BATAVIA TOWNSHIP, Ohio — A Clermont County man was convicted Thursday of multiple felony counts after a jury found he intentionally set fire to his home in an insurance fraud scheme that endangered firefighters and neighbors.
Asa Dawson was found guilty of aggravated arson, arson, tampering with evidence, insurance fraud and telecommunications fraud following a nine-day trial and nearly two days of jury deliberation in Clermont County Common Pleas Court.
Prosecutors said Dawson used accelerants to burn down the home he shared with his wife, Kaitlyn Dawson, on Vista Lake Drive on Sept. 20, 2022. The couple had significantly increased their homeowners insurance policy about one month before the blaze.
The fire destroyed the Dawson residence and damaged an adjacent home occupied by an elderly couple, one of whom uses a wheelchair. A neighbor’s surveillance camera captured Dawson returning to the property shortly before the fire and leaving afterward.
Kaitlyn Dawson, who was out of state at the time of the fire, was previously convicted of attempted insurance fraud last October and sentenced to probation.
Clermont County Prosecutor Mark Tekulve said the crime put lives at risk for financial gain.
“This man endangered the lives of brave members of the firefighting community and his neighbors, all to defraud his insurance company,” Tekulve said. “I would like to thank the citizens who sat on this jury. Our office recognizes that this was a difficult and complex case. Your diligent work over the last nine days ensured justice and is deserving of commendation.”
Dawson faces up to 34.5 to 40 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for March 31. The case was investigated by the Ohio Fire Marshal’s Office and Clermont County Sheriff’s Office.
