High Ridge Contractor Charged in Alleged Fraud Scheme Involving Tornado Victims and Elderly Residents

A High Ridge roofing contractor is facing more than 20 felony charges after Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway’s office accused him of defrauding customers across the region, including several St. Louis-area tornado victims and elderly Missourians.

Jacob D. Kaestner, 43, owner and operator of JK Exteriors, was charged in Jefferson County Circuit Court with 16 felony counts of deceptive business practice and seven felony counts of financial exploitation of an elderly or disabled person.

According to the Attorney General’s Office, the case involves 16 alleged victims and total reported losses of $131,885.91. Seven of the alleged victims were elderly.

The charges stem from repair work Kaestner and JK Exteriors allegedly promised to perform on homes, including roofs, gutters, siding, fencing, and other exterior projects. Prosecutors allege customers paid upfront deposits, but in many cases received little or no work in return.

The case is especially significant because the Attorney General’s Office said a majority of the affected customers were victims of the March 2025 and May 2025 tornadoes in the St. Louis region. Those storms left families needing urgent repairs, creating the kind of vulnerable situation that officials say dishonest contractors can exploit.

“In the aftermath of tornadoes and natural disasters, families are at their most vulnerable, and scammers who prey on that pain are reprehensible,” Hanaway said in the release announcing the charges. “Contractor fraud is never tolerated in Missouri.”

Hanaway said her office would continue pursuing cases involving disaster recovery scams and pledged to stand with St. Louis-area residents affected by the alleged fraud.

According to the probable cause statement, Kaestner allegedly accepted down payments from customers but failed to complete the promised work, failed to order materials, or abandoned projects after receiving payment.

In one case described in court documents, a customer allegedly paid $29,500 for exterior repairs. Prosecutors allege that less than half of the roof replacement was completed and no other exterior repairs were performed. That customer allegedly was not refunded more than $25,000 for the unfinished work.

In another case, a customer over the age of 60 allegedly paid more than $18,000 toward a project with a total contract price of more than $20,000. According to the Attorney General’s Office, no materials were provided and no repairs were completed.

The Attorney General’s release stated that Kaestner completed work for one customer, but only after learning that the customer had filed a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Kait Rhodes and was investigated by the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection investigators. The release also stated that JK Exteriors is being investigated by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

Court documents also referenced other civil lawsuits involving Kaestner in Jefferson County, St. Louis County, and the City of St. Louis related to breach of contract allegations. The Attorney General’s Office also stated in court filings that consumers in Franklin and St. Charles counties had allegedly been defrauded.

The Attorney General’s Office requested that Kaestner’s bond be set at $50,000.

A Warning for Jefferson County Homeowners

For Jefferson County residents, the case serves as another reminder to be cautious when hiring contractors, especially after severe weather events. Storm damage often creates urgency. Homeowners may be trying to protect their property, stop leaks, replace roofs, or make repairs quickly. That urgency can make families more likely to sign contracts or pay large deposits before fully checking a contractor’s background.

State officials are encouraging Missourians who believe they may have been victims of contractor fraud to contact the Missouri Attorney General’s Office. Complaints may be filed through the Consumer Protection hotline at 800-392-8222 or online through the Attorney General’s website.

The Attorney General’s Office also reminds homeowners to get written contracts, avoid paying the full amount upfront, verify business information, check references, and keep records of payments and communications.

The charges against Kaestner remain allegations. As in all criminal cases, he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

Still, the case marks one of the more notable contractor fraud actions in Jefferson County tied to storm recovery and home repair work. For families already dealing with the aftermath of tornado damage, the allegations point to a second hardship: trying to rebuild while also protecting themselves from those accused of taking advantage of disaster victims.