Asheville Man Admits To Defrauding Customers In Log Cabin Kit Scheme

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Jason Nathaniel Speier, 42, of Arden, N.C., pleaded guilty on October 22, 2025, to wire fraud for a scheme to defraud customers who purchased log cabin kits, announced U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson for the Western District of North Carolina.

James C. Barnacle, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, joins U.S. Attorney Ferguson in making today’s announcement.

According to court documents filed in connection with the plea, from 2022 through 2023, Speier was the owner and president of K.I. Enterprises, Inc., doing business as “Kabens,” an unlicensed company that claimed to build log cabin homes in Western North Carolina. Court filings indicate that Speier executed a scheme to defraud customers by falsely representing that his business was capable of building European-sourced log cabin kits into turnkey residences. Contrary to those claims, Speier did not have a legitimate source of supply for the purported log cabin kits.

As Speier admitted in court, he falsely told customers that he had built many cabins for satisfied customers and that he could provide references and favorable reviews. To solicit new clients, Speier developed an extensive online marketing and social media presence, advertising “complete log cabin home packages” at “affordable prices.” His advertisements also falsely promised “fast construction” and “unlimited customization.” To boost sales, Speier built a sales team and directed them to make numerous sales to customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee. He also falsely claimed that customers’ down payments would be used to purchase log cabin kits and complete construction in a timely manner.

According to court filings and facts presented at the plea hearing, Speier continued his fraudulent conduct even after the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors launched an investigation following multiple customer complaints. Despite the investigation, Speier incorporated a new business called “Big Timber Log Homes” and continued soliciting new customers to build turnkey cabins, even though Speier had not successfully completed a single project. Court records indicate that Speier received more than $2.5 million in customer payments and defrauded at least 24 customers during the scheme.

Speier was released on bond following his guilty plea. The maximum penalty for wire fraud is 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine Speier’s sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney Ferguson thanked the FBI, the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office and the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office for their work on this case.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville is prosecuting the case.