Rojen Burnett, Odometer Tampering, Georgia 2024

Two Atlanta, Georgia, residents were arrested this week by a team of federal and Georgia state agents in a brazen odometer tampering scheme that left unsuspecting consumers paying top dollar for vehicles with rolled back odometers. Rojen Burnett, 33, and Amber McLaughlin, 32, were charged in a 25-count indictment with securities fraud, making false odometer statements, and conspiracy to commit these offenses.

According to the indictment, Burnett owned and operated Lifestyle Auto Broker LLC, a Georgia corporation that bought and sold used motor vehicles. McLaughlin, a customer service specialist at the Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) of the Georgia Department of Revenue, allegedly provided Burnett with newly issued, clean Georgia titles reflecting false, lower mileages.

As part of the scheme, the indictment charges that Burnett purchased high-mileage, used motor vehicles from auctions in Maryland and Virginia. Burnett then caused the odometers in these vehicles to be altered to reflect false, lower mileage, according to the charges. The indictment also alleges that Burnett caused the existing titles associated with these vehicles to be altered to reflect the false, lower mileages.

The indictment alleges that Burnett subsequently sold the motor vehicles to other dealers through an auto auction. The scheme, which began as early as February 2012 and continued through at least May 2013, resulted in consumers paying more for the vehicles than they would have paid if they had known the vehicles’ actual miles.

“Individuals who buy and sell used vehicles cannot alter odometers and the associated paperwork to increase their value,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Benjamin J. Mizer. “Consumers who purchase used vehicles need accurate mileage information to assess the value and safety of a potential vehicle purchase. We take seriously our obligation to prosecute those who violate these statutes and prey upon unsuspecting consumers.”

If convicted, each defendant faces up to 10 years in prison on the most serious of the charges. This case was investigated by the Auto Crimes Title Fraud Unit of the Georgia Department of Revenue and the U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

These charges are only allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The public is urged to be aware of the warning signs of odometer tampering and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

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