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A husband-and-wife team that was arrested in February by Colorado County Sheriff’s authorities was indicted by a Wharton County grand jury last week.
David Pfuntner and Victoria Pfuntner, former operators of Pfuntner Custom Homes, LLC were indicted on a first-degree felony charge after a mult i- county investigation into alleged construction- related financial misconduct.
The indictment involves residential projects in Whar ton, For t Bend, Brazoria, Austin, Fayette and Colorado counties that left homes unfinished and contractors unpaid. The company closed in July of 2022.
The indictment includes a first-degree felony charge, which carries a possible sentence of up to 99 years in prison if convicted. The Colorado County Sheriff’s office began an investigation into the pair earlier this year, which led to their arrest Feb. 27.
The investigation began nearly three years ago after Investigator Andrew Weido met with a named victim on Aug. 2, 2022, who hired the Pfuntner’s business, Pfuntner Customs Homes, LLC, to build a home in Garwood.
During the investigation, it was learned that other victims of Pfuntner Custom Homes LLC had made similar reports Wharton County, Fort Bend County, Brazoria County, Austin County and Fayette County.
The victim told Investigator Weido that Pfuntner Custom Homes LLC had taken bank draws as set out by the contract as the work was performed on the residence.
It was reported that on or about July 14, 2022, Pfuntner Custom Homes requested a draw for $16,164.00 for draw #1, which listed lot preparation and a draw for 10% of the commencement fee in the amount of $35,920.00. Just five days later, the bank, on July 19, 2022, approved draw #1, releasing the $16,164.00 to Pfuntner Customs Homes LLC.
The bank did not release the 10% for the commencement fee.
The victim reported that on July 25, 2022, Victoria Pfuntner sent a text message indicating that Pfuntner Custom Homes LLC could no longer financially sustain ongoing business operations and had ceased operations as of that date.
They had learned that Pfuntner Custom Homes LLC had failed to pay Allagyer of El Campo, a contractor for the site preparation set out in draw # 1, for the services performed.
On Sept. 2, 2022, Weido signed probable cause affidavits to obtain warrants for the arrest of David Pfuntner and Victoria Pfuntner for the offense of theft of property >=$2,500<$30K.
Colorado County Honorable Judge Billy Hefner issued warrants for the arrest of David and Victoria Pfuntner.
