Dentist Sentenced for Arson and Insurance Fraud

AG: Alabama Press Releases

Filed March 6th, 2026

Detected March 18th, 2026

Summary

Attorney General Steve Marshall announced the sentencing of an Evergreen dentist, Douglas Patrick O’Connor, to 15 years in prison for arson and insurance fraud. O’Connor pleaded guilty to intentionally burning his dental practice to collect insurance money to cover debts, causing over $63,000 in damage to a neighboring state trooper post.

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What changed

The Alabama Attorney General's office has announced the sentencing of Douglas Patrick O’Connor, an Evergreen dentist, to 15 years in prison with three years to serve. O’Connor pleaded guilty to second-degree arson and first-degree insurance fraud for intentionally burning his dental practice on March 28, 2025, in an attempt to collect insurance proceeds to cover significant debts. The fire caused over $63,000 in damage to an adjacent Alabama State Trooper post.

This case highlights the severe consequences of insurance fraud and arson, particularly when perpetrated by professionals entrusted with public safety. While this is an individual criminal case, it serves as a stark reminder for healthcare providers to maintain ethical conduct and financial responsibility. There are no specific compliance actions required for other entities based on this announcement, but it underscores the importance of robust internal controls and adherence to legal and ethical standards within the healthcare industry.

Penalties

15 years in prison with three years to serve

Source document (simplified)

Attorney General Marshall Announces Conviction of Evergreen Dentist for Arson, Insurance Fraud

View PDF For Immediate Release:
March 6, 2026

For press inquiries only, contact:
Amanda Priest (334) 322-5694
William Califf (334) 604-3230

(Montgomery, Ala) – Attorney General Steve Marshall announced today that an Evergreen dentist has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to intentionally burning his own dental practice and attempting to collect insurance money to cover his mounting debts.

Circuit Judge Jack B. Weaver of Conecuh County sentenced Douglas Patrick O’Connor to 15 years with three years to serve on two felony counts: second-degree arson and first-degree insurance fraud. O’Connor pleaded guilty to both charges Feb. 3, 2026.

Surveillance video from neighboring businesses captured O’Connor’s actions on the night of March 28, 2025. The footage showed him arriving at his closed dental office late on a Friday evening and entering and exiting the building multiple times. At approximately 9:48 p.m., he stood in the back doorway, struck a match and threw it inside, triggering an explosion within seconds.

The blast destroyed the dental practice and caused more than $63,000 in damage to the Alabama State Trooper Post next door. Forensic testing confirmed the presence of gasoline on O’Connor’s clothing from that evening and on the floor of the burned office.

Investigators found that O’Connor had accumulated significant debt and exhausted his ability to secure additional loans before setting the fire. Prosecutors presented evidence he burned the practice to collect an insurance payout and use the proceeds to pay his creditors.

“Alabamians put their trust in doctors to do no harm. Dr. O’Connor shattered that trust in the most deliberate way possible. He set fire to his own practice, endangered the lives of those next door and attempted to defraud his insurance company to cover years of reckless spending,” Attorney General Marshall said.

The case was prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Criminal Trials Division. Assistant Attorneys General Clark Morris, Brad Felton and Sara Rogan represented the state. Marshall thanked the Alabama State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Alabama Department of Insurance, the Evergreen Police Department, Special Agent Robert Stuart and Special Agent Richard Windham for their work on the case.

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