VCSO Sting Targets Unlicensed Contractors in 2-Day ‘Operation Hurri-Con’

With people across Volusia County still recovering and seeking repairs to properties damaged by Hurricane Irma, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office launched its second recent sting operation targeting unlicensed contractors looking to cash in on the work.

Volusia County sheriff’s detectives in cooperation with the State Attorney’s Office, Daytona Beach Police Department, and state insurance and fraud regulators, conducted a two-day undercover operation, which culminated today (Friday), zeroing in on unlicensed contractors in Deltona and Daytona Beach. The sting, dubbed “Operation Hurri-Con,” was designed to catch those who prey on victims of hurricane damage by advertising or offering services such as A/C, electrical or roofing jobs – all work that requires licensed contractors.

Investigators developed a list of unlicensed contractors on both sides of Volusia County, and set up meeting places in Daytona Beach (Thursday) and Deltona (Friday). In several cases, the contractors had advertised on Craigslist. Earlier this week, detectives called the suspect contractors at their business and requested an appointment for the contractor to visit an address to provide an estimate for roof repair. In each case, representations from the state Department of Business Professional Regulation (DBPR) confirmed that the contractor was unlicensed.

Once the unlicensed contractor provided an estimate for the job and left the business, deputies made traffic stops and arrested the contractor, transporting them to the Volusia County Branch Jail. Each was charged with engaging in contracting business without certification (Florida Statute 489.127) , and failure to secure workers’ compensation insurance coverage (F.S. 440.105 (4)(A)3).

The crimes were committed during the state of emergency declared by Gov. Rick Scott, making the charge of operating without a license a felony, deputies say. Detectives determined that each suspect “knowingly and unlawfully engaged in the business or acted in the capacity of a contractor . . . without being duly registered or certified,” the affidavits state.

“We want the message to be clear: If you’re in this business to help people, great. If you’re here because of greed, be assured, we will do this again and you will be found,” said Lt. Brian Henderson of the VCSO’s Major Crimes Unit. “With some people, it’s very evident they are trying to capitalize on (damage from) the hurricane.”

Added Sheriff Mike Chitwood: “We’ve run this operation before, and we’ll do it again – the point is, if you want to do the kind of work that requires a permit, go through the process and do it legitimately. We’re not going to sit here and leave our residents vulnerable to scam artists and thieves out there looking to make an easy profit.”

Henderson advised homeowners seeking reputable, licensed contractors to go to the state Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s website: www.myfloridalicense.com. In addition, anyone who hires an unlicensed contractor is civilly liable if that contractor gets injured while working on your home, Henderson said.

Those arrested Thursday, Sept. 28, and Friday, Sept. 29 were:

  • David Crabtree, 58, Ormond Beach;
  • Bob Avila, 36, Palm Bay;
  • Thomas Kaltenekker, 50, TKR Restorations and Repairs, Columbus, Ohio;
  • John Kirk, 43, Port Orange; *also charged with violation of felony probation for credit card
  • fraud in an unrelated case;
  • Shawn Ryerson, 45, Daytona Beach;
  • Stanley Bentley, 50, West Volusia
  • Brian Dinker, 23, West Volusia
  • Charles Nunn, 57, West Volusia

If found guilty, the defendants face up to five years in prison.

“Volusia was one of the many counties directly affected by Hurricane Irma. The results of this sting are proof that unlicensed contractors are in the area attempting to do work that they are unlicensed and unqualified to do,” said DBPR Secretary Jonathan Zachem. “It’s imperative that property owners always verify a contractor’s license before signing a contract. If you suspect unlicensed activity is taking place in your area, please report it directly to DBPR by calling the Unlicensed Activity Hotline at 1.866.532.1440 or by emailing ULA@myfloridalicense.com.”

Originally published by the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.

September 29, 2017 /  
DBPR’s Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Opens Entry Period for Annual Quota Beverage License Drawing

Online Entry Option Adds Convenience for 2017 Drawing Entrants

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco opened the entry period for the 2017 Quota Beverage License Drawing, including a new option for easy electronic filing and electronic entry fee payment. The Division will accept quota license drawing entries for 45 days, ending at 5 p.m. on October 4, 2017.

