FEMA Fraud Suspect Katrina Woods Shocks with Plea Deal, Now in Federal Custody

(First InMaricopa) The Maricopa Meadows woman accused of major fraud by the U.S. Department of Justice has been sentenced in a local court to charges related to stolen identity. Soon, she will face a federal judge regarding the more serious allegations.

Katrina Woods, 33, pleaded guilty this month to stealing the identity of a Florida resident, Whitney House, to rent her home in Maricopa. This unexpected plea followed weeks of her claiming innocence in court, leading prosecutors to dismiss firearms charges as part of the agreement.

In the federal case, Woods is accused of forging documents to create a false residence in Altadena, California. According to DOJ prosecutors, she defrauded a federal agency of tens of thousands in wildfire relief funds.

Following her arrest on April 23, detectives found Woods with a fake driver’s license and stolen social security card, which she used to rent a home on Sonny Road. In addition, she was found in possession of a short-barreled rifle lacking the necessary federal tax stamp. A Pinal County grand jury indicted her a week later on charges including forgery and identity theft.

Woods initially pleaded not guilty on May 9 before Judge Jason Holmberg, marking a significant moment in the ongoing legal saga.

On June 9, Woods changed her plea, admitting to possession of a forgery device and solicitation to commit identity theft. Court records from today detail the arrangement that came with her plea.

The state refrained from enhancing charges after prosecutors agreed not to pursue firearm offenses. The court accepted Woods’ plea earlier this week, according to Pinal County attorney’s spokesperson Sara Workman.

As per the plea agreement, Woods will serve nine months in Pinal County jail if she violates probation before June 16, 2028. However, this sentence pales in comparison to the potential years she could face in federal prison.

Woods is directed to federal custody for her other fraud case, which has received national attention. In this instance, U.S. attorneys allege she submitted a fraudulent FEMA claim on January 30, listing the fictitious Altadena address as her primary residence and claiming destruction due to the Eaton Fire.

FEMA allocated $23,441 for disaster relief, and Woods made hotel reservations through the agency to stay in two California hotels during February and March.

Fraud connected with disaster relief can lead to a maximum federal prison sentence of 30 years.

Woods is expected to make her initial appearance in federal court soon, with the case being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven M. Arkow of the Major Frauds Section.

The federal case has been filed under seal, confirming that court documents cannot be accessed yet, according to U.S. Attorneys spokesperson Thom Mrozek.

Woods is among five individuals accused of submitting fraudulent FEMA claims tied to the Altadena wildfires, with two defendants residing outside California. The government has determined that making these charges public serves the community’s interest.