Former Castroville Police Chief Convicted of Wire Fraud

SAN ANTONIO - A federal jury convicted former Castroville Police Chief, Christopher Filline, for one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Filline, 58, developed a scheme in 2016 to defraud Farmers Insurance Group by destroying his vehicle that he insured through the company, and claiming it had been stolen. Filline arranged for two co-conspirators to take the vehicle and light it on fire using an accelerant. He subsequently filed a false report with the Lytle Police Department and an insurance claim with Farmers Insurance Group, declaring his vehicle had been stolen. The filing resulted in Filline receiving a $14,388.25 payment.

Filline was indicted in January 2020. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. A sentence hearing has been set for Jan. 22, 2025.

U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

The FBI and Texas Department of Public Safety investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Greg Surovic and Christina Playton are prosecuting the case.

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