South Salt Lake Residents Sentenced for Odometer Fraud
Two South Salt Lake residents, Austin K. Weilacher, 22, and Porter R. Hamblin, 20, have been sentenced for their roles in an odometer fraud scheme.
The scheme involved the duo purchasing older model vehicles, cleaning them up, and then breaking, disabling or covering the odometers. They would then generate fake Carfax reports and sell the vehicles to unsuspecting Utah customers.
Weilacher and Hamblin admitted to defrauding numerous victims in Utah who purchased vehicles on KSL.com between May 2023 and July 2023. The defendants would inflate the price of the vehicles and use the money to purchase more vehicles to sell to more victims or purchase high-end vehicles for themselves.
With money made from their scheme, Weilacher and Hamblin purchased a McLaren sports car, which was subsequently destroyed, and Hamblin was set to receive $150,000 in insurance proceeds for the crash of his vehicle.
Weilacher was sentenced to time served, one year of supervised release, and ordered by the court to pay restitution. His codefendant, Porter R. Hamblin, received a similar sentence on August 16, 2024.
“Mr. Weilacher and Mr. Hamblin created financial hardships for victims trying to purchase reliable vehicles,” said U.S. Attorney Trina A. Higgins of the District of Utah.
The case was investigated jointly by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake (UPD). Assistant United States Attorney Stewart M. Young of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case.
Defendant: Austin K. Weilacher, Porter R. Hamblin
Criminal Charges: Odometer Fraud
City, State: Salt Lake City, Utah
Date: August 2023 – July 2023 (crime date), August 16, 2024 (sentencing)
Sentence: Time served, one year of supervised release, restitution
Dollar Amounts: $150,000
Related Federal Cases
- Wayne LeMar Palmer, Wire Fraud, Utah 2024 · Utah
- Keith Eric Jergensen, Investment Fraud, Utah 2024 · New York
- Ronald Wayne Leavitt, Wire Fraud and Money Laundering, Utah 2024 · California
- Armand J. Croteau, $1.9M IRS Fraud Scheme, FL, 2023 · Alabama
- Adrianne Marta Frazer, Tax Refund Fraud, Phoenix AZ, 2023 · Massachusetts
Key Facts
- State: Utah
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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