Montgomery County Man Arrested for Wedding Venue Fraud, Over $200K in Losses Reported

On Thursday, August 14, 2025, Carl John Butcho II was arrested by Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office detectives, in coordination with the Austin Police Department, on charges of Theft of Property valued between $150,000 and $300,000, a second-degree felony.

Butcho is accused of using the alias “Lance Miller” to operate the Charleston Lane Wedding Venue in Willis, TX, and defrauding clients. Investigators say twelve victims paid for weddings that never occurred, totaling $202,424.90 in losses. Five additional clients who held weddings at the venue reported not receiving promised refunds, adding $11,450 in losses.

Butcho was booked into the Travis County Jail with a $100,000 bond. Conditions of release include no contact with victims, GPS monitoring, surrender of his passport, and a ban on participating in wedding or event planning businesses. He also faces additional charges in Travis County, including False Statement to Obtain Property or Credit and Fraudulent Securing of Document Execution.

Sheriff Wesley Doolittle praised the investigation, saying, “This arrest is a testament to the dedication of our investigators and the cooperation between agencies. These victims placed their trust in someone who exploited their special day for personal gain, and we are committed to ensuring that justice is served.”

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with additional information or who believes they may have been affected to call 936-538-8393 and reference case number 25A151828.