7 arrested, 4 sought in building code scam [The Wilson Daily Times, N.C.]

Oct. 31--Seven people were arrested and charged by the N.C. Department of Transportation as part of a code enforcement scheme involving an older Wilson man.

Criminal investigators allege that the group, of what may be at least a total of 11 people, defrauded the man of more than $7,400 between May and October, according to arrest records. Six of the suspects are accused of unlawfully presenting themselves as city of Wilson code enforcement officials and misleading the man by claiming his home was in violation of state building codes. They required he pay money to bring his home into compliance. He wrote several personal checks that were cashed by the defendants.

The man was told that by paying the money, he would come into compliance, said Marni Schribman, assistant director of public information with the Department of Insurance. The scam was uncovered after a friend questioned the issue and contacted the Department of Insurance.

"A friend of this person was suspicious and she knew that the Department of Insurance trained code enforcement officials and she contacted our criminal investigations division," Schribman said.

The investigation is ongoing and could include more charges and may reveal that other area residents were exploited. Anyone with additional information is asked to call DOI at 919-807-6840.

"There may be more suspects and there may be more charges," Schribman said. "This is an ongoing investigation. We are really urging people to call us if they were impacted."

Investigators worked with banking officials, the N.C. Office of State Fire Marshal, the city of Wilson and the Wilson County Sheriff's Office to identify the defendants and verify that none of them were licensed code enforcement officials.

Schribman said that people should be quick to verify code enforcement credentials by calling the city of Wilson or the Department of Insurance and should never pay an officer to meet any local or state code enforcement requirement. Unannounced visits that haven't been verified should present a cause for concern, she said.

The following individuals have been arrested and charged:

--Heather Roseanne Adcock, 18, of 2953 Abner Drive, Rocky Mount, was arrested on Oct. 29 and charged with one count of obtaining property by false pretense.

--Christine Hope Howlett Ezzell, 36, of 449 Tobacco Road Rocky Mount, was arrested on Oct. 25 and charged with four counts of obtaining property by false pretense, and one count each of exploitation of an elder adult and unlawfully acting as a code enforcement official.

--Madison Earl Howlett, 28, of 449 Tobacco Road, Rocky Mount, was arrested on Oct. 30 and charged with five counts of obtaining property by false pretense, and one count each of exploitation of an elder adult and unlawfully acting as a code enforcement official.

--Jonathan Taylor "JT" O'Neal, 26, of 3633 U.S. 301, Wilson, was arrested on Oct. 24 and charged with four counts of obtaining property by false pretense, and one count each of exploitation of an elder adult and unlawfully acting as a code enforcement official.

--Michael Sidney O'Neal, 24, of 3633 U.S. 301, Wilson, was arrested on Oct. 28 and charged with one count of obtaining property by false pretense.

--Nelson Skinner II, 38, of 50 Church St., Black Creek, was arrested on Oct. 28 and charged with one count of obtaining property by false pretense.

--Andrew Jason Ward, 32, of 3935 Taylor Store Road, Nashville, was arrested on Oct. 30 and charged with five counts of obtaining property by false pretense, and one count each of exploitation of an elder adult and unlawfully acting as a code enforcement official.

The Department of Insurance's criminal investigators is asking the public for help in locating additional suspects:

--Jon Chase Daniels, 28, of 119 S. Harris St., Rocky Mount, is wanted for five counts of obtaining property by false pretense, and one count each of exploitation of an elder adult and unlawfully acting as a code enforcement official.

--Bobbilee Faith Joyner, 26, of 3941 Whitley Circle, Rocky Mount, is wanted for one count each of obtaining property by false pretense, exploitation of an elder adult and unlawfully acting as a code enforcement official.

--Douglas Michael Reason, 28, of 6056 Webbs Lake Road, Elm City, is wanted for one count of obtaining property by false pretense.

--Jeffrey Lane Tyler, 27, of 1029 Compass Creek Drive, Rocky Mount, is wanted for one count of obtaining property by false pretense.

The Department of Insurance employs 20 sworn state law enforcement officers dedicated to investigating and prosecuting claims of insurance and bail bonding fraud. Since Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin took office in 2009, criminal investigators have made more than 800 arrests, resulting in 430 criminal convictions thus far. These efforts have delivered more than $55 million in restitution and recoveries for victims.

An estimated 10 cents of every dollar paid in premiums goes toward the payment of fraudulent claims. To report suspected fraud, contact the Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division at 919-807-6840. Callers may remain anonymous. Information is also available at www.ncdoi.com.

[email protected] -- 265-7818

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