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Former N.C. fire chief arrested, accused of falsifying training records

Authorities say Denton’s former fire chief submitted fraudulent documentation from 2021 to 2025 in an alleged effort to boost the fire department’s insurance rating

The High Point Enterprise, N.C.

DAVIDSON COUNTY, N.C. — The town of Denton’s former fire chief has been arrested and accused of falsifying the Denton Fire Department’s records, the N.C. Department of Insurance announced Wednesday afternoon.

Brandon Allen Dorsett, 37, was charged with misusing government computers and two counts of fraud, all felonies.

Dorsett is accused of using the town’s computers to falsely report the Denton Fire Department’s training records and certified rosters between March 1, 2021, and July 10, 2025.

No other information about the charges or the investigation was released.

In past cases involving similar allegations at other fire departments, the reported motive for falsifying the records was an effort to get a higher fire insurance protection rating for the fire department.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey said when announcing the arrest that while all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty, “firefighters and members of the town need to know that the fire department’s actions are above board. Firefighters are dedicated public servants and sacrifice a lot to protect their community.”

Davidson County deputies arrested Dorsett on Friday, July 11. He was released on $10,000 unsecured bond. He is scheduled to appear in Davidson County District Court on Aug. 4.

Denton town officials had acknowledged in April that state officials were investigating the fire department but said little about it.

Travis Morris was appointed as interim fire chief on April 30.

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