Unlicensed contractors arrested in undercover sting in Manatee County, deputies say
The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office arrested five people in a sting targeting unlicensed contractors, the agency said in a news release Monday.
In a three-day operation between March 4 and 6, the sheriff’s office identified 14 people working without the required licenses. The agency partnered with Manatee County Code Enforcement and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation for the sting.
First-time offenders were not arrested but instead issued a fine or a cease-and-desist letter along with a notice to appear in court, the sheriff’s office said.
Arrest records show that the operation took place at a house in Bradenton, where undercover agents offered the unlicensed contractors work.
In one arrest, a man was contracted to convert a bathtub into a shower for $7,500, but he was not registered or certified as a licensed contractor and failed to secure workers comp insurance, according to an arrest record.
Six of the unlicensed contractors identified in the sting faced no charges because they chose not to proceed with the work that was offered.
Five people who were aware of licensing requirements but still proceeded with the work were arrested, according to the news release.
Those arrested were:
- Rafael Enrique Rivas Ojeda, 46, for engaging in contractor business without certification — plumbing.
- Maor Kfir, 44, for failing to secure workers’ compensation insurance coverage and engaging in contractor business without certification — plumbing.
- Chad Michael Adair, 55, for engaging in contractor business without certification — plumbing.
- Terry Francis Brown Sr., 63, for engaging in contractor business without certification — electrical.
- Christopher V. Leissler, 46, for engaging in contractor business without certification — plumbing.
The sheriff’s office routinely performs sting operations to catch unlicensed contractors. A similar operation in April 2024 resulted in the arrest of sixteen contractors.
