New York Gov. Kathy Hochul stressed earlier this year she would be cracking down on auto insurance fraud statewide. Several months later, her office has announced more than a dozen related arrests.
A joint investigative partnership between the New York State Police (NYSP) and the state's Division of Financial Services (DFS) resulted in 16 auto insurance fraud arrests from Long Island to western New York, Hochul's office announced on Tuesday, Oct. 20. The fraudulent claims amounted to nearly $500,000 and resulted in 31 charges, including 29 felonies and two misdemeanors.
"Auto insurance is not a victimless crime," Hochul said. "Every staged crash, fraudulent claim and criminal scheme ultimately drives up costs for New Yorkers who play by the rules."
The governor directed a task force consisting of NYSP, DFS, the state Department of Motor Vehicles and the state's Division of Criminal Justice Services earlier this year to better tackle auto insurance fraud. New York's Fiscal Year 2027 budget also included several auto insurance reforms to combat fraud throughout the state.
"These investigations can be complex and often involve individuals who deliberately attempt to conceal their activity through false claims, staged incidents and other fraudulent conduct," said NYSP Superintendent Steven G. James. "By combining the investigative capabilities of the State Police with the specialized expertise of DFS, we are identifying these schemes, building stronger cases and holding those responsible accountable."
Here's what to know about the recent auto insurance fraud arrests.
How many auto insurance fraud arrests were made in upstate New York?
Of the 16 arrests announced by the governor's office, three were made in upstate New York. Here's a list of those arrests, according to Hochul's office.
- Monroe County: Tazeona Silas, 23, of Rochester, accused of submitting an insurance claim under a policy in another person's name of whose identity she stole to obtain the coverage. Silas was charged with 4th degree insurance fraud and identity theft.
- Erie County: Shawn Baranyi accused of providing false information regarding an auto insurance claim. Baranyi was arrested for 5th degree insurance fraud.
- Onondaga County: Susan Guralny, 40, of Syracuse, filed an auto insurance claim for front-end damage to a vehicle in February, alleging it was caused by a collision with a deer. An investigation of the claim, which included a more than $4,000 repair cost estimate, revealed the damage occurred during a period the vehicle wasn't covered under an active policy. Guralny has been charged with 4th degree insurance fraud.
Where were the other NY auto insurance fraud arrests made?
The remaining 13 auto insurance fraud arrests announced by Hochul's office took place in New York City and Long Island counties. Here's where and what the governor's office says about the allegations:
- Bronx County: Nelson Colon Hernandez, 39, and Maria Colon, 45, accused of staging an accident in the Bronx in March and receiving medical treatment totaling more than $70,700 as a result. Both were charged with 2nd degree insurance fraud, 2nd degree attempted grand larceny and 1st degree falsifying business records, which are all felonies.
- Bronx County: Ramon A. Guzman Colon, 58, accused of staging an accident in the Bronx in October 2025 with other individuals. Their combined medical treatment costs amounted to more than $115,900. Guzman Colon was charged with 3rd degree insurance fraud, 3rd degree attempted grand larceny, 2nd degree staging a motor vehicle accident, 2nd degree reckless endangerment and 1st degree falsifying business records.
- Bronx County: Ramon Guzman Colon was accused of being with others in a vehicle on the Cross Bronx Expressway that intentionally hit the side of a tractor trailer. Those involved claimed the tractor trailer hit them, but video evidence shows them hitting the tractor trailer. Guzman Colon was charged with 3rd degree insurance fraud.
- Bronx County: Miguel Cruz Pena, 38, Mario Escolastico De Jesus, 48, and Silvestre Scolastico Cotorreal, 59, accused of staging an accident in the Bronx in November 2025, resulting in more than $154,000 in medical treatment costs. All three have been charged with 2nd degree insurance fraud, 2nd degree attempted grand larceny and 1st degree falsifying business records, which are all felonies.
- Bronx County: Nana Agyekum, 61, filed an insurance claim in September 2025 alleging she was struck by a bus in the Bronx, resulting in more than $4,000 in medical expenses. Agyekum was charged with 3rd degree insurance fraud, 3rd degree attempted grand larceny and 1st degree falsifying business records, which are all felonies.
- Suffolk County: Jonathan Canarick, 38, filed an insurance claim in January alleging his motorcycle, valued at around $50,000, was stolen. An investigation revealed the motorcycle was stolen while it was uninsured. Canarick was charged with 3rd degree insurance fraud and 3rd degree attempted grand larceny, which are both felonies.
- Suffolk County: Neris Almendarez, 41, alleged she was in a vehicle involved in an accident, which resulted in more than $12,600 in medical treatment. More than $11,300 of the alleged medical expenses was paid by the insurance company. Almendarez was charged with 3rd degree insurance fraud, 3rd degree grand larceny and 1st degree falsifying business records, which are all felonies.
- Kings County: DuSean Barnett, 28, of Brooklyn, accused of staging a vehicle collision in December 2025 by turning his vehicle into another one at an intersection. Barnett claimed the other person ran a stop sign and made numerous insurance claims for medical expenses stemming from the collision in excess of $16,000. Barnett has been charged with 1st degree falsifying business records, 2nd degree staging a motor vehicle accident, 3rd degree criminal mischief and 3rd degree insurance fraud.
- Richmond County: Esgar D. Zavala Espinoza, 29, alleged to be inside a parked vehicle that was hit by a tractor trailer in Staten Island in April 2024. Espinoza claimed to have sustained more than $41,500 in medical expenses, however an investigation determined Espinoza wasn't in the vehicle at the time of the collision. Espinoza has been charged with 3rd degree insurance fraud, 3rd degree grand larceny and 1st degree falsifying business records, which are all felonies.
- Queens County: Derek Webster, 25, of Queens, filed a police report, alleging he was struck by an Amazon truck. The insurance company paid more than $18,000 in no fault benefits but video evidence shows he staged the accident. Webster was charged with 3rd degree grand larceny, 3rd degree insurance fraud and 1st degree falsifying business records.
Emily Barnes covers state government for the USA TODAY Network-New York with a focus on how policy and laws impact New Yorkers' taxes, communities and jobs. Follow her on Instagram or X @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at ebarnes@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: These 16 New Yorkers charged with car insurance fraud in crackdown
