OP, go to your courthouse, file in small claims...it costs a few hundred to file. Kevin, isn't going to show up, show the judge your texts, police reports, and image of the cashed check. It will take 5 min to get a default judgement. Then step 2 is to enforce the judgement. This will cost a few hundred more, but then you can garnish his wages (if he has a job), put a lein on his house (if he owns one). You will receive most of your money back less the costs to file your claim. And you never have to deal with his BS while you are setting up these remedies for payback.

I've always told the punch line as "the location of the dirt bag" Funny either way.

Lawyers can't be trusted, but you sent $$$ to a stranger? Hmmm