Jackson County, FL (WDNews) —A man posing as a contractor was arrested after scamming a local church out of thousands. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received a tip that led to the arrest of Anthony Eric Engle, who had falsely claimed to be a licensed contractor.
In August 2023, the church had sought bids for a covered entrance and ultimately entered into an agreement with Engle, who provided an estimate of over $11,000 and required a 50% down payment. However, after installing only a few posts, Engle abandoned the project, leaving the church out thousands of dollars and without the promised work.
Investigators later discovered that Engle was not licensed in Florida and had used a fake business name and references. Engle is now facing charges of grand theft and operating as a contractor without proper certification.
The church’s experience serves as a stark reminder to thoroughly vet contractors before making any payments.