Quota alcoholic beverage licenses authorize the holder of the license to sell beer, wine, and distilled spirits, either for package sales only or for consumption on the licensed premises, depending on the license series elected. The Florida Beverage Law limits the total number of quota alcoholic beverage licenses by county population estimates, authorizing the Division to issue no more than one license for every 7,500 residents within a county. Each year, the Division analyzes population data in Florida’s 67 counties, and based on the licenses available, opens the drawing process for a 45-day period beginning on the third Monday in August.

The 2017 drawing entry period will include 51 new quota alcoholic beverage licenses available for issuance in 26 counties, including: Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Collier, Dade, Duval, Hillsborough, Holmes, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Leon, Manatee, Marion, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, St. Lucie, Sarasota, Seminole, and Volusia.

For the 2017 drawing entry period, the Division has finalized an online entry option based on a pilot phase tested in 2016. Interested entrants are now able to file a drawing entry and pay the corresponding entry fee through the online portal from any location at any time during the 45-day entry period. The addition of an online entry option continues the Division’s goal of transitioning all licenses and permit applications to an online filing process, and it will expedite handling and processing of drawing entries prior to the license drawing.

For more information about the Quota Beverage License Drawing entry process, interested entrants are encouraged to contact a local Division of Alcoholic Beverage and Tobacco District Office or visit https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/abt/index.html.

August 25, 2017 /  
Operation Freelancer IV Nabs Unlicensed Contractors

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office arrested nine people on multiple charges during Operation Freelancer IV, an investigation to protect citizens from unlicensed contractors.

Detectives worked with the Sarasota County Building Department, the Florida Department of Financial Services Division of Insurance Fraud and the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) to contact individuals advertising home repair services that require a license to complete. As individuals arrived at the predetermined residence last week, the DBPR database was checked to determine if they were licensed, registered as a contractor, and/or required workers compensation coverage or exemption, to perform the work they proposed to do.

In all, the operation resulted in 11 felony charges and seven misdemeanor charges. Those arrested have a total of 40 prior felony and misdemeanor charges as well as eight convictions. One of the defendants, Timothy Jewell, has several prior arrests for Aggravated Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer with a Weapon and Resisting Arrest with Violence. Another, Raul Morey-Arenas, has six prior felony charges in both Sarasota and Manatee counties dating back to 2008 for Burglary and Uttering a Forged Instrument. The following individuals were arrested during the three-day operation:

  • Joseph Hopp Jr., DOB 1/31/1961, 5310 17th Court W., Bradenton
  • Mark Lamoureux, DOB 4/6/1948, 5200 Densaw Road, North Port
  • Richard Hayez, DOB 7/7/1950, 7103 Gama Court, North Port
  • Raul Morey-Arenas, DOB 4/22/1959, 2068 Hillview Street, Sarasota
  • Terence Miller, DOB 6/23/1961, 3382 Trinity Street, North Port
  • Timothy Jewell, DOB 10/22/1960, 1074 Deer Hollow Way, Sarasota
  • David Pond, DOB 10/10/1973, 8446 Knollwood Drive, Myrtle Beach
  • Jonathan King, DOB 10/16/1975, 7192 Sussix Lane, Englewood
  • Charles Cochran, DOB 12/16/1961, 2708 Starlite Lane, Port Charlotte

Since 2012, the sheriff’s office has assigned detectives to investigate claims against people who engage in contracting work without proper licenses, permits or certification. A first offense usually results in a civil citation by code enforcement but subsequent violations lead to misdemeanor or felony criminal charges. The defendants also receive a cease and desist order from the State of Florida.

“Maintenance operations like these should be a good reminder for consumers to always seek licensed contractors to perform work on their homes or businesses,” said Sheriff Tom Knight. “Consumers are exposing themselves to financial and physical risk by allowing these people to enter their home, unlicensed, and in some cases, with criminal histories. Let this be a warning to criminals who come into our community and illegally solicit services, that their behavior will not be tolerated.”

“It has been rewarding to partner with the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office and the Sarasota County Building Department to raise awareness about the dangers of hiring unlicensed contractors in Florida,” said DBPR Secretary Jonathan Zachem. “Unlicensed activity is a serious concern for the general public, particularly during hurricane season. Partnerships like this are vital in our efforts to advise the public about the benefits of hiring licensed professionals.”

Florida law sets specific rules and guidelines for obtaining professional licensure, and the people who have met these requirements are held to professional standards. Consumers can verify licenses with the DBPR online at www.myfloridalicense.com, by calling 850.487.1395, or download the free DBPR Mobile app through iTunes or the Google Play store.

