Wilmington couple charged with arson, insurance fraud

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A Wilmington couple has been charged with arson and insurance fraud after a May fire at their home.

Department of Insurance criminal investigators say that Mark Dwayne Geer, 23, set fire to the couple’s home at 622 Sharease Cir. on May 12 to collect insurance money. They also claim Geer conspired with Michelle Alaina May, 21, to provide fraudulent information to USAA Insurance Company. The DOI says Geer and May have received about $9,800 in living expenses from the insurer.

After a joint investigation by the Department of Insurance, Wilmington Police Department, Wilmington Fire Department and the State Bureau of Investigation, Geer was arrested in New Hanover County yesterday and charged with one count each of second-degree arson, fraudulently burning of one’s own dwelling, burning of personal property, insurance fraud, obtaining property by false pretense and five counts of felony conspiracy.

May was also arrested yesterday and charged with five counts of felony conspiracy.

Both Geer and May are out of jail on bond.

The NC Department of Corrections website shows Geer is on probation for an assault conviction earlier this year in Kansas.