UPDATED: Sting operation nabs 11 unlicensed contractors

Nov. 20--The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office conducted a sting operation this week that resulted in the arrest of 11 unlicensed contractors on felony and misdemeanor charges.

On Nov. 18th and 19th, the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division, along with other agencies, conducted an operation focusing on identifying unlicensed contractors who advertise and perform general construction, plumbing and electrical work, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office press release.

The operation was started in cooperation with the Building Industry Association of Okaloosa and Walton Counties after complaints from the citizens and licensed contractors, according to Lieutenant Eric Aden with the Sheriff's Office.

"It's disappointing when you have people out there causing consumer harm," said Alan Baggett, executive vice president of BIA. "... If you're not licensed and you're not bonded, there are repercussions."

During the sting, male and female officers pretended to be a couple asking for remodeling quotes for a Shalimar home they were considering buying.

The operation resulted in 10 misdemeanor and four felony arrests.

Over the two-day operation, 14 appointments were made between undercover agents and individuals who offered to perform repairs for money, according to the media release.

Other agencies that played a key role were Okaloosa County Code Enforcement, Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Florida Department of Financial Services Division of Insurance Fraud and Bureau of Workers' Compensation Compliance and Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Of the 11 individuals arrested, only two were charged with felonies.

Jacques Savard, a 55-year-old from Destin, was charged with three felonies, including one issued by the Bureau of Workers Compensation Compliance, according to Aden and his arrest report.

Savard responded to an internet ad requesting quotes for repairs to a house in Shalimar, according to his arrest report. He arrived and told undercover personnel that it would cost $10,000 to remodel a bathroom, including electrical work.

Since he is not a licensed contractor or a licensed electrical contractor, he was arrested.

Investigators learned he had also been convicted of performing or attempting to make unlicensed repairs in 2008, the report said.

Albert McNew, whose report was not available Friday, was charged with a felony and a misdemeanor, according to Aden's email.

Additionally, the sting lead to 18 cease-and-desist orders, nine county code violations and nine requests for records through Worker's Compensation, which could result in additional charges, according to the release.

Those charged with violations are:

* Albert McNew of A&M Remodeling and Painting

* Christopher Levesque of 888 Cool Heating and Air Conditioning

* Robert Delbert Arms of 888 Cool Heating and Air Conditioning

* Jakub Mokros of ALJ's Construction

* Raymond Rivera of Central Painting and Restoration Services

* Jacques Savard of Construction Concierge

* Anthony Alina-Morales of Just Do it Electrical and Handyman Services

* Shane Capps of Shane Capps Enterprises LLC

* James David Marsh of Shane Capps Enterprises LLC

* Sean Moore of M. Moore Construction LLC

* Frederick Miron of Miron Services.

To report any unlicensed contracting contact the County Code Enforcement at 850-651-7531 or 850-423-4855.

Previous coverage

The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office conducted a sting operation this week that resulted in the arrest of more than a dozen unlicensed contractors on felony and misdemeanor charges.

Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division, along with members of Okaloosa County Code Enforcement, Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Florida Department of Financial Services Division of Insurance Fraud, Bureau of Workers' Compensation Compliance and Florida Department of Law Enforcement, conducted an operation focusing on identifying unlicensed contractors who advertise and perform general construction, plumbing and electrical work. conducted the operation Nov. 18 and 19.

The investigation focused on identifying unlicensed contractors who advertise and perform general construction, plumbing and electrical work.

Over the two-day operation, 14 appointments were made between undercover agents and individuals wherein agreements were made to perform multiple construction-related improvements for the exchange of monetary compensation.

The operation resulted in 10 misdemeanor and three felony arrests.

Additionally there were 18 cease-and-desist orders, nine county code violations and nine requests for records through Worker's Compensation, which could result in additional charges.

Those charged with violations so far are:

* Robert McNew of A&M Remodeling and Painting

* Christopher Levesque of 888 Cool Heating and Air Conditioning

* Robert Delbert Arms of 888 Cool Heating and Air Conditioning

* Jakub Mokros of ALJ's Construction

* Raymond Rivera of Central Painting and Restoration Services

* Jacques Savard of Construction Concierge

* Anthony Alina-Morales of Just Do it Electrical and Handyman Services

* Shane Capps of Shane Capps Enterprises

* James David Marsh of Shane Capps Enterprises

* Sean Moore of M. Moore Construction

* Frederick Miron of Miron Services.

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