Woman Sentenced for Insurance Fraud After Claim Photos Found Online

Rhonda Keisha Powell of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, has been sentenced to 45 days in jail for felony insurance fraud after investigators discovered that photos she submitted with her claim were easily found on the internet.

In December 2020 and November 2022, Powell filed fraudulent renters insurance claims with USAA, alleging that a broken pipe had flooded her home, damaging expensive furniture, electronics, and designer items. USAA initially paid her $58,373 for the 2020 claim but denied the 2022 claim after finding discrepancies. Investigators determined that Powell never reported water damage to her landlord, and the receipts and invoices she provided were fake. Additionally, the damage photos she submitted had been taken from online sources rather than her actual property.

After pleading guilty to two counts of felony insurance fraud in October 2024, Powell was sentenced on February 20, 2025, to five years of incarceration, with all but 45 days suspended. She will also serve five years of supervised probation and must repay USAA $58,373.

Authorities credited the Maryland Insurance Administration and forensic investigators for uncovering the fraud. The case highlights the importance of thorough claim verification and the risks of attempting to deceive insurance companies with easily accessible online images.