Georgia Man Accused of Staging Car Theft in North Carolina

A Georgia man was arrested and charged with insurance fraud for allegedly staging a car theft in North Carolina, according to a statement from Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin. Jeremy Joseph Keeton, 29, of Columbus, Ga was arrested and is charged with one count each of insurance fraud and filing a false motor vehicle theft report in Cumberland County, N.C.

North Carolina Department of Insurance criminal investigators accuse Keeton of claiming his motorcycle was stolen in March 2015 with State Farm Mutual Insurance Co. and filing a police report with Fayetteville Police Department for the theft. Investigators allege Keeton was still in possession of the motorcycle in April 2016.

Keeton was arrested on Sept. 22 in Cumberland County and place under a $5,000 bond.

The Department of Insurance employs 20 sworn state law enforcement officers dedicated to investigating and prosecuting claims of insurance and bail bonding fraud. An estimated 10 cents of every dollar paid in premiums goes toward the payment of fraudulent claims.

Source: North Carolina Department of Insurance