Two South Salt Lake residents have been handed down sentences after admitting to a scheme that preyed on unsuspecting car buyers. Austin K. Weilacher, 22, and Porter R. Hamblin, 20, were involved in an odometer fraud racket that affected numerous victims in Utah. Weilacher's sentence, decided by U.S. District Court Judge David B. Barlow, includes time served, one year of supervised release, and court-ordered restitution. Hamblin received a similar sentence earlier on August 16. The details emerged after the pair pleaded guilty earlier in June, as reported by the U.S. Department of Justice.
The fraudulent operation spanned between May and July of 2023. Weilacher and Hamblin admitted to buying old model vehicles, manipulating their appearance, breaking or disguising the odometers, and creating counterfeit Carfax reports. These maneuverings allowed them to sell the vehicles at inflated prices to buyers who were searching for deals on KSL.com. The defendants reinvested the ill-gotten gains into their operation or splurged on luxury vehicles, such as a McLaren sports car that was later destroyed in an accident. "We urge the public to exercise caution. If a deal seems too good to be true, it likely is," said Chief Jason Mazuran, as per the U.S. Department of Justice, urging buyers to check VIN numbers themselves and obtain independent vehicle reports.
Condemnation of the fraudulent activities was widespread among law enforcement. "Mr. Weilacher and Mr. Hamblin created financial hardships for victims trying to purchase reliable vehicles," stated U.S. Attorney Trina A. Higgins, as obtained by the U.S. Department of Justice. Her sentiments were echoed by HSI Las Vegas Special Agent in Charge Chris Miller, who emphasized the risk to community safety and the negative impact on legitimate commerce posed by such fraud. There's a strong message here: Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and local police will not be lenient on those indulging in deceitful acts.
