Couples who booked weddings at a Lake Conroe venue are now searching for new plans and answers after learning the venue was part of an alleged scam. The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office is investigating multiple cases of theft after someone posed as the owner of Charleston Lane and collected payments for nonexistent reservations.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is currently looking into several allegations of theft by deception associated with a wedding venue in Lake Conroe that has since ceased operations. Authorities have reported that an individual operating under the alias Lance Miller has impersonated the owner of Charleston Lane, allegedly collecting substantial payments from eager brides and grooms for events that ultimately did not take place.
Charleston Lane, situated at 7041 Kingston Cove Lane in Willis, has been marked as permanently closed on Google. The venue, once heralded as a premier luxury lakeside wedding destination capable of accommodating up to 350 guests, now faces serious allegations that cast a shadow over its reputation.
Investigators report that the suspect engaged in soliciting payments through cash, wire transfers, and various other methods from numerous victims under deceptive circumstances. The sheriff's office is calling on individuals who made bookings or had any interactions with the suspect to step forward.
Cyndi Ou, one of the victims, revealed to ABC13 that she was defrauded just days ahead of her long-anticipated wedding this May. “Tears flowed.” “I cried so much,” stated Ou.
She stated, “We dedicated 20 months to planning this day.”
Such occurrences are rare, happening only once in a lifetime. Uncertainty loomed as I faced a decision. It was a deeply emotional moment.
An Instagram account seemingly linked to the venue made its last post on February 3, advertising bookings for “micro weddings” in 2025 and 2026, despite claims that the business had stopped legitimate operations months prior.
The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office has announced that the investigation remains active and is urging any further victims or individuals with pertinent information to reach out to them directly.
