Once-missing Long Island man arrested - New York News | NYC Breaking News

Once-missing Long Island man arrested; accused of faking his own death

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Raymond Roth lead into police headquarters in Mineola, LI. Photo by Robert Moses. Raymond Roth lead into police headquarters in Mineola, LI. Photo by Robert Moses.
Jonathan Roth Jonathan Roth
Raymond Roth, 47, of Massapequa, N.Y., is accused of insurance fraud, conspiracy, and falsely reporting an incident. (Nassau County District Attorney photo) Raymond Roth, 47, of Massapequa, N.Y., is accused of insurance fraud, conspiracy, and falsely reporting an incident. (Nassau County District Attorney photo)

Raymond Roth pleaded not guilty to fraud and conspiracy charges for allegedly faking his own drowning at Jones Beach in July.

He was arrested and arraigned in a Long Island courtroom Wednesday.

Roth was arrested after spending 10 days in a hospital for psychiatric treatment. He was walked into police headquarters in Mineola Wednesday morning.

Authorities believe Roth first fled to Florida. He was later seen in South Carolina.

After Roth's son said his father vanished in the surf off Jones Beach, Nassau cops deployed the Bureau of Special Operations, the marine unit, and a helicopter, officials said. In addition, Coast Guard units, bay constables from Hempstead and Oyster Bay, and the New York State Park Police also joined the search.

"A real tragedy might have occurred had there been an actual emergency while crucial rescue efforts were being employed in the search for Raymond Roth," Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice said. "Luckily, that was not the case, but my office will aggressively prosecute these crimes and seek full restitution for the public resources that were wasted by Mr. Roth's criminal fraud."

Roth's son, Jonathan, was released on bail Tuesday while facing charges that he helped his father try to fake his own death in an alleged insurance scam.

Jonathan Roth had a brief court appearance Tuesday on Long Island.

He has pleaded not guilty to charges that include conspiracy to commit insurance fraud.

Investigators allege Roth falsely reported that his father disappeared July 28 at Jones Beach.

Police say the search cost tens of thousands of dollars.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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