Two Huntington have pleaded guilty to insurance fraud, arson and other charges.

The West Virginia Insurance Commissioner says that 29-year old Richard E. Sturgill and 43-year old Jeffery Maynard, entered the pleas in Wayne Magistrate Court back on October 30.

According to an Insurance Commission press release, the men were arrested by WV State Police back in July.

The release says both conspired to burn a vehicle owned by Mr. Sturgill on March 18, 2007 and then filed a false insurance claim for the loss.

Both men were sentenced to serve six months in jail. The sentence was then suspended and both were placed on probation for one year and ordered to pay all court costs.

The Insurance Commissioner added, “Automobile insurance rates are affected by criminal acts such as these and we are committed to investigate and prosecute individuals who try and use insurance as a means of personal profit, while other customers pay for their acts”.