6 Plead Guilty in Louisiana Insurance Fraud Scheme

Federal authorities say six defendants in an insurance fraud scheme have pleaded guilty.

U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley says the defendants entered their pleas Monday before U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. in Shreveport.

Finley says the members of the ring conspired to stage and fabricate automobile accidents and submit fraudulent claims to insurance companies for bodily injury and property damage.

She says the “Kimble Ring,” which was composed of family, friends and associates, staged accidents including two automobile rear-end collisions, single automobile collisions with trees, and false hit and run claims.

False claims were filed for accidents in Bienville Parish, Ruston, Athens and Claiborne Parish between December 2007 and March 2008.

Bobby Lee Kimble, 42, of Athens, pleaded guilty to conspiracy, wire fraud, and health care fraud;

Joe Abbott, 54, of Arcadia, pleaded guilty to conspiracy, mail fraud, and health care fraud;

Marcus Kimble, 30, of Arcadia, pleaded guilty to conspiracy, wire fraud, and health care fraud;

Damario Henderson, 29, of Homer, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and health care fraud;

Monica Jenkins, 25, of Athens, pleaded guilty to conspiracy, mail fraud, and health care fraud; and

Larry Kimble, 33, of Athens, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and wire fraud.

Sentencing dates of Nov. 13-14 were set for the defendants.