EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Contractor Joseph Arroyos has been sentenced to five years in the Texas Department of Corrections for failing to pay workers and subcontractors for construction projects in El Paso.
On October 7, Arroyos pled guilty to eight criminal counts, including felony and misdemeanor charges of theft of service and theft of property.
According to the El Paso County Attorney’s Office, Arroyos hired subcontractors for various projects, received full payment from property owners, but failed to compensate the workers. In one notable case, he subcontracted workers to construct a concrete wall around a cemetery. Despite being fully paid by the client, he did not reimburse the subcontractors for their labor or materials.
Arroyos also neglected to pay three additional workers for projects that included tile installation, roofing, and a cinderblock wall. Overall, his actions resulted in a financial impact of approximately $105,500, with $15,400 specifically tied to wage theft cases.
The County Attorney’s Office encourages anyone who believes they have been a victim of wage theft or has information regarding such cases to reach out for assistance.