Contractor who stiffed customers will have to pay back $9,700.

Jeremiah Hop and attorney Ashley Siegel.

Contractor who stiffed customers will have to pay back $9,700.

#OceanaCountyCrime

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

HART — A 42-year-old Lowell, Michigan man pleaded “no contest” to common law fraud in 27th Circuit Court Monday, Feb. 24, for receiving a $9,700 payment to build to a pole barn for customers in Claybanks Township but then never showed up to do the work he was paid to do.

Jeramiah Matthew Hop, of 10876 Deerwood Court, SE, will be sentenced to jail and ordered to pay back the $9,700. There is a 30-day cap on his jail term.

Hop’s attorney, Ashley Siegel, said her client has already reached 30 days in his jail credit.

Hop entered a “no contest” plea due to the potential of civil liability, Siegel said.

“Hop contracted to build something; took a check for $9,700; and then never called the people back,” said Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon.

The incident occurred, July 10, 2019, according to Hop’s testimony.

The maximum penalty for common law fraud is 10 years in prison.

Hop’s sentence will also include probation of at least two years, said Judge Robert D. Springstead.

Sentencing is set for April 20 at 9 a.m.

This story is copyrighted © 2020, all rights reserved by Media Group 31, LLC, PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454. No portion of this story or images may be reproduced in any way, including print or broadcast, without expressed written consent.