Roofer Accused of Stealing Down Payment

An Oshkosh man faces felony theft charges after he allegedly took off with the downpayment on a job he promised and never fulfilled.

James S. Longsine, 67, had his initial appearance in Thursday in Racine County Circuit Court to face a single felony charge of theft, business setting for an amount between $2,500 and $5,000. If convicted, he faces up to 3-1/2 years in prison and/or up to $10,000 in fines.

According to the criminal complaint, in August 2011, a Caledonia man said he contracted with Longsine to replace the man's barn roof with a metal one. Longsine required a down payment of $4,000, half the total cost of the job, which the man gave him.

Then, police reports say, Longsine reneged on the job. At first, he stalled the man, but eventually stopped taking the man's calls. The man even attempted to contact Longsine in person with two Winnebago County deputies, but he was not at home.

Investigators sent a letter to Longsine in April 2012, to which he responded, saying he was waiting for his crew from Iowa to return to Wisconsin. The man told officers in August 2012 that the job was still not started.

A complaint and warrant for $10,000 was filed against Longsine Jan. 14, 2013, but that warrant was vacated Thursday when Longsine reported to court. He was released on a $250 cash bond with a $2,000 signature bond and the conditions that he not engage in any roofing business or accept any new roofing contracts.

Longsine will next appear in court on March 21 for a preliminary hearing.