Tennessee man accused of stealing from dead, abusing children

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A Tennessee man is facing charges after police claim he stole identities from dead people.

Tennessee Highway Patrol investigators say James Jackson stole more than $300,000 by using the identities of dozens of dead people, reports WREG.

According to an affidavit of complaint, Jackson was caught on surveillance video at multiple banks and grocery stores cashing fraudulent checks.

When police arrived to arrest Jackson, he barricaded himself inside his home and took a woman he lived with and her three children hostage, while lighting several fires to destroy evidence.

The woman and children managed to escape without harm, and Jackson surrendered.

Jackson was charged with child abuse and neglect, criminal simulation, false imprisonment, forgery, identity theft, tampering with evidence and theft of property.

Officials say thousands of stolen identities were found at his residence.