FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
|
January 19, 2007 “Tree Man” who defrauded several convicted. State Attorney Steve Meadows announces the conviction, in Bay County Circuit Court, of Stacy T. Howard on a charge of grand theft. After two days of trial and two hours of deliberation, the two males, four females jury found Howard guilty of defrauding a Bay County man by taking money to perform tree services and then not doing the work. Prosecutor Tracy Smith offered six witnesses who testified that Howard, 38, of Ninth Street in Parker, had entered into agreements to do work, taken money, and then did partial jobs or no work at all. Several of his victims are elderly or suffered from physical handicaps. Two more grand theft counts and one count of exploitation of the elderly are pending. Howard was taken into custody and will be sentenced on March 13, 2007, and faces a maximum of five years prison. “We are very pleased with the results of this trial,” said Meadows. “This is a good day for the victims and should serve as a warning to others who might try to exploit our citizens.” |