Unlicensed contractors convicted

Two local residents were convicted of contracting without a license in two separate cases last month, according to the district attorney's office.

Manuel Martinez, 50, of Camarillo contracted with a homeowner in Somis to do home improvement and additions.

Martinez claimed to have a contracting license but gave the homeowner the license number of another, legitimate contractor. After receiving more than $36,000 from the victim, Martinez abandoned the job and refused to refund the money.

Roy Dale Dickerson, 55, of Thousand Oaks contracted with a homeowner in Simi Valley to build a swimming pool complex. Dickerson was paid more than $29,000 but failed to make progress on the pool.

The homeowner filed a complaint with the California Contractors' State Licensing Board after Dickerson refused to refund the payments.

Dickerson was sentenced Feb. 21 to 15 days in jail and 36 months' probation. He was ordered to pay full restitution.