- April 26, 2024
-
-
Loading
Loading
Law enforcement officials arrested 15 unlicensed contractors Thursday after implementing a undercover investigation.
In the coordinated, two-day operation, investigators placed calls to individuals who had advertised services that would have required that they possess a Florida contractor’s license. The ads appeared in newspapers and on the Internet.
Investigators then scheduled appointments with these unlicensed individuals to receive an estimate for work at a home on South Railroad Avenue in Bunnell. After completing the operation earlier this week, investigators moved in Thursday to arrest 10 individuals on charges of performing construction without a license or performing electrical work without a license. Five of those arrested Thursday have previous convictions for violations of the state licensing requirement.
The investigators working on the operation involved deputies assigned to the Safe Neighborhood Unit of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, who worked with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, the City of Palm Coast Business Tax Department, the Flagler County Building Department, and the Florida Department of Financial Services – Divisions of Fraud and Workers Compensation .
“The individuals caught in this sting operation prey on residents of our county, taking money out of the pockets of hard working legitimate business owners,” Flagler County Sheriff Jim Manfre said in a statement. "Many of these phony contractors have prior criminal records and are people you really don't want inside your house or around your family."
Jay Maher, supervisor of the Business Tax Department for the City of Palm Coast, urged residents to check the state’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation website as well as the Flagler County and Palm Coast websites to see if a contractor is licensed. He also suggested that before any money changes hands, residents request the contractor provide proof of insurance.
“Many of those arrested are people we get complaints on all the time,” Maher said. "Homeowners need to be aware of the risk they take when they hire someone who is not licensed. What initially may seem like a good deal often ends up costing the homeowner a lot more.”
Flagler County Administrator Craig Coffey was pleased with the outcome of the undercover operation.
“It is important for our residents to receive the services that they are paying for when hiring a contractor and that the work is performed to the safety standards provided in the State building code,” Coffey said. “Flagler County and the City of Palm Coast staff members cooperated in this effort to ensure the residents are getting licensed and certified contractors.”
Those arrested were:
1. John Vincent Benning, 46 years old, 4 Carol Court, Palm Coast.
Charges: Felony construction without a license, misdemeanor electrical without a license. Bond: $1,500.
2. Mark C. Green, 52 years old, 18 Woodborn Lane, Palm Coast.
Charges: Misdemeanor construction without a license and misdemeanor electrical without a license.
3. Elias Jorge Torres , 33 years old, 9 Pine Hurst Lane, Palm Coast.
Charges: misdemeanor construction without a license and misdemeanor electrical without a license. Released on recognizance.
4. Joseph Ricker , 51 years old, 27 Webb Lane, Palm Coast.
Charges: Misdemeanor construction without a license and misdemeanor electrical without a license. Released on recognizance.
5. Raul Troche, 57 years old, 70 Belleaire Drive, Palm Coast.
Charges: Misdemeanor construction without a license.
6. Russell Alan Iglesias, 55 years old, 4571 Canal Ave.,Bunnell.
Charges: Misdemeanor construction without a license and misdemeanor electrical without a license. Released on recognizance.
7. Dennis Dean McDonald, 65 years old, 120Bridgehaven Drive, Palm Coast.
Charges: Misdemeanor construction without a license and misdemeanor electrical without a license. Released on recognizance.
8. Robert James Barrow, 53 years old, 2930 N. Oceanshore Blvd., Flagler Beach.
Charges: Misdemeanor construction without a license. Released on recognizance.
9. Lawrence Jeffrey Cohn, 28 years old, 801 Coleman Ave., Deltona.
Charges: Misdemeanor construction without a license and misdemeanor electrical without a license. Released on recognizance.
10. Earl D. Jacobs, 57 years old, 606 River Fern Lane, Deland.
Charges: Misdemeanor construction without a license and misdemeanor electrical without a license. Released on recognizance.
Additionally, charging affidavits were completed on two other subjects for construction without a license and are being submitted to the State Attorney’s Office for consideration. That office will decie whether to press formal charges.
Unlicensed activity is illegal and can result in misdemeanor or felony charges if an individual is convicted. Floridians can report any suspected unlicensed activity to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation by [email protected] calling the Unlicensed Activity Hotline at 1â€866â€532â€1440.
