Fraudster Accused of Pretending to Oversee Wedding Hall, Pocketing More Than $200,000 From Couples – Globe Magazine

Carl John Butcho II pretended to be the proprietor of a closed wedding hall in Texas — and pocketed more than $200,000 from 12 people who thought they were booking the facility for their big day, authorities charge.

According to Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office press release, Butcho used the handle Lance Miller and presented himself as the manager of the shuttered Charleston Lane Wedding Venue in Willis, Texas.

Investigators say a dozen lovebirds forked over $202,424.90 for bashes that never took place — and also accuse Butcho of failing to deliver refunds to five others totaling $11,450.

He’s been charged with theft of property valued between $150,000 and $300,000, according to Fox 26 Houston.

The accused fraudster was booked into the Travis County Jail and given a $100,000 bond. His release was contingent on surrendering his passport, having no contact with the alleged victims and refraining from engaging in wedding or event planning businesses.

“It is a really good first step but it’s just a first step,” said Justin Sayles, host of The Wedding Scammer podcast.

Sayles — whose investigative series accuses the suspect of similar behavior dating back over a decade — added, “There is some frustration for some people that it took just now for this to happen.”