Former Homer police officer sentenced to 10 months in prison for conspiring to commit mail fraud

SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced today that a former Homer Police officer was sentenced to 10 months in prison for his role in a vehicle fraud theft and insurance scheme.

Donald W. Malray, 52, of Homer, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. on one count of mail fraud conspiracy. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release, and he was ordered to pay $13,610.50 restitution and a $3,500 fine. According to the August 30, 2017 guilty plea, Malray and another individual planned a scheme to fake a vehicle and trailer theft, and then file an insurance claim to collect the money on the value of the property. On August 4, 2015, Malray and the other individual transferred the ATV and trailer to Malray’s possession after they met in Ruston, La. Malray then instructed the other individual to call the Homer Police Department and report the ATV and trailer stolen. The insurance company paid the individual in the conspiracy with Malray approximately $13,000 on September 8, 2015. Law enforcement agents recovered the ATV and trailer on January 31, 2017 in Ruston, La.

The DEA and the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney James G. Cowles Jr. prosecuted the case.