Arson / Insurance Fraud Case Results in Indictments
Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato announced today that the Ocean County Grand Jury has returned an 18 count indictment against Bruce Roslin, 44, of 16 Snead Court, Little Egg Harbor and Jonathan Dockery, 32, of 866 Railroad Drive, Little Egg Harbor. The indictment results from an investigation led by the New Jersey State Police into the fire that started on and destroyed Roslin’s 26 foot 2007 ProKat on September 19, 2009 while it was docked at the Tuckerton Marine Service Center on South Green Street in Tuckerton. The fire damaged the marina and several other boats that were docked nearby. Roslin subsequently applied for and received insurance proceeds in excess of $100,000 for the destruction of his boat.
Roslin is charged with arson for hire, a first degree crime, for offering money to Dockery to light Roslin’s boat on fire for the purpose of destroying it. Dockery is also charged with arson for hire for agreeing to accept money to commit the aggravated arson to the boat. Roslin and Dockery are also charged with second degree arson, conspiracy to commit aggravated arson and ten (10) counts of third degree arson for the damage caused to the marina and the nearby vessels caused by the intentionally set fire to Roslin’s boat. Arson for hire is a first degree crime which carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison. Aggravated Arson is a second degree crime which is punishable by up to 10 years incarceration. Arson is a third degree crime punishable by up to 5 years incarceration.
Roslin is also charged with: Insurance Fraud, a third degree crime, for making a fraudulent insurance claim; False Swearing, a fourth degree crime, for making false statements on his “Sworn Statement in Proof of Loss” to the Travelers Insurance Company; Theft by Deception, a third degree crime, for unlawfully accepting the insurance money after he had arranged to destroy his boat by fire; and Witness Tampering, a third degree crime.
Roslin was arrested yesterday on the strength of an indictment warrant. His bail was set at $150,000 no 10% by the Honorable Francis R. Hodgson, Jr., J.S.C. Dockery was released on his own recognizance.
The investigation was conducted by Detective William Simonson and Sgt. Adam Graczyk of the New Jersey State Police. Anyone with information concerning this case is asked to call either one of these investigators at the Tuckerton State Police Barracks at (609) 296-3132.
The media and public are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Photograph of the arrested individual is available on the Ocean County Jail’s web site.
BRUCE ALLEN ROSLIN
Photo courtesy the Ocean County Jail
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