Son Of Missing L.I. Swimmer Found Alive In Florida Arrested; Wife Files For Divorce
CARLE PLACE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Police have arrested and charged the son of a Massapequa swimmer, who was reported missing last week and may have tried to fake his own death.
Raymond Roth still has yet to show his face in New York, but his son is in a lot of trouble for his role in the incident, officials said.
Jonathan Roth, 22, was hauled away in the back of a black sedan Monday after being grilled by the Nassau County district attorney and charged with insurance fraud, conspiracy to commit insurance fraud and falsely reporting an incident.
Raymond Roth's wife, Evana, said she's not surprised her stepson was arrested.
"It's lies, it's all lies. He's had a history of lying since he was a child. That's his character. That's just his personality," she said.
Christi Mayleai, the girlfriend of Jonathan Roth, told 1010 WINS' Carol D'Auria she doesn't know if her boyfriend had anything to do with his father's disappearance, but said he seemed very upset when he thought his father had drowned.
"He was hysterical, running around the beach. His voice sounded like he was out of breath. He was like 'I can't find my dad, I don't know what to do,'" Roth's girlfriend said.
1010 WINS' Carol D'Auria With More On The Story
Podcast
Mayleai told CBS 2's Hazel Sanchez he was framed.
"He really thought his dad had drowned," Mayleai said. "My theory is that his dad set this up and his brother got involved at some point and they brought John into it to take the fall."
Jonathan's Roth's girlfriend said he never corresponded with his father.
"He said he didn't know anything about the e-mails. I haven't seen them in his account. He was just angry because he found out his dad was alive and how could his own father do this to him," Mayleai said.
Raymond Roth was reported missing on July 28 after he reportedly went for a swim at Jones Beach. His wife, Evana Roth, filed legal paperwork against her husband Monday. She filed for divorce and obtained an order of protection.
"I filed for divorce today, it's over," she said at a Monday news conference.
Raymond Roth was first reported missing by his son, Jonathan, who told police his 47-year-old dad went for a swim beyond the lifeguard zone and never came back.
Roth's disappearance triggered an intense Coast Guard search and while no one actually saw Roth swim away, the Massapequa man was presumed drowned.
At Monday's news conference, Evana Roth said she feels betrayed.
"I didn't wake up from this nightmare yet. I think that I have not had time to mourn. I mean, I thought my husband drowned, I thought he was dead," Roth said at the news conference.
"My nose was broken by Raymond and just being pushed and verbally abused for the past 12 years," she said.
WCBS 880 Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs reports
Podcast
Evana Roth previously said she was distraught about her husband until last Wednesday, when she discovered e-mails between her husband and son indicating that Raymond Roth was in Florida.
The e-mails allegedly detailed plans for Raymond Roth to fake his own death and disappear and included instructions to their son on what to do about money and the house. Evana Roth showed the e-mails to her husband's brother, who called police.
Thursday morning, Roth was pulled over for speeding in South Carolina. The officer who issued the ticket discovered Roth was listed in a national registry of missing people. Roth said he was driving back to New York and the officer let him go.
Authorities want to question Raymond Roth but police said they don't know where he is.
"We have some of our investigators looking for him but he seems to have disappeared," said Lenard Leeds, Evana Roth's attorney.
Shocked by these developments? Share your thoughts in the comments section below...
