Former Batavia Man Found Guilty of Aggravated Arson and Insurance Fraud
Clermont County Prosecuting Attorney Mark J. Tekulve announces the guilty verdict in State v. Asa M. Dawson, formerly of Batavia Township, Ohio.
On March 5, after a seven-day trial and nearly two days of deliberation, a jury convicted Dawson of seven counts, including: Aggravated Arson, Arson, Tampering with Evidence, Insurance Fraud, and Telecommunications Fraud. Assistant Prosecutors Clay Tharp and Zach Zipperer successfully prosecuted this very complex case.
Sentencing is scheduled for March 31, 2026, at 1:00 pm before Judge Jason Nagel. Dawson faces a maximum of up to 34.5-40 years in prison.
On September 20, 2022, the home of Asa and Katelyn Dawson, which was located at 2385 Vista Lake Drive, was set on fire, and burned down. After a thorough investigation by the Clermont County Fire Investigations Team, the State Fire Marshall’s Investigative Unit, Investigators at the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office, and a private Fire Investigator, it was determined that the fire was intentional. The Defendant utilized accelerants in an effort to set fire to his own home in order to fraudulently obtain insurance money. The fire also caused damage to their neighbors’ home, which was occupied by an elderly couple, one of whom was in a wheelchair. The Dawson’s egregious acts placed these two victims, as well as the first responders, in grave danger.
Asa Dawson’s wife, Kaitlyn Dawson, was previously convicted of Attempted Insurance Fraud on October 27, 2025.
“This man endangered the lives of brave members of the firefighting community and his neighbors, all to defraud his insurance company. I would like to thank the citizens who sat on this jury. Our office recognizes that this was a difficult and complex case. Your diligent work over the last nine days ensured justice and is deserving of commendation.”
-Mark J. Tekulve, Clermont County Prosecutor
Asa M. Dawson
03/01/1988
Kaitlyn J. Dawson
08/22/1992
*Mugshots are courtesy of the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office*