Joshua James Semien, 39, of Opelousas, was booked into the Evangeline Parish Jail on April 6 after being charged with two counts of contractor fraud and having an outstanding warrant for traffic-related offenses.
The case centers on allegations that Semien failed to complete agreed-upon work after receiving payment and did not pay multiple suppliers for materials despite having been provided funds to do so. Several businesses attempted to place liens on the victim’s property due to unpaid balances, according to authorities.
Detectives reported that Semien later filed a lien himself on the victim’s property using invoices for materials that had already been paid for. A review of financial records, including bank transfers and canceled checks, confirmed that Semien received payments totaling $32,458.11 for services and materials which he retained. Investigators also said that throughout their inquiry, Semien did not cooperate or provide documentation supporting his claims.
Semien faces one count of residential contractor fraud involving more than $25,000 under Louisiana Revised Statute 14:202.1 and another count of contractor fraud under the same statute. His bond was set at $41,000.
Sheriff Charles R. Guillory and the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office encourage anyone with information about criminal activity to contact their Criminal Investigations Division at 337-363-2161 or submit a tip through their website at www.evangelineparishsheriff.org. “Any person(s) reporting information will remain anonymous,” Guillory said.
Authorities remind the public that all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
