Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrests of Timothy Wayne Johnson, 55, and Sherry Saunders Johnson, 53, of 1410 Holly Grove Road, Lexington and Don Seamon, 60, of 270 Edgewood Drive, Lexington; each has been charged for crimes and arrested in Davidson County.
Department of Insurance criminal investigators accuse Johnson, Johnson and Seamon of intentionally starting a fire on July 4, 2016, and filing fraudulent claims with State Farm Insurance. Investigators allege Timothy Johnson and Don Seamon started the fire while Timothy and Sherry Johnson provided misleading information regarding the fire to obtain $14,719.49 in payment. Timothy and Sherry Johnson illegally obtained access to the assets of Martha Gillette who is the owner of the residence where the fire took place.
A joint investigation was conducted by the Davidson County Sheriff's Office, Thomasville Fire Department, Davidson County Fire Marshal's Office and North Carolina Department of Insurance criminal investigators.
Timothy Johnson was arrested on Feb. 14 in Davidson County and placed under a $500,000 bond. Johnson is charged with one count each of second degree arson, fraudulently burning a dwelling, felony aid and abet, insurance fraud, obtaining property by false pretense, felony conspiracy, exploitation of an elder adult and embezzlement.
Sherry Johnson was arrested on Feb. 14 in Davidson County and placed under a $500,000 bond. Johnson is charged with one count each of insurance fraud, obtaining property by false pretense, felony conspiracy, exploitation of an elder adult and embezzlement.
Seamon was arrested on Feb. 14 in Davidson County and placed under a $500,000 bond. Seamon is charged with one count of second degree arson and two counts of felony aid and abet.
An estimated 10 cents of every dollar paid in premiums goes toward the payment of fraudulent claims. The Department of Insurance employs 20 sworn state law enforcement officers dedicated to investigating and prosecuting claims of insurance and bail bonding fraud. To report suspected fraud, contact the Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division at 919-807-6840. Callers may remain anonymous. Information is also available at www.ncdoi.gov/fraud-control.