Auto Loan Fraud Leads to Jail Time

Michael Kohlmiller was sentenced to six years and three months in a federal prison, as well as eight years of probation for running an illegal auto loan scam against more than 40 people. He was also ordered to pay restitution to those people he hurt for more than $660,000.

Kohlmiller took out fraudulent auto loans with his friends and employees names on them for two years, leaving one person in bankruptcy and the others in irreparable financial troubles. According to Assistant US Attorney Christian Trabold, one of those people he scammed was a priest; the other was in a wheelchair.

Kohlmiller’s friends and family came to the court house to beg for leniency from the judge, but Trabold says that his actions speak louder than their words. Kohlmiller pleaded guilty to the auto loan fraud scam, but his friends and family say he was only trying to save his family. They say that he has done much for the community, and his family needs him.

However, Kohlmiller was found guilty of the auto loan fraud that amounted to more than $831,000. He has to pay the various banks back portions of the auto loans that he took out, totaling the $660,481.26 that he owes in restitution. He has already compensated the other victims for their losses. Kohlmiller pled guilty to one count each of bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.




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