On the run contractor finally caught after fleeing Indiana to avoid jury trial

LEBANON, Ind. — A Crawfordsville contractor is at last back in police custody after being on the run for roughly one year.

Johnathon R. Manco, the owner of Diverse Construction Solutions LLC, was charged with felony counts of fraud and theft in October 2024. The charges were filed after a Lebanon homeowner told police that Manco scammed him out of nearly $100,000 in 2021.

Previous reports detail the alleged crimes of Manco and how he reportedly took payments totaling $98,419.63 for construction work but didn’t deliver on the agreed-upon contract.

Manco was set to go to trial on Oct. 29, 2024, according to court records, but failed to appear. An arrest warrant was issued and a second trial date was set for Dec. 16, 2024. Manco again no-showed his trial.

Since then, a warrant has been active for Manco’s arrest.

Jail records from Pasco County Jail in Florida reveal that Manco was at last picked up on his warrant on Sept. 19. He is being held under the charge of “fugitive from justice” with a note confirming Manco is wanted out of Boone County, Indiana.

Manco will be extradited back to Indiana, where he will finally stand in court to face judgment.