Son of “Missing” L.I. Swimmer Arrested

Raymond Roth was feared drowned off Jones Beach but later turned up in South Carolina

The son of a Long Island man reported missing off Jones Beach -- only to turn up days later in South Carolina -- has been arrested with insurance fraud and filing a false report, authorities say. 

The Nassau County District Attorney's Office said 22-year-old Jonathan Roth was arrested Monday. He was also charged with conspiracy to commit insurance fraud. 

He's scheduled to be arraigned in First District Court in Hempstead Tuesday. Attorney information was not immediately available. 

Jonathan Roth's girlfriend said she believes his father set up a plot to defraud the family, that his brother got involved and "they are letting Jonathan take the fall." 

Jonathan "thought his dad his drowned," Kristi Mayles told reporters Monday. "I believe that, too, based on his reactions and that he was just angry, because he found out his dad was alive and how could his own father do this to him?" 

Meanwhile, the NYPD is investigating a complaint filed against Raymond Roth on July 19, according to a law enforcement official.

A co-worker filed a complaint alleging Raymond Roth went to work with a gun on July 10, and that he said he wanted to shoot his two immediate supervisors, according to sources familiar with the case.

Raymond Roth, according to investigators, was demoted from his job at 1 Penn Plaza after receiving a poor review. Evana Roth said her husband lost his job earlier this month. After he was fired, building security was told to remain on the lookout for him. 

Nassau County police did remove a 357 Magnum from Roth's home, according to  law enforcement official.

It's not clear if he'll face any charges in the NYPD case.  

Last week, Roth reported his father Raymond Roth of Massapequa missing, saying he disappeared during his daily swim at Jones Beach.

A massive search of the water ensued, but Raymond Roth later called his brother from Florida and the following day was pulled over for speeding in South Carolina, police said.

Raymond Roth's wife and Jonathan Roth's stepmother, Evana Roth, told reporters Friday her husband had staged the disappearance without her knowledge. She distributed copies of emails he had sent to Jonathan Roth.

One of those e-mails, provided to the press Friday, read, "There needs to be a way for me to find out how things are going. You cannot call from your phone. Go to a pay phone or borrow your friend's phone."

Another allegedly said, "I need to get to the bank for cash for the trip. DO NOT allow that a--hole to give the house away."

Two days later, Jonathan Roth, said he had nothing to do with his father's actions.

Earlier Monday, Evana Roth announced she has obtained an order of protection against Raymond Roth, and said she is also filing for divorce.

She said that she hasn't heard from him since last week and doesn't know where he is.

Get the latest from NBC 4 New York anytime, anywhere. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google+. Get our apps here and sign up for email newsletters here. Get breaking news delivered right to your phone -- just text NYBREAKING to 639710. For more info, text HELP. To end, text STOP. Message and data rates may apply.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us