Fraud Ringleader and Former Fugitive William Mize Pleads Guilty in Federal Court

Spokane, Washington - Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced today that William Oldham Mize pleaded guilty to conspiracy, tax fraud, and failing to appear at court proceedings. United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice accepted Mize's guilty plea and scheduled a sentencing hearing for November 6, 2024, in Spokane, Washington.

According to the plea agreement and other court filings, Mize was the ringleader of a massive insurance fraud scheme to intentionally cause automobile and boat collisions as well as staged home "accidents" in order to file false and fraudulent insurance claims and collect the proceeds. According to court documents, the scheme took place between 2013 and 2018, involved numerous staged collisions in Washington and Nevada, and obtained more than $6 million, most of which was kept by Mize.

Mize originally appeared in federal court on his indictment on January 9, 2019. Following his initial appearance, he was released pending trial. In July 2019, Mize fled from supervision and became a fugitive, living under a number of false identities.

On November 28, 2023, the U.S. Marshals apprehended Mize in Jacksonville, Florida based on a lead that Mize, using a false identity, was attempting to sell a yacht in which was living in the Jacksonville area. Mize was then located and arrested at a marina in central Florida and transported to Eastern Washington, where he has remained in custody.

U.S. Attorney Waldref stated, "Mr. Mize attempted, but ultimately failed, to avoid the consequences of his fraudulent and dangerous schemes. Over the course of several years, Mr. Mize defrauded insurance companies out of millions of dollars by staging fake accidents that caused real, physical harm to his co-conspirators and others. These schemes greatly increase insurance premiums and costs for everyone, making it more expensive for ordinary Americans to own a car and to have reliable transportation for themselves and their families. I am grateful for the excellent investigative work by our law enforcement partners and prosecutors in my office, as well as the tireless dedication of the U.S. Marshals to locate and return Mr. Mize to the Eastern District, where he finally will be held accountable for the great harm caused by his fraudulent scheme."

"This case demonstrates the dedication of the FBI, the U.S. Marshals, IRS Criminal Investigation, and all our law enforcement partners to hold fraudsters and fugitives accountable no matter how long the process takes or how far they run," said Richard A. Collodi, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. "Mr. Mize pleaded guilty today after a multi-year, multi-million dollar scheme, followed by years of hiding from the law."

"Preventing auto accidents requires communal effort, and safety is something we all strive for. Mr. Mize, on the other hand, chose to travel a different path," said Special Agent in Charge Adam Jobes, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS CI), Seattle Field Office. "Going on the run, Mr. Mize tried to escape the consequences of his actions. Today, however, is the end of the road, and Mr. Mize is being held accountable for his crimes."

"The United States Marshals Service worked as one team with the IRS and the FBI in this case to relentlessly pursue this fugitive until he was apprehended, in spite of his resources and intent to avoid capture, stated Gavin K. Duffy, Chief Deputy United States Marshal for Eastern Washington. "While this case has garnered significant attention, the partnership and teamwork between local, state, and federal agencies occurs every day in Eastern Washington to maximize both the benefit to our community and to ensure the Rule of Law is maintained."

The FBI, Internal Revenue Service, and U.S. Marshals Service investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorneys Dan Fruchter and Jeremy J. Kelley are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.