WISCASSET, Maine — A Wiscasset man pleaded guilty to several charges in connection with a home-repair fraud scheme at the Lincoln County Courthouse on Monday, March 14.
Samuel Stanley, 25, pleaded guilty to two counts of class C theft by deception, both felonies; and a single count each of class D theft by deception and class E operating a vehicle without a license, transient seller of home repair failing to register, and violation of consumer contract, all misdemeanors.
The state dismissed another 19 charges.
Stanley pleaded guilty as part of a 24-month deferred-disposition agreement. The agreement delays sentencing and requires Stanley to abide by certain conditions for the period of the agreement, such as refraining from contact with the victims and further criminal conduct.
If he successfully completes the agreement, the state would reduce the felony theft charges to class E misdemeanors and Stanley would be sentenced to a total of a year in jail with all but 30 days suspended, plus a year of probation. He would serve lesser, concurrent sentences for the other theft charge and driving without a license.
The charges of failing to register and violation of contract would be dismissed.
If Stanley fails to abide by the terms of the agreement, he could receive up to the maximum sentence for each of the crimes.
Stanley also has to pay $18,250 in restitution.
Stanley appeared in front of Superior Court Justice Daniel Billings with his attorney, Clifford Strike.
Strike said a number of victims contacted by the prosecution were pleased with the paving work Stanley did for them and thought the work was done at a fair rate.
According to Strike, Stanley is now fully licensed and plans on continuing his business.
Strike also said his client is not someone who came into the territory, scammed clients, and moved on; he intends to go into business and stay in the area.
Assistant District Attorney Matthew Kanwit said that if the case had proceeded to trial, the state would have presented the testimony of Lincoln County sheriff’s deputies and victims, as well as photographic evidence and receipts.
Kanwit said the defendant made offers to do asphalt work on driveways or property, often saying he had extra asphalt and offering the prospective clients a lower rate for the work.
Kanwit said some of the victims felt Stanley did not do the work well enough and other victims felt they were taken advantage of. The victims would testify in court that what Stanley described to them did not match the work and the disparity between the two was so great that it rose to the level of theft.
Billings said due to Stanley’s lack of a significant prior record, he was willing to accept the deferred disposition, but any future allegations of fraudulent conduct would not bode well for Stanley.
“It’s kind of a one-time deal,” Billings said.