The Brief A North Texas contractor was sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to stealing more than $300,000 from customers. Authorities say Jeremy Jerod Zeno continued his scheme using excuses, aliases, and ghosting clients even while out on bond awaiting trial. Tarrant County prosecutors confirmed the stolen funds have not been recovered.



A former contractor was sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to theft of property in Tarrant County, totaling more than $300,000.

Police said Jeremy Jerod Zeno used excuses, different aliases, and ghosting tactics while posing as a trusted North Texas contractor, collecting checks from customers and withdrawing the money in cash.

Contractor Fraud Investigation

What we know:

The Tarrant County investigation began after a customer, Terry Stevenson, filed a complaint with the Benbrook Police Department in 2024.

Stevenson said he paid Zeno $40,000 for a barn/condominium renovation. The project had barely begun when Zeno stopped communicating with him.

 He kept saying the materials are coming. The materials are coming. The materials never came,  said Stevenson, who flew in from Iowa this week to testify.

Other victims came forward detailing similar experiences:

Lee Robinson of Arlington: Lost $35,000 during a construction project in Alvarado and shared photos of the unfinished build. Robinson posted a warning on Facebook last year stating he learned  so much about the worst contractor in DFW,  leading other victims to reply with similar stories.

Selvin Rosa of Universal Foundation Experts in Dallas: Poured a foundation for a home in Hood County and was never paid.

A fourth victim from the Royse City/Rockwall area: Paid Zeno $180,000 over the phone and lost the money.

What they're saying:

Zeno's victims never got their money back but at least they now have some justice.

Stevenson wore a shirt in court on Friday that read,  Zeno Construction Officially Closed. 

 Patience is the key to this. We will win in the end,  he said.

 You can't do this to your clients. You are destroying homes, their investment
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