Business Owner Accused Of Defrauding Johnston County Couple

SMITHFIELD – The owner of a home repair company has been arrested on fraud charges. Anthony Tyrone Smoot, the owner and operator of Smooth RSR, also known as Smooth Roofing Solar & Renovation LLC, of Pikeville, NC was arrested May 15.

Smoot is charged with felony obtaining property by false pretense and misdemeanor failure to work after being paid.

Smithfield Police allege Smoot was paid $23,112 in advance to make repairs to a South Smithfield home but failed to complete the work according to a contract.

Johnston County Report spoke with the victim, who wished not to be identified. The victim said their ordeal began in August 2024 when a thunderstorm brought down an old tree on their home, causing damage to the roof, exterior of the home, and a fence.

A neighbor recommended they speak with Smooth RSR due to them knowing an employee at the company.

They were told Smoot was a former Marine and the Smithfield couple liked the idea of doing business with a Veteran-owned business.

Shortly after paying in advance for the repairs, a subcontractor arrived and removed the tree from the house but not the tree stump as originally promised. The homeowner contacted Smooth RSR several times asking when they would return to remove the stump and began making repairs to their home. “We were always told there were one or two jobs ahead of us but they would call back, but they never did.”

The victim said they are out the $23,112 given to Smoot’s business, but also an additional $30,000 they had to pay other businesses to perform the repairs after Smooth RSR didn’t return.

“All we want is to get our money back,” the Smithfield homeowner said in a phone interview. “I very seriously doubt we will ever get it.”

We asked what the homeowner would tell others about Anthony Smoot and Smooth RSR of Pikeville. “Don’t mess with this dude. He is a bad dude Everything I’ve heard about this company is bad. He just gets the money but never shows up with the materials. I would say don’t mess with them.”

“Two or three years ago he got good reviews. But now, I don’t know what happened. I could not recommend him. The first thing he will do is get the money and not work. And everybody I talked with said I was crazy for giving them the money up front, but they told us they needed the money up front to buy the materials.”

Adding insult to injury is what one of Smoot’s employees reportedly told the Smithfield couple while inspecting the storm damage last August. “They gave us a hug and said ‘Don’t worry about it. We’ll take care of all of it.’”

Anthony Smoot of Paul Michael Circle, Pikeville has several judgments and liens against both himself individually and his company, according to online public court documents.

Smoot was served with the Smithfield Police arrest warrants on May 19 in Wayne County. He was released on a $5,000 unsecured bond at the Wayne County Detention Center.

Smithfield Police suspect there could be other victims of Anthony Smoot and Smooth Roofing Solar & Renovation (RSR). If you are a victim of a similar home repair scam contact Smithfield Police Detective Lt. Chris Blinson at 919-934-2121. If the scam occurred outside the Smithfield city limits, notify your nearest law enforcement agency.