Former Scott County Detective Indicted on Arson and Insurance Fraud Charges
A former Scott County detective faces arson and insurance fraud charges after allegedly burning his own vehicle to collect insurance money.
HUNTSVILLE, TENNESSEE — A former Scott County Sheriff’s Office detective was indicted this week on charges of arson and insurance fraud following a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation probe into a vehicle fire he allegedly set to collect insurance money.
Daniel Garrett, 43, was arrested and booked into the Scott County Jail on a $25,000 bond after a grand jury returned indictments charging him with one count of Setting Fire to Personal Property and one count of False or Fraudulent Insurance Claim.
The charges stem from a December 2024 vehicle fire in Scott County that TBI special agent fire investigators determined was intentionally set. Agents began investigating the incident in January 2025 after receiving reports about the suspicious circumstances surrounding the blaze.
Investigation Reveals Deliberate Act
During their investigation, TBI agents discovered that Garrett was the owner of the burned vehicle and was responsible for starting the fire. At the time of the incident, Garrett was employed as a detective with the Scott County Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation revealed that the fire was not accidental, leading agents to uncover what they believe was a scheme to defraud an insurance company. Specific details about the insurance claim or the amount involved were not disclosed in the TBI announcement.
Law Enforcement Career Background
The TBI did not provide information about Garrett’s tenure with the Scott County Sheriff’s Office or when his employment ended. The agency’s investigation focused specifically on the December 2024 vehicle fire and the subsequent insurance claim.
Garrett’s birth date is listed as December 26, 1982, according to the TBI report. The charges represent a significant fall from grace for someone who previously worked in law enforcement investigating crimes.
Legal Process Moving Forward
The Scott County Grand Jury issued the indictments on Tuesday, marking a step in the legal proceedings against Garrett. Both charges he faces are felonies under Tennessee law.
Setting Fire to Personal Property and False or Fraudulent Insurance Claim each carry potential prison sentences and fines if Garrett is convicted. The case will now proceed through the court system, where prosecutors will present evidence gathered during the TBI investigation.
The TBI emphasized in their announcement that the charges are allegations and that Garrett is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. The agency noted that the accusations represent claims of criminal conduct, not evidence of guilt.
