JOPLIN, Mo. —
A Joplin woman has pleaded guilty in federal court to fraudulently receiving federal disaster benefits after the May 22, 2011, tornado.
Amber Nicole Peters, 22, pleaded guilty Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge James C. England in Springfield to disaster fraud, according to a statement released by David M. Ketchmark, acting U.S. attorney for the Western District of Missouri.
Peters admitted that she applied for federal disaster benefits by falsely claiming that her home and property had been damaged or destroyed in the tornado. In reality, Peters met an inspector from the Federal Emergency Management Agency at the tornado-damaged home belonging to her recently deceased grandmother, and falsely claimed it was her primary residence.
FEMA authorized payment in the amount of $3,596, of which $2,658 was for loss of personal property and $938 was for rental assistance. Peters was paid by an electronic funds transfer on June 7, 2011.
As a result of Peters’ false claim, FEMA initially denied the legitimate claim later filed by her aunt, who lived at the home with Peters’ grandmother.
Under federal statutes, Peters is subject to a sentence of up to 30 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine of up to $250,000 and an order of restitution.
A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a pre-sentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.
Hot line
ANYONE WITH INFORMATION about disaster fraud related to the Joplin tornado, authorities say, may call the National Center for Disaster Fraud hot line at 866-720-5721, the Joplin Police Department at 417-623-3131, or the FBI’s Joplin office at 417-206-5700.
May 2011 Joplin tornado
Joplin woman pleads guilty to federal disaster-aid fraud
- May 2011 Joplin tornado
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FACES OF RECOVERY: 176,869 volunteers help put Joplin together again
They initially came in droves, pouring into Joplin by the thousands during the months following the May 2011 tornado to clear debris, clean up damaged homes and businesses and distribute donations of food, water, clothing and other necessities.
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SLIDESHOW: One year later, One day of unity, updated
Photos from a day of events commemorating the May 22, 2011 tornado anniversary
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Therapy dogs
Any question that Louie was bred to put people as ease is put to rest when the golden retriever trots over to where a visitor sits and puts his head on their knee, the dog’s eyes filled with a gentle affection.
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Nova Kluseman and Jeanne Morrow
Nova Kluseman has staked her claim on Wednesdays at the Mercy medical office clinics where she volunteers. The staff at Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri will know it’s Thursday when they see Jeanne Morrow walk through the door.
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Greentree Community Church
Every two months, Joplin plays host to some now-familiar faces. They’re members of Greentree Community Church in St. Louis, and they have “adopted” the city as one of their mission projects since the tornado.
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Virginia Laas
Virginia Laas isn’t an accountant or bookkeeper by trade. But when the tornado caused significant damage to Joplin Schools, and subsequently spurred a massive landslide of donations to the district, Laas voluntarily stepped into those roles to fill a need that administrators were too busy to handle.
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Rebecca Williams
Two years after the tornado, Rebecca Williams remains committed to helping people around the world keep up with the progress that has been made in Joplin.
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Community Outreach Team
While it didn’t yet have a formal name, the seeds of Freeman Health System’s Community Outreach Team were planted in the hours following the tornado.
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Jewish Disaster Response Corps
“Tikkun olam” is Hebrew for “repairing the world,” and the concept — of service to others, of helping those in need — is prevalent in Judaism.
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Dorothy Maples
Dorothy Maples always felt a calling to volunteer, whether it was participating in a fundraiser or giving a hand to help someone in need.
- More May 2011 Joplin tornado Headlines
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