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The Shreveport-Caddo Financial Crimes Task Force has arrested a Shreveport man in connection with an investigation into allegations of residential contractor fraud, according to Sheriff Henry Whitehorn Sr. 

In late June, the Shreveport Police Department received a complaint from a homeowner who reported having paid a contractor over $60,000 for repairs and remodeling work on her home. The victim stated that while some work was completed, much of it was done improperly and failed to meet the required inspection standards. As a result, the home became uninhabitable, and the victim learned it would cost more than $80,000 to fix the deficiencies and bring the property into compliance.

The case was forwarded to the Caddo-Shreveport Financial Crimes Task Force for further investigation. Detective Harris with CPSO reviewed the complaint and found that the contractor, Erick Guevara-Escobedo, 39, was not properly licensed to perform residential contracting work in the state of Louisiana.

During the investigation, Guevara-Escobedo admitted that he was not properly licensed. Based on the evidence obtained, Detective Harris secured an arrest warrant.

Guevara-Escobedo was arrested and booked into the Caddo Correctional Center on one count of Residential Contractor Fraud. 

The investigation is ongoing.

The Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office urges residents to verify that contractors are properly licensed before hiring them for residential construction or renovation projects. Consumers can confirm a contractor's licensing status through the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors before signing contracts or making payments.

For questions regarding this press release, please contact Breck Scott