A Henryville funeral home director accused of insurance fraud in Clark County is now facing similar allegations in Floyd County.
Richard D. Pyke, 42, who runs R.D. Pyke Funeral Service, turned himself in to the Floyd County Jail on Monday after a warrant was issued on six counts of class C felony insurance fraud. He faces nine counts of the same charge in Clark County.
Pyke was released on $75,000 court cash or surety bond after appearing before Floyd County Superior Court No. 1 Judge Susan Orth.
Pyke’s attorney, Niles Driskell, said it appears that the allegations in Floyd County are very similar to those in Clark County and that they are based on the same legal theory.
Because of the courthouse being closed on Tuesday due to snow, the charging information filed against Pyke was not available. Indiana State Police Sgt. Jerry Goodin said the charges in Floyd County are new charges but that they are related to those in Clark.
Goodin said he did not know the number of new victims or whether they came forward following Pyke’s arrest on Jan. 22. All of the alleged Floyd County offenses are listed in court records as having occurred on Aug. 21, 2006.
According to the probable-cause affidavit in Clark County, Pyke cashed in more than $72,000 in life insurance policies for elderly people who are still alive. Investigators found nine people who had insurance policies cashed in by Pyke while they were still living.
Pyke was released from the Clark County Jail on Wednesday after posting $50,000 court cash or surety bond. The Floyd County case was opened on Thursday with a warrant being issued Monday morning.
“He turned himself into the court (Monday) immediately upon being aware of the issuance of a warrant,” Driskell said.
Driskell said it is too early to comment on the merits of the case and that he looks forward to the entire truth being revealed. He said Pyke is popular in the community and that many people continue to support him.
Each class C felony charge carries a possible sentence of two to eight years in prison and a maximum $10,000 fine.
He is scheduled to begin trial on June 7 in Floyd County and on July 6 in Clark County.
Clark County
Henryville funeral home director charged with fraud in Floyd County
Richard Pyke released on bond after turning himself in
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