Welcome to Arrest Stories. A fifty-six-year-old West Virginia man has been arrested in Wake County for allegedly posing as a Duke Energy employee and driveway contractor to defraud elderly victims out of tens of thousands of dollars in an elaborate scheme spanning over a year.
Heres what may have happened according to official reports.
Brian Taulton allegedly began his fraudulent operation in February two thousand twenty-four, specifically targeting senior citizens across North Carolina. According to investigators, Taulton would arrive at victims' homes wearing official-looking vests and claiming to represent the city or Duke Energy.
His method was calculated and convincing. Officials state he "knocked on a victim's door, explained he's working in the area and finishing a job the next day, he provided he would have some extra asphalt leftover to repave the victim's driveways." After gaining trust through his utility worker disguise, Taulton would either perform substandard paving work or disappear entirely after collecting payment.
The scheme proved devastatingly effective. In February two thousand twenty-four, Taulton allegedly defrauded one couple out of sixteen thousand eight hundred dollars for poor-quality driveway work. His criminal activity continued through June two thousand twenty-five, with investigators documenting multiple victims who lost their life savings.
One particularly egregious case occurred in January two thousand twenty-five, when Taulton allegedly took nine thousand three hundred dollars from an elderly woman and attempted to steal seven thousand dollars more. Another victim lost nine thousand one hundred dollars in May two thousand twenty-five.
Law enforcement officials emphasized the predatory nature of these crimes. One investigator noted, "They come from other states and prey on elderly people. That's what they do."
Taulton was arrested Thursday in Wake County, where he faces charges related to exploiting vulnerable adults. His bond was set at one hundred ninety-eight thousand dollars for the Wake County charges, while bond was revoked for an extradition matter.
The investigation reveals a systematic approach to targeting the most vulnerable members of society, with victims losing tens of thousands of dollars to fraudulent home improvement schemes.
All suspects presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Do not take this report as factual, always verify facts. Thanks for watching Arrest Stories.
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