CRIME & LAW

Texas Man Charged After Danville Zoning Fee Scam

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Danville, Ind. — Police announced Monday that authorities charged 37-year-old Chaz Chennault of Sulphur Springs, Texas, with multiple Level 6 felony counts after he allegedly sent fraudulent emails impersonating town officials and induced a resident to transfer thousands of dollars for a purported local zoning fee; the case originated when a recipient reported the communication to town authorities. Investigators served search warrants for financial records, email accounts and internet activity, which led to identification of Chennault, court documents in Hendricks County show; he is being held in Hopkins County jail in Texas awaiting extradition to Indiana. Several other recipients reported similar emails but contacted town officials before sending payments, prompting the wider inquiry this week.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.

Timeline of Events

A victim received an email appearing to be from Town of Danville officials claiming zoning fees were owed.
The victim sent thousands of dollars to an account later linked to the suspect.
Other recipients reported similar emails and some contacted town officials before paying.
Danville Police served search warrants for financial records, email accounts, and internet activity.
Court documents in Hendricks County charged 37-year-old Chaz Chennault with four Level 6 felonies; he is detained in Texas awaiting extradition.

Why This Matters to You

This scam targeted ordinary folks, not just big businesses. It's a reminder that fraud can happen in any community. Always verify requests for money, even if they seem to come from trusted sources.

The Bottom Line

Chaz Chennault's alleged scam was stopped because alert citizens reported suspicious emails. If you get an unexpected request for money, reach out to the supposed sender directly. Worth forwarding if you know someone who's not tech-savvy.