James Michael Duncan

KOSCIUSKO — A Marion man is facing home improvement fraud charges after reportedly failing to complete work on a property in Kosciusko County.

James Michael Duncan, 41, 916 E. 29th St., Marion, is being charged with home improvement fraud, a class A misdemeanor; home improvement fraud enhancement, a level 6 felony; and theft, a class A misdemeanor. 

According to the affidavit of probable cause, on June 2, a male came to the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department to report a home improvement fraud. The male stated that he and Duncan had made an agreement for Duncan to trim trees at the male’s property in exchange for money.

The male stated that Duncan was given a check on May 2, as a deposit for the work Duncan had promised to do. The check was reportedly cashed, but Duncan failed to return to do the work. The male stated he has not been able to make contact with Duncan and he believes that Duncan is never going to trim the trees.

Officers spoke with a female, who provided a copy of the signed proposal for the tree trimming. The proposal was signed by the female and by Duncan. The female was the one who provided the check to Duncan on May 2. 

The female was able to identify Duncan in a photo line-up. Duncan was booked at the Kosciusko County Jail on Tuesday, Aug. 14, on a $5,250 surety and cash bond.