Adair County: Tornado victim claims they were duped for $22K by contractor

James J. Button, 50, of Winterset, was taken into custody 3:30 p.m. Sept. 22, at the Dallas County Jail on an Adair County warrant for the charge of theft, first degree.

According to an Adair County report, on Aug. 24, 2024, the victim contacted Button to complete work on a residence on Southeast Jackson Street in Greenfield with tornado damage. The victim and Button continued to communicate through the end of 2024.

orOn Jan. 10, the victim and Button agreed on a proposal for on the roof of the home for $13,464.21. The victim wrote Button a check for $8,078.53 as down payment, which was signed by Button and cleared the victim’s account Jan. 13.

On Feb. 11, a second proposal for work to the exterior of the home was agreed on for $19,453. The victim provided a check to Button for $14,300 for down payment. The second check was signed by Button and cleared the victim’s account Feb. 12.

Button never returned to do the work.

The victim gave Button through July before contacting law enforcement. A demand letter was sent to Button Aug. 4, through an attorney, giving him 20 days to respond to the demand for the return of $22,378.53, paid to him by the victim. Button did not reply.

Button was transported to the Adair County Jail where he was released from after posting $10,000 cash-only bond.

–– –– –– –– ––

Chutaia M. Brown, 31, of Des Moines, was taken into custody 10:01 p.m. Sept. 25, at the Polk County Jail on an Adair County warrant for the charge of failure to appear on the original charge of violation of probation.

According to an Adair County District Court document, Brown was ordered to appear Jan. 31 for probation revocation proceedings. Brown did not appear.

Brown was transported to the Adair County Jail and held on $1,000 cash or surety bond.