The Monroe County State Attorney’s Office announced Thursday that Tison Lee Kennedy, 39, was sentenced to five years in a Florida prison following the revocation of his probation in a felony fraud and theft case.
In a recent hearing before County Judge Derek Lewis, the court found Kennedy in violation of his probation and adjudicated him guilty. His probation was revoked, and he was sentenced to five years in state prison, with 1,212 days credit for time served. The sentence was ordered to run concurrently with a related Monroe County case.
Kennedy was originally placed on supervision after being convicted of felony offenses including engaging in contracting without certification during a declared state of emergency and grand theft involving a victim over the age of 65.
The charges stemmed from a 2018 Monroe County Sheriff’s Office investigation in which Kennedy represented himself as a contractor and accepted payments from an elderly victim for home repair work following Hurricane Irma. The victim paid Kennedy multiple sums, including checks and cash totaling more than $1,000, for roofing repairs, tree removal and other services. Kennedy failed to complete the work as agreed, performed portions of the work inadequately and did not return the money despite repeated requests. Investigators also confirmed that Kennedy was not properly licensed to perform the contracted work.
While on supervision, Kennedy repeatedly failed to comply with court-ordered conditions, including failing to make required payments toward court costs and restitution, failing to report as directed, absconding from supervision and failing to complete required substance abuse evaluation and treatment. Court records reflect that he was more than $9,600 in arrears on financial obligations and had been given multiple opportunities to comply before ultimately failing to do so.
As part of the sentence, Kennedy was ordered to pay $100 in cost of prosecution and $100 in cost of defense. He had previously paid $2,505 toward restitution, with a judgment lien entered for any remaining outstanding balance.
Assistant State Attorney K. Philip Harte prosecuted the case.
“This defendant chose to present himself as a contractor without a license during a declared state of emergency and took advantage of a vulnerable senior for financial gain,” Chief Assistant State Attorney Joseph Mansfield said. “That kind of conduct, exploiting people in times of crisis and stealing from seniors, is especially egregious. He was given multiple opportunities to comply with court-ordered conditions and make full restitution but instead absconded and ignored his obligations. This sentence makes clear that those who prey on others, particularly during emergencies, will be held fully accountable.”
