HOUSTON – In a long-awaited development, a Texas woman has been arrested in connection with aggregate theft charges after many victims filed complaints in Harris County.
Amanda Sparks, owner of A&L Sheds, is accused of taking large sums of money from victims under false pretenses, leading to her arrest after an investigation by local authorities.
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The case, which has caught the attention of many in the community, revolves around the theft of over $1.3 million from multiple people, including a case involving Jerene Buckles.
In June 2023, Buckles, a mother of nine, made a deposit of $35,000 for a custom-built tiny homes from a company known as A&L Sheds. The home was intended to replace the one her family lost in a devastating fire. Unfortunately, Buckles, along with others who had entered into similar arrangements, was left without the promised home or a refund for her deposit, despite repeated assurances that the situation would be resolved.
While the initial promise of a 3,600-square-foot log cabin for Buckles and her family quickly turned to disappointment, the case took a darker turn when it became clear that Sparks was involved in a series of deceptive transactions, leading to multiple allegations of theft. As victims like Buckles struggled with the lack of a refund and no progress on their homes, Sparks allegedly misappropriated large sums from them, adding to the severity of the charges against her.
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This is the first large case accepted by the Harris County District Attorney’s Stay Scam Free Harris County Initiative. The charges against Sparks, related to aggregate theft, have been officially accepted. The County Attorney’s office emphasized the seriousness of the crime, given the large amounts of money involved and the emotional and financial toll on the victims.
“I was devastated. This was supposed to be our new beginning after losing everything,” said Jerene Buckles, whose family remains in limbo as they await a resolution. “We trusted the company and the people involved, and now we’re left with nothing but broken promises.”
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The investigation into Sparks has been ongoing since last year, and several other victims have come forward with similar stories. The victim’s list includes over 140 people. According to reports, other individuals who had paid large sums for homes that were never built have taken their complaints to small claims court, but the lack of response or resolution has been widespread.
As of now, Sparks is facing multiple charges in Harris County, and authorities are continuing their investigation into the scope of her alleged actions. With the DA’s office moving forward with the case, victims like Buckles remain hopeful that justice will finally be served, but the damage caused by Sparks’ alleged actions continues to weigh heavily on the families involved.
As the legal process moves forward, residents affected by the alleged theft are looking for closure and restitution, hoping that the Harris County legal system will bring the resolution they have long been waiting for.
