Sheriff’s deputy enters guilty plea in insurance fraud scheme in Cass County, MI

A Cass County sheriff’s deputy who was to stand trial next week on felony insurance fraud charges has entered a guilty plea in the case. Steven Thomas Keene, 48, of Dowagiac, pleaded guilty Friday to one count of conspiracy to commit insurance fraud and an added misdemeanor count of neglect of duty during a hearing before Kalamazoo County Circuit Judge Alexander C. Lipsey. The conspiracy charge is a felony punishable by a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.Three other charges — insurance fraud, tampering with evidence and obstruction of justice are to be dismissed when Keene is sentenced Nov. 25 by Lipsey.