Rock Rapids, Iowa — A Rock Rapids man has been sentenced on a felony insurance fraud charge.
According to a criminal complaint filed with the Lyon County Clerk of Court’s Office by the Iowa Insurance Fraud Bureau, 41-year-old Justin Fastert of Rock Rapids was accused of attempting to obtain money he was not entitled to. He was arrested about 11 months ago.
In their statement, the bureau says Fastert submitted multiple altered and created documents from multiple companies to the insurance company in an attempt to gain monetary funds to which he was not entitled. It says Fastert attempted to gain a total of over $47,800 from fictitious invoices. The insurance company denied the claim. They tell us Fastert admitted to knowingly creating these documents.
Fastert was charged with one count of fraudulent practice, a class C felony, and one count of insurance fraud – presenting false information, a class D felony. But Fastert agreed to plead guilty to one count of Insurance Fraud – Presenting False Information, a class D felony, and one count of Fraudulent Practice – Third Degree, an aggravated misdemeanor.
On the felony charge, he was sentenced to a suspended five-year prison term, two years’ probation, and a fine of $1025. On the misdemeanor charge, he was sentenced to a 365-day jail term, with 245 days suspended. He is to serve the remaining 120 days on house arrest. He’s also to pay an $855 fine and serve two years’ probation on that charge as well.
