Texas Couple Who ‘Pitched Themselves as Chip and Joanna Gaines’ Plead Guilty to $5 Million Home Building Scheme

A Fort Worth couple accused by federal prosecutors of defrauding homeowners out of nearly $5 million by promising custom homes and renovations they never completed has pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy charges.

Christopher Judge and his wife, Raquelle Judge, admitted in federal court that between August 2020 and January 2023 they conspired to deceive customers through their company, Judge DFW LLC, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas.

Prosecutors said the couple collected millions of dollars in installment payments for architectural, construction and interior design services—often luring clients with below-market bids—before abandoning projects. In several cases, families were left without safe or livable homes.

Federal authorities said the pair routinely began construction, accepted multiple payments, and then failed to finish the work, leaving victims with incomplete residences.

Court documents state that more than 40 victims across six North Texas counties were affected, spanning at least 24 projects, with total losses of approximately $4.8 million. One couple alone paid nearly $364,000.

As part of the scheme, prosecutors said Christopher falsely claimed to be a licensed architect. Investigators also alleged the couple pooled client funds into a single operating account and used money from one project to pay for unrelated work.

On Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, Christopher pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, a charge that carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. Raquelle pleaded guilty on Dec. 17 to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and faces up to five years behind bars. Both also face restitution, fines and supervised release.

Raquelle is scheduled to be sentenced on April 14, 2026, while Christopher is set to be sentenced on May 12, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Terry R. Means.

For many homeowners, the guilty pleas brought a measure of closure after years of financial and emotional distress.

Kristin Newman told WFAA that she hired the Judges to build what she believed would be her dream home after paying off her law school loans. “I was planning on kind of growing into this house,” she said.

Newman said Raquelle handled most of the communication, while Christopher was introduced as “the architect and builder.”

Lane Simmons and his wife, Kalie Simmons, described a similar experience after hiring the couple to remodel their family home in Euless. “They really pitched themselves as this Chip and Joanna Gaines type of vibe,” Lane told WFAA.

Early progress on both homes appeared promising. “It started out great,” Newman said. “I had no problems.”

Chelle Bish, Kalie’s mother, told NBC-DFW that the crew initially made a strong impression. “They came in with a full crew. They had it stripped down to the studs that first day,” she said.

That momentum quickly faded. Kalie said delays began within the first couple of months, along with concerns about workmanship. Newman told WFAA that construction stalled, materials she had paid for never arrived, and refund requests were denied. She said Christopher eventually stopped responding altogether. “He just walked off,” she said. “Never came back.”

Federal court records describe these actions as part of a broader pattern, alleging the couple collected installment payments, performed substandard work, failed to pay subcontractors and ultimately abandoned projects. When homeowners questioned delays, prosecutors said Christopher offered excuses by phone and text, assuring them that continued payments would keep work moving.

Instead, authorities allege the Judges spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on personal expenses, including mortgage payments, online purchases and cosmetic procedures.

Independent inspectors later found serious issues at multiple properties. At the Simmons home, inspectors cited numerous code violations, including unsafe framing. Decks and an interior stairwell had to be torn out and rebuilt. “Everything that they did is wrong,” Lane said he was told.

Newman said she spent an additional $200,000—on top of what she had already paid the Judges—to complete and repair her home, according to NBC-DFW. She later sold the house and moved in with her parents.

Another victim, Jeremy Congleton, told NBC-DFW that he was forced to file for bankruptcy after the Judges abandoned his project. His family of four lived in an RV for 18 months while he finished the construction himself. He estimated his losses at about $250,000.

While many victims believe most of their money is gone for good, those who spoke publicly said they were relieved the couple will no longer be able to take on new clients.

Lane said he hopes their experience serves as a warning to others, urging homeowners to be cautious of bids that seem too good to be true. “If somebody’s cheap,” he said, “it’s probably for a reason.”