U. S. Attorney Sayler A. Fleming | U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig sentenced Ronald Johnson, 57, of St. Peters, to 33 months in prison for engaging in multiple vehicle-related frauds. Johnson pleaded guilty to one felony count of wire fraud and admitted owning a car restoration business called Full Out Customs LLC.
Johnson used social media platforms, including Facebook, to advertise vehicles for sale and offer vehicle repair services. In 2022, he deceived a victim from Pennsylvania into paying $41,750 for a 2002 Ford Excursion that had already been sold to another victim in South Dakota for $45,000. This resulted in the Pennsylvania buyer receiving the SUV without being able to lawfully register it due to the title being given to the South Dakota buyer.
Additionally, between November 18, 2021, and January 31, 2022, Johnson extracted $149,843 from another victim under false pretenses that the funds would be used for vehicle repairs and parts. During September through December of 2021, he ordered welding equipment worth $47,088 with no intention of payment and attempted payment with a check from a closed bank account. Some equipment was recovered by the victim company.
Johnson admitted to falsifying car titles and documents to misrepresent repair work status and vehicle ownership. Judge Fleissig determined that Johnson intended financial losses totaling $315,142 and ordered him to repay his victims.
The case was investigated by the St. Charles Police Department with Assistant U.S. Attorney Gwen Carroll prosecuting.
