Aurora Man Facing Numerous Charges

Christopher Schwab is facing fraud charges in addition to charges from Indiana Conservation Officers.

Christopher Schwab. Photo by the Dearborn County Sheriff's Office.

(Dearborn County, Ind.) - Christopher Schwab turned himself in to the Dearborn County Law Enforcement Center on a warrant from Dearborn Circuit Court last week. 

He is charged with five counts of Forgery, five counts of Fraud, four counts of Fraud on a Financial Institution, one count of Theft and one count of Corrupt Business Influence. 

The charges stem from an investigation conducted by Indiana State Police that began in June of 2024. The initial complaint was that Schwab, the owner of Claims Management Specialist had cashed three separate, three party checks by allegedly forging signatures. 

Schwab, who is a public adjuster, also owned a roofing company named Over the Top Roofing. According to Prosecutor Lynn Deddens, alleged victims did not give Schwab or his company permission to sign checks on their behalf. Other victims said they did not sign any contract granting Schwab permission to bill their insurance company. 

Schwab then allegedly took the three party checks to various banks in attempt to deposit them in his account. 

He is also facing charges filed by Indiana Conservation Officers on April 30th. The charges range from Illegal Take of Deer, Shooting from Highway, Hunting with Silencer, Hunt with Aid of Motor Driven Conveyance, Fail to Retrieve Game, Hunt with Infrared Equipment, and Deer Hunt Outside Legal Hours, all misdemeanors, in addition to Criminal Recklessness with a Deadly Weapon (Level 6 Felony). 

Conservation Officers say they received complaints form citizens about deer being shot and killed form the roadway in southern Dearborn County. Another complaint alleged that a homeowner was sitting on the back deck of its residence in Tall Oak Drive last September. The homeowner allegedly observed an individual in a vehicle, shoot from the car and killing a whitetail deer in his back yard. After the animal was killed, the vehicle took off. 

It was reported that the individual who shot the deer did not use a spotlight or flashlight to illuminate the deer before it was shot, and there was no loud crack as a high-power rifle would make. Other reports of deer being shot and killed in the Dutch Hollow area were made. 

A warrant for GPS data relating to the deer being shot from the roadway on September 24 allegedly placed Schwab's cell phone in close proximity of where the deer was shot. 

Schwab received his initial hearing on Thursday. His bond is on hold until a further hearing on Monday, May 5.