Release Date: September 24, 2009

Contact:

John Vanarelli, Senior Deputy District Attorney

(805) 662-1726

District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Jose Jesus Quiroz (DOB 4/30/77) of Oxnard was sentenced after pleading guilty to felony auto insurance fraud.

On the morning of August 10, 2009, Quiroz called the Oxnard Police Department to report that his 2002 GMC Denali was stolen. Quiroz told the police he parked and locked his vehicle in front of his house the previous day, August 9, but when he came outside the following morning, the vehicle was gone. He then reported the “theft” to his insurance carrier, Infinity Insurance.

Infinity was notified by the National Insurance Crime Bureau that Quiroz's car was impounded in Mexico on August 8, 2009. When questioned by Infinity Insurance, Quiroz said he had his vehicle on August 9, 2009, and denied taking it to Mexico . Infinity then referred the case to the California Department of Insurance Fraud Division (CDI) for investigation.

Quiroz eventually admitted to CDI investigators that he had financial problems and could no longer afford his monthly car payments. A friend told him that he could “leave” his truck with people in Mexico who would get rid of it for him. He then admitted reporting the vehicle as stolen in an attempt to collect insurance money.

Quiroz was placed on felony probation for a period of three years and ordered to serve 90 days in the Ventura County jail. He was also ordered to pay restitution to Infinity Insurance in the amount of $4,293.