Local Photographer Arrested on Grand Theft Charges

Prosecutors have charged 66-year-old Alan Brent Carruth, a Westlake Village wedding photographer, on eight charges of misdemeanor grand theft for scamming eight newly married couples.

Although authorities had multiple addresses for Carruth—including ones in Calabasas, Westlake Village and Thousand Oaks—his last known address was Westlake Village.

Carruth, a disbarred attorney, is accused of not distributing to the newlyweds the wedding photos for which they had paid thousands of dollars. Prosecutors have received at least 100 complaints from other couples against the photographer, who operates under the name Alan Brent Photography.

Los Angeles Deputy City Attorney Onica Cole said she expects Carruth will face additional charges due to the volume of other complaints received—some of which come from Ventura County residents.

Los Angeles County’s Department of Consumer Affairs found that couples paid anywhere from $1500 to $6500 for wedding photos he failed to deliver, which some of those couples marrying as far back as November 2003.

Carruth surrendered two days after a $100,000 warrant for his arrest was issued following his failure to appear for his arraignment in February. Later released on his own recognizance, terms of his release prohibit the photographer from collecting more than a 10 percent deposit from new customers or collecting the balance for his services until he delivers photos to them.