Local contractor arrested after lengthy investigation

A local contractor has been arrested over in Douglas County after allegedly failing to provide construction services to an elderly man in that country.
According to a Douglas County Sheriff’s Office report, Jonathan James Howell, 44, of Mountain Grove, was arrested and charged with financial exploitation of a elder/disabled person a class a felony and stealing over $25,000. This is a Class C Felony with bond being set at $25,000 cash only.
Howell was arrested on Aug. 11 after a warrant was issued for his arrest. The case was investigated by Detective Nathan Long after a lengthy investigation that began in December of 2023. Howell entered into a contract to provide construction services for the elderly victim paid for materials and work the was never provided in excess of $25,000.
Wright County Sheriff Chris Degase commends the work of Detective Long on this case as these are very difficult and time consuming cases to work.