Perry County entrepreneur arrested and charged with fraud

NEW AUGUSTA Miss. (WDAM) – A Petal man was arrested and charged with home repair fraud after an investigation revealed the work was left unfinished on multiple occasions.

Perry County Sheriff Jacob Garner said his office was contacted by a Perry County resident who said he paid more than $80,000 up front to James Overstreet, 49, for work on his home.

The resident said Overstreet had done a “small” amount of work and would not return afterward.

Garner said such complaints often lead to civil suits rather than criminal charges, but during an investigation it was discovered that Over Street had engaged in this same type of activity about three other occasions in surrounding counties.

Investigators obtained an arrest warrant and Overstreet was arrested earlier this month and charged with fraud,

“If you get paid to do a job, you do it,” Garner said. “We will not tolerate anyone defrauding the citizens of Perry County out of their hard-earned money. These cases will be investigated using all available resources.

Overstreet's bail had been set at $85,000.

Garner said Overstreet has since left the Perry County Jail.

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