An investigation into Florida Pole Barn Kits, a Hernando County-based business, has led to the arrest of its owner, Zelora Vernon Hall, 58, on multiple grand theft charges.
On November 13, 2024, Hernando County Sheriff’s Office detectives charged Hall with 12 counts of felony grand theft. He was taken to the Hernando County Detention Center and held on a $27,000 bond.
The investigation began in January 2022 after customers reported paying thousands of dollars in deposits for pole barns that were never constructed. Between December 2021 and November 2022, Hall allegedly collected over $135,000 from 12 clients. In February 2022, Hall filed for the voluntary dissolution of Florida Pole Barn Kits, despite continuing to accept deposits weeks earlier.
Documents reveal that Zelora Vernon Hall, owner of Florida Pole Barn Kits, LLC, filed Articles of Dissolution for the company on February 1, 2022, citing business interruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, rising supply chain costs, and a shortage of workers as reasons for closing.
The filing officially ended the company’s operations. However, investigators allege that Hall continued accepting customer deposits for pole barns in the weeks leading up to the company’s dissolution, despite failing to fulfill contracts.
Prosecution of the 12 cases within the Fifth Judicial District—covering Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion and Sumter Counties—will be handled by the State Attorney’s Office. Additionally, the Florida Attorney General’s Office has assigned the Office of Statewide Prosecution to pursue justice for victims outside this jurisdiction, as dozens more have come forward.
“We know that both our local State Attorney, Bill Gladson, and Florida’s Attorney General, Ashley Moody, are equally passionate about holding lawbreakers accountable,” Sheriff Al Nienhuis. “We, therefore, look forward to working with both the State Attorney’s Office and the Office Statewide Prosecution as this case moves through the court system, in an effort to ensure that justice is obtained for all the victims in this case.”
