Two Honolulu residents have been hit with fraud charges for allegedly making false claims for disaster relief funds. According to a recent press release by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Daylyn Harris, 34, and Chelsea Johnson, 32, were indicted on July 17, 2025, for purportedly conspiring to defraud the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) by submitting phony claims related to the fires in Lahaina, Hawaii, and California.
Acting United States Attorney Ken Sorenson explained the indictment brought against the pair, which included a seven-count charge for their involvement in a wire fraud scheme. Arrested on July 15, the indictment accuses Harris of falsely claiming that he lived in Lahaina during the 2023 Lahaina fires, alleging losses of housing, income, medical bills, and property that never occurred. Johnson, posing as Harris’s landlord, assisted in making claims that were not based in truth. Together, it's alleged that they pocketed over $60,000 from FEMA, money meant for actual disaster victims.
As stated in the press release, the indictment highlights that in January 2025, Johnson also falsely claimed to live in Pacific Palisades, California, during the fire disaster there. Requesting funds for non-existent lost housing and other expenses, the actions of both Harris and Johnson have led them to face serious legal repercussions. If convicted on these charges, each of the counts they face may result in up to thirty years behind bars and fines of up to $1 million.
Despite the severity of the charges, it's essential to remember that an indictment is not a conviction, and both Harris and Johnson are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. As the case proceeds, it is up to a United States District Judge to determine their fate, considering statutory sentencing factors along with the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines. The Department of Homeland Security, assisted by the Honolulu Police Department, conducted the investigative work that led to these charges, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Albanese spearheading the prosecution. The outcome of this case holds the potential to serve as a stern warning against fraudulent claims in times of disaster, aiming to preserve critical funds for those in genuine need.
