MEDIA COURTHOUSE – A Ridley contractor was sentenced to five years of probation and requested to spend far more than $11,000 in restitution to two victims Friday right after pleading guilty to two counts of home enhancement fraud.
Ryan M. MacDonald, 41, of the 700 block of Vernon Avenue, entered negotiated responsible pleas in two different cases prior to Widespread Pleas Decide Mary Alice Brennan.
The 1st was reported to police in February 2022, when a 72-calendar year-old victim advised Delaware County Prison Investigation Division Detective Edward Silberstein that she had paid out MacDonald $9,727 in upfront expenses to restore a deck and railing at her house in Media.
That victim explained she satisfied with MacDonald in Oct 2021 and he indicated the occupation would price $19,455 overall, together with products and labor, according to an affidavit of probable cause. A prepared proposal stated he would take fifty percent the money up entrance, a quarter when it was halfway concluded and the final quarter when the career was completed.
The target contacted her lender and confirmed MacDonald experienced cashed the test Oct. 13, 2021. He had dismantled the deck and railings Nov. 9, 2021, and mounted non permanent bracing, but left joists exposed with no decking or railing.
The sufferer also presented quite a few textual content messages to Silberstein she experienced with MacDonald in which he gave a variety of excuses for why he had not concluded the venture. Silberstein noticed a “small amount” of lumber at the victim’s house, but none of the Trek decking, vinyl railings or PVC facia boards detailed as products on the penned proposal.
Silberstein was not able to get hold of MacDonald through the cellphone variety he provided to the sufferer, but did go to his stated tackle and observed a truck bearing the identify of his firm — Square Up Building — and the listed telephone number in the driveway. Silberstein and fellow CID Detective Michele Deery produced call with a gentleman who reported he was the defendant’s brother, but that MacDonald was not property at that time.
In the 2nd case, Silberstein and county Detective Sgt. Joe Hackett responded to a Woodlyn handle March 21 and spoke with an 84-12 months-old sufferer who mentioned he experienced contracted with MacDonald in Oct 2021 to construct a front porch overhang.
That sufferer mentioned MacDonald had quoted him a price tag of $7,500 and that he had delivered MacDonald a $3,500 deposit. That examine was cashed, but MacDonald unsuccessful to clearly show up to start the undertaking Nov. 5, as agreed, or drop off any components. The sufferer mentioned he experimented with to get hold of MacDonald many occasions by mobile phone.
MacDonald came to detectives’ headquarters March 22 in reference to an energetic arrest warrant on the earlier circumstance and delivered a statement that he experienced cashed the examine for $3,500 but unsuccessful to invest in products or get begun on the overhang undertaking.
Assistant District Legal professional Brian Denk, standing in for Assistant District Attorney Liz Schneider, head of the Economic Crime Device, indicated restitution of $3,605 ought to be paid to the 84-yr-aged victim first, and $8,019 to the 72-yr-previous victim next.
MacDonald could petition the courtroom to terminate supervision with the agreement of the commonwealth soon after two yrs if he has designed full restitution, beneath the negotiated plea worked out with defense counsel Melina Micich.
MacDonald was also ordered to present a DNA sample to point out police. Neither MacDonald nor Micich commented Friday just before the sentence was imposed.