Monday, February 27, 2012

Two Apalachicola men arrested on arson and insurance fraud charges


Two Apalachicola men have been arrested on charges of arson and insurance fraud.

The State Fire Marshals office arrested Jeffrey Tyrone Lockley and Byron Bernard Butler, both of Apalachicola, after a joint investigation of the Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations, the Division of Insurance Fraud and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.

The investigation stemmed from a vehicle fire on November 8th on Pine Log Road in Apalachicola, which officials determined was intentionally set so the vehicle’s owner could collect insurance money on the loss.

A tip from a citizen on December 22nd led the investigation to mister Lockley and Butler helped the investigation.

Butler and Lockley were booked at the Gulf County Jail on charges of arson and insurance fraud and if convicted, could face up to 15 years in prison.

Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater said, “Not only did these men intentionally endanger the lives of others, they also attempted to commit insurance fraud, a crime that costs honest Floridians thousands of dollars a year.”

To report arson, call 1-877-No-Arson (1-877-662-7766). 

A reward of up to $5,000 may be paid for a tip that leads directly to an arrest and conviction.


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