CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KWWL) – One man is in custody after scamming a derecho victim out of over $10,000 in insurance proceeds. William Hurlbut from Belgrade, MT was convicted of one count of mail fraud.
During the plea hearing and agreement, Hurlbut allegedly confessed he came to Iowa after the derecho posing as a handyman and doing business as “Trinity 321.” Hurlbut lacked a needed contractor license, but managed to get a phone with a local area code to do business.
In Sept. 2020, William Hurlbut promised his victim using a wheelchair for physical disabilities, that he would fix damage to the victim’s home as soon as money was sent. The derecho caused over $10,000 worth of damage to the home.
Hurlbut then spent insurance money advanced to him on gambling and personal items. He allegedly made false statements to his victim about the status of repair including purchases at a home improvement store on false pretenses.
Hurlbut then returned the hardware items for a cash refund which he used for his own expenses. An investigation showed over a two-week period in Oct. 2020, Hurlbut spent at lease $22,532.50 gambling at an Iowa casino.
It is reported on Jan. 25, 2021, Hurlbut hired a tow truck towing the victim’s car from their home to a junkyard without permission. In Feb. 2021, Hurlbut convinced his victim to loan him $1,000 for lodging and food…
