Defendant Convicted of Insurance Fraud

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s White Collar Unit obtained convictions against a man who lied to investigators and filed a false insurance claim stating his vehicle had been stolen.  John Michael Fletcher, 61, was convicted of False Reports and Filing a False Insurance Claim.  Judge Kyle Hixson set the case for sentencing on July 8.

In a two-day trial, Assistant District Attorneys William Bright and Sean Roberts explained to the jury that on December 7, 2018, Fletcher asked an employee to move Fletcher’s H3 Hummer motor vehicle.  Fletcher then reported the Hummer was stolen to the Knoxville Police Department and his insurance company.  Fletcher claimed he had purchased the vehicle for nearly double what he actually paid for it and filed a claim for the inflated value.  Nearby surveillance video showed the vehicle being moved, and when the vehicle was found, there were no signs of forced entry or damage to the ignition.

False Reports and Filing a False Insurance Claim are both Class D felonies carrying a punishment between two and four years.  At sentencing, prosecutors will seek an enhanced sentence because Fletcher later threatened the insurance agent when they did not pay the claim, and Fletcher has a prior conviction for Second Degree Murder out of Washington County, Tennessee.

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.