Michigan store owner sentenced to 30 months in prison for fraud

DETROIT, MI – A Jackson, Michigan store owner was sentenced to 30 months in prison Wednesday, to a fraud scheme to burn down his store to collect insurance proceeds. 

This sentence resulted from an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and officers with the Jackson Police Department.

Rajinder Singh, 25, formerly of Jackson, Michigan was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $10,000. 

According to court records, Singh admitted that in May 2014, he conspired with others to intentionally set fire to his business, Robinson’s Party Store, located at 1233 S. West Avenue, Jackson, Michigan. The object of the conspiracy was to obtain the insurance proceeds for the business. Singh agreed to pay the men to set the fire. In pleading guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit malicious use of fire, wire fraud, misleading communication to hinder investigation of a federal offense and immigration document fraud, Singh admitted to making a fraudulent claim to his insurance company. Singh also admitted that he lied to a police detective by falsely stating that the fire was likely racially motivated on the mistaken belief that he is an "Arab." Singh filed a claim with his insurance company seeking payment of at least $400,000 for the damage to his building, the inventory lost in the fire and lost business income.

A month after the fire, Singh, prepared, or caused to be prepared, a Department of Homeland Security Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization) in an attempt to become a naturalized United States citizen. Several questions on the form required Singh to disclose his entire criminal history, even crimes for which he had not been charged. In response to those questions, Singh answered falsely when asked if he had ever committed, assisted in committing or attempted to commit a crime or offense for which he had not be arrested. Singh signed the form under penalty of perjury and mailed it to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services offices.

“Committing any fraud scheme harms victims, but intentionally setting a fire creates a danger to public safety and firefighters that far exceeds the financial loss,” said, Barbara L. McQuade, U.S. attorney for the Easter District of Michigan said. “This defendant attempted to exploit laws designed to protect people from hate crimes.”

“Arson for profit is not a victimless crime. Our communities as a whole become the victims because arson destroys property and places and increases economic burden on our communities”, said   Robin S. Shoemaker, special agent in charge ATF Detroit. “ATF is committed to the investigation and prevention of arson and arson for profit schemes. I would also like to thank the Jackson Police and Fire Departments, Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs and the Eastern district of the United States Attorney’s Office.”

“This case is another outstanding example of interagency cooperation leading to conviction of Mr. Singh for his criminal activity in the City of Jackson,” stated Matthew Heins, chief Jackson police deparment. The ongoing partnership between the Jackson Police Department, ATF, and U.S. Attorney’s Office is invaluable in a case of this nature. Jackson Police Department Detectives Holly Rose and Gary Schuette were instrumental in bringing this case to the forefront.”

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) enforces a diverse portfolio of federal laws, more than any other federal agency.  HSI is responsible for investigating violations of U.S. customs and immigration laws pertaining to border security, homeland security, and public safety.