Fort Worth Couple Plead Guilty in $4.8M Homebuilding Fraud That Left Dozens With Unsafe, Unfinished Homes

A Fort Worth couple — Christopher and Raquelle Judge — have pleaded guilty in federal court after prosecutors say they defrauded more than 40 homeowners out of roughly $4.8 million by taking installment payments for custom homes and renovations they never finished.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas, the Judges operated Judge DFW LLC from August 2020 through January 2023 and repeatedly started construction projects, accepted multiple payments and then failed to complete the work or delivered substandard results. Prosecutors said the scheme covered at least 24 projects across six North Texas counties.

Charges, Pleas and Upcoming Sentencing

Christopher Judge pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud on Dec. 30, 2025; Raquelle Judge pleaded guilty to the same charge on Dec. 17, 2025. Christopher faces a statutory maximum of 20 years in federal prison, while Raquelle faces up to five years. Both are also expected to be ordered to pay restitution, fines and face supervised release. Sentencing is scheduled before U.S. District Judge Terry R. Means: Raquelle on April 14, 2026, and Christopher on May 12, 2026.

How the Scheme Worked, Prosecutors Say

Federal court records and plea documents describe a pattern in which the couple:

Chris And Raquelle Judge/InstagramChristopher Judge and Raquelle Judge

• Collected multiple installment payments from clients under contracts for architecture, construction and interior design;
• Misrepresented Christopher as a licensed architect;
• Commingled client funds in a single operating account and diverted money between projects;
• Spent significant client funds on personal expenses instead of completing jobs.

Prosecutors detailed personal spending that included roughly $82,000 in Amazon purchases, about $27,000 in mortgage payments and approximately $10,000 on cosmetic surgery.

Victims’ Stories: Financial and Emotional Fallout

Homeowners who spoke with local media described long delays, incomplete or unsafe work, and massive out-of-pocket expenses to finish or repair projects. Plea documents list more than 40 victims across six counties, with total losses of about $4.8 million. One couple reportedly paid nearly $364,000; other clients spent tens or hundreds of thousands more to correct defects.

"If somebody’s cheap, it’s probably for a reason," said Lane Simmons, who with his wife Kalie found numerous code violations in their home after hiring the Judges. Independent inspectors reported unsafe framing and other serious defects that required demolition and rebuilding of decks and stairwells.

Kristin Newman told WFAA she paid the Judges to build what she hoped would be her dream home but was left with only framing and a roof; she later spent roughly $200,000 more to finish and repair the property. Jeremy Congleton said his family of four lived in an RV for 18 months while he completed construction himself and that he ultimately filed for bankruptcy.

Prosecutors’ Conclusion

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said the Judges’ conduct amounted to a sustained pattern of accepting funds, failing to complete contracted work, and diverting money to other jobs and personal uses. Several victims told reporters they believe most of their money is unrecoverable but expressed relief that the couple will no longer be taking on clients.

PEOPLE and local outlets contacted the couple’s legal representatives; updates will follow as the case proceeds to sentencing.