El Paso contractor accused of defrauding 36 people expected to plead guilty

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — An El Paso contractor who’s accused of defrauding several people of more than $600,000 is set to plead guilty on Friday, Dec. 6, according to the El Paso County Attorney’s Office.

The County Attorney’s Office says Daniel Barajas’ charges stem from allegations of deceptive business practices involving several construction projects.

Barajas is facing two felony charges, with the first one involving 21 victims with damages exceeding $379,000, and the second charge involving 15 victims, with losses amounting to more than $330,000.

At least 13 of the victims are elderly residents living on a fixed income, who entrusted Barajas with “their hard-earned and often scarce resources, hoping to improve their homes and enhance their quality of life. Instead, they were left without the promised renovations and suffered significant financial and emotional hardships,” the County Attorney’s Office said.

The County Attorney’s Office adds that Barajas has a “long history” of legal trouble. He pleaded guilty in 2009 to a misdemeanor deceptive business practice charge after failing to complete a $6,200 construction project for an El Paso home owner.

He also has several prior felony convictions, including multiple theft charges in 2017 and a drug-related offense in 2009, according to the County Attorney’s Office.

The County Attorney’s Office says its anticipating presenting to the court a plea agreement that specifies the terms of Barajas’ sentence and acknowledges his prior convictions.

Residents who believe they have been victims of deceptive business practices are urged to contact the El Paso County Attorney’s Office at (915) 273-3249.

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