NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A 43-year-old Georgia contractor has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $500,000 from 17 New Orleans residents trying to rebuild their homes after Hurricane Katrina.

Terry M. Ferguson pleaded Wednesday to 16 counts of theft above $500 and one count of misappropriation of contractor pay in state court. His hometown was not released.

NOLA.com reports that Ferguson gave the court his most recent address as Fawn View Drive in Kingston, Ga.

Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro Jr. says Ferguson entered into contracts with the homeowners between February 2006 and April 2007. However, after executing those contracts Cannizzaro says Ferguson provided minimal or no work, abandoned projects after getting paid and failed to compensate vendors for building materials.

Ferguson, who continued to work throughout the Gulf Coast up until his plea, is being held in the parish jail as a flight risk. He faces up to 10 years in jail and a $3,000 fine for each theft charge and up to six months behind bars and a $500 fine on the misappropriation charge. Sentencing is set for Aug. 11.