North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced that an Onslow County woman has been sentenced to seven to 12 years in prison following a plea agreement with prosecutors on numerous arson and other illegal burning charges.
On Aug. 22, Chasity Dawn Keeter, 37, of 1008 Ridgecrest Lane, Jacksonville, was sentenced to 84-149 months in prison after pleading guilty to five counts of second-degree arson, two counts of burning personal property and one count of animal cruelty for her involvement in six Onslow County fires. All counts are felonies.
In addition, Keeter was given a 38-to-64 month suspended sentence and five years’ probation to be served at the end of her active sentence.
The Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division began its involvement in this case in February 2023 following a request from the Jacksonville Police Department. The Jacksonville Fire and Emergency Services Office, Onslow County Fire Marshal’s Office and Onslow County Sheriff’s Office worked with the Criminal Investigations Division and Jacksonville Police in investigating these fires.
The case was prosecuted by Lisa Coltrain, a homicide and arson prosecutor of the N.C. Conference of District Attorneys.
“I am grateful for the hard work and cooperation all these agencies had with our special agents,” Commissioner Causey said. “Arson is a serious crime putting both life and property in danger.”
Keeter entered an Alford plea on these charges. An Alford plea allows a defendant to plead guilty without admitting guilt, acknowledging that the prosecution’s evidence is likely sufficient for a conviction.
If you suspect insurance fraud or other white-collar crimes, please report it. You may anonymously report fraud by calling the N.C. Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division at 919-807-6840 or toll free from anywhere in North Carolina at 888-680-7684.
Information is also available at www.ncdoi.gov.