El Paso County Contractor Sentenced to 13 Years for Home Improvement Scams
Daniel Salas Barajas, a 39-year-old contractor from Anthony, Texas, was sentenced to 13 years in prison after pleading guilty to defrauding 36 victims out of more than $600,000 in a series of home improvement scams. The sentencing, which took place on December 6 in El Paso, included two felony theft charges and one count of credit card or debit card abuse. The sentences will run concurrently.
Barajas’s conviction stems from his involvement in defrauding 21 victims of more than $379,000 and 15 additional victims totaling more than $330,000, including elderly residents on fixed incomes. His deceptive business practices spanned from September 2019 to March 2022, during which Barajas promised home renovations that were never completed, leaving victims financially and emotionally devastated.
In addition to the 13-year sentence for each theft charge, Barajas received an additional 1 year and 6 months for the credit card abuse charge. He was credited with time served, having spent over a year and three months in jail prior to his conviction. Barajas had previously been featured on the Crime Stoppers of El Paso’s Most Wanted list in July 2022.
Barajas, who has a lengthy criminal history, including prior theft and drug-related convictions, used his position as a contractor to prey on vulnerable homeowners, particularly targeting elderly individuals who trusted him to improve their living conditions.
El Paso County Attorney Christina Sanchez has urged residents to take precautions when hiring contractors, such as verifying credentials, requesting written contracts, and avoiding large upfront payments.
