Two men were convicted in a $4.25M insurance scam tied to an unsolved Baton Rouge killing.
What unfolded in Baton Rouge, Louisiana sounds like fiction: federal prosecutors have secured convictions against two men involved in a multi-million-dollar life insurance scheme tied to the unsolved 2022 killing of a local resident.
Uncovering the Life Insurance Scheme
A federal indictment revealed that Calvin Kemp, 60, and Chevez Robillard, 33, orchestrated a scheme between July and November 2022 to secure nine fraudulent policies totaling $4.325 million. Working across eight separate insurance providers, the duo exploited the stolen identities of three individuals without their knowledge.
Kemp falsely presented himself as a music executive securing coverage for artists and writers, while Robillard was designated as the sole beneficiary on the policies. Recorded phone calls revealed Kemp repeatedly asking insurance representatives about policy exclusions—specifically inquiring whether accidental death benefits covered poisonings, overdoses, and murder.
The Fatal Shooting of Duquares Smith
One of the targeted individuals was 38-year-old Duquares Smith, who was attempting to rebuild his life after facing hard times. According to Smith's mother, Latina Maxie, her son believed Kemp and Robillard were providing him with housing and legitimate employment support through a music label venture. On December 3, 2022, Smith was found fatally shot multiple times on a street in Baton Rouge.
Following Smith's death, Robillard moved quickly to file claims on four separate policies, even launching civil lawsuits against companies that refused to pay out. A federal jury convicted both Kemp and Robillard of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
Neither man has been formally charged with Smith's homicide, and the identity of the shooter remains unconfirmed. However, both defendants face substantial prison sentences: Kemp faces up to 26 years behind bars, while Robillard faces up to 24 years.
Do you think federal fraud convictions deliver enough accountability when murder charges cannot yet be filed? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
