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In Dutchess County, the trio -- Raed Nesheiwat, age 57; Lakeia Parker, age 41, and Marceise Livesay, age 26 -- were arrested on Wednesday, Nov. 13, in Poughkeepsie.
According to Water McClure of the state Division of Motor Vehicles, the investigation found that the three sold more than 150 vehicles out of a building and parking lot at 20-22 Pershing Ave., in Poughkeepsie, without a legitimate dealer license.
The Dutchess County Grand Jury has charged the men, who are all from Poughkeepsie, with:
- 161 counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument
- 161 counts of falsifying business records
- Scheme to defraud
After an initial arrest on Monday, Sept. 9, McClure said that Nesheiwat continued to sell vehicles using forged Florida documents, resulting in a re-arrest and additional counts of forgery and falsifying business records.
The department said that the DMV discovered that Nesheiwat, Parker, and Livesay