LAPLACE — The LaPlace victim count has reached eight, according to authorities who have linked a Baton Rouge contractor to widespread home repair fraud in the aftermath of a devastating St. John the Baptist Parish tornado that tore through the region more than two years ago.

The St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office booked 41-year-old Matthew Morris on July 18 with home improvement fraud (felony); insurance fraud (felony) and contractors misapplication of payments prohibited.

He has since been transferred to the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office prison for pre-trial housing, with the St. John Sheriff’s Office holding a detainer for future proceedings.

Morris, the owner of Complete Construction Contractors LLC of Baton Rouge, is charged with alleged fraud via home renovation contracts following the February 2016 tornado. He was originally linked to two local victims, a case that has expanded since.

Morris’ alleged crimes have caught the attention of law enforcement agencies across South Louisiana, as he is charged with crimes in Ascension, East Baton Rouge and Livingston parishes, primarily involving victims of the August 2016 flood in those communities.

Morris was first arrested locally Aug. 1, 2017.