Twin Falls bail agent convicted of insurance fraud for mishandling funds
Wednesday April 2, 2025Contact: Julie Robinson, 208-334-4312
julie.robinson@doi.idaho.gov
BOISE, ID (April 2, 2025) – The Idaho Department of Insurance (DOI) announced today that Johnny Mateo Robles, Jr. of Twin Falls, Idaho pleaded guilty to one count of felony insurance fraud for diverting fiduciary funds that were unlawfully used by a producer for personal use.
On January 12, 2021, Johnny Robles was an Idaho licensed bail agent for Mr. Bail, Inc. (Mr. Bail) when he arranged a bail bond for an individual at the Twin Falls County Jail. Robles requested $35,000 in cash as collateral for the bail bond, along with a $15,000 fee to cover the bail premium. Robles received the collateral and the fee from the individual being bailed out of jail and provided a receipt to this person. On April 7, 2022, the bail bond was exonerated, and the individual requested the return of their $35,000 collateral. However, Robles only returned $10,000 and stated that the rest of the collateral was his personal fee for posting the bail bond.
An investigation by the DOI’s Fraud Unit determined that Robles deposited the $15,000 fee into a bank account for Mr. Bail. The $35,000 collateral should have been placed into a fiduciary bank account with Mr. Bail, but Robles never reported collecting collateral to them. Instead, Robles deposited the $35,000 into his personal bank account and used the money for personal use in violation of Idaho state statute.
On January 13, 2025, the Idaho Department of Insurance revoked Robles’ Idaho Resident Bail Agent License due to these violations.
On March 17, 2025, Johnny Mateo Robles, Jr. was sentenced to 5 years in prison which was suspended in lieu of supervised probation, 25 hours of community service, a fine of $1,500 and restitution payments to the victim.
“Licensed agents, including bail agents, are required to follow the law,” said Director Dean Cameron. “Idaho Insurance Code exists to protect Idaho consumers and violations will not be tolerated.”
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About the Department of Insurance
The Idaho Department of Insurance has been regulating the business of insurance in Idaho since 1901. The mission of the Department is to serve and protect Idahoans by equitably, effectively and efficiently administering the Idaho Insurance Code and the International Fire Code. For more information, please visit us at doi.idaho.gov or email us at consumeraffairs@doi.idaho.gov.