Naples man sentenced in car insurance scam

NAPLES, Fla. A 36-year-old man was sentenced to three years in federal prison for defrauding auto insurance companies, the Justice Department said Tuesday afternoon.

Wisler Cyrius, of Naples, pleaded guilty in May 2016 to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and money laundering, District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell said. He conspired to solicit people to participate in staged motor vehicle accidents in exchange for compensation.

Cyrius was ordered by the court to pay $270,329,92 in restitution to automobile insurance companies and to forfeit property in the amount of the proceeds traceable to the offense, the Justice Department said.

Four others previously pleaded guilty and have been sentenced for their roles in the conspiracy, the Justice Department said:

• Garry Joseph, 37, of Naples, was sentenced to three years and one month in federal prison for conspiracy to commit mail fraud.
• Anouce Toussaint, 33, of Naples, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for conspiracy to commit mail fraud and conspiracy to launder money.
• Maria Victoria Lopez, 44, of Moore Haven, was sentenced to three years probation for conspiracy to commit mail fraud.
• David Adamson, 47, of Bonita Springs was sentenced to five years probation with 180 days of home detention for mail fraud.

A fifth defendant, Nesly Loute, was also convicted of conspiracy to commit mail fraud following a six-day trial. He was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison in February.