A man convicted of insurance fraud who helps plan the future for New Jersey middle school children now knows his own future for the next 364 days: jail.

Kenyetta O’Bryant, 38, of North Plainfield, N.J., was formally sentenced to a day short of one year in jail, must forfeit his guidance counselor position at Vailsburg (N.J.) Middle School and is forever banned from holding public employment, according to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.

O’Bryant pleaded guilty in September to two counts of third-degree arson and third-degree insurance fraud for burning his own vehicle five months earlier to collect insurance money as well as helping a friend attempt the same fraudulent activity.

Prosecutors said that on April 13, 2006, Essex County Sheriff’s officers responded to a fire in Newark, N.J., and discovered a 2002 BMW 525I on fire at Weequahic Park. O’Bryant reported his vehicle stolen that day from Elizabeth, N.J.

A private engineering firm hired by O’Bryant’s insurer, GEICO, ultimately determined the fire was the result of arson, and detectives from the Essex County Arson Task Force linked O’Bryant to the crime following an investigation.

Six days after his own car was found on fire, a 2004 Acura TL was discovered ablaze in the parking lot at Barringer High School in Newark shortly before midnight.

The Acura belonged to Terrance Wilkins, who reported it stolen from Neptune, N.J., the next day. The car had only six payments remaining on a three-year lease with Wilkins also facing a high mileage penalty, according to prosecutors.

The Essex County Arson Task Force found the cause of the fire to be arson, and Wilkins’ insurer, Clarendon Insurance Co. of Saddle Brook, N.J., denied his claim.

Following an investigation, it was discovered O’Bryant concocted the arson scheme with Wilkins.

The pair were indicted April 28, 2008, on similar charges.

Wilkins agreed to cooperate with authorities and to testify against O’Bryant at trial. In return for his cooperation, Wilkins entered into a pre-trial intervention program, according to prosecutors.