SANDPOINT — A Sagle contractor is facing a felony theft charge for drawing on a construction loan for work that was never completed.

Nathanial David Story of Story Homes is charged with grand theft. A preliminary hearing to determine if there is sufficient evidence to justify a jury trial in 1st District Court is set for Dec. 2.

A man living in Hawaii told Bonner County sheriff's investigators that Story Homes was contracted to build a home near Edgemere in 2016. Story requested in 2018 a $21,121 draw from a construction loan at a bank to pay for utility fees, excavation, laminate flooring and carpeting, according to a probable cause affidavit.

The owner of the home approved of the draw, but progress on the home's construction slowed and Story became difficult to reach and he stopped showing up to complete the work, the affidavit said. Story sent the homeowner an apologetic email in August explaining that he was in dire financial states, but the affidavit did not specify what the cause of the economic strife was.

Story, 37, told a deputy he pulled funding from the flooring line item to cover overages in the excavation line item, a financial shift Story said the homeowner was advised of. The homeowner said the statement was "absolutely untrue," the affidavit said.

Story allegedly stated in a text message that he had the laminate flooring in his possession, although the assertion was contradicted by the flooring supplier, who said the flooring order was still waiting to be picked up and had not been paid for, according to the affidavit.

Story also told investigators that he had evidence showing how money was being moved around, but never produced it, the affidavit alleges. The investigator later received a letter from Story's attorney directing him not to have any further contact with his client.

A $50,000 warrant for Story's arrest was issued on Nov. 6 and it was served in Nez Perce County, court records show. Story subsequently posted a $50,000 surety bond to secure his release while the case is pending.

Civil court records indicate a Sandpoint sand and gravel company obtained a $4,989 default judgment against Story homes for an unpaid bill.

Story Homes, a limited-liability corporation, is registered as a contracting entity, but its status is listed as "not current," according to the Idaho Division of Occupational & Professional Licenses. There is no record of disciplinary actions against Story Homes.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com or followed on Twitter @KeithDailyBee