Four unlicensed contractors were arrested in Palm Coast as part of an undercover operation by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. Some had criminal records, including for violent offenses, the sheriff’s office stated.
The sheriff’s office began the operation in August after “numerous complaints” were submitted to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, the Flagler County Contractor Licensing Division and the Palm Coast Building Department.
Detectives identified 45 unlicensed businesses from these complaints as well as leads from social media and online advertisements.
The sheriff’s office then sent text messages and made hundreds of phone calls, resulting in 19 unlicensed contractors agreeing to perform work.
Detectives met with seven of the 19 contractors at a residence in Palm Coast.
Four of them advertised and provided estimates for regulated construction services without a license: Patrick Branigan, 34, of DeLand; Thomas Rush, 30, of Palm Coast; Jacob Gayle, 31, of Jacksonville; and Aristides Chavez Martinez, 68, of Palm Coast.
They were arrested when they arrived at the residence. Branigan and Rush were charged with offering to perform work as unregistered electrical contractors and contracting without a license. They were booked into the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where they were each later released on a $1,000 bond.
Gayle was charged with contracting without a license. He was released on a $500 bond.
Chavez Martinez was charged with offering to perform work as an unregistered electrical contractor. Chavez Martinez was in the country illegally and the sheriff’s office turned him over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Rush and Gayle were arrested Aug. 29 and Branigan and Chavez Martinez Aug. 28.
A fifth person did not show up at the house, but detectives have submitted charges to be reviewed by the State Attorney’s Office.
“Two others remained in compliance with Florida law but advertised outside the scope of their licensure. As a result, they will receive citations and cease and desist orders from DBPR,” according to the sheriff’s office.
Multiple people had criminal histories.
“Branigan has been arrested previously for possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony; Rush has previous arrests for possession of marijuana, sale of marijuana within 1,000 feet of a specified area, and carrying a concealed unlicensed firearm; and Chavez Martinez has been previously arrested for grand theft, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, fraud, burglary with assault or battery, and providing false information to law enforcement,” according to the sheriff’s office.
“The fact that many of these unlicensed contractors have been previously arrested, some with violent offenses, should be a red flag for residents that it is important to always vet who you let perform work on your home,” Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly stated in the release.
The sheriff’s office stated that “homeowners and business owners should verify contracting licenses through DBPR, the Flagler County Contractor Licensing Division, or their city before starting any project.” Hiring an unlicensed contractor could cause a homeowner to lose their your property insurance or to encounter problems selling a home because of unlicensed or unpermitted work, according to the sheriff’s office. It could also lead to liability for injuries or property damage.
“These arrests help prevent future victims in our community and send a strong message that unlicensed contracting work will not be tolerated,” Staly said in the release. “I commend our General Assignment Unit, Special Investigations Unit, PACE Unit, and our partners at DBPR and thank the Flagler County Association of Realtors, the Flagler Home Builders Association and the property owners for helping us stop illegal contracting.”
The Sheriff’s Office stated that anyone who suspects a contractor is unlicensed should file a complaint online through DBPR by visiting www2.myfloridalicense.com/file-a-complaint.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: 4 unlicensed contractors arrested in Palm Coast, 1 turned over to immigration
Reporting by Frank Fernandez, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
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