Defendant guilty in insurance scam

Thursday, Feb. 12, 1998 | 10:28 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- David J. Stoner, 27, of North Las Vegas, was placed on 18 months probation after being convicted of trying to cheat an insurance company by faking a home burglary.

The sentence was handed down Wednesday by District Judge Joseph Bonaventure, who also ordered Stoner to perform community service.

Deputy Attorney General J. Marty Howard said Stoner staged a burglary and then sought to collect $14,000 from State Farm Insurance Co. He said the insurance fraud unit in the attorney general's office and the National Insurance Crime Bureau received an anonymous tip that the items missing in the alleged burglary were actually at the home of one of Stoner's friends.

Before the insurance claim was paid, Stoner was arrested. He pleaded guilty to a gross misdemeanor charge of attempted insurance fraud.

"Insurance fraud is a growing problem in Nevada," said Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa, adding that citizens pay the cost by higher insurance premiums.

"This case shows the excellent results which can be achieved when a law enforcement agency communicates, cooperates and collaborates with the private sector," she said, referring to the private insurance crime bureau.