Eight unlicensed contractors have been arrested and four others still are being sought in connection with a recent sting titled “Operation Cold Turkey.”
In October, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by the Department of Business and Professional Regulations (DBPR) in reference to issues and complaints in Marion County surrounding unlicensed contractors. Officials say those unlicensed contractors can actually cost homeowners hundreds of thousands of dollars in repairs and put them at risk by performing substandard work that isn’t inspected.
After being told of the illegal activities, the sheriff’s office, in conjunction with DBPR and the Marion County Building Department, conducted the sting with the hopes of nabbing 12 known unlicensed contractors, a sheriff’s office report says.
From Nov. 12-14, two vacant homes were utilized and the 12 unlicensed contractors who have had previous complaints filed against them were contacted. They each came to one of the vacant homes, where they were asked to perform work and provide a proposal – knowing they weren’t licensed.
Warrants were then issued for the arrests of the 11 men and one woman. Eight of them – Daniel Melendez, Keith Earl Genga, James Hansen, Alberto Casiano, Adam Charles Williamson, Travis Barkley Reichert, Rebecca Drury and Katlyn D. Hicks – have been arrested and charged with contracting without a license and unlicensed contracting: electrical.
All of them except Reichert are out on bonds of $1,000 apiece. He is being held on $2,500 bond on the two unlicensed contractor charges and no bond for violating probation on a charge of failing to register as a sex offender in Glades County, Marion County Jail records show.
Officials encourage extreme caution when hiring someone to complete work at a residence or business. They say unlicensed contractors put residents at risk because their work is uninsured and can diminish the structural integrity of the structures where they perform the work.
Those needing work done are encouraged to do research and make sure the person hired is a licensed contractor. Information can be obtained at myfloridalicense.com or by calling Marion County Building Safety at (352) 438-2400.