19/08/2025
So glad this man was finally caught. He’s been scamming couples and leaving them high and dry on their wedding day.
There are always fly-by-night vendors, but this one was actually a venue owner 😳. He was taking huge deposits and then cancelling a day—or even hours—before the wedding. Some couples even showed up to find the doors locked.
While scams like this are hard to predict, there are ways you can protect yourself when booking vendors:
~Read the reviews. Don’t just glance at the most recent—look at how reviews have changed over time. No Google profile at all? That’s worth a second thought.
~Get everything in writing. A real contract should spell out the what, when, where, and how—and include what happens if there’s an emergency or backup plan needed.
~Consider event insurance. It’s usually affordable compared to the cost of your whole event. Think of it like car insurance—it’s there to protect you if something goes wrong.
Planning your wedding should be exciting, not stressful. A little due diligence can go a long way in making sure you don’t end up with a horror story like this one.
On Thursday, August 14, 2025, Detectives from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the Austin Police Department, apprehended Carl John Butcho II on a warrant related to a major theft case investigated that occurred in Montgomery County. He is charged with Theft of Property valued between $150,000 and $300,000, a second-degree felony.
Butcho’s arrest is the result of an extensive investigation into fraudulent activities conducted under the alias “Lance Miller”, in which he posed as the owner and manager of the Charleston Lane Wedding Venue located in Willis, TX.
According to investigators, twelve victims reported paying for weddings that never occurred, resulting in a combined loss of $202,424.90. An additional five victims who did have weddings at the venue reported not receiving promised refunds for various issues, adding $11,450.00 in losses.
Butcho was booked into the Travis County Jail and given a $100,000 bond with multiple conditions, including:
• No contact with victims
• GPS monitoring prior to release
• Surrender of his passport before release
• Prohibition from engaging in wedding or event planning businesses
In addition to the Montgomery County charge, Butcho faces other charges in Travis County, including:
• False Statement to Obtain Property or Credit
• Fraudulent Securing of Document Ex*****on
Sheriff Wesley Doolittle stated, “This arrest is a testament to the dedication of our investigators and the cooperation between agencies. These victims placed their trust in someone who exploited their special day for personal gain, and we are committed to ensuring that justice is served. Our office will continue to pursue those who prey on others in our community.”
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office thanks the public for their assistance throughout this lengthy investigation and remains committed to ensuring justice for all victims.
Anyone with additional information or who believes they may have been affected by this case is encouraged to contact the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office at 936-538-8393 and reference case number 25A151828
