Local insurance office raided
Local insurance agent Kirk Berryman (center, camo jacket) talks to officers as they catalog items found in his truck that were later identified as components of a partial moonshine still. Berryman’s insurance agency was being raided on separate allegations of supposed insurance fraud when the partial still was discovered.
A local insurance agent is in jail after a raid at his Russellville office on Thursday lead to the discovery of a partial moonshine still, authorities said.
Kirk Berryman, 48, 301 Underwood Rd., was arrested on charges of unexplained possession of part of a whiskey still and possession of untaxed alcohol, Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver said.
According to Oliver, officers found the partial still in the back of Berryman’s pickup truck that was located outside his insurance agency on Underwood Road in Russellville.
Oliver said the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the Alabama Bureau of Investigation were executing a search warrant at Berryman’s insurance agency Thursday morning due to allegations of insurance fraud.
While searching Berryman’s vehicle, officers discovered components used in the manufacture of moonshine as well as actual moonshine itself, officers said.
Oliver said Berryman was arrested on the scene as officers continued to search his business.
“We have received numerous reports from individuals who took out an insurance policy with Mr. Berryman, made the insurance payments, and then later discovered their policy had been cancelled or it was not an active policy,” Oliver said.
“We’ve had victims come forward in the last three weeks who have had this happen to them, so we launched an investigation.”
Oliver said the policies have been for individuals all the way up to large farm operations.
“This could have been absolutely devastating if one of these people or one of these farms had something to happen and then they discover that they have no insurance to cover it,” Oliver said.
“That’s the kind of thing that could have put somebody completely under. It could have been a very terrible situation.”
As it stands, Oliver said six victims have come forward so far, but many others could still be affected.
“We asking that anyone who had an insurance policy through Kirk Berryman to check their policies and make sure they are active,” Oliver said.
“Anyone who finds out that their policy has been cancelled or is not active should contact the sheriff’s office or ABI immediately.”
Oliver said they are looking at thousands of dollars that could have allegedly been taken from insurance customers who believed they had active policies.
Oliver said the search warrant executed on Thursday included all records and files, which were confiscated by authorities.
“The investigation is still ongoing at this time,” Oliver said.
He said additional charges for Berryman could be filed once the investigation into the alleged insurance fraud is complete.
Berryman is currently in the Franklin County Jail without bond at this time.
For anyone who discovers they have a problem with their insurance policy issued by Berryman, contact the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office at 256-332-8820.
