PLYMOUTH, MI – A Michigan man has been found guilty of setting his own house on fire to collect insurance money, officials announced.
Patrick Nolan, 42, of Plymouth, was found guilty by a jury in the 3rd Circuit Court in Wayne County of arson of an insured dwelling, a potential life-sentence offense, and second-degree arson, a 20-year felony, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Each charge may also incur a fine of $20,000 or three times the value of the property, whichever is greater.
In the early hours of Jan. 1, 2019, the Plymouth Township police and fire departments responded to a house fire. Nolan owned the home. He later attempted to make an insurance claim on the loss. He started the fire himself for this purpose, prosecutors said.
“Every arson represents another instance where our firefighters and first responders risk their lives to protect public safety, and that’s an unacceptable danger to our communities,” Nessel said in a statement. “Insurance fraud drives up the costs of insurance policies for consumers everywhere.”
Investigators determined that the fire was arson for the following reasons:
- The fire originated in three separate, unconnected areas identified as the master bedroom, basement storage room and the common hall at the top of the basement stairs;
- Gasoline was found throughout the home; and
- No natural causes of fire were found in the home.
A review of Nolan’s truck’s infotainment system also showed he was parked at the residence less than two hours before the fire was reported by a neighbor.
Nolan is due back in court for sentencing before Judge William Giovan on Tuesday, Oct. 17.
