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PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla.- Charlotte County Sheriff's detectives of the Economic Crimes Unit, working with two State and one County agency, arrested nine men Wednesday and Thursday on charges of Contracting Without a License. The sting operation was set up at a home in Port Charlotte during Operation “FIX-IT-UP” 2013.

CCSO arrested and transported the following to the Charlotte County Jail:

Rodney Lane McGee, 43, 20423 Sapling Avenue, Port Charlotte

Benjamin Ayers, 66, 1556 Eagle Street, Port Charlotte

The following were arrested and given Notices To Appear in court:

Dustin Rhoades Harvick, 30, 1561 Achilles Street, Port Charlotte, FL

James Leon Berry, 66, 5237 Greenwood Avenue, North Port

Frank B. Smith, 59, 2610 Lakeshore Circle, Port Charlotte

Robert J. O’Laughlin, 51, 1872 Knights Bridge Terrace, Port Charlotte

Ronald D. Petersen, 56, 147 Washington, Street, Limerick, Maine

Roger Fernandez, 66, 508 Meridan Ave., Port Charlotte

Thomas Pennella, 65, 1060 Sea Crest Drive, Port Charlotte

The Charlotte County Building and Construction Services issued 16 Civil Citations for Contractor License Violations ($500 fine each). The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation issued six Cease and Desist Orders and four Civil Citations for Contractor License Violations ($2,500 fine each). No enforcement action was taken against two men who were licensed contractors or represented a license contractor; they were in compliance with State and County Regulations.