Laurel Couple Arrested For Identity Theft And Health Care Fraud

Date of Occurrence: December 12, 2012 through October 30, 2013

Victim: 36 year old female, Laurel

Defendants, Charges, and Bond Information:

Kara L. Murphy, 28, Laurel, DE (Photo Attached)
Health Care Fraud (7 counts)
Identity Theft (7 counts)
Prescription Pill Fraud (7 counts)
Conspiracy 2nd (7 counts)

Arraigned at JP3 and committed to Delores J. Baylor Women's Correctional Institution on $9,000.00 secured bond.

Jason R. Shapiro, 33, Laurel, DE (Photo Attached)
Health Care Fraud (7 counts)
Identity Theft (7 counts)
Prescription Pill Fraud (7 counts)
Conspiracy 2nd (7 counts)

Arraigned at JP3 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $9,000.00 secured bond.

Resume:
Laurel, DE- The Delaware State Police have arrested two people involved in stealing a woman's identity and obtaining prescription drugs in her name.

On Wednesday October 30, 2013, a 36 year old Laurel female contacted the State Police to report an identity theft that had occurred starting on December 12, 2012. The victim informed troopers that she had called her local drug store to check on a prescription that was to be filled. The pharmacist questioned the victim as to another prescription that was to be filled which was different from the one she was calling about. When the female victim informed the pharmacist she was unaware of this drug, her suspicions were raised as to who had called this in. The drug store was able to provide the victim with seven dates the medication was filled, starting back on December 12, 2012. The investigation revealed the suspect would use the victim's name, date of birth, and health insurance information to call in the prescription and then respond to the store to make the purchase.

Video surveillance was obtained from the pharmacy and Kara L. Murphy was determined to be the primary suspect in this case. She was picked up by troopers Thursday October 31, 2013 and brought back to Troop 5 near Bridgeville where she was charged with seven counts of Health Care Fraud, seven counts of Identity Theft, seven counts of Prescription Pill Fraud, and seven counts of Conspiracy 2nd. It was also determined through interviews that Kara's boyfriend, Jason R. Shapiro had conspired with her to commit these crimes. He was also arrested Thursday night and charged in this incident. Both Murphy and Shapiro were arraigned at JP3 and turned over to the Department of Corrections in lieu of $9,000.00 bond.