Theft by deception plea could mean prison time for Meadville-area man

Aug. 29--Attempting to deceive his insurance company about hitting a deer with his vehicle could land a Meadville-area man up to five years behind bars.

Jacob J. Walters, 28, pleaded guilty Monday in Crawford County Court of Common Pleas before Judge Mark Stevens to attempted theft by deception for trying to obtain more than $2,000 on an insurance claim filed with GEICO in December 2016.

On Feb. 24 of this year Walters was charged by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General with third-degree felonies of insurance fraud and attempted theft by deception after claiming he had struck a deer on Dec. 1, 2016, causing damage to his vehicle after he had obtained the insurance policy. The damage happened several weeks prior to Walters obtaining insurance, according to the Attorney General's Office.

Walters had faced up seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine if convicted on each of the original charges but reached a plea agreement with the Attorney General's Office. He pleaded guilty to attempted theft by deception downgraded to a first-degree misdemeanor and the insurance fraud charge will be dropped.

Walters could get up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine on the attempted theft by deception charge when he is sentenced Oct. 3 by Stevens.

A sentencing recommendation from the attorney general's office and Joseph Ferguson, Walters' defense attorney, asks Walters be sentenced to probation, pay court costs and perform 50 hours of community service since Walters didn't obtain money.

Walters remains free on $5,000 unsecured bond pending his sentencing.

Keith Gushard can be reached at 724-6370 or by email at [email protected].

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