Five individuals have been arrested on charges of fraudulently claiming disaster relief funds following the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles in January. The U.S. Department of Justice announced the arrests, highlighting that these cases are not connected to one another. The defendants allegedly collected thousands of dollars from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) by falsely reporting property damage.
The five defendants face serious charges, each potentially facing up to 30 years in federal prison. Four of them are from Los Angeles County and were arrested on Thursday. The fifth, a woman from Arizona, was already in state custody for another issue when she was charged.
According to the Justice Department, FEMA has distributed over $123.6 million to more than 33,000 people affected by the wildfires, which officials warn could be the costliest disaster in modern history. FEMA grants are designed to help cover costs like temporary housing, home repairs, and other disaster-related expenses.
Among those arrested is Deanniah Hogan, 32, from Compton. She submitted a claim in January for damage to a Pacific Palisades home she claimed to be renting, receiving $17,351 from FEMA. However, the actual owner of the property later confirmed that it was not being rented out. Hogan has been released on a $10,000 bond and is set to appear in court again on May 20.
Another defendant, Delvonne Dashon Johnson, 31, from East Hollywood, falsely claimed damages to a Pacific Palisades home owned by someone who did not know him. He received approximately $64,138 in federal relief funds. The true homeowner discovered the fraud when she attempted to file her own claim and learned that someone else had already done so. Johnson’s first court appearance was scheduled for Friday.
Keandre Lowe, 21, from Long Beach, claimed to be renting a home in Altadena that has been owned by the same family since 2007. He received $28,286 from FEMA after submitting a fraudulent claim. Lowe was also released on a $10,000 bond and is expected in court on May 27.
Zenalyn McIntre, 38, from Sherman Oaks, is accused of submitting fake documents to support her claim for a Pacific Palisades home that was supposedly destroyed. She received $25,229 in relief funds. Finally, Katrina Woods, 33, from Maricopa, Arizona, claimed a nonexistent address in Altadena as her primary residence, receiving $23,441 in funds, along with costs for hotel stays in Los Angeles.
These arrests are part of a broader crackdown on fraud related to disaster relief efforts. Other individuals have already faced charges for similar fraudulent claims. The authorities are determined to ensure that relief funds go to those who genuinely need assistance following the wildfires.