Contractor known for scamming elderly in MO and AR avoids court

TANEY COUNTY, Mo. — For more than a decade people have been trying to hold a contractor accused of scamming the Ozarks' elderly accountable through civil lawsuits.

This year criminal charges were filed against Eddie "Brian" Sides, but KOLR10 investigates has just learned he avoided two court appearances this week.

KOLR 10 Investigates is looking into the delays leaving Sides' victims feeling frustrated.

Criminal cases postponed

Sides was set to stand trial by jury on Dec. 18 and 19 in Texas County on charges of stealing and deceptive business practice.

Court documents allege Sides took $49,000 to install a solar energy system and never did the work. He could face 14 years in prison if the jury convicts him.

The Texas County prosecutor said Sides' attorney in the Texas County case claimed a medical emergency, causing the court delay.

Meantime in Taney County Sides is charged with deceptive business practice and financial exploitation of an elder for similar allegations surrounding his business MyPowerGrid LLC.

His arraignment in Taney County has also been moved to Jan. 23, 2025.

Civil cases won

Several people have sued Sides for bad business practices and won. Each accused Sides of taking money for work he never did.

Mark Feltrop won his civil lawsuit against Sides and a judge awarded him nearly $70,000 in damages, but Feltrop says he hasn't been paid. Feltrop was looking forward to testifying against Sides in the Texas county trial this week.

"It's par for the course," said Feltrop. "So many times in the last year we think we've got him and then the court gets postponed or he gets let off and it's just disappointing."

Feltrop keeps in touch with other victims, who expressed similar discontent with the court delays. Others have won civil suits against Sides in Stone County and Baxter County, Ark., though criminal charges have not been filed in those counties.

"With the disappointment with Stone County, the disappointment with Baxter County, we're just hoping the Texas County prosecutor is going to come through for us," Feltrop said.

KOLR 10 Investigates hopes to have a camera in the courtroom for Sides' next court appearances.

If you have a story you'd like Chief Investigative Reporter Lauren Inman to look into, email Investigates@OzarksFirst.com or call 417-295-TIPS.