Cayce Man Charged in Gruesome Scam

A Cayce man has been indicted on multiple fraud charges after he and an accomplice cut off the hand of a friend as part of an alleged insurance fraud scheme, the U.S. Attorney's Office said Thursday.

In a multi-count indictment, prosecutors allege that in May 2008, while living in Sumter, Gerald B. Hardin, 34, and another person used a "pole saw" to intentionally cut off the hand of a third participant in the alleged scheme. 

A pole saw is a small chain saw that is attached to the end of a pole, and is used to trim tree branches. 

The three participants then submitted claims against a homeowner’s insurance policy, and three accidental death and dismemberment policies, and received more than $671,000, according to the indictment.

Neither the other person who helped nor the person whose hand was severed were identified in the indictment. 

Hardin and his two alleged accomplices collected a $375,000 check from the insurance policy for the home where the "intentional dismemberment" happened, along with five checks from accidental death-and-dismemberment policies totaling $296,125, according to the indictment.

Insurance company The Hartford issued all six checks, which added up to $671,125, prosecutors said.

Hardin is charged with six counts of federal mail fraud. On each count, he could face 20 years in prison and be fined $250,000. 

Hardin remains in the Lexington County Detention Center on a $100,000 bond.