CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION ARREST: JOSHUA J SEMIEN CONTRACTOR FRAUD

An investigation by the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division has resulted in the arrest 
of Joshua James Semien in connection with contractor fraud.

The lengthy investigation, which began in 2025, revealed that Semien was hired to perform construction work and 
purchase materials for a residential project. 

After receiving payment, Semien failed to complete the agreed-upon work and did not pay multiple suppliers for 
materials, despite having been provided funds to do so. 

As a result, several businesses began attempting to place liens on the victim's property for unpaid balances.
 
Semien later filed a lien on the victim's property using invoices for materials that had already been paid for.
Detectives reviewed financial records, including bank transfers and canceled checks, confirming that Semien had 
received payment(s) of $32,458.11 for services and materials, which he retained.
Throughout the investigation, Semien failed to cooperate with investigators or provide any documentation to support 
his claims.

On April 6, 2026, Joshua James Semien, 39, of Opelousas, was booked into the Evangeline Parish Jail on the 
following charges:

Charges: 
One (1) count: Contractor Fraud- Residential- greater than $25,000.00 (Felony)- La. Revised.Statute. 14:202.1 
One (1) count: Contractor Fraud (Felony)- La. Revised.Statute. 14:202.1 
Semien also had an outstanding warrant for traffic-related offenses
Bond: $ 41,000.00

JOSHUA SEMIEN

07/01/1986

OPELOUSAS, LA

As always, Sheriff Charles R. Guillory and the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office encourage anyone with information regarding
criminal activity to contact the Criminal Investigations Division at 337-363-2161 or submit a tip through the agency's 
website at www.evangelineparishsheriff.org
Any person(s) reporting information will remain anonymous.

All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.