Roth Gets Prison for Helping Father Fake Death

The man who helped fake his father's drowning to get a life insurance payoff will serve one year in prison, according to the Nassau County District Attorney’s office.

Jonathan Roth, 23, of Massapequa, was sentenced Tuesday to serve one year behind bars for falsely reporting an incident. Roth has already served five months in jail since his arrest.

Roth called 911 on July 28, 2012 and told police his father, Raymond Roth, was missing in the water off of Jones Beach. Jonathan, then 22 years old, was charged after his stepmother discovered emails between him and his father that revealed the scheme. 

Had they been successful, life insurance could have paid out at least $410,000 in benefits that Raymond would use to start a new life in Florida, the DA said.

Roth pleaded guilty in March and was due to be sentenced in September but did not show up for his September sentencing hearing.

“By helping his father in this scheme, Mr. Roth wasted the precious time and resources of first responders tasked with keeping thousands safe during the busy summer season,” reacted DA Kathleen Rice. “As the result of his actions, innocent people could have lost their lives or sustained serious injury due to the greedy and deceitful actions of another.”

• Sept. 2013: Jonathan Roth Nabbed in Ohio
• Sept. 2013: DA: Jonathan Roth Misses Sentencing
• Sept. 2013: Jonathan Roth Keeps Appointment With Dr. Phil
• July 2013: Raymond Roth Pleads Guilty to Restraining Order Violation
• Aug. 2012: Bail Set For Jonathan Roth
• Aug. 2012: Raymond Roth Arrested Again
• Aug. 2012: Raymond Roth Arrested
• Aug. 2012: 'Missing' Swimmer's Son Arrested
• Aug. 2012: Missing Massapequa Swimmer Returning Home