Landes Lands 30 Months for Ticket Scam & Parole Violation

ST. LOUIS, MO – Darrin Landes, a resident of Ballwin, Missouri, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced to 30 months behind bars for a brazen wire fraud scheme and a violation of his existing supervised release. Landes preyed on eager sports and entertainment fans, taking their money for tickets he never intended to deliver.

According to court documents unsealed today, Landes’ fraudulent activity spanned from September 2015 to July 2016. He advertised tickets to high-demand events, including the 2016 Kentucky Derby, the prestigious Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Georgia, and home games for the St. Louis Cardinals. He even falsely offered accommodations at hotels, resorts, and private homes to lure in victims. The core of the scam? Landes often didn’t *have* the tickets he was selling, and when he did, he’d attempt to double-dip, selling the same seat to multiple buyers.

The transactions weren’t conducted in shadowy back alleys, but through seemingly normal channels. Landes engaged with prospective buyers via face-to-face meetings, emails, texts, and phone calls, agreeing on prices and promising delivery upon payment. Victims wired funds to Landes’ PayPal account, accounts belonging to his purported business associates, or handed over cash directly. Once the money was in Landes’ possession, the tickets never materialized. When confronted, Landes offered flimsy excuses and delayed tactics, stringing victims along while pocketing their money.

Landes pled guilty last September to one felony count of wire fraud. Today, he appeared before United States District Judge Rodney Sippel to receive his sentence. But the 30-month term wasn’t the only punishment handed down. The Court also revoked Landes’ supervised release stemming from a prior wire fraud conviction in 2014 – meaning his previous criminal history directly contributed to his current predicament. This wasn’t a first-time offense; it was a pattern of deceit.

Federal investigators from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, alongside the Kirkwood Police Department, built the case against Landes, meticulously documenting the victims and tracing the fraudulent transactions. Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Franks skillfully prosecuted the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, securing the conviction and ensuring Landes faced consequences for his actions. The investigation highlights the ongoing commitment of federal agencies to pursue those who exploit trust for personal gain.

This case serves as a stark warning to anyone considering engaging in similar schemes. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on other instances of fraud and financial crime impacting communities across the nation. The public is encouraged to report suspected fraud to the FBI or their local law enforcement agencies.