Western US man accused of faking his disappearance pleads guilty to wire fraud and agrees to forfeit at least $1.5 million he obtained illegally

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) – A West University Place construction contractor accused of faking his disappearance last year has pleaded guilty to wire fraud, federal officials announced Friday.

The above video is from an earlier report.

Brett Detamore, 39, was charged with wire fraud earlier this month. The FBI in Houston said he “fraudulently obtained at least $1.5 million for his personal use by misusing funds intended for the construction of private residences.”

As part of his guilty plea, Detamore agreed to forfeit at least $1.5 million that he had illegally acquired.

Detamore, who worked as a home builder, was the focus of a large-scale search involving several volunteers and law enforcement after his wife reported him missing in June 2023.

PREVIOUS STORY: West U man accused of faked disappearance must post $50,000 bail on wire fraud charge, court documents say

The search continued for several days as the situation evolved. Police found his $100,000 truck set on fire in Bear Creek Park. Days later, he was found at a bus stop in San Antonio, looking “disheveled and distraught.”

As investigators later discovered, the day before his disappearance, Detamore made false statements that furthered a plot. He is said to have submitted fake invoices to banks that held construction loans for the single-family homes he was allowed to build.

Detamore faces up to 20 years in prison, a possible fine of up to $250,000, and full compensation to the injured homeowners.

His verdict is scheduled to be announced on November 5, 2024.

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Investigation continues after West U's father found 'disheveled' but unharmed in San Antonio, officials say