A 32-year-old Innisfil man has pleaded guilty to fraud over $5,000 following an online vehicle sale in Huntsville that never materialized, with sentencing now delayed as the court considers whether restitution is realistic.
Court heard in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge that on Nov. 6, 2023, a Huntsville woman responded to a Facebook Marketplace advertisement for a Jeep Cherokee. After communicating with the seller, she agreed to send a $10,000 down payment by e-transfer.
Prosecutors said that after receiving the money, Michael Ranger stopped responding to the victim’s texts and emails and did not follow through with delivering the vehicle.
Ranger entered a guilty plea to fraud over $5,000. A joint submission from the Crown and defence proposed a suspended sentence with 24 months of probation, along with a requirement that Ranger repay the $10,000 to the victim.
However, Justice Edward Carleton expressed concern about the feasibility of repayment.
As a result, sentencing was adjourned to a later date to allow for further information regarding Ranger’s financial circumstances and the likelihood that the victim can be compensated.
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