30 inquire into auto insurance bought from agent accused of pocketing premiums

April 05--DARIEN, Ga. -- Before noon Wednesday, about 30 people inquired about the status of auto insurance bought from an agent accused of pocketing premiums, the Georgia Insurance Commissioner's Office said.

The worried clients of the Sapelo Insurance agency had come to the McIntosh County Sheriff's Office where insurance investigators were accepting inquiries or had called the Atlanta office, said Glenn Allen, a spokesman for Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens.

------

See Also

------

The department's fraud unit investigated Sapelo Insurance owner Dennis C. Avera III, 35, and arrested him Tuesday morning at his home office on three counts of insurance fraud. The warrants accuse Avera of taking monthly auto insurance premiums of more than $150 from three customers and failing to send the money to the insurance companies he represented.

The policies of all three customers were canceled for nonpayment, Hudgens' office said.

He was still in the McIntosh County jail Wednesday and faces additional charges, most of them felonies, after a search of his home and office turned up illegal drugs, said Maj. Danny Lowe of the McIntosh County Sheriff's Office.

Avera is now charged with felony counts of possession of methamphetamine and three counts of the illegal possession of three prescription drugs, Lowe said.

He is also charged with two misdemeanors, Lowe said, possession of dangerous drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Allen said all the Insurance Commissioner's Office will contact the companies named on policies of those who bought insurance from Avera.

If the customers can show they paid premiums on policies canceled for nonpayment, Avera could face more charges.

Allen said anyone who did business with Avera should call (800) 656-2298.

Terry Dickson: (912) 264-0405

___

(c)2017 The Florida Times-Union (Jacksonville, Fla.)

Visit The Florida Times-Union (Jacksonville, Fla.) at www.jacksonville.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.