LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Jon Banning, the 51-year-old owner of JTB Landscaping, has been arrested after allegedly taking money from customers for landscaping services but failing to complete the projects. The Nevada Attorney General’s Office arrested Banning on February 4, following an outstanding felony arrest warrant.
According to official reports, the warrant accuses Banning of committing fraud through his landscaping business, with multiple charges related to fraudulent transactions. Court records reveal that Banning faces a total of nine charges, including several counts of fraud.
The case began with an investigation by the Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB), which received numerous complaints, mostly from senior homeowners. The complaints stated that Banning took tens of thousands of dollars in deposits for landscaping and pool projects, but either failed to start or finish the work. Many victims also reported that Banning refused to return the money they had paid for the services.
In total, the victims lost more than $308,000, according to the release.
Following the NSCB’s investigation, the attorney general’s office filed a criminal complaint that led to an arrest warrant being issued by the Las Vegas Justice Court. Banning now faces multiple charges, including three counts of fraud and deceit, and charges related to obtaining money under false pretenses.
Banning is being held without bail at the Clark County Detention Center.
Homeowners working with contractors should be vigilant about potential fraud. Red flags to watch for include demands for large upfront payments, failure to provide written contracts, and unlicensed contractors. The NSCB encourages consumers to report concerns and file complaints against licensed contractors up to four years after the work was performed.
