BATON ROUGE, LA — A Baton Rouge contractor previously arrested in a separate fraud case was taken into custody again Thursday after a homeowner disputed repair claims tied to foundation work, according to the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office. Deputies say John Stacey of Compton Builders is accused of misrepresenting the condition of the home and violating state home-improvement rules.
The Facts
- What: East Baton Rouge deputies arrested John Stacey on residential contractor fraud charges.
- Where: The case involves a Baton Rouge homeowner and work on a residence in East Baton Rouge Parish.
- When: Deputies spoke with the homeowner on Oct. 27, and Stacey was arrested Thursday.
- Who: Stacey is identified by authorities as a contractor with Compton Builders; the homeowner reported the dispute to deputies.
- Charges: Residential contractor fraud.
- Status: Stacey was arrested after the homeowner questioned the need for the repairs and the billing process.
What police say
Deputies said the homeowner hired Stacey to do repairs and improvements at the residence. According to arrest records, Stacey told the homeowner the foundation needed repair because of brickwork problems.
A licensed contractor later told the homeowner that the brickwork was not tied to the foundation, according to deputies. The homeowner then alleged Stacey misrepresented the condition of the house to secure the job.
Arrest records also say Stacey claimed permits were not needed for the work and did not give the homeowner a written contract or formal estimate before the job started.
Authorities said Stacey later produced paperwork showing an amount owed of $78,000, which they said ran afoul of home-improvement licensing requirements.
The investigation
The East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office said the matter began as a homeowner complaint and was reviewed alongside arrest records and licensing issues. Investigators appear to have focused on whether the contractor’s statements, paperwork and licensing status matched state requirements for home-improvement work.
The case also connects to earlier complaints reviewed by the Louisiana State Licensing Board of Contractors. In May, the board received multiple complaints that Stacey was allegedly targeting elderly customers, and detectives later learned he was not licensed for work over $50,000.
Officials also said Compton Builders’ Home Improvement license was suspended in August 2025. Stacey had previously been arrested June 23 on a separate residential contractor fraud allegation, and records say his contractor’s license was from Seattle.
What the charges mean
Residential contractor fraud cases usually center on whether a contractor knowingly gave false information to win work, collect payment, or bypass licensing rules. In Louisiana, investigators often look at written estimates, permits, licensing status and whether the customer was given accurate information before work began.
A fraud charge does not by itself prove guilt. Prosecutors still have to show the facts meet the legal standard for the offense, and the defendant is entitled to a court process where the case can be challenged. Records, contracts, permits and witness statements often matter in these disputes.
When a contractor is accused of violating home-improvement licensing rules, the allegations can also affect whether the work was legally authorized and whether the contractor was allowed to take on a project of that size. Those issues are often part of both the criminal case and any regulatory review.
What happens next
Stacey’s case is expected to move through the parish court system after the arrest. In a criminal matter like this, the next steps usually include booking, any bond setting, a first court appearance and later hearings where prosecutors decide how to proceed.
Separate regulatory questions may continue through the licensing board as well. The homeowner complaint, the earlier licensing issues and the new arrest suggest authorities are treating the matter as part of a broader review of Stacey’s contracting work.
Have information on a crime? Contact local police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
