Lexington home builder admits to felony, ordered to repay thousands of dollars to customers

Posted on February 26, 2020
Justin Barr will also have to perform 240 hours of community service as part of his 2 1/2-years on probation. (Photo courtesy: HOI/ABC)

By Heart of Illinois ABC

BLOOMINGTON – A Lexington contractor won’t have to go to jail, but he’ll have to pay back tens of thousands of dollars to customers for home construction projects he didn’t finish.

In an agreement with McLean County prosecutors, Justin Barr of Post Frame Solutions pleaded guilty to theft by deception of over $10,000. It’s the first felony conviction for Barr, who faces similar charges in Woodford, Livingston, and Marshall Counties.

Barr, 41, will have to pay one of his customers $25,000 and another customer $18,000, all from the bond money he posted to be released from jail.

In court, McLean County Assistant State’s Attorney David Rossi told the judge one of the victims hired Barr’s company in September 2017 to build a house and garage in Kappa.

According to the prosecutor, Barr would come up with a variety of excuses for not finishing the work, including that he was busy with other jobs, he needed to order a different type of screw, and various family members and even his dog had died.

Barr will also have to perform 240 hours of community service as part of his 2 1/2-years on probation.

Heart of Illinois ABC can be reached at [email protected]. 

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