October 25, 2025
Homeowners Say They Were Scammed — Benson Man Arrested
FOUR OAKS – A home improvement project turned into frustration and financial loss for a Four Oaks couple — and now, a Benson man is facing charges for allegedly taking their money and disappearing.
The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office arrested Wesley Mack Autry, 51, of Rockvale Court in Benson, in connection with what investigators are calling a home repair scam.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the couple hired Autry to perform electrical work at their residence earlier this summer. He reportedly quoted them a price of $2,100 for the job and requested $1,200 up front to get started.
After receiving the initial $1,200 payment, Autry allegedly failed to return to begin work — instead offering repeated excuses, including a broken-down work truck, to delay the project. The victims eventually contacted authorities when it became clear the job was not going to be completed.
Following an investigation, deputies obtained warrants and arrested Autry on September 27. He is charged with felony obtaining property by false pretense and misdemeanor failure to work after being paid.
Autry was booked into the Johnston County Detention Center under a $30,000 secured bond.
The Sheriff’s Office reminds residents to verify licenses and references when hiring contractors and to be cautious about paying large sums upfront.
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It’s all bulls**t he tried to deliver materials but the crooks at the sheriffs office the detectives wanted yhe money back which materials couldn’t be taken back cause it was cut to length wire etc yes I had a few things going wrong but I was told no rush on job take my time and I haven’t been paid for any labor just materials which I would have gladly taken to customers if the retired detective idiot brother hadn’t told me I couldn’t and that they refuse material delivery I have done nothing g wrong and stayed in touch with these customers constantly. It was I pi**ed off a POs retired detective and his boyfriend detective and they drummed up charges trying to show me something. If there is a crook here it’s the customers retired deputy detective and the detective cause I wasn’t giving into their stupid s**t. It’s ridiculous and I’ve never scammed anyone and always have done what I was paid for. I’m not the criminal here and have the evidence to prove it.
The day I got ready to go do job customer said she wanted to hold off and a week later is when I heard from her brother the retired detective and said I wasn’t to speak to customer anymore for some unknown reason. He got involved for some stupid reason thinking he was going to act big and bad and try to impress someone and escalated s**t that didn’t need escalating and I didn’t try or even have a thought of screwing the customer out of anything I’ve known these people for 10 years and thought a lot of them.