SHERIDAN, Ind. (WISH) — Hamilton County prosecutors have filed criminal charges following an investigation by WISH-TV sister station, WRTV, into a Greenwood pool contractor accused of taking money from a customer and not doing the work promised. Justin Lee Carter, the owner of Smarter Poo ls, was charged with fraud and theft, both low-level felonies. Sheridan Police Department investigated a complaint filed by homeowner Jenny Peretin, also a mother of two children. Carter’s bond was set at $75,000. The Indiana Attorney General’s Office is also investigating the pool contractor. “This is where we were planning on putting our 35- to 40-foot pool that Smarter Pools was going to install last summer,” Peretin said. “Unfortunately, there is no pool.” Peretin said she paid Carter $60,000 for pool installation. She provided a copy of her payment to WRTV. Peretin said Smarter Pools never did any work on her pool. “We have nothing,” Peretin said. “We, we don’t even have a hole in the ground. So, we didn’t think there was any other recourse at that point.” Peretin said she’s glad criminal charges have been filed. “I understand we may not be getting any money back, but just some level of accountability,” Peretin said. The Better Business Bureau has issued an alert about a Greenwood-based pool company, alleging they have a pattern of complaints. The warning alleges Smarter Pools LLC collects down payments but fails to finish contracted work, and becomes hard to reach, fails to respond or both to consumer requests for updates. I-Team 8 emailed Smarter Pools as well as the attorneys listed for them but never heard back. The business closed its doors at its Greenwood store in 2025, according to customers. The Smarter Pools website no longer works. I-Team 8 found court documents that show financial firms have filed lawsuits in multiple states, including Indiana, Florida, New York and Utah, alleging Smarter Pools and Carter owe them money. Courts have handed down $208,699 in judgments against the pool contractor since April 2025. I-Team 8 went to the Greenwood office on Airport Parkway, the address listed on customer contracts. The building tenant told us Smarter Pools moved out months ago. So, I-Team 8 went to Carter’s house, and talked to him but didn’t get any answers. ...read more read less