Rock Hill auto dealer sent to prison for SC car title fraud

A York County auto dealer was sentenced to 18 months in prison Tuesday after pleading guilty to charges that he took thousands of dollars from customers in scams leaving them unable to drive their cars, prosecutors said.

Ronald Truesdale, 44, was owner of Urban Auto Sales when he was arrested in October, according to court documents. He pleaded guilty to breach of trust and conspiracy, said Matthew Hogge, 16th Circuit assistant solicitor.

Truesdale also must pay back $6,800 in restitution to victims in the crimes where Truesdale did not pay off lienholders of vehicles bought from Truesdale. Because the notes were not paid off, customers who bought cars could not get clear titles on those cars, Hogge said.

As part of the plea agreement Truesdale cannot work in car sales again.

This story was originally published July 14, 2015 at 5:37 PM with the headline "Rock Hill auto dealer sent to prison for SC car title fraud."