Five Convictions for Staged Auto Wrecks in Lowcountry Brings Total to 16 in Past Three Months One Man Convicted for Three Wrecks in 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Allison Dean Love - 803-252-3455 or cell phone 803-413-1044 _alove@scinsnews.com_ (mailto:alove@scinsnews.com)

Columbia, S.C. - November 19, 2008 - On Monday the following defendants pled guilty in Colleton County to the lesser-included offense of presenting false claims for payment, more than $1,000 but less than $5,000. All were originally charged with presenting false claims for payment, $5,000 or more.

* Gail Williams, 43, of 1014 Bowman Lane, Walterboro

* Dexter Lamar Griffin, 22, of 1353 Saxby Hill Road, Walterboro

* Marcus Elroy Townsend, 39, of 3367 St. Peters Road, Walterboro

* Eric Lamont Middleton, 24

* Spencer Anwan Roberts, 20, of 3399 Cooks Hill Road, Walterboro

Roberts pled guilty to three counts of the aforementioned charge.  On or about March 29, 2005, Williams presented or caused to be presented false claims for payment to Safe Auto Insurance Company when she reported that she had been involved in a car accident on Cooks Hill Road in Walterboro and the car caught fire. However, investigation revealed that the wreck was staged and the fire was intentionally set. Williams' prior record included convictions for fraudulent checks, driving under suspension, forgery, driving without a license, failure to maintain proof of insurance and possession of crack cocaine. Judge Thomas W. Cooper sentenced her to 18 months imprisonment suspended with two years probation and ordered her to pay restitution of $1,372 to Safe Auto and $607 to Colleton County Fire-Rescue.

On or about April 28, 2007, Griffin, Townsend, Middleton and Roberts presented or caused to be presented false claims for payment to South Carolina Farm Bureau Insurance Company when they reported that they were involved in a car accident on Coolers Dairy Road in Walterboro. However, investigation revealed that the wreck was staged. Griffin had no prior record and was sentenced to three years imprisonment suspended with 18 months probation and ordered to pay $1,000 in restitution to SC Farm Bureau and $611 to Colleton County Fire-Rescue. Townsend had prior convictions for possession of marijuana and open container and was sentenced to three years imprisonment suspended with 18 months probation. Middleton had prior convictions for possession of marijuana, driving without a license, possession of crack cocaine and accessory after the fact of a felony. Judge Cooper sentenced him to three years imprisonment suspended with 18 months probation, which is to begin upon his release from the South Carolina Department of Corrections, and ordered him to pay $611 in restitution to Colleton County Fire-Rescue. Roberts had no prior record and was sentenced to five years imprisonment, provided that upon the service of 90 days the balance is suspended with probation for five years. Judge Cooper also ordered Roberts to pay $1,000 in restitution to Farm Bureau and $611 to Colleton County Fire-Rescue on this count.

On or about February 18, 2007, Defendant Roberts also presented or caused to be presented false claims for payment to Peak Property & Casualty Company when he reported that he was involved in a car accident on Round O Road in Walterboro. However, investigation revealed that this wreck was staged.  He was sentenced to a concurrent sentence on this count and ordered to pay $4,000 in restitution to Peak and $620 in Colleton County Fire-Rescue. Three co-defendants involved in this wreck pled guilty previously.

Defendant Roberts also presented or caused to be presented false claims for payment to State Farm Insurance Company on or about August 15, 2007 when he reported that he was in a car accident on Mt. Carmel Road in Walterboro.  However, investigation revealed that this wreck was staged. He also received a concurrent sentence on this count and was ordered to pay $10,668 in restitution to State Farm and $606 to Colleton County Fire-Rescue.

These cases were investigated by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

Report Insurance Fraud to the South Carolina Insurance Fraud Hotline 1-888-95-FRAUD. All reports remain confidential. The Hotline is available toll-free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For more information on insurance fraud in South Carolina or for an interview call 803-252-3455 or e-mail _alove@scinsnews.com_ (mailto:alove@scinsnews.com) .

For more than 30 years, the South Carolina Insurance News Service, a nonprofit organization, has been providing free insurance information to consumers and the media about property and casualty insurance issues. The News Service is funded by insurance companies doing business in South Carolina.

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