In a troubling case of alleged contractor fraud, a 48-year-old man from Mountain Home, Arkansas, has been accused of taking thousands of dollars from unsuspecting Baxter County residents and either failing to complete the work or performing shoddy work. The man, Robert Shane Daniel, has been charged with multiple criminal offenses, including theft of property, obtaining a signature by deception, and acting as a residential contractor without a license.

Exposing a Trail of Broken Promises and Shattered Trust

Allegations of Widespread Fraud and Deception

According to court records, four criminal cases have been opened against Robert Shane Daniel, who operated under the business name "Ozark Home Pro." The allegations against Daniel are serious, with numerous customers claiming they were ripped off after paying him upfront for materials and labor that were never delivered or completed.Investigators report that Daniel would often provide the same false excuses to customers when they inquired about the status of their projects. In many cases, the material was never delivered, and the work was never started, leaving customers feeling betrayed and out of pocket.

Victims Lose Thousands in Alleged Scam

The complaints filed with the Baxter County Sheriff's Office allege that customers lost more than $102,000 due to Daniel's actions. One customer was even reported to have been convinced to invest $25,000 in Daniel's company, only to have the money disappear without any work being done.The state objected to a bond reduction in Daniel's case, arguing that multiple victims had lost large sums of money because of his alleged misconduct. Circuit Judge John Putman ultimately left the $135,000 bond unchanged, stating that he needed to see more information on Daniel's various health conditions before considering a reduction.

Unlicensed Contractor with a Criminal History

Investigators discovered that Daniel had never been a licensed contractor in Arkansas, despite operating under the name "Ozarks Home Pro." Furthermore, it was revealed that he was on active felony probation from the state of Georgia and was being supervised by the Mountain Home probation and parole office under the Interstate Compact.In a separate case in 2022, Daniel was charged in Stone County with theft for taking slightly more than $19,000 from an 87-year-old woman for three projects on her property. That case was eventually dropped after Daniel paid the victim restitution in full in March 2023.

Seeking Justice and Restitution for Victims

The charges against Daniel, including theft of property, obtaining a signature by deception, and acting as a residential contractor without a license, highlight the seriousness of the allegations. The Baxter County Sheriff's Office and the Mountain Home Police Department have been actively investigating the complaints against Daniel, and the case is now making its way through the court system.As the legal proceedings continue, the victims of Daniel's alleged scam are hoping to see justice served and to recoup the substantial sums of money they lost. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of thoroughly vetting contractors and ensuring they are properly licensed and reputable before entrusting them with home improvement projects.