheme

LEONARDTOWN, Md. — A Leonardtown man has been issued a criminal summons after Maryland State Police investigators alleged he used another person’s insurance policy to submit two fraudulent vehicle damage claims totaling more than $6,600.

Damont Eric Barnes, 43, was charged in the District Court for St. Mary’s County with two counts of felony theft between $1,500 and $25,000 and two counts of felony identity information fraud.

According to charging documents, Maryland State Police began investigating after a policyholder reported discovering two unfamiliar claims through his GEICO mobile application.

The policyholder told investigators he was traveling out of state with his wife when both incidents allegedly occurred and denied being involved in either collision.

Court documents state the claims caused his monthly insurance premium to increase from $494.96 to $721.70.

Investigators alleged Barnes submitted the claims by posing as the policyholder and using his vehicle and insurance information.

The first claim involved alleged property damage at Chancellor’s Run Regional Park in Lexington Park. The report claimed the policyholder backed into a concession stand and ran over a cellphone that had been left nearby.

Click for full story.