Utica, NY – A Utica man is facing a felony charge after allegedly taking a $7,000 payment for home improvement work in Whitestown and never completing the job, according to the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the sheriff, the case began on September 29, 2025, when Road Patrol Deputies received a complaint from a homeowner who said they hired a private contractor to perform work at a residence in the Town of Whitestown. The victim reported paying the contractor a $7,000 check in July 2025 for the project.
According to investigators, further review revealed that no work had been completed at the home despite the full payment being made. Deputies also learned the check had been cashed shortly after it was issued, prompting the case to be turned over to the Criminal Investigation Unit for additional follow-up.
On November 18, 2025, the suspect—identified by the sheriff’s office as a Utica resident—allegedly turned himself in at the Kurt B. Wyman Law Enforcement Building. Investigators say he was charged with Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a Class D felony under New York law.
According to authorities, the man was taken to the Oneida County Correctional Facility pending CAP Court proceedings. He was later released on his own recognizance and is scheduled to appear in court at a later date.
Residents in Oneida County are encouraged to thoroughly vet contractors and verify credentials before issuing large upfront payments, deputies noted following the arrest.
Anyone with additional information related to this case or similar incidents is asked to contact the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
Follow us on Instagram & Facebook for more relevant news stories and SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT NEWS! Have a tip? Message us!
