Former Warner Robins Insurance Agent Sentenced for Premium Payment Fraud Scheme

MACON, Ga. – A former Warner Robins insurance agency owner and repeat “Insurance Agent of the Year” winner has been sentenced to federal prison for a premium payment scheme that prosecutors say he used to bolster his standing and secure additional professional benefits.

Jeremy Lasseter, 44, of Perry, Georgia, was sentenced on Nov. 19 to 27 months in federal prison. He must also pay $221,515.16 in restitution, which was paid in full at the time of sentencing. Lasseter pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud on Aug. 27. There is no parole in the federal system.

U.S. Attorney William R. Keyes said Lasseter’s actions caused significant harm to the victim and violated the trust placed in him and his agency. Keyes emphasized that such schemes will not be tolerated.

FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown described Lasseter’s conduct as a betrayal of the victim and a violation of the law, noting that redirecting premium payments for personal benefit undermines the insurance industry.

Court records show that Lasseter owned an Alfa Insurance Agency group in Warner Robins and had received Alfa’s Georgia “Insurance Agent of the Year” award for four consecutive years. Beginning in March 2020, he directed a customer to make premium payments that he failed to apply to her policies. Instead, he used the funds to cover premiums for other customers without her knowledge or consent.

Lasseter told the victim to write checks to him personally or provide cash, sometimes claiming it would be better for tax purposes. She paid a total of $221,515.16 under his direction. Prosecutors maintain that Lasseter carried out the scheme to secure the “Insurance Agent of the Year” award for another year, which came with additional perks.

The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Howard is prosecuting it.