Ohio Man Sentenced to More than Seven Years in Federal Prison for Wire Fraud

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Ricky V. McLaughlin, 63, of Belpre, Ohio was sentenced to 87 months in prison for wire fraud. He was also ordered to pay over $700,000 in restitution.

According to court documents, McLaughlin operated the McLaughlin Motor Car Museum located in Parkersburg. For more than four years, McLaughlin stole money and defrauded 17 customers of more than $1 million through a wire fraud scheme. McLaughlin sold collector cars, including various Pontiac Trans Am classic cars to individuals. Also, some customers sold their collector cars to McLaughlin for restoration and other customers bought collector cars from McLaughlin and the Motor Car Museum and then ask him to resell these collector cars at a later date on consignment. During his fraud scheme, McLaughlin would sometimes sell individuals Pontiac Trans Am classic cars but refused to provide the customers with either the titles to the vehicles or the vehicles themselves. At times, McLaughlin would sell the same Pontiac Trans Am to multiple customers, while at other times, McLaughlin would sell the Pontiac Trans Am cars on consignment but refused to send the sale proceeds of the collector cars to the car owners.

Acting United States Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Parkersburg Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Kathleen Robeson is handling the prosecution.

United States District Court Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:20-cr-00182.

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