Steven Saunders was adjudicated guilty of Second-Degree Grand Theft and Contracting without a License During a State of Emergency. He was sentenced to 2 years in prison followed by 8 years of probation. He was also ordered to pay restitution to the victim as part of the probation.
In 2024, following a hurricane, the defendant was contracted to build a sunroom on the victim’s Charlotte County residence. He charged them $39,289.20. The defendant never ordered any materials from the supplier and per Florida Statutes, was not licensed to construct one.
The case was investigated by the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
State Attorney’s Office Economic Crimes Unit Assistant State Attorney Mike Curley prosecuted the case.
This case was a plea to the court, not a plea agreement. Each defendant can give up their right to a trial and plea straight to the court for sentencing.
Samantha Syoen – State Attorney’s Office Communications Director