John Bragg II, Wire Fraud, Tennessee 2024

John Bragg, II, a 47-year-old man formerly of West Virginia, was sentenced to six years in prison for his role in a complex wire fraud scheme. On July 24, 2024, the Honorable Curtis L. Collier, United States District Judge, handed down the sentence in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

According to court documents, Bragg owned a business called ‘JB Bugs Trick Truck N Rod’ which specialized in the restoration and sale of classic and rare Volkswagen vehicles. He operated the business in various locations, including Tennessee and Indiana, and presented himself as a Volkswagen restoration expert to his victims.

Bragg’s scheme involved defrauding his victims, including by selling a vintage 23-window Volkswagen Microbus to investors despite knowing the vehicle was owned by another person. He was never entitled to sell the vehicle, but he used his presence in online Volkswagen communities and at automobile conventions to gain the trust of his victims.

As part of his plea agreement, Bragg agreed to plead guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §1343. He was also ordered to pay a money judgment of $79,500 and over $300,000 in restitution to his victims. Following his release from prison, Bragg will be placed on supervised release for three years.

The investigation into Bragg’s activities was led by the United States Secret Service in conjunction with state and local law enforcement partners in Indiana and Tennessee. U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III of the Eastern District of Tennessee made the announcement.

Assistant United States Attorney Kyle J. Wilson represented the United States in the case. The indictment against Bragg was the result of a thorough investigation which shed light on his complex and deceptive scheme.

Bragg’s sentence is a stark reminder of the consequences of committing white-collar crimes. His victims will receive some measure of justice with the restitution ordered in the case.

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