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Press Release

Six People Arrested for Alleged Insurance Fraud Conspiracy Involving Over 30 Fires

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Virginia

RICHMOND, Va. – Six people were arrested yesterday for their alleged roles in an insurance fraud conspiracy involving over 30 fires, pursuant to an indictment unsealed in federal court today.

According to the indictment, from as early as May 2000 until as recently as Nov. 30, 2016, the defendants, in various combinations, had a series of over 30 fires—including fires consuming single-family homes, trailers, mobile homes, and cars. The details of each fire vary, but the frequent pattern was for the defendants allegedly to buy a car or home at auction or in foreclosure, insure it, and then collect insurance proceeds in excess of the purchase price after it burned.

In furtherance of their scheme, the defendants allegedly made numerous misrepresentations, both in writing and in interviews—sometimes under oath—to insurance companies, firefighters, and other law enforcement officers. The per-fire insurance payout for the fires ranged from approximately $1,000 to over $300,000, with the alleged insurance payouts in connection with the scheme totaling over $900,000.

The following defendants made their initial appearance in federal court after being arrested yesterday on the charges listed below:

Name

Age

City

Charge(s)

Verdon Taylor

72

Leesburg, Fla.

Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, use of fire to commit a federal felony, witness tampering

Vershawn Jackson

37

Sandston, Va.

Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, use of fire to commit a federal felony

Sylvia Mitchell

58

Tampa, Fla.

Conspiracy to commit wire fraud

Marie Taylor

54

Richmond, Va.

Conspiracy to commit wire fraud

Dorel Watson

32

Tampa, Fla.

Conspiracy to commit wire fraud

Eugenia Fleming

57

Victoria, Va.

Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, use of fire to commit a federal felony, false statement

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Michael B. Boxler, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division, made the announcement after defendants Jackson, Taylor, and Fleming made their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge David J. Novak. The Henrico County Fire Marshal’s Office and the City of Richmond Department of Fire and Emergency Services provided assistance in this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David V. Harbach, II is prosecuting the case.

 

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:17-cr-29.

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

Updated March 16, 2017
Topic
StopFraud
Component
USAO - Virginia, Eastern

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