Three individuals have been charged with fraudulently seeking federal disaster relief funds by falsely claiming their properties were damaged by the Eaton and Palisades wildfires, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California announced Wednesday.
The defendants—two from Southern California and one from Texas—were arrested after being accused of defrauding the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Joyce Turner, 55, of Rosharon, Texas, was arrested on March 11 after being charged with fraud in connection with major disaster benefits. Turner allegedly falsely claimed that her home was destroyed in the Eaton Fire, despite having no connection to California or the property. She forged a lease and obtained more than $25,000 in FEMA benefits.
Tyrone D. Barnes Jr., 38, of Paramount, was arrested on March 11 after a Feb. 21 federal grand jury indictment. Barnes submitted a fraudulent FEMA claim for an Altadena property, owned by others who were unaware of his actions. The property owners discovered the fraud when they applied for their own disaster relief.
Hedeshia Robertson, 36, of Lakewood, was arrested on March 11 after submitting a fraudulent FEMA application on January 28. Robertson claimed benefits for a Pacific Palisades residence she did not own, rent, or live in, and obtained $24,899 in FEMA funds. At the time of her arrest, Robertson was attempting to secure additional FEMA benefits for a supposed lease in San Francisco.
The defendants face serious charges, and all are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
