MEC&F Expert Engineers : DO NOT LIE, YOU WILL LOSE: JAMES MARVIN PLOWER OF OLIN, IOWA PLEADS GUILTY TO MAIL FRAUD, USING FIRE TO COMMIT A FELONY IN INSURANCE FRAUD CASE; HE FACES UP TO 30 YEARS IN PRISON.

Monday, February 23, 2015

DO NOT LIE, YOU WILL LOSE: JAMES MARVIN PLOWER OF OLIN, IOWA PLEADS GUILTY TO MAIL FRAUD, USING FIRE TO COMMIT A FELONY IN INSURANCE FRAUD CASE; HE FACES UP TO 30 YEARS IN PRISON.




FEBRUARY 21, 2015

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA

An Eastern Iowa man has pleaded guilty in federal court to mail fraud and using fire to commit a felony.

Federal prosecutors say James Marvin Plower of Olin faces at least 10 years in prison and up to 30 years.

At a plea hearing Friday in federal court in Cedar Rapids Plower said he made up a scheme to defraud his insurance company. He set fire to his home in Martelle and submitted an insurance claim asserting the fire was accidental. He collected more than $66,000 from the insurance company.

Plower, who is 50, was convicted of one count of mail fraud and one count of using fire to commit a federal felony.

He was released on bond until he is sentenced at a later date.