LUBBOCK, TEXAS (KCBD) – We have an update on our years-long investigation of the warning signs.
Jared Castillo appeared in 106th District Court in Gaines County on Thursday after being charged with one felony count of theft of property.
It was the first time Todd Danley had seen Castillo since 2022 when he said Castillo took his money and stopped taking his calls.
“He saw me walk in and he immediately looked at the floor,” Danley said.
Danley owns a crop insurance business just north of Seminole. He and a neighboring business, Big Starr Electric, decided to split the cost of an LED sign.
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They said Castillo, the owner of LED Liquidator, made them a deal.
“We got a 10 percent discount and expedited shipping if we paid in full, up front,” Danley said.
On August 24, 2022, John Wall, owner of Big Starr Electric, and Danley wrote checks to Castillo for approximately $8,900 each.
“Here we are about two and a half years later with no sign, no return,” Danley said.
That may change.
A Gaines County grand jury indicted Castillo for theft.
He was ordered to appear before a judge Thursday, where his attorney, Marlin Carter, asked for more time to enter into a plea deal or go to trial.
“We believe this is a case of misunderstanding and we believe Mr. Castillo will be able to prove his innocence in a court of law,” Carter said.
Danley stands by his statement.
“For me, it’s cut and dry. He took a check from me and a check from Big Starr Electric and didn’t deliver a product,” Danley said.
This is not the first time Castillo has been sued for theft.
In July 2024, Castillo pleaded guilty to stealing more than $10,000 from St. Luke’s Church in Lubbock.
The pastor said the money was for a deposit on an LED sign Castillo never delivered.
Castillo was sentenced to six months in the Lubbock County Detention Center with credit for time served. He also had to forfeit any contractor’s license he may hold.
It’s a result that gives Danley hope in his case.
“I work hard for my money and he basically stole that money from me, so I’m going to make sure we get some kind of recourse whether it’s monetary time or jail time,” Danley said.
Big Starr Electric has since purchased an LED sign from another company.
Danley said he did not go along with that purchase.
“I had a pretty good time trying to get a mark. Going down that road, I didn’t want to end up there again,” Danley said.
Through our years-long investigation, we learned of other charges against Castillo that never made it to court.
Monte Neil owns BBQ Weekends in Plainview.
He said he paid Castillo more than $3,000 for a sign that Castillo never delivered.
Sarisa Smith owns Texas Rock and Flagstone in Lubbock. Smith said she paid Castillo $10,000 for a sign and while he delivered it, it wasn’t what she ordered.
“She played a Chinese movie for about three weeks. We can’t figure out how to remove it. No one knew how to install the software. It was all China-based,” Smith said.
While those alleged victims had no luck with their cases, the district attorney for the 106th Judicial District said his team is ready to move forward.
“We will do our best to see that justice done, which is our duty under the Constitution,” Philip Mack Furlow said.
Castillo’s new admission deadline is scheduled for February 13, 2025.
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