Franklin County Man Must Pay Restitution, Fine in Insurance Fraud Case

NASHVILLE –A Franklin County Man must serve 11 years on probation and pay $94,000 in restitution to his insurance company as well as a $25,000 court-ordered fine as a result of a conviction this summer of insurance fraud related to a 2013 fire on his property.

James Walls, 33, was sentenced in August by a Franklin County jury at the conclusion of a three-day trial.  Walls was accused of starting a fire at his home at 114 Hessey Branch Lane in Decherd in Franklin County.  He was convicted of one charge of Insurance Fraud related to arson.

The trial came at the conclusion of a joint investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) Bomb & Arson Section, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department and insurance investigators.

To report a suspected arson, call the Tennessee Arson Hotline at 1-800-762-3017. The Arson Hot Line is a phone line dedicated to receiving information about suspicious and incendiary fires. It is answered 24 hours a day and you may remain anonymous when providing information. Cash awards are offered for information leading to an arrest or conviction. 

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