A former Baltimore City police officer and his wife pleaded guilty Thursday in U.S. District Court to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.
Michael Bernard Nelson, 26, and Tierra Spencer Nelson, 24, both of Baltimore, were convicted in connection with a scheme to create and sell false police reports of thefts and accidents to collect fees and insurance payments, prosecutors said.
The indictment against the Nelsons said that on Oct. 25, 2006, Tierra Nelson falsely reported to the Baltimore Police Department that her husband?s personal vehicle had been stolen. Information concerning the car was entered into the national crime database.
Michael Nelson called his insurance company to report the car stolen ? when in fact it had not been stolen ? and State Farm Insurance Co. mailed checks to pay off the claim, prosecutors say.
The Nelsons also sold and prepared false police reports to support a false burglary claim and automobile accident claim, according to the indictment.
The Nelsons face up to 20 years in prison for conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. U.S. District Judge Richard Bennett scheduled sentencing for Sept. 7.
