Marion County contractor accused of taking clients’ money without doing the job
MARION COUNTY, Florida. – A Marion County business owner has been arrested after several reports that he took clients’ money without doing any work, according to a report from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
James Jones, 47, was accused of taking deposits for construction work promised by his Freaky Fast Construction company with no intention of actually starting projects.
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The first report against Jones came in March 2023, when deputies said the victim claimed to have paid Jones a $3,000 bail for a new roof. The victim said the contract they signed in December 2022 said construction work would begin next month, but they have been unable to contact Jones since.
SunBiz records show that Freaky Fast Construction, LLC lost its ability to do business in the state of Florida in September 2022 due to failure to file a required annual return with the state.
Deputies said that Jones eventually responded to the victims by stating that he was in the hospital and stating that he would refund them the full amount, but never did so.
A similar report came in April 2023, when the victim told MPs that they paid Jones $3,500 bail in October 2022. The victim said that the contract they signed stated that the construction work would be completed in December, but again, they received no further communication from Jones other than his claims that he was in the hospital.
Deputies questioned John, who confessed to making contracts and collecting security deposits, but then said he never had any injuries that prevented him from completing construction work, records show.
Jones also said he had acquired materials needed to complete the work, but was unable to provide proof or explanation of where they were, MPs said.
Deputies said they then discovered that Jones was running Freaky Fast Construction without a licensed contractor.
Jones faces two counts of contractor fraud and two counts of grand theft.
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