To check a Sarasota County license, call the Customer Service and Permit Center at 941.861.6678 or 941.861.3029. To report someone you suspect is acting as an unlicensed contractor or performing work without a permit, call 941.861.5000.

July 18, 2017 /  
DBPR Unveils Business Information Portal

TALLAHASSEE, Fla — The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) unveiled the state’s new Business Information Portal, designed to help Floridians set up and run a business in the Sunshine State. Using the new site (www.OpenMyFloridaBusiness.gov, prospective business owners are taken step-by-step through everything from licensing a new food truck to opening the doors at a new salon or barbershop. The new site, which launched on Friday, June 30, also helps with state tax registration, licensure applications and other documentation.

Governor Rick Scott said, “Florida is the best place in the world to start a business, and DBPR’s new Business Information Portal makes it easier than ever for businesses to start and grow. The Business Information Portal gives every Floridian the guidance they need to start their company at the click of a button, empowering every entrepreneur to become a successful job creator. Over the past six years, we have worked every day to make Florida the most business-friendly state in the nation. I am proud that, working with our agencies and DBPR, we’ve been able to eliminate more than 4,800 burdensome regulations and help Florida’s business owners succeed.”

DBPR Secretary Jonathan Zachem said, “This new Business Information Portal will give prospective entrepreneurs an easy checklist for crafting their business, meeting licensing requirements and then opening the doors to their new venture. The information and assistance needed to get a business up and running in Florida is now a click away. There’s never been a better time to start your business in the Sunshine State.”

By entering a search term, the portal generates a step-by-step checklist to help prospective business owners understand local, state and federal requirements for the selected business category. The portal also features an eGuide that provides a basic overview to all the tools, tips and resources needed to open a business in Florida. The first section of the eGuide includes best practices and general information regarding different aspects of starting and operating a business in Florida. A quick reference guide is also included to walk you through the state requirements that fit most businesses. The final section contains information about state regulatory agencies and provides additional resources for entrepreneurs.

Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Director Cissy Proctor said, “Florida is making it easier for businesses to succeed and grow in our state by cutting taxes, reducing regulations and enhancing our business-friendly climate. The Business Information Portal is another great resource that proves our commitment to Florida businesses and the hardworking people who are investing in our communities.”

DBPR worked closely with the following state agencies and stakeholders to develop the Florida Business Information Portal: Agency for Health Care Administration, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Department of Children and Family Services, Department of Citrus, Department of Economic Opportunity, Department of Elder Affairs, Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Financial Services, Department of Health, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Department of Management Services, Department of Revenue, Department of State, Division of Emergency Management, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Lottery, Office of Financial Regulation, Office of Insurance Regulation, and Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network.

The new portal can be reached at www.OpenMyFloridaBusiness.gov.

July 5, 2017 /  
DBPR Participates in Nationwide Initiative Targeting Unlicensed Contractors

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), in cooperation with Columbia, Flagler and Volusia County Sheriffs’ Offices as well as various cities and townships, conducted three undercover stings during the month of June as part of the National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies’ (NASCLA) nationwide initiative targeting unlicensed contractors. State agencies from Arizona, California, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah and Washington also participated.

DBPR’s successful multi-agency efforts resulted in 10 Arrests, 7 Notices to Appear, 5 Charging Affidavits, 1 Citation, 36 Cease & Desist Orders and 56 additional cases to be opened against unlicensed subjects who advertised their services to perform that of a State Licensed Contractor. In addition, all of the unlicensed activity cases will be forwarded to the State Attorney’s office for possible criminal prosecution.

NASCLA’s initiative provided an opportunity to protect and educate consumers, deter illegal construction activity and level the playing field for honest, hardworking professionals in the construction industry on a national level.

“Combating unlicensed activity requires innovative, creative solutions and partnerships between state and local government,” said DBPR Secretary Jonathan Zachem. “I would like to thank NASCLA for partnering with us on this important initiative to educate consumers across the country about the dangers of unlicensed contractors.”

To view the entire release from NASCLA, please visit http://www.nascla.org/blogpost/1535522/279506/NASCLA-ANNOUNCES-2017-NATIONAL-COORDINATED-ENFORCEMENT-EFFORT.

June 30, 2017 /