Partner in deadly insurance fraud gets probation

RENO -- A 24-year-old Reno man who was convicted of insurance fraud was sentenced Friday to probation for his role in a staged car crash that accidentally killed a friend also in on the scheme.

Washoe District Judge Robert Perry sentenced Jorge Moreno to one to three years in prison but suspended the term and ordered him to probation. He also was ordered to pay $3,000 restitution.

A prosecutor said Moreno faces an eight-year prison term if he violates probation.

Fabien Cedano died of a head injury after he and Moreno jumped out of the vehicle before it crashed in July 2008.

Prosecutors said the two were acting at the request of Oscar Zavala-Gallegos, owner of the 2002 Cadillac Escalade.

Zavala-Gallegos earlier pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit insurance fraud and also was sentenced to probation.

He arranged with Cedano and Moreno to stage a theft of the vehicle and crash it so he could get an insurance settlement.