Extradition Planned In Fraud Case

Kootenai County Prosecutor Bill Douglas says he will begin extradition proceedings for contractor Ronald G. Stratton, who is accused of fraud.

Officials in southeast Kansas collared Stratton for a driving violation this week. Douglas said Stratton had been living in Kansas to escape a $100,000 warrant in Idaho.

Stratton is wanted on 10 charges of defrauding customers around North Idaho, and if convicted, faces up to 140 years in prison and $50,000 in fines.

Douglas has 10 victims ready to testify against Stratton, and acknowledges there are dozens more in the area who lost money to him.

Douglas will ask Gov. Phil Batt to send an extradition petition to Kansas. The process could take up to three months, he said.

Stratton’s customers say the builder would take deposits and fail to complete the work.