7 cited for contracting without license in Rancho Mirage sting operation
Eighty-five people may face criminal charges after being caught by the Contractors State License Board in simultaneous undercover sting operations that took place over two days in seven cities throughout California. Officials call it the Spring California Blitz.
Of those, seven suspects were cited for contracting without a license in Rancho Mirage.
The first day of the sting operation took place on March 10, and the following local suspects were cited:
Johnny Melton, Palm Springs Property Services, Inc. Cathedral City,
contracting without a license
Misele Tupou, Mitch Concrete, Perris, contracting without a license and
illegal advertising
Valentin Martinez Ornelas, Martinez Construction, Palm Desert, contracting without a license, Illegal advertising
Francisco Tomas Urrutia, House Medic Handyman, Palm Springs, contracting without a license
Day two of the sting operation occurred on March 11, and the following three local suspects were cited:
Jose Ruben Tamez II, Quality Painting, Indio, contracting without a license,
illegal advertising
Miguel Angel Mejia, (no company) Indio ,contracting without a license
Michael James Meredith, (no company) Desert Hot Springs, contracting without a license
All of these local suspects have a hearing date scheduled for June 3 at 8:15 a.m. in Riverside County Superior Court in Indio.
According to officials with the CSLB, investigators called suspected unlicensed operators for home improvement bids that included painting, landscaping, sprinklers, pool maintenance, cabinetry, electrical, wrought iron, flooring, fencing, masonry, tile, plumbing, concrete, and tree removal work.
When discussing the aftermath of the 85 people cited, CSLB Registrar Cindi A. Christenson said, “Several of the suspects we targeted turned out to be repeat offenders and individuals with a criminal history and drug violations. If you knew their backgrounds, you’d never allow them near your home or family.”
She also said, “One of the suspects was brazenly using a contractor license number that belongs to a legitimate contractor. Always be sure to check your contractor’s license number on the CSLB website and ask the contractor for photo identification to verify the person’s identity.”
Among those caught during CSLB’s spring California Blitz were a dozen repeat offenders, one suspect with an active arrest warrant, four suspects on probation, and one former CSLB licensee. Suspects who turned out to have serious criminal backgrounds were targeted because of ads they posted on Craigslist.
One of the larger arrests stemming from the statewide sting operation was that of South Gate resident Jose Carlos Leon. Officials said he was booked on a six-count, $120,000 felony warrant in connection to three illegal contracting incidents in the Los Angeles area.
