The Grimy Times has learned that two South Salt Lake residents have admitted to committing odometer fraud, swindling unsuspecting car buyers in the Salt Lake Valley.
Porter R. Hamblin, 20, and his co-defendant Austin Weilacher, 21, both pleaded guilty to three counts of false odometer statements. The scheme, which took place from May 2023 to July 2023, involved purchasing high-mileage vehicles and then advertising them for sale on local websites, including KSL.com.
According to court documents and statements made at the change of plea hearings, Hamblin and Weilacher would often list the vehicles with different Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) and/or lower mileage to deceive potential buyers. The duo would then sell the vehicles at inflated prices to consumers in the Salt Lake Valley.
As a result of the scheme, buyers of used vehicles were forced to pay more for the vehicles than they would have if they had known the correct mileage readings. Hamblin and Weilacher’s goal was to receive inflated prices for the vehicles and use the cash from the fraudulent sales to purchase other vehicles or high-end vehicles for themselves.
The case is being investigated jointly by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake (UPD). United States Attorney Trina A. Higgins of the District of Utah made the announcement.
Assistant United States Attorney Stewart M. Young of the District of Utah is prosecuting the case. Hamblin is scheduled to be sentenced on August 16, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom 8.1, while Weilacher is set to be sentenced on August 29, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. in the same courtroom at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.
The Grimy Times has obtained a copy of the indictment, which details the scheme and the charges against Hamblin and Weilacher. The indictment alleges that the duo’s actions caused buyers of used vehicles to pay more for the vehicles than they would have if they had known the correct mileage readings.
It’s unclear at this time how much money was lost as a result of the scheme, but investigators believe that the duo’s actions caused significant financial harm to unsuspecting car buyers in the Salt Lake Valley.
Related Federal Cases
Key Facts
- State: Utah
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
