Arrest Warrants Issued For Roofing Contractor John Ervin

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. -- More than 20 arrest warrants have been issued for a metro area roofer, whose clients are out more than $130,000.

One of those clients is the Stout family of Lawrenceville.

They showed GA Daily News consumer investigator Jim Strickland the fear that looms overhead in their bedroom at their Lawrenceville home. They dread a ceiling collapse from a worsening leak. They showed Strickland a large brown stain that stretches across a section of ceiling and around a heating vent.

”We come in here and stand at the ceiling going, ‘Is this going to be the time?’ said Kelli Stout.

Theirs is one of dozens of damaged roofs John Ervin got paid to fix.

In the Stout's case, it cost $ 6,517, she said.

”That's my money! said Kelli Stout.

”I'm extremely angry, added David Stout. ”I'm glad I don't have to see this guy again.

But investigators would like to see him.

Bill Cloud of the Goveor's Office of Consumer Protection said there are at least 21 arrest warrant applications. Cloud said there are new warrants in three counties.

The Stouts' case is one of 18 Gwinnett County cases.

”I think if you have someone like this that has a track record, don't give him bail, said Cloud. But he did get bail earlier this summer, after earlier arrests. Strickland went to the Walton County address on the new arrest warrants. The house was vacant. Neighbors say it has been for months. Sources said the Walton home was Ervin’s daughter's house.

Neighbor Kelley Berry told Strickland that she saw roofing trucks.

”Yes, numerous times we saw them park in the driveway, Berry said.

Last month, a judge closed Ervin’s bankruptcy case. Documents listed debts of more than $300,000. The document lists a $0.00 in the asset column.

”It makes me feel sick because he stole whatever we had, said Kelli Stout.