A Fort Worth couple who took nearly $5 million from customers for custom home projects that went unfinished have pleaded guilty to a wire fraud conspiracy targeting dozens of victims across North Texas.
Christopher Judge pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, facing up to 20 years in federal prison. His wife, Raquelle Judge, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum of five years behind bars.
U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced the pleas. Court records show that, as managing members of Judge DFW LLC, the pair defrauded more than 40 people in six counties through at least 24 construction projects from August 2020 to January 2023.
The Judges falsely portrayed Christopher as an architect and lured clients with low bids for architecture, building, remodeling, and interior services. They signed contracts, began work, and collected installment payments, but failed to complete jobs, often stranding victims without livable homes.
Funds from victims were mixed in the company’s main account and diverted to unrelated projects, leading to losses of about $4.8 million.
In addition to prison time, the couple could face fines, restitution, and supervised release.
U.S. District Judge Terry R. Means is set to sentence Raquelle Judge on April 14 and Christopher Judge on May 12.
The FBI’s Fort Worth office and Euless Police Department led the probe, with help from the U.S. Secret Service Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark McDonald and Laura Montes handled the prosecution.
