SUSAN D. REED

CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY

BEXAR COUNTY, TEXAS

 

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

THEY ARE NOT WHO YOU THINK THEY ARE--MAJOR HOME IMPROVEMENT SCAM BUSTED 

 

San Antonio, Texas; August 3, 2005: District Attorney Susan D. Reed announced today that four people have been indicted on charges of Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity and Theft over $200,000.  The allegations stem from a remodeling scheme in which the defendants would represent themselves to be legitimate home remodelers often adopting names similar to well-known builders and developers, demand a large payment up front, do some or no work on the home, and then disappear.  Approximately 50 Bexar County homeowners were allegedly defrauded in this scheme.

 

The indictments come after a seven-month joint investigation by the District Attorney’s Office White Collar Crime Division and the San Antonio Police Department’s Special Crimes Unit and Property Crimes Unit.  The U.S. Customs Service, U.S. Postal Inspectors, and the Texas Rangers also assisted in the investigation  

 

The individuals charged are Daniel Delafuente, age 44, and his son Joshua Delafuente age 21, of 23612 Northwood Lane, San Antonio, Texas.  Also charged are Rudy Delafuente age 41, the brother of Daniel Delafuente, and Apolonio Hernandez, age 41, of 6018 Sinclair Road, San Antonio, Texas.   The indictments cover a time period beginning in February of 2002 through February of 2005.  During this time these individuals are alleged to have acted as home remodelers using various assumed names including, Broadway Remodeling, Ace Remodeling, Centex Building & Remodeling, Pulte Builders, Lone Star Remodeling, Alamo Five Star Remodeling, and Capital Remodeling.  Additionally, several of the individuals indicted used fictitious names when meeting with homeowners, including the name Frank Martinez, Robert Gonzales, Mike Gonzalez, Robert Garza, or Joe Hernandez. 

 

A search warrant of the residences of the participants in the scheme was executed early this morning and is in progress.

 

Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity and Theft over $200,000 are both 1st Degree Felonies with a punishment range between 5-99 years or life in prison. 

 

For more information contact Cliff Herberg, Chief, White Collar Crime Division at (210) 335-2404.