11 charged in Delco auto insurance fraud case

MEDIA, Pa. (WPVI) -- Eleven people are facing charges for their part in an alleged auto insurance fraud scheme.

Delaware County District Attorney Jack Whelan announced the charges on Monday after a four-year investigation.

Frank Wilson, the owner of Transformers Collision Specialists, is the alleged leader. Investigators say he operated out of two locations - an intake office at 1006 Summit Street and an empty garage at 850 Summit Street.

"After he took possession of those vehicles, he would further damage those vehicles and then transport the vehicles to 1006 Summit Street where an adjuster would come and inspect the damage," Whelan said.

Another 10 alleged co-conspirators were also arrested on Monday, including Wilson's daughter.

The D.A. says Wilson and associates defrauded insurance companies out of $85,000.

Investigators say Wilson "enhanced" the damage to vehicles and profited from the inflated claims, sometimes giving kickbacks to co-conspirators.

"He would sometimes take a forklift and ram it into the side of a car," said Whelan.

The D.A. also alleged Wilson would drive cars into a steel beam at 850 Summit Street.

Wilson was released on bail and was free to reopen his business, which was operating on Monday morning.

He is charged with eight counts of insurance fraud, six counts of conspiracy of insurance fraud, attempted theft by deception, four counts of conspiracy theft by deception, five counts of theft by deception, corrupt organization, three counts of criminal mischief, four counts of conspiracy of receiving stolen property and five counts of receiving stolen property.

The alleged co-conspirators were identified as:

PHOTOS: Pictures of the defendants

Vernon White, 34, of the 1500 block of 53rd St, Philadelphia, is charged with insurance fraud, conspiracy of insurance fraud, communications device, conspiracy theft by deception, theft by deception, unsworn falsification, conspiracy receiving stolen property, receiving stolen property

Shakeya Miles, 32, of the 1900 block of Fontage Rd., Cherry Hill, NJ, is charged with insurance fraud, conspiracy of insurance fraud, conspiracy theft by deception, theft by deception, unsworn falsification, conspiracy receiving stolen property, receiving stolen property

Nicole Walton, 41, of the 3900 block of City Ave., Philadelphia is charged with insurance fraud, conspiracy of insurance fraud, conspiracy theft by deception, theft by deception, unsworn falsification, conspiracy receiving stolen property, criminal mischief

Pamela Fields, 51, of the 1100 block of 52nd St., Philadelphia, is charged with conspiracy of insurance fraud, unsworn falsification

Letisha Johnson, 44, of the 7600 block of Woodcrest Ave., Philadelphia is charged with insurance fraud, conspiracy of insurance fraud, communications device, conspiracy theft by deception

Tywana Neal, 36, of the 300 block of Kingwood Rd., King of Prussia is charged with insurance fraud, conspiracy of insurance fraud, communications device, conspiracy theft by deception, theft by deception, receiving stolen property,

Adiaha Bell, 32, of the 3400 block of Red Lion Rd., Philadelphia, with insurance fraud, conspiracy of insurance fraud, communications device, theft by deception, receiving stolen property

Conchetta Edwards, 58, of the 2100 block of Cecil St., Philadelphia, is charged conspiracy of insurance fraud and unsworn falsification

Jamar Grant, 27, of the 7500 block of Woodcrest Ave., Philadelphia is charged with insurance fraud, conspiracy of insurance fraud, communications device, conspiracy theft by deception, unsworn falsification, conspiracy receiving stolen property, receiving stolen property

Ashely Wilson, 26, of the 300 block of Highland Ave., Darby Township is charged with insurance fraud, conspiracy of insurance fraud, communications device, conspiracy theft by deception, theft by deception, conspiracy receiving stolen property, receiving stolen property