FortBendNow.com

Jose Francisco Medrano, Jr. was convicted today by a Fort Bend County jury of theft and money laundering.  Medrano, a 33 year-old Missouri City man, was convicted for stealing approximately $29,000 from Houston Stafford Electric over four months in late 2006 through early 2007.

According to Assistant District Attorney Rodolfo Ramirez, Medrano posed as a sub-contractor working for Houston Stafford Electric, now IES.  Houston Stafford Electric does electrical work and installation for commercial, industrial and residential needs across the country but is headquartered in Stafford.  Medrano submitted invoices for services he did not perform at two jobs sites:  Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Louisiana State University. 

Witness testimony and evidence presented at trial showed that the defendant was never at either work site.  In fact, Medrano was never hired to work at either location.  He had been hired by the victim in the past and submitted false invoices as if he were contracted on these jobs. 

“This is simple trickery,” said Ramirez.  “The defendant took thousands of dollars from an unsuspecting business when they never hired him.  He played upon their past relationship to swindle them.”   

 Medrano was prosecuted in the 240th District Court before Presiding Judge Thomas R. Culver, III.  Both crimes are third-degree felonies punishable by 2 to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000. 

Medrano elected for the court to assess his punishment instead of the jury.  That hearing has been set for Jan. 5. Medrano is probation eligible.

Assistant District Attorneys Rodolfo Ramirez and W. Scott Carpenter prosecuted the case. Attorney Wilvin Carter represented the defendant.