FROM THE OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY, NORTHERN DISTRICT OF WEST VIRGINIA

 

A Clarksburg woman pled guilty Friday to mail fraud, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.

 

Chasity Costilow, age 38, pled guilty to one count of “Mail Fraud.” Costilow admitted to taking part in a staged vehicular accident in September 2012 in Marion County. She also admitted to faking injuries from said accident and filing a false insurance claim, from which she received a settlement of approximately $60,000.

 

Costilow faces up to twenty years and a $250,000 fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendants.

 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Cogar is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The West Virginia Insurance Commission Office of Inspector General and the United States Postal Inspection Service are investigating.

 

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.