Attorney General's News Release

April 2, 2004

Republic man arrested, charged with fraudulent sale of car over Internet to soldier deployed in Kuwait

Republic, Mo. — Charges filed by Attorney General Jay Nixon led to the arrest Thursday (4/1/04) of a Republic man accused of Internet fraud. Jamie Dale Thompson (DOB - 5/18/71) is charged with a class D felony of unlawful merchandising practices for allegedly taking money for a car he advertised on the Internet and then failing to deliver the car.

According to the charges, in June 2003 Thompson advertised a 1991 Chevrolet Caprice for sale on the Internet auction site eBay. A soldier from Junction City, Kan., was on duty in Kuwait when he saw the ad on the Internet and bid on the car. He submitted the winning bid of $3,500.

The man's wife, who lives in Junction City, then wired the money to Thompson's checking account. The charges allege the wife was unsuccessful in repeated attempts to contact Thompson and never received the car. Nixon charges Thompson willfully and knowingly engaged in misrepresentation with the intent to defraud.

Thompson is currently free on $5,000 bond. Under Missouri law, a class D felony is punishable by up to four years in prison and a $5,000 fine. The charges against Thompson are merely accusations, and as in all criminal cases, the defendant is presumed innocent until or unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818