News Summary
Arthur Ayers, a 45-year-old tree trimmer in Jacksonville, has been arrested again amid allegations of fraud targeting homeowners. His extensive criminal history includes multiple fraud-related offenses dating back to 2011. The latest incident involved Ayers soliciting tree trimming services for $1,300, only to fail to complete the job, leaving the homeowner with no choice but to hire another service. Authorities have confirmed probable cause for his arrest as he now faces multiple charges including fraud and misrepresentation.
Jacksonville Tree Trimmer with Extensive Fraud History Arrested Again for Defrauding Homeowners
Jacksonville, FL – Arthur Ayers, 45, has been arrested again for alleged fraud, marking another chapter in a troubling history of scams targeting unsuspecting homeowners. This latest arrest comes on the heels of numerous prior arrests, with Ayers reportedly having over a dozen encounters with law enforcement in Duval County since 2019.
Ayers, who has a documented history of arrests and convictions for fraud, previously pleaded guilty to organized fraud charges in 2015 and again in 2019. The recent allegations stem from an incident on September 12, 2025, when Ayers solicited his tree trimming services from a local homeowner. The homeowner agreed to pay him $1,300 for the job. However, after commencing the work, Ayers failed to return to complete it, forcing the homeowner to hire another service to finish the task.
Following this incident, an investigation into Ayers’ extensive criminal background led police to conclude that there was probable cause for his arrest. He now faces charges for defrauding to obtain property valued at less than $20,000 and was taken to jail with a bond set at $55,000.
In a separate case, Ayers approached jeweler Brian Christoff, offering to perform tree trimming services for $300. Christoff initially paid Ayers the agreed amount for some preliminary work, later providing an additional $450 for a second job, only to find that Ayers disappeared without completing the service. Christoff subsequently reported Ayers to authorities upon discovering his extensive criminal history.
Court documents indicate that Ayers has 18 cases logged in his arrest report since 2011, with at least three of those incidents involving similar schemes where he requested half the payment upfront and failed to finish the contracted work. As of the latest reports, Ayers is facing two counts related to fraud, as well as additional charges for driving on a suspended license and falsely representing himself as a licensed contractor.
The community is understandably concerned given Ayers’ lengthy record of fraud, which illustrates a pattern of deceitful behavior that exploits homeowners seeking legitimate services. The repeated offenses highlight the ongoing issue of contractor fraud, prompting calls for greater awareness and protection measures for consumers engaging home service professionals.
Ayers has not yet entered a plea concerning the new charges. His history reveals a troubling trend that not only undermines trust in local service providers but also potentially jeopardizes the financial well-being of residents who might be vulnerable to such scams.
The Jacksonville Police Department continues to investigate his activities, and residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behavior to authorities to protect themselves from similar fraudulent schemes in the future.
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Additional Resources
- News4Jax: Jacksonville Tree Trimmer Arrested Again
- Action News Jax: Local Tree Trimmer with Lengthy Rap Sheet
- First Coast News: Developer Plans to Demo Motel
- Wikipedia: Fraud
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Contractor
Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
