Arsonist Convicted of Starting Fire for Insurance Claim

Prosecutors in District Attorney General Charme Allen’s White Collar Unit obtained a conviction today against a man who set fire to his home in order to collect on a fraudulent insurance claim. Reuben Eugene Mitchell, 46, was convicted by a jury of Arson and False or Fraudulent Insurance Claims over $10,000.

In a four-day trial before Judge Steve Sword, Assistant District Attorneys William Bright and Andrea Kline explained to the jury that on December 5, 2011, Mitchell started a fire in the living room of his house at 1312 Holmouth Lane. Mitchell poured an accelerant on the floor and lit the substance on fire. A few days later, Mitchell filed a false claim with Allstate Insurance Company stating the blaze originated with an unattended fire in the fireplace. Knoxville Fire Department arson investigators and other expert witnesses testified about the discovery of ignitable liquids recovered from samples taken from the scene of the fire, refuting Mitchell’s claim of an accidental fire.

“”This case was a classic example of an arsonist trying to make money by starting a fire,”” said DA Allen.””Thanks to the hard work of the Knoxville Fire Department, Mitchell was only successful in burning his own house down.””

Arson and False or Fraudulent Insurance Claims over $10,000 are Class C felonies, carrying a punishment between three and six years. Judge Steve Sword set the case for sentencing on June 9 to determine the length and manner of sentence.

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.