Four Southern California Drivers Arraigned in Alleged Staged Crash Scheme that Endangered Innocent Driver

LOS ANGELES — Four Southern California drivers were arraigned today in an alleged staged collision scheme that endangered an innocent driver and is tied to coordinated insurance fraud. The defendants include: Jhoiner Rodriguez Celis, 31, of Anaheim, Melissa Cervantes De La Torre, 30, of Upland, Nailer Mendez Diaz, 35, of Anaheim, and Plata Sampayo, 28, of Upland.

The arraignment follows an investigation by the Inland Empire Automobile Insurance Fraud Task Force, which includes the California Department of Insurance, California Highway Patrol, the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office, and the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office.

Read the entire press release. California Department of Insurance, May 27, 2026