Crime & Safety

Hurricane Victims Targeted By Unlicensed Contractor: Sarasota Sheriff

An unlicensed contractor targeted Hurricane Ian victims, defrauding them of more than $100,000, the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office said.

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An unlicensed contractor targeted Hurricane Ian victims, defrauding them of more than $100,000, the Sarasota County Sheriffā€™s Office said.
An unlicensed contractor targeted Hurricane Ian victims, defrauding them of more than $100,000, the Sarasota County Sheriffā€™s Office said. (Courtesy of Sarasota County Sheriffā€™s Office)

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL ā€” An unlicensed contractor targeted Hurricane Ian victims, defrauding them of more than $100,000, according to a Sarasota County Sheriffā€™s Office news release.

Justin Hoover, the owner of J&J Screens, committed to various jobs ā€” from building new sheds to repairing and building new carports and roofs ā€” for at least 38 citizens but never even started the jobs.

Hoover stole more than $100,000 in down payments for this work from his victims, the sheriffā€™s office said.

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Throughout the investigation, 39 warrants were sought, totaling 71 charges, including a first-degree felony for scheme to defraud in excess of $50,000. Hoover was arrested in Sarasota County on Tuesday.

The sheriffā€™s office is looking for others who may have been defrauded by Hoover. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Evan Boone at 941-861-4640.

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