'Their most vulnerable time': Contractor accused of stealing from Harvey victims

HOUSTON – A contractor is accused of stealing nearly $350,000 from six people who hired him for construction jobs, including two Hurricane Harvey victims.

Keith Anton Johnson, 43, is charged with theft. He is a resident of Bryan, Texas.

Harris County Precinct 1 Constable Alan Rosen said Johnson preyed on his victims during their most vulnerable time.

According to Precinct 1, Johnson between May 2016 and April 2018 was hired to perform work on the victims' houses in Bellaire and surrounding areas.

Deputy constables said Johnson would claim construction materials were stolen from his job sites when he would fall behind schedule on a project.

Johnson told one homeowner that five air conditioning units were stolen, according to Precinct 1, but that he never filed a police report.

VIDEO: Contractor accused of stealing from Harvey victims arrested

"He took advantage of trusting clients and stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from them, victimizing again many of the victims who had just endured so much in Hurricane Harvey," Rosen said. "I want to ensure Johnson never is able to take another cent from another victim."

Johnson was arrested on July 17.

If convicted, aggregate theft carries a punishment of five to 99 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.


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