NHTSA/Odometer Fraud (CLOSED) - Fugitive Status
Most Recent Update 6/03 (See end of document)
United States v. Ron Schichtman, Crim. No. 00-294-A (E.D. Virginia)
8/1/01 Update:
The Consumer Protection Branch of the United States Department
of Justice, working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, has conducted an investigation
in the Maryland and Virginia areas involving the sale of used motor
vehicles with altered odometers. Criminal charges were filed against
Ron Schichtman and others as a result of the investigation in Federal
District Court in Alexandria, Virginia. On November 16, 2000, the indictment
charging the defendants was unsealed and made public. Unfortunately,
Mr. Schichtman has not yet been apprehended and is believed to have
fled the country. Anyone with information on Mr. Schichtman's whereabouts
is asked to notify their local FBI office. Please reference the case
name and number listed above when providing any information.
Our investigation revealed that, from approximately 1994 to 1996, Ron
Schichtman purchased vehicles from the Harrisonburg Auto Auction and
the Belair Auto Auction, rolled back the odometers on the vehicles,
and then re-sold the vehicles within a few weeks or months after having
purchased them.
The government is in the process of mailing letters to all identifiable
victims of the offenses committed by Ron Schichtman, to notify them
of the status of this prosecution and to begin to collect information
which could be used in a possible restitution award in this case. Those
letters include the government's notification
letter, the auction invoice (the "high mileage"), and three additional
enclosures ("Frequently Asked Questions," "Consumer
Declaration" with a postage-paid return envelope, and "Odometer
Fraud – Civil Remedies for Victims"). On-line versions of these
documents may be accessed by clicking on the words above.
Please fill out the Consumer Declaration and return it to the Consumer Protection Branch in the self-addressed postage-paid envelope as
soon as possible. Due to the large number of victims, please do not
call the contact person listed unless it is absolutely necessary.
9/24/01 Update:
No change in status.
12/01 Update:
Mailing process still ongoing. Mail receipt of completed declarations
may have been disrupted by problems associated with anthrax in the mails.
Any additional updates will be posted on this website.
3/02 Update:
No change in status.
6/02 Update:
No change in status.
10/02 Update:
No change in status.
12/02 Update:
No change in status.
6/03 Update:
No change in status.
