FOX 16 Investigates: Unlicensed contractor Stephen Rast appears in court, facing felony charges for theft of property

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Court proceedings continue for a man accused of scamming Arkansans out of thousands.

FOX 16 Investigates has been following Stephen Rast, an unlicensed contractor at the center of a major lawsuit with the state, since 2022.

On Monday morning, Rast appeared in front of a judge with the Pulaski County Circuit Court for a different case.

According to court records, Rast is facing felony charges for theft of property. The prosecution claims Rast stole anywhere from $5,000 to $25,000 worth of property from a person in Pulaski County.

The case is still in the initial stages, but a trial date has been set for Feb. 12, 2025.

Right now, Rast has not entered a plea. If he is found guilty, he could face up to 10 years in prison and pay a fine of up to $10,000.

This case is separate from a civil lawsuit filed against Rast in December of 2022. Attorney General Tim Griffin’s office is leading that case and is in the final stages of trying to get restitution for the victims.

In the last few months, Griffin’s office filed a motion to obtain a list of property owned by Rast and his wife Taylor Wells. Both had 45 days to turn in a full list of their assets but failed to do so.

On Monday afternoon, officials with the attorney general’s office told FOX 16 News they are doing what they can to try and get money back to the victims Rast scammed.

Rast was arrested during a traffic stop in July.

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