Oklahoma Man Sentenced To Probation In Arkansas Asphalt Scams

An Oklahoma man received three years probation and was ordered to pay more than $12,000 in restitution for swindling thousands of dollars from Goshen, Arkansas residents through an asphalt construction scam.

According to KFSM, the CBS affiliate in Fort Smith, 28-year-old Henry Cooper of Spiro, pleaded guilty Wednesday in Washington County Circuit Court to three counts of felony theft of property.

The state licensing board also fined Cooper $2,000.

Goshen police said Cooper solicited the families last fall for cheap asphalt work on their driveways, but demanded exorbitant payments upon completion.
Cooper initially asked for $12,000, $6,100 and $3,750 from each family, twice settling for slightly less money, according to a probable cause affidavit.

The families balked at the prices, but Cooper threatened to seize their property in lieu of payment or put a lien on their homes, according to the affidavit.

Police said Cooper, who doesn’t have a license to do the work he is offering, collected about $20,000 from all three jobs.