MARTINSBURG, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A Martinsburg man was arrested Thursday for allegedly defrauding North Carolina residents by posing as a utility worker and driveway contractor, according to court records.
Brian Taulton, 56, is accused of scamming elderly and disabled victims out of thousands of dollars between February 2024 and June 2025.
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Authorities said he performed substandard driveway repairs or falsely claimed to represent Duke Energy in order to obtain money or property.
Taulton faces multiple felony charges, including nine counts of exploiting a disabled or elderly person, seven counts of obtaining property by false pretense, and four counts of attempting to obtain property by false pretense. He is also charged as a fugitive of another state.
Records show his alleged scheme began in February 2024, when he reportedly defrauded a couple out of $16,800 for poor-quality driveway work.
In 2025, he allegedly took $9,300 from one woman, attempted to take $7,000 more, and tried to collect $13,000 and $18,200 from other victims.
The fraudulent activity resumed in May 2025, with additional victims reportedly defrauded of $9,100, $18,600, and $9,500.
A Wake County Sheriff’s Office warrant was later issued for Taulton after he allegedly posed as a Duke Energy employee to deceive another woman.
Altogether, Taulton is accused of stealing roughly $72,200 and attempting to take an additional $38,600, totaling over $110,000 in fraud. Bond for all charges has been set at approximately $345,000.
