SUMTER COUNTY, S.C. — A 21-year-old Sumter County man has been charged with insurance fraud following an investigation by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
Authorities say Jakeem J. Samuel was charged Thursday with presenting a false claim for insurance payment valued at $10,000 or more.
Two others have also been charged in connection with the alleged scheme. Nineteen-year-old Jamari Pringle was charged on Oct. 9, 2025, and 44-year-old Ulanda Yarborough was charged on Oct. 15, 2025, each with presenting a false claim for insurance payment valued at $10,000 or more.
The investigation was requested by the South Carolina Department of Insurance.
According to arrest warrants, Samuel submitted a false insurance claim to Progressive Insurance in March 2025. Authorities allege that Samuel and his co-defendants reported being struck from behind in a hit-and-run crash that forced their vehicle off the roadway.
All three claimed to have suffered injuries requiring medical treatment. The total reported medical bills and towing fees amounted to $12,244.75.
However, investigations conducted by Progressive and SLED determined the alleged hit-and-run crash did not occur and had been staged.
Samuel is currently being held at the Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center on unrelated charges. Prosecutors with the South Carolina Department of Insurance will handle the case.
