The former owner of a Provo log cabin business will spend one to 15 years in the Utah State Prison for bilking more than 50 customers out of more than $400,000 from 1988 to 1991.
Jeffrey M. Roberts, 42, Springville, agreed to a plea agreement with Utah County prosecutors Monday just prior to a preliminary hearing on 35 felony counts. In exchange for pleading guilty to three second-degree felonies, one count of theft by deception, one count of communications fraud and one count of racketeering, the remaining felony counts were dismissed. Roberts also pleaded guilty to three misdemeanor counts of contracting without a license.Roberts was co-owner of Log Homes and Cabins Inc. Provo investigators said he and partner Kent Peterson, 54, Orem, took down payments for homes and cabins for which they never constructed. The victims were from several countries. As part of the plea bargain, Roberts must make full restitution to all victims.
When prosecutors filed charges against Roberts in December he fled the country. He was arrested in January in Australia on a theft of services charge and was detained there for five months while awaiting his extradition to Utah.
After waiving his right to a preliminary hearing and after entering the pleas before Judge Boyd L. Park, Roberts waived his right to a presentence report and asked to be sentenced immediately. Park sentenced Roberts to three concurrent prison terms on the felony charges and three concurrent jail terms on the misdemeanor counts. Roberts was transported to the Utah State Prison Tuesday.
Peterson faces eight felony counts of racketeering, communications fraud, writing bad checks and theft by deception.