Multi-County Robbery Scheme Led By Tampa Claims Adjuster: Prosecutors

TAMPA, FL — A former insurance claims adjuster from Tampa was sentenced to five years in federal prison this week for her role in a robbery scheme targeting locations in multiple southwest Florida counties.

Jasmine Weber, 28, pleaded guilty in January to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery. The Hobbs Act is a federal law enacted in 1946 that prohibits robbery or attempted robbery or extortion that affects interstate or foreign commerce.

According to federal prosecutors, Weber — a former claims adjuster with USAA — conspired with a group of people to commit armed robberies throughout Pasco, Polk, Lee and Hillsborough counties between December 2020 and April 2021.

Prosecutors said members of the group would carry out crimes by pretending to be law enforcement officers. Group members would provide Weber with information on potential victims, and Weber would use her position as a claims adjuster to research targets and locate their home addresses.

Group members would then commit Hobbs Act robberies at the residences. During the robberies, prosecutors said group members would sometimes beat, pistol-whip, and shoot victims.

Additionally, prosecutors said Weber purchased equipment for group members to use during the robberies, including law enforcement vests, patches, and light bars.

The case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Florida Highway Patrol and law enforcement agencies in Bartow, Lakeland, Dade City, Cape Coral and Arcadia. The Hillsborough, Pasco, and Hernando County sheriff's offices also assisted, prosecutors said.