Christian Needham Sentenced to 6 Years for Contractor Fraud Across Tennessee
ATHENS, Tenn. – A contractor with a history of scamming clients has been sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty to fraud and theft charges in Polk County, Tennessee.
Christian Needham, 44, owner of Faith Custom Design in Athens, defrauded clients across multiple counties—including Polk, Bradley, and McMinn—by accepting deposits for work he never completed. He now faces not only a prison term but also potential restitution orders and charges in three other states.
Long Trail of Victims
Victims began coming forward in 2021, including Rob Cunningham, who paid Needham $5,000 for a steel security gate that was never properly installed. Cunningham waited 16 months and eventually had to hire another contractor to fix the issues.
Another client, Paul Manning, paid $1,000 in June 2021 for a metal fence. Manning’s neighbor, Mary, also paid for front porch railings that were never delivered. “He said, ‘I’m on my way with the handrail,’ but he never showed,” she recalled.
Following media coverage, dozens of new victims contacted reporters with similar stories.
Repeat Offender with Criminal Record
Needham has a long criminal history, including felony convictions in 2014 for theft and aggravated burglary. Though he originally received probation, he later violated it and was ordered to serve his full sentence in 2019. In 2023, he was arrested again in Monroe County on drug and firearm charges—a violation of his status as a convicted felon.
“He knew how to manipulate the system,” said Cunningham. “He told people, ‘I have your money, what are you going to do?’”
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) became involved due to the wide range of victims—estimated at over 170 people across Middle, East, and West Tennessee. However, many victims declined to press charges, limiting legal action.
Future Charges & Restitution
Needham remains in jail in Polk County, awaiting transfer to a state prison. He is scheduled for a restitution hearing in late September, where some victims may recover part of their losses.
After serving his sentence in Tennessee, Needham faces additional charges in Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia.
Authorities remind residents that under Tennessee’s Contractor No Show Law, unfulfilled contracts beyond 90 days can be pursued as criminal theft, not just civil cases. Victims are advised to send a demand letter first, followed by police involvement if there’s no response.
