Mugshot of Tyler Peworchik. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT.
ST. CROIX — A St. Croix man accused of operating as a contractor without a valid business license and collecting more than $181,000 for renovation work that police say was never completed is now facing felony charges before the court.
According to the V.I. Police Department, the Economic Crimes Unit began investigating Tyler Peworchik on January 23, 2026, after receiving a fraudulent complaint. The investigation found that Peworchik had been operating as a contractor in the territory despite not having a valid business license.
Police say Peworchik was hired to perform renovation work and induced the victim to issue 35 checks totaling over $181,000.00.
The money was intended to pay subcontractors for flooring renovations, electrical work and completion of a fence. However, according to police, those funds were not paid to the subcontractors as represented, and the work was not completed.
Instead, the investigation determined that the money was deposited into Peworchik’s business account and was not used for its intended purposes. Police say that deprived the victim of the money, goods and services for which he had paid Mr. Peworchik.
Following the investigation, an arrest warrant was obtained for Peworchik.
On June 23, Peworchik, 40, surrendered at the Wilbur H. Francis Command Police Station with his attorney. He was served with the arrest warrant, advised of his rights and placed under arrest.
He was subsequently booked and charged with Obtaining Money by False Pretenses, Grand Larceny, Embezzlement by Fiduciaries, and access to computers for fraudulent purposes.
Bail was set at $35,000. Unable to post bail, Peworchik was remanded to the John A. Bell Adult Correctional Facility pending his advice of rights hearing at the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands.
That hearing is scheduled for Wednesday morning before Magistrate Christopher Timmons.
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