ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — A North Florida contractor has been arrested after investigators say he accepted nearly $19,000 from homeowners for custom cabinetry work that was never completed.
According to the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, 47-year-old Michael Trail, owner of M&M Cabinets of North Florida, Inc., is charged with Grand Theft and Scheme to Defraud.
The investigation began in April 2026 after the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office notified St. Johns County detectives about a potential fraud case involving victims in St. Johns County.
Detectives determined that Trail was hired in 2025 to build and install custom cabinetry in a St. Johns County home. According to investigators, Trail estimated the project would take approximately three weeks, and the homeowners paid him a $12,256 deposit.
Authorities said Trail repeatedly delayed the project, offering numerous excuses for the lack of progress. After several weeks, investigators say he requested an additional $6,500 to complete the work. The homeowners paid the additional amount, bringing their total payments to $18,756.
Despite receiving the funds, detectives said Trail failed to complete the project, leaving the home without cabinet doors, drawer fronts, shelving, trim, crown molding, hardware, finish work, and other promised items.
During the investigation, detectives reviewed previous law enforcement reports involving Trail and interviewed other customers, including some outside St. Johns County. While some reported receiving most of the work they paid for, investigators said many described a similar pattern of paying large deposits, experiencing repeated delays, and being asked for additional money while projects remained unfinished.
Investigators allege Trail knowingly accepted $18,756 from the St. Johns County victims while failing to complete the contracted work.
Trail was located and arrested by the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office on June 24.
The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone who hired or paid Michael Trail for contracting work and believes they may have been victimized to contact Detective Aran at 904-209-2212 or by email at haran@sjso.org.
The investigation remains ongoing.