Brevard Sheriff’s Agent Chris Ginther Arrests Barren Cochran of Mims, Charged With Defrauding Elderly Victim
By Wayne Ivey, Brevard County Sheriff // May 6, 2018
defrauded elderly victim needing hurricane repairs
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA– Late last week Agents from the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man posing as a licensed contractor who defrauded an elderly victim.
Barren Cochran, 39, of Mims, Florida, was arrested on May 3 and charged with Falsely Identifying Himself as a Contractor and Grand Theft.
The fraudulent activity began in January 2018, after the victim hired Cochran to perform major repairs on his home, which included a leaking roof due to damage from the recent hurricanes.
After the victim paid Cochran for all the materials, as well as an additional sum of cash for Cochran to purchase additional items that would be needed, the repairs were never completed. Cochran began the work, then simply never returned.
Cochran provided excuses for months, however never returned to complete the contracted work. The victim contacted the Sheriff’s Office for assistance and Agent Chris Ginther of our North Precinct General Crimes Unit was assigned the case.
Agent Ginther learned that the victim initially came across Cochran’s business card at a local business and contacted him for his repair needs.
Cochran represented himself as a licensed contractor on his business card and Facebook page for “Raven Home Improvement LLC,” which states that the company is “Licensed-Insured-Reliable.”
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However, Agent Ginther’s investigation revealed that Cochran is not, and has apparently never been a licensed contractor in the state of Florida.
As a result of the investigation, Cochran was transported to the Brevard County Jail for Falsely Identifying Himself as a Contractor and Grand Theft.
Cochran was booked on a $3,000 Bond which he has since posted and been released.
If anyone has any additional information on this case or feels they may have been victimized by Cochran, please contact our North Precinct General Crimes Unit at 321-264-5210.
– Sheriff Wayne Ivey
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