A Meeker man charged early this year with two counts of embezzlement, has pleaded not guilty and his case has been set for disposition.
The two counts of embezzlement were filed in Lincoln County District Court March 26, 2024 against Mathew Lloyd McRae, 48, of Meeker, doing business as 309 Builders, LLC, 309 Companies, LLC and Crown Construction, LLC.
A $500,000 bench warrant was issued for the arrest of the defendant, owner of a construction company.
The warrant for McRae’s arrest was returned and filed on April 29, court records show.
Appearing before District Judge Sarah Bridge on Nov. 5 for his arraignment, McRae pleaded not guilty.
McRae waived a speedy trial and the judge set his case for disposition on Feb. 18, 2025.
The State Attorney General’s Office is handling the case against McRae.
In Count 1, the information states between Aug. 19, 2021, and March 28, 2022, the crime of embezzlement was committed by McRae doing business as 309 Builders, LLC, 309 Companies, LLC and Crown Construction, LLC.
It alleges the defendant fraudulently appropriated an amount in excess of $15,000 belonging to William Mitchell and which had been entrusted to the defendant as a payment for services and materials to construct a cabin, to the defendant’s own use and benefit, a purpose not intended or authorized by Mitchell.
In Count 2, it states the defendant fraudulently appropriated an amount in excess of $15,000, belonging to Joy Thompson which had been entrusted to McRae as payment for services and materials to construct two cabins, to the defendant’s own use and benefit, a purpose not intended or authorized by Ms. Thompson.
The charges were filed by the office of State Attorney General Gentner Drummond.
The two counts allege McRae took a total of $160,453 from the two victims, $33,350 from Thompson and $127,103 from Mitchell.