Federal prosecutors have indicted a former Lawrence County sheriff’s deputy and his wife in an alleged life insurance fraud scheme involving stolen personal information. Brandon Hood and Heather Lynn Hood, also known as Heather Bolan, face charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, WAFF stated.
Brandon Hood is also a former police chief in Leighton, Alabama. Prosecutors allege he used his access to law enforcement databases while working for the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office to obtain personal information without authorization.
The information allegedly included dates of birth and Social Security numbers belonging to relatives, friends and co-workers. Prosecutors said spouses of people known to Hood were also among those whose information was accessed.
According to the indictment, the couple then used the stolen information to submit fraudulent life insurance applications electronically. They allegedly paid the first month’s premiums from their own bank accounts before collecting commissions tied to the policies.
Those commissions reached as much as 80% of the first nine months of premium payments, prosecutors said. The indictment alleges that the structure allowed the couple to receive compensation shortly after policies were issued.
The applications represented more than $24 mn in combined life insurance face value. Most of the people named in the policies allegedly had no knowledge that coverage had been purchased in their names.
Some victims discovered the policies only after receiving cancellation notices, according to the indictment. The notices concerned insurance coverage they hadn’t knowingly applied for or authorized.
The investigation dates to September 2023, when the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation notified the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office about an inquiry involving Hood. Investigators were examining suspected identity theft and insurance fraud at the time.
Hood resigned shortly after being questioned in connection with the investigation, according to the report. The Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office later said any employee who violated the law and abused the trust attached to the position would be held accountable.
The federal indictment contains allegations that prosecutors will have to prove in court. Brandon Hood is scheduled to appear in court on September 18.
