Dobson son, mother among trio charged with illegal bondsman activity

A trio of Dobson residents have been arrested and charged with conducting illegal bail bond-related activites in Surry County.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey released a statement saying that Michael Lee Beck, 32, of 2495 Rockford Road and his mother Ruby Anne Beck, 61, of the same address, had been charged as had David Lee Adkins, 32, of Fisher Valley Road for his role in the alleged crime.

Michael Beck was charged with four counts of operating as an unlicensed bail bondsman. Ruby Beck was hit with four related charges of aiding and abetting an unlicensed bail bondsman and one count of failure to supervise a probationary bail bondsman. Adkins was charged with aiding and abetting an unlicensed bail bondsman. Causey's statement clarified that all charges for the three are misdemeanors

According the special agents with the North Carolina Department of Insurance's Criminal Investigations Division, Michael Beck was viewed on video, "Performing a series of bail bonds-related activities without being licensed at the Surry County Detention Center.

Agents later found video of David Adkins also performing bail bond-related activity the detention center. Agents later charged Ruby Beck in connection with the activity."

Warrant information on the three said the incidents referred to in the criminal complain occurred between Jan. 26 and Feb. 10.

Michael Beck was arrested on Feb. 18 and then held at the Surry County Detention Center for violating conditions of a pre-trial release on separate felony charges, Causey said.

Ruby Beck was issued a criminal summons and is expected to make an appearance in Surry County District Court on March 18.

Michael Beck is set to appear the same day as is Adkins, who was released on a written promise to appear.

Causey explained that bail bonds agents "hold a position of trust" and must be held to a high standard. "I commend our special agents and Bail Bond Regulation Division for their efforts in upholding that standard and bringing this case to light."

His office asked that North Carolina residents who suspect insurance fraud or other white-collar crimes to report them the N.C. Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division at 888-680-7684.