Continued Operation Yields 17 Arrests for Unlicensed Contracting

NEWS RELEASE 19-079
Hammer Down II Graphic 1

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office arrested 17 people on multiple charges during the continuation of an undercover operation 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 subjects arrived at the target residence in southern Sarasota County last week, the DBPR database was checked to determine if they were licensed, registered as a contractor, and/or had the required workers compensation coverage or exemption to perform the work they proposed to do.
 
In all, the second part of the operation resulted in 21 felony charges and 15 misdemeanor charges. The following individuals were arrested during the three-day operation. Their arrests are in addition to six arrests announced by the sheriff’s office in April.
 
  • Stanley B. Brown, DOB 01/30/63, of 109 Tortuga Drive, Nokomis, is charged with Unlicensed Contracting and Workers Compensation Fraud.
  • Antonio Caputo, DOB 10/10/41, of 144 Mariner Lane, Rotonda West, is charged with Unlicensed Contracting and Workers Compensation Fraud.
  • Amie L. Criss, DOB 03/12/83, of 3301 19th Ave. West, Bradenton, is charged with Unlicensed Contracting and Workers Compensation Fraud.
  • Oscar Cortes, DOB 12/25/93, of 3715 14th St. W. Lot 75, Bradenton, is charged with Unlicensed Contracting, Workers Compensation Fraud and Possession of Marijuana Under 20 Grams.
  • Charles H. Davis Jr., DOB 01/07/58, of 958 Inaqua Ave., Venice, is charged with Unlicensed Contracting and Workers Compensation Fraud.
  • George W. Dills, DOB 05/20/64, of 252 Gardenia Rd., Venice, is charged with Unlicensed Contracting and Workers Compensation Fraud.
  • Chad A. Fagenbaum, DOB 04/24/72, of 340 Altair Rd., Venice, is charged with Unlicensed Contracting and Workers Compensation Fraud.
  • Forest C. Freeman, DOB 12/25/72, of 5687 Summer Side Lane, Apt 26b, Sarasota, is charged with Unlicensed Contracting and Workers Compensation Fraud.
  • Phillip G. Greenwell, DOB 12/20/60, of 22124 26th Ave E, Bradenton, is charged with Unlicensed Contracting and Workers Compensation Fraud.
  • Michael Kropsch, DOB 02/28/63, of 4685 Avanti Circle, North Port, is charged with Unlicensed Contracting and Workers Compensation Fraud.
  • Julius Kubricky, DOB 04/03/63, of 1345 24th St., Sarasota, is charged with Unlicensed Contracting and Workers Compensation Fraud.
  • Jeffrey J. Levelle, DOB 03/27/57, of 1136 Andrews St., Englewood, is charged with Unlicensed Contracting and Workers Compensation Fraud.
  • David Nondorf, DOB 10/13/71.  508 E Seminole Dr, Venice, is charged with Unlicensed Contracting and Workers Compensation Fraud.
  • James A. Pusateri Jr., DOB 05/17/65, of 380 E. Dearborn St., Englewood, is charged Unlicensed Contracting and Workers Compensation Fraud. He has a prior arrest in Sarasota County for similar crimes.
  • Paul Sorke, DOB 07/27/69, of 1544 Scarlett Ave., North Port, is charged with Unlicensed Contracting and Workers Compensation Fraud. Sorke has two prior arrests in Sarasota County for similar crimes.
  • James L. Tate, DOB 12/29/65, of 5210 14th St West Lot #16, Bradenton, is charged with Unlicensed Contracting, Workers Compensation Fraud, and Possession of Controlled Substance.
  • Phil Van Brandt, DOB 05/15/61, of 7471 N. Leewynn Dr., Sarasota, is charged with Unlicensed Contracting and Workers Compensation Fraud.
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.
 
“These arrests serve as a strong reminder to always do your research before selecting someone to work on your home or business,” commented Sheriff Tom Knight. “Consumers are exposing themselves to financial and physical risk by allowing these people to enter their home unlicensed. Not only does this pose a threat to consumers, it also directly effects legitimate business owners doing the right thing and operating within the parameters of the law.”
 
“When Floridians need to make improvements or repairs to their home, they deserve to have the confidence that the work will be done honestly, completely, and according to professional standards that are designed to protect them and their families,” said DBPR Secretary Halsey Beshears. “I appreciate the hard work of our state and local partners in Operation Hammer Down whose support helps bring both enforcement and awareness to this important public concern.”
 
Florida law establishes 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 downloading 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. For more information visit https://www.scgov.net/government/planning-and-development-services/building