(La Porte County, IN) - A man is facing potential time in prison for allegedly taking money but not finishing a job he was hired to do where horses are kept near Rolling Prairie.

 

Joshua Pratt, 42, is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with Level 6 felony fraud.

 

According to court documents, a La Porte County Police officer in late November responded to Transitions Equestrian Center in the 2500 block of E. 850 North.

 

Police said the owner reported Pratt claiming to be an old high school classmate offered to finish some electrical work at the business without charging for labor.

 

The owner hired the Michigan City area man and agreed to his request for an advanced cash payment of more than $3,200 for lumber and other materials.

 

Initially, he showed up to perform the jobs that included trenching an area outside for an electrical hook-up and work on an indoor electrical outlets, according to court documents.  However, the owner described the work as “unsatisfactory” and unfinished with live wires creating a fire hazard in the barn housing more than 40 horses.

 

Police said the owner tried contacting Pratt, who became distant and difficult to reach.  After not hearing back from him, the owner posted a warning about what she perceived was a scam on social media.

 

In response, police said Pratt in text messages requested the owner remove the post and promised to return to the property the next day. However, the owner asked him to refund her payments and not return, police said.

 

According to court documents, Pratt told investigators the job was 90 percent finished and the owner still owed him for the labor.

 

He blamed a death in the family, health concerns and other things for not returning to the job site, police said.

 

Pratt could face an up to 30 month sentence, if convicted.

 

According to police, Pratt has been involved in a dozen small claims civil cases since 2006.