Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont stated that on October 11, 2023, Michael Gonzalez, 34, of Shelburne, Vermont, was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge Geoffrey Crawford to a term of 48 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a three-year term of supervised release. Gonzalez previously pleaded guilty to five counts of possessing and disposing of stolen vehicles that had crossed state lines.
According to court records, in 2018 and 2019, Gonzalez executed a scheme to obtain five different, brand new Tesla electric vehicles by falsely indicating he was prepared to pay the full purchase price. Gonzalez never intended to pay for the vehicles. The combined retail price of the five fraudulently obtained vehicles totaled more than $560,000. Gonzalez also submitted false statements to the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles to obtain title to these cars. Gonzalez sold three of these vehicles to unwitting purchasers, grossing $231,900. When he was unable to sell one of the Teslas, court records explain that Gonzalez drove it onto the frozen surface of Lake Champlain in Shelburne Bay, set it on fire, and submitted an insurance claim for the value of the vehicle.
The sentence also included an order that Gonzalez pay restitution to Tesla in the amount of $493,043.93, and also forfeit $231,900 to the United States.
United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the collaborative investigatory efforts of the United States Secret Service, the Investigations Unit of the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles Enforcement & Safety, and the police departments of Shelburne, Vermont, and Seabrook, New Hampshire.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey Davis, John Boscia, Jon Ophardt, Nicole Cate, and Michael Drescher. Gonzalez was represented by Chandler Matson, Esq.