Claypool Man Arrested For Home Improvement Fraud
Staff Report
WARSAW — A Claypool man was recently arrested in a home improvement fraud that cost a woman more than $12,000.
Cary Gene Smith Jr., 45, 5360 S. 50W, Claypool, is charged with theft and home improvement fraud, both level 6 felonies; and two counts of home improvement fraud, both class A misdemeanors.
On July 29, 2016, a Kosciusko County Sheriff’s officer met with a woman who said she entered a home construction agreement with Smith on Nov. 23, 2015. The contract totaled $46,650.
According to court documents, the agreement was for the woman to pay Smith $12,000 as a down payment and to make additional payments as work was completed.
On Nov. 23, 2015, the woman gave Smith a check in the amount of $5,000. She also gave him a check for $7,000 on Dec. 1, 2015. On Dec. 15, 2015, Smith requested another $1,895 for a deposit for an electrician. The woman told the officer she refused to pay him that much money, but instead paid him $400 as a deposit.
In the terms of the contract between Smith and the woman, construction was to begin within 30 days of Nov. 24, 2015, and would be completed on or before the end of February 2016. As of July 29, 2016, Smith had not started or performed any work. The woman also said she had not received any communication from Smith since Jan. 25, 2016.
Her total loss was $12,400.
Smith was arrested on a warrant for this case on April 27, 2022, with a $5,250 surety and cash bond.