A man named Néstor Olivares has been apprehended and charged with defrauding St. Kevin Catholic School in Tamiami of more than $223,000 for construction work that was never completed, according to the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office.
Olivares, a 50-year-old native of Venezuela, operated under the business name Creed Metal and was hired in September 2024 to install 13 aluminum roof structures at the educational institution located at 4001 SW 127th Ave. in the southwestern part of the county.
The arrest report, as cited by local media, reveals that Olivares failed to uphold the terms of the agreement, neglecting to provide the contracted materials or perform the work as stipulated.
Authorities emphasize there is no evidence suggesting the project ever commenced, even though the school disbursed over $223,000.
The situation worsened in February this year when Olivares assured the institution of a full refund by the 25th of that month, a promise he did not fulfill.
Instead of issuing the refund, he presented allegedly fraudulent bank documents, claiming to have initiated an electronic transfer that was never processed.
Upon his arrest, Olivares told investigators he was unable to repay the full amount in a single installment.
It was also determined by authorities that the accused lacked a valid contractor's license in both the state of Florida and Miami-Dade County at the time of undertaking the project.
Olivares was taken into custody at his home on Southwest 126th Avenue, roughly half a mile from the school where he was supposed to perform the work.
He faces three charges: first-degree grand theft for amounts exceeding $100,000, forgery of documents, and violation of county ordinance for unlicensed contracting.
In Florida, operating as an unlicensed contractor breaches Chapter 489 of the state's statutes and can constitute a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and fines up to $5,000.
When the stolen amount exceeds $100,000, the grand theft charge is upgraded to first-degree, carrying significantly harsher penalties.
The judge set bail at $30,150, contingent on Olivares proving the funds come from a legitimate source before release.
Rise in Unlicensed Contractor Fraud in South Florida
Olivares' case is part of a documented trend of fraud by unlicensed contractors in South Florida.
In December 2025, Carlos Cabrera, 34, a resident of Hialeah, was arrested for defrauding an 85-year-old woman of more than $39,000 for a renovation that was never completed.
In March of this year, Lazaro Marquetti, 31, was also arrested in Hialeah for defrauding an 84-year-old woman of $11,500 while posing as a licensed contractor.
As of this report, Olivares remains detained at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami-Dade, awaiting the resolution of his legal situation.
Understanding Contractor Fraud in South Florida
What are the charges against Néstor Olivares?
Néstor Olivares faces charges of first-degree grand theft for amounts over $100,000, document forgery, and county ordinance violation for unlicensed contracting.
How did Olivares defraud St. Kevin Catholic School?
Olivares was contracted to install aluminum roof structures but failed to provide materials or complete the work, while falsely promising a refund and presenting fake bank documents.
What is the legal consequence of unlicensed contracting in Florida?
In Florida, unlicensed contracting violates Chapter 489 of the state statutes, potentially leading to a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and fines up to $5,000.