Charlotte Car Dealership Owner and Sales Manager Plead Guilty to Money Laundering
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – In a significant legal development, the owner of a Charlotte car dealership, along with a sales manager, has pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy charges. This case sheds light on the illegal activities that transpired at iNetwork Auto Group Inc., a car dealership based in Charlotte.
Details of the Case
John Martin, 50, the owner of iNetwork, entered his guilty plea on a recent Friday. Vincent Jefferson, Jr., 47, the sales manager at the dealership, pleaded guilty just days earlier, on August 13, 2024.
According to court documents, Martin and Jefferson orchestrated a money laundering scheme from July 2017 through January 2021. They sold around 20 luxury vehicles to an individual known as G.D., who they recognized as a drug dealer or were at least willfully blind to that fact. The two defendants received cash payments from G.D., aware that the money originated from criminal activities.
Fraudulent Practices Uncovered
Martin and Jefferson facilitated fraud by allowing G.D. to purchase vehicles using straw purchasers’ names, effectively hiding G.D.’s identity and the source of his cash. They went as far as forging signatures on documents related to the sale and altering registration details while notarizing these papers, all while knowing that the documents misrepresented the true purchasers.
Financial Transactions and Their Aftermath
Throughout their conspiracy, Martin and Jefferson accepted over $520,000 in cash payments from G.D. Records reveal that Martin funneled around $200,000 of this money towards renovating a building adjacent to iNetwork. He also received at least another $100,000 to purchase The Scorpio nightclub, concealing G.D.’s stake in the business.
Furthermore, Martin eventually bought out G.D.’s ownership interest in The Scorpio for cash, which was discreetly transferred through another individual, J.M. When law enforcement intercepted this money, J.M. was directed by G.D. to submit a fraudulent claim to the government, falsely asserting that he was the legitimate owner of the cash.
Possible Sentencing
Both Martin and Jefferson, who have been released on bond, face serious repercussions. The money laundering conspiracy charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. As of now, no sentencing date has been specified.
The ongoing investigation into their activities reveals the broader implications of such criminal dealings in the community and raises questions about oversight in automotive sales practices.
