An auto mechanic from Arizona has been sentenced to 33 months in prison for defrauding customers, including a victim from Missouri. Andres “Manny” Lopez, 37, was also ordered to repay $1.37 million to those he deceived. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri announced the sentence last week.
Lopez operated a business called All Performance Tuning and Diesel Repair LLC. Starting in November 2019, he took money from customers for vehicle repairs, upgrades, and parts without any intention of delivering the promised services. In some cases, he even damaged customer vehicles and loaned them out without permission.
One notable case involved a Missouri man who wanted to buy a Toyota RAV4 for his mother. He sent Lopez $45,000, but Lopez never delivered the vehicle. Instead, he provided a string of false excuses, claiming delays were due to product recalls. He even impersonated a dealership manager to further deceive the victim’s family.
After being indicted in October 2023, Lopez defrauded another victim out of nearly $568,000, using the funds for personal expenses. A victim’s letter to the court described a frustrating cycle of broken promises and excuses that lasted for years.
Lopez pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud in February in a St. Louis federal court. The FBI investigated the case, and Special Agent Chris Crocker emphasized that Lopez’s actions were driven by greed, stating he continued to lie to customers even after being charged.
This case highlights the risks consumers face when dealing with businesses that lack integrity. The court’s decision aims to hold Lopez accountable for his fraudulent practices and provide some measure of justice to his victims.