Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones Announces Extradition Of Former Indiana Bail Agent
News: 2012 Press Release
Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones today announced that former Indiana bail agent Arvina Joyce Carlson, age 69, was arrested and booked in Indiana based on a California warrant for her arrest. Carlson was extradited to California by the Department of Insurance COPS (Criminal Operations - Point of Sale) Team.
"Those who perpetrate fraud against unsuspecting investors will be brought to justice," said Commissioner Jones. "The subjects who carried out this elaborate Ponzi scheme preyed on their victims to live a luxurious lifestyle."
Carlson has been charged with 23 felony counts including violating Penal Code section 487 (A) Grand Theft; Corporations Code sections 25110/25540 (A), necessity of qualification of security or transaction; Corporations Code sections 25401/25540 (B), sale or purchase of securities by means of written or oral communications containing false statements or omissions; and Corporations Code section 25541, use of device, scheme or artifice to defraud. Carlson is being held on $1.9 million bail. Carlson faces up to 21 years in state prison if convicted on the charges.
According to Department Investigators, on September 22, 2011 charges were filed and arrest warrants were issued against Carlson, her son Anthony Trae Carlson and his wife, Mariah O'Brien. Both Anthony Trae Carlson and Mariah O'Brien were arrested in October 2011. Carlson was previously arrested by the Marion County Sheriff's Department in Indiana; however, after she contested extradition to California she was allowed to be released on bond. CDI Investigators requested and obtained a Governor's Warrant for the arrest and extradition of Carlson so that she may face the felony charges brought against her.
The arrests of Carlson's son and his wife are detailed in a CDI news release from October, 2011 which can be found here. This case was investigated by CDI's Los Angeles Investigation Division and prosecuted by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office- Major Fraud Unit.
Led by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, the California Department of Insurance is the consumer protection agency for the nation's largest insurance marketplace and safeguards all of the state’s consumers by fairly regulating the insurance industry. Under the Commissioner’s direction, the Department uses its authority to protect Californians from insurance rates that are excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory, oversee insurer solvency to pay claims, set standards for agents and broker licensing, perform market conduct reviews of insurance companies, resolve consumer complaints, and investigate and prosecute insurance fraud. Consumers are urged to call 1-800-927-4357 with any questions or contact us at www.insurance.ca.gov via webform or online chat. Non-media inquiries should be directed to the Consumer Hotline at 800-927-4357. Teletypewriter (TTY), please dial 800-482-4833.
