A Victorville resident was among four Southern California suspects arrested by federal prosecutors Friday in connection with the largest-ever COVID-19 benefits fraud scheme, including two who are additionally accused of shooting and trying to kill the group’s ringleader to avoid prosecution, authorities said.
All four defendants face federal charges for their alleged roles in “a $93 million COVID-19 tax credit fraud scheme — considered to be the largest ever identified,” the U.S. Department of Justice announced in a written statement.
Joyce Johnson, 55, of Victorville; Kristerpher Turner, 52, of Harbor City; Toriano Knox, 55, of Los Angeles; and Kenya Jones, 46, of Compton were all named in a federal grand jury indictment alleging conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud and conspiracy to submit false claims, prosecutors said…