POINT BLANK — A resident of this San Jacinto County town started an investigation that led to the arrest of man accused of bilking more than 12 people in a three-county area out of money for construction work that was never completed.
San Jacinto County Chief Deputy District Attorney Robert Freyer said that Rodney Wayne Blankenship, 57, was charged with aggregate theft, second-degree felony, for incidents involving at least 12 victims for $170,200 of alleged theft.
According to San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office reports, the first victim came forward in March of 2025, who told detectives that she was taken for $11,000 after hiring a contractor for construction work. The suspect collected a payment but never completed the job.
In the course of the investigation, detectives and members San Jacinto County District Attorney’s Office uncovered a larger pattern of fraudulent activity, with victims in San Jacinto, Trinity, Polk and Walker counties.
In each case, the suspect allegedly entered into contracts for construction work, accepted payment, and failed to complete the projects. The combined financial loss for all victims totaled approximately $172,200, reports state.
Once a warrant was issued, Blankenship was taken into custody in Livingston in an effort involving San Jacinto County officers, Polk County officers, and the Onalaska Police Department.
San Jacint County Sheriff Sam Houston praised the coordinated efforts of all agencies involved.
“This case shows the importance of persistence and teamwork in protecting our residents,” Houston said. “These victims were left without the work they paid for, and through the hard work of our investigators and partner agencies, the suspect is now facing justice.”
This case remains under review by the San Jacinto County District Attorney’s Office.
Freyer said he encourages anyone that has had “the misfortune of dealing with Blankenship” to contact Detective Corina Martinez at the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office at (936) 653-4367.
“Residents in the three-county area should not have to fall prey to such conduct,” Freyer said.
