Unlicensed Contractors Charged With Illegally Operating Palisades Fire Disaster Zone

PACIFIC PALISADES—On July 2, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office announced charges against six unlicensed contractors accused of illegally operating in the Palisades Fire disaster zone following a joint operation with the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation and California’s Contractors State License Board (CSLB).

In December 2025, the District Attorney’s Office announced charges against five unlicensed contractors who were allegedly illegally operating in the Eaton Fire disaster zone following a previous joint operation with CSLB in Altadena.

“Protecting wildfire survivors from unlicensed contractors as they rebuild is our priority. We are grateful to our partners at the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office who share in the mission to combat unlicensed contracting activity,” said Contractors State License Board Registrar David Fogt. “Anyone who needs to report unlicensed activity is encouraged to submit a complaint to CSLB.”

On June 26, the Office filed one felony count each of contracting without a license during a natural disaster against the following defendants:

-Luis Perez Silva, 45, case 26ARCF01263.
-Jecil Cruz-Herrera, 33, case 26ARCF01264.
-Luis Mateo Perez Lopez, 27, case 26ARCF01271.
-Antonio Herman Perez, 42, case 26ARCF01272.
-Santiago Ismael Mejia Urena, 42, case 26ARCF01273.
-Raymond Joshua Castorena, 33, case 26ARCF01274.

It is alleged that the offenses occurred after the Los Angeles County wildfires, that destroyed more than 16,000 homes and structures and displaced tens of thousands of residents. It is also alleged that the defendants’ conduct was directed at and aimed to harm victims made particularly vulnerable by the impact of the wildfires.

On April 15 to 16, 2026, investigators with CSLB’s Statewide Investigative Fraud Team reviewed online advertisements from contractors offering construction services without displaying a contractor license number. Investigators made individual appointments with the contractors at a Pacific Palisades residence to bid on building an accessory dwelling unit and demolition.

The defendants were allegedly not licensed under their name or business name, nor did they have an application with CSLB pending. The defendants collectively placed bids totaling up to $1.27 million.

Five of the defendants face up to three years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000. Castorena faces up to 6 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000 because of a prior strike offense.

Perez Lopez, Mejia Urena and Castorena pleaded not guilty at arraignment on June 26. Their preliminary hearing setting is scheduled for August 5, 2026, in Department 31 of the Airport Courthouse. The defendants remain released on their own recognizance.

Arraignment for Cruz-Herrera, Silva and Perez is set for July 8 in Department 30 of the Airport Courthouse.

The cases are being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Eva Jabber Stodel of the Consumer Protection Division and remain under investigation by the Contractors State License Board and the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation. The charges filed in these cases are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Last year, the District Attorney’s Office launched an ongoing public awareness campaign to warn contractors that they will be prosecuted for unlicensed activity in the fire zones. In partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs, signs were distributed in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Armenian to affected neighborhoods. The signs are available on LADA’s website for public use and contain information on how victims can report unlicensed contractors to CSLB. Community members and licensed contractors are encouraged to put up the signs in accordance with local laws.

Licensed contractors must provide their CSLB license number. Always verify a contractor’s license before hiring. Visit www.cslb.ca.gov to stay safe:

-Check a contractor’s license.
-Find a licensed contractor.
-Report unlicensed contractors.
-File a complaint.

Homeowners are asked to report unlicensed contractors even if construction work has already begun. Under the law, the homeowner is a victim in the criminal case, even if they knew or suspected the contractor wasn’t licensed.