Marin County, CA— Two men who posed as licensed roofing contractors have been sentenced in Marin County Superior Court after prosecutors say they defrauded elderly homeowners out of more than $340,000 through a roofing and construction scam.
John McNamara, 49, and Dean Morgan, 34, each received 3 years and 8 months in prison after pleading guilty to multiple felony counts of grand theft by false pretenses. The crimes occurred in March 2024 and involved four victims ranging in age from 78 to 85 years old.
According to investigators, McNamara and Morgan were part of a group that falsely claimed to represent a company called “Nashes Roofing & Construction,” which they said was based in San Francisco. The men allegedly traveled through several Bay Area counties, Sacramento County, and even Colorado, targeting elderly homeowners.
Authorities say the suspects used professional-looking business cards, invoices, and a fake website to convince victims they were legitimate contractors.
In many cases, the men approached homeowners by knocking on doors uninvited, warning residents that their roofs required urgent repairs. Once homeowners agreed to the work, the suspects collected large upfront deposits, often performing little to no actual repair work before disappearing.
The Marin County case is not the first conviction for the pair. Both men were previously convicted in Colorado in March 2025 for a similar roofing scam, and Morgan was also convicted in Sacramento County.
When the sentences from those cases are combined, both McNamara and Morgan will serve a total of 9 years and 8 months in prison.
“The Marin County District Attorney’s Office is steadfastly committed to holding scammers criminally accountable for their fraudulent acts, particularly fraud committed against our senior population,” said Marin County District Attorney Lori Frugoli. “We are grateful for the efforts of our fraud unit and partner law enforcement agencies who worked tirelessly to bring these offenders to justice.”
Advice for Homeowners
Officials are reminding homeowners to verify a contractor’s credentials before agreeing to any work.
Homeowners in California can confirm whether a contractor is properly licensed through the California Department of Consumer Affairs Contractors State License Board (CSLB).
California law also limits the amount contractors can request as an upfront deposit. Under California Business and Professions Code Section 7159(d), contractors may only collect $1,000 or 10% of the total contract price, whichever is less.
Authorities encourage homeowners to report suspicious contractors and remain cautious when approached by unsolicited door-to-door salespeople offering repair services.
