Katrina Woods Faces Charges for FEMA Fraud as Stolen Identity Case Unfolds in Maricopa

FLORENCE — Katrina Woods, a 33-year-old Maricopa Meadows resident, pleaded not guilty to fraud charges today in Pinal County Superior Court. This follows accusations from the U.S. Department of Justice regarding major fraud.

Woods is alleged to have stolen the identity of a Florida woman, Whitney Marie House, to rent a home in Maricopa. Additionally, she reportedly forged federal documents to present a false residency in Altadena, California, fraudulently receiving tens of thousands of dollars from a federal agency.

A grand jury indicted Woods on April 30 for forgery, identity theft, and misconduct involving weapons. She made her court appearance in chains, wearing an orange jumpsuit and a white inmate shirt, and stood beside her attorney, Ron Reyna.

Woods remains detained on a $50,000 bond, with her next court date scheduled for June 9. The serious nature of the charges could lead to significant prison time, with potential sentences exceeding 66 years across both state and federal cases.

Woods is accused of using House’s real information, including social security details, to secure rental contracts. The identity theft was discovered after the rental company canceled the agreement when suspicions arose.

In a police interview, Woods claimed brokers would not rent to her due to past misdemeanors. Authorities discovered multiple firearms at her residence, one of which was a short-barreled rifle lacking the required federal tax stamp.

In her federal case, Woods is implicated in submitting a fraudulent disaster relief claim to FEMA, asserting that her nonexistent Altadena home was destroyed in a fire. The agency granted her $23,441 before canceling her lodging assistance in March.

Woods is expected to appear in federal court shortly, facing charges that have been sealed as part of an ongoing investigation involving other defendants. The maximum penalty for fraud tied to disaster relief is 30 years in federal prison.