Awarded a judgement on a contractor. Now what?

[Vincent Plant]

I paid a roofer who was recommended to me half ($3,500) up front to replace a roof on a property im brrrring. Next day, he cashed the check and never did the job. Ive gone down every road trying to get the money back and here we are 2 months later and still no roof and no money. The guy has been promising up and down that he will have it soon.

I filed a civil complaint and today was awarded a judgement against him. When I spoke with the courthouse clerk over the phone she said the judgement will go against his credit but that’s really all I can do since he lives in another state (I live close to the border).

This can’t be right???? The guy STOLE my money, is walking around free, AND there’s nothing I can do about it??

Anyone know of another way? I can’t accept the idea of “cut your losses and move on.”