Charles City man jailed for eBay fraud
Published August 23rd, 2006
David James Martin, 27, of Charles City, was sentenced Tuesday to a year in federal prison for using eBay to defraud computer purchasers of more than $50,000.
Martin pleaded guilty Feb. 1 to one count each of mail fraud and wire fraud.
He admitted using eBay, the online auction site, to fraudulently represent that he would sell computers or other electronic equipment when he never intended to do so, according to information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Cedar Rapids.
Instead, Martin required payment in advance for the items and kept the payments without providing the merchandise. He admitted his scheme involved 15 victims and more than $50,000.
Martin was ordered to make $43,035 in restitution to his victims. He also must serve three years of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ian K. Thornhill and investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
