West Virginia: Louis Smith, 34, and Hope Smith, 30, accused of burning St. Bernard named Zack to death in arson case

WEST VIRGINIA -- A man accused of burning a Harrison County dwelling to the ground in 2013 to collect renter’s insurance, killing a dog inside, has been arrested on five felony charges.

Louis Ray Smith, 34, now of Beckley, was charged by Harrison Sheriff’s Sgt. Dixon Pruitt with first-degree arson, cruelty to animals, conspiracy to inflict injury to persons or property, burning insured property, and making a fraudulent claim to an insurance company.

Smith was remanded into the custody of Harrison Deputy Tim Ankrom for transport to the North Central Regional Jail after the defendant was unable to post the $100,000 set by Harrison Magistrate Keith Marple.

Smith burned the dwelling at No. 3 Rockwell Lane in Enterprise the evening of May 19, 2013, according to criminal complaints.

Smith had been served with an eviction notice the day before the fire, Pruitt has alleged. The defendant also reportedly owed about $5,000 back rent, Pruitt has alleged.

Smith obtained a renter’s insurance policy for “at or around $30,000” about a month before the fire, Pruitt alleged. The defendant also dropped off several items in the North View area of Clarksburg shortly before the fire, some of which later were reported as being destroyed in the blaze, according to Pruitt.

  

  

Witnesses also have said that prior to the fire, Smith discussed obtaining an insurance policy so he could burn the residence and receive a payout, Pruitt has alleged.

Smith also allegedly said that “it’s kind of funny the dog was left in the house,” Pruitt has alleged.

The dog, a St. Bernard, was named Zack.

Earlier:

Clarksburg woman Hope Smith accused of insurance fraud in 2013 fire

A 30-year-old Clarksburg woman has been charged with felony insurance fraud in connection with a May 19, 2013, fire that destroyed an Enterprise home and killed a dog, a Harrison sheriff’s sergeant said.

Hope Nicole Smith was jailed on a $10,000 cash bond and an allegation that she has violated parole following an initial appearance before Harrison County Magistrate Tammy Marple.

Smith conspired with a male (Louis Smith) to provide “a materially false statement in support of a claim to Geico Insurance Company for the amount of $23,937.88,” Sgt. Dixon Pruitt has alleged.

Smith “had prior knowledge of the fire and the insurance policy in reference to the fire, which occurred at her residence located at No. 3 Rockwell Lane, Enterprise,” Pruitt alleged.

Smith also was found with items that were reported to the insurance company as being destroyed in the fire, Pruitt alleged.

The sergeant is continuing to investigate potential other charges and said he also plans to arrest the male (Louis Smith).

(The Exponent Telegram - Sept 27, 2016)