Wilmington Man Indicted in Alleged Fence Scam

(CINCINNATI)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today announced that a Wilmington man has been indicted for allegedly taking tens of thousands of dollars from southwest Ohio consumers for fence installations he never provided.

Phillip R. Sholler Jr., 41, was indicted by a Hamilton County grand jury on the following charges:

  • Theft from the elderly, third-degree felonies (two counts)
  • Theft from the elderly, fourth-degree felonies (four counts)
  • Theft, fourth-degree felonies (two counts)
  • Theft, fifth-degree felonies (four counts)

Sholler, who did business as Sholler Fence LLC, is accused of stealing about $48,000 from six homeowners between July and December 2017. According to investigators, he took cash or checks from the homeowners but never installed the fencing and never delivered any materials.

The case was investigated by the Ohio Attorney General’s Economic Crimes Unit and the Evendale Police Department. An attorney with the Economic Crimes Unit was appointed by the Hamilton County Prosecutor to handle the case as a special prosecutor.

Consumers who suspect a scam or unfair sales practice should contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at www.OhioProtects.org or 800-282-0515.