‘Cockroaches in My Food’ Claim Leads to Insurance Fraud Charge

September 1, 2026

A Warren County, North Carolina man has been charged with insurance fraud for allegedly seeking an insurance payment from a restaurant where he claims he found cockroaches in his food.

Investigators say it was one of four similar cockroach complaints he has filed against eateries.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announced the arrest of Melvin Junior Jones of Norlina. Jones was charged with one count of insurance fraud and one count of attempting to obtain property by false pretense. Both are felonies.

Special agents with the Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division have accused Jones of falsely reporting that he found two cockroaches in his food at a Creedmoor KFC. His insurance claim sought approximately $4,000 in payment from the restaurant’s business policy with PMA Insurance Group.

Investigators said they discovered that Jones had also filed similar claims regarding two separate Waffle House locations and a Denny’s Restaurant. The four instances occurred between Aug. 15, 2024, and Aug. 7, 2025.

Jones was released under a $40,000 secured bond pending future court dates.

“Insurance fraud is not a victimless crime,” Causey said. “It hits all of us in the pocket through higher premiums and higher prices.”

Topics Fraud

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