The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department sent out a Nixle message this morning warning the community of a fraud.
The message urges people to beware of 34-year-old Marvin Todd Lawson of Iowa and Whitetail Construction.
According to online court documents a warrant was issued for Lawson’s arrest in Mercer County Sept. 29, 2014 in connection with passing a bad check.
However, area law enforcement agencies in Buchanan Co. were alerted to be on the lookout for Lawson in connection with fraudulent construction practices.
Buchanan County Sheriff’s Dept. Capt. Mark Brock said the message was sent out to the public to try and prevent victimization from occurring in our district.
Whitetail Construction is located out of Moulton, Iowa and was given a Better Business Bureau rating of an F on a scale of A+ to F.
There were two complaints listed against Whitetail Construction on the BBB website.
One stated that Lawson was two months behind the estimated start date and did not return calls or acknowledge requests for deposit refund with a family who wanted to build a home in Pleasant Hill, Mo. July 28, 2014. The family said it is seeking a refund of the 15% down payment given on April 18, 2014 in the amount of $1,275.75
Another complaint on the BBS website states that a contract was signed with the owner of Whitetail Construction in May and a deposit of $1491.00 was made for a pole building to begin in July. It also said the start date for the build was missed and the owner did not return messages, certified letters or calls.
Whitetail Construction is not BBB accredited.
Missouri Highway Patrol Sgt. Jake Angle said law enforcement does not know Lawson’s whereabouts but that it is completely possible he could be in our region.
Sgt. Angle said if anyone comes into contact with Lawson to contact law enforcement authorities.
Sgt. Gara Howard with the patrol said the Missouri State Highway Patrol Rural crimes investigation unit is conducting an investigation in connection with Whitetail Construction but currently no charges have been filed nor has a warrant been issued for Lawson’s arrest in connection with the investigation.