GREENVILLE, N.C. — A Greenville man arrested in August 2024 on identity theft charges has been sentenced to serve between 72 and 142 months in prison.
Nicholas McAurthur Bennett was found guilty of fraudulently obtaining $151,068.90 from multiple insurance companies, including American-Amicable Group, Great Western Insurance Co., Liberty Bankers Insurance Group, Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance Co., and United Home Life Insurance Company.
An investigation by the North Carolina Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division revealed Bennett used the identities of five individuals to fraudulently secure insurance agent licenses. He then used these licenses to write over 500 fake life insurance policies, aiming to collect advanced commissions from eleven insurance companies.
Following a thorough investigation and legal review, Bennett was indicted on multiple charges, including:
22 counts of obtaining property by false pretense
12 counts of identity theft
2 counts of attempted identity theft
Bennett entered a plea agreement, admitting guilt to the felony charges. He was sentenced to a prison term ranging from 72 to 142 months. Upon release, Bennett will serve 48 months of supervised probation, with suspended sentences totaling 16 to 38 months.
As part of the court order, Bennett is required to pay restitution totaling $320,596.