US v. Francis Marimo

Most recent update: 1/10/14

1/10/14: Defendant in Odometer Tampering Scheme Sentenced to 18 Months’ Imprisonment

United States v. Francis Marimo [E.D.N.C.]. Francis Marimo, of Raleigh, N.C., was sentenced on December 20 in connection with an odometer tampering scheme to 18 months’ imprisonment and one year of supervised release.

Marimo also was ordered to pay $190,845 in restitution. Marimo pled guilty in June 2013 to an Information alleging two counts of odometer tampering relating to vehicles he fraudulently sold between 2008 and 2012.

Marimo purchased used vehicles primarily through online advertisements, replaced the existing odometers with odometers showing lower mileages, and then sold the vehicles to consumers while representing the low mileages as accurate.

Marimo is originally from Zimbabwe, and he will be subject to possible deportation following his term of imprisonment.

12/18/13: The scheduled time of the sentencing hearing in this case is now 1:30pm. The date of the sentencing, December 20, 2013, remains the same. The hearing will be held at the federal courthouse in New Bern, NC, before Judge Louise Wood Flanagan.

8/30/13: On August 26, 2013, upon a motion by the defendant, the court continued sentencing in this case to December 20, 2013, at 9:30 am. The hearing will be held at the federal courthouse in New Bern, North Carolina.

6/18/13: On June 13, 2013, Francis Marimo pled guilty to an Information charging two counts of odometer tampering. In pleading guilty, Marimo agreed that his fraudulent sales of rolled-back vehicles caused more than $120,000 of loss to consumers. The court set a sentencing hearing for Sept. 5, 2013, at the federal courthouse in New Bern, North Carolina.

4/18/13: On April 11, 2013, the United States filed a criminal Information charging Francis Marimo, of Raleigh, N.C., with two counts of odometer tampering. The Information alleges that from 2008 through 2012, Marimo fraudulently caused odometers in used motor vehicles to be altered to reflect false, low mileages. According to the Information, Marimo purchased used vehicles primarily through online advertisements, replaced the existing odometers with odometers showing lower mileages, and then sold the vehicles to consumers while representing the low mileages as accurate.

Charges in an Information are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. For more information, see the press release issued April 12, 2013.

On April 17, 2013, the Court set a Plea Hearing in this matter for the June term of Court before Magistrate Judge Robert Jones in New Bern, N.C. A specific date for the hearing has not yet been scheduled.

If you believe you are a victim of this offense and require additional information, please contact NHTSA Special Agent Scott Leeds at (404) 562-5805.