VENTURA, California – District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Ashley Nicole Martinez (DOB 08/26/85), of Bakersfield, pled guilty to one count of felony automobile insurance fraud.
On January 25, 2019, Martinez’ auto insurance policy lapsed due to non-payment of premiums. On February 2, 2019, her vehicle was involved in an accident in Ventura County. On February 3, Martinez electronically submitted payment to Sterling Insurance (Sterling) to reinstate her policy. On February 5, Martinez contacted Sterling and stated her vehicle had been stolen, then made a claim for insurance coverage to repair the damage to her vehicle.
Subsequent investigation by Sterling and the District Attorney’s Office Auto Insurance Fraud Unit revealed Martinez reinstated her policy after the accident, and that she was uninsured when the accident occurred on February 2, 2019.
Martinez is scheduled to be sentenced on June 28, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 23 of the Ventura County Superior Court. Felony automobile insurance fraud is punishable by up to five years in jail and a fine up to $50,000, or double the amount of fraud, whichever is greater.
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