From Charles Myrick/Mountain Advocate -
A Knox County businessman was arrested on March 27th after he was wanted across multiple counties and two states on charges of theft after customers alleged he stole thousands of dollars from them.
Alvin Hubbard, of Gray, owner of Hubbard’s Cabins, based in Bell County and with a location in Barbourville at the intersection of KY 3439 and US 25E, was arrested on March 27, 2024 on warrants from Bell County, Ky. and Carter County, Tenn.
The Bell County warrant stems from a transaction between Hubbard and William and Christine D. Lucas, who issued a check to Hubbard’s Cabins in the amount of $32,492.01 for a deposit on a cabin. The warrant alleges that Hubbard never built the cabin or returned any of their money.
The Bell County warrant is on a charge of Theft by Failure to Make Required Disposition of Property $10,000 or More and was ordered by Bell District Court to have a cash bond of $32,000. The warrant was issued on January 31, 2024.
The Carter County, Tenn. warrant alleges that Hubbard committed the offense of Theft of Property ($10,000 to $59,999) following an order he took for a 24x36 doublewide cabin shell from Madison Ray in February 2023. Ray paid Hubbard $18,000 for the residence and was advised by Hubbard that it would take a couple of weeks and would be delivered.
After months of not being able to contact Hubbard, Ray stated she made contact on July 26, 2023, and Hubbard advised he needed an additional $12,000 and would deliver the building the following day, to which Ray advised Hubbard that she had the receipt and the price was already agreed to. According to the warrant, Hubbard ceased communications with Ray at that point.
Hubbard was arrested on March 27, 2024 as a fugitive – no warrant required – stemming from the Carter County, Tenn. charges and faced a $10,000 bond and extradition.
Hubbard also faces three charges of Failure to Appear with no bond allowed, per information obtained from the Knox County Detention Center.
Hubbard’s Barbourville location was up for bankruptcy auction in February 2024 by Ford Bros. Auctioneers. Sixteen buildings were auctioned off online. The same bidder purchased 11 of the buildings for a total bid of $115,725, according to the auction website.
In October 2023, Hubbard’s Cabins’ Facebook page was renamed to Next Level Cabins. The final post read, “Now taking orders for your Dreamy Custom Cabins or Dream Homes!! Text and get your custom quote and details set forth and let us help you take that final step to your decision on finally getting that beautiful cabin you have always wanted! On site builds available!!”
As of this publication, Hubbard is still housed at the Knox County Detention Center.