A Montgomery County man was arrested for scamming couples by pretending to be a wedding venue owner, defrauding them of over $200,000. Carl John Butcho II, who used the name "Lance Miller," is charged with theft of property valued between $150,000 and $300,000 and faces more charges in Travis County, according to Click2Houston.
At least 17 couples were affected by the scheme. Twelve paid for weddings that never happened, and five did not receive promised refunds, the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office said. One bride, Cyndi Ou, said she arrived at a locked venue before her wedding and lost $54,000, as reported by KHOU.
Montgomery County authorities arrested a person involved in a wedding scam that caused financial and emotional harm, said Sheriff Wesley Doolittle. Victim Rachelle Dawkin told KHOU that her wedding services, including fireworks, a dessert bar, and a photo booth, did not happen. The accused, Butcho, is awaiting legal proceedings. The former venue, now called The Lake Venue under new owner Alex Garcia, is offering space to couples affected by the scam. Justin Sayles of the "Wedding Scammer" podcast commented on the case. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office asks anyone with information or who may be affected to call 936-538-8393 and reference case number 25A151828.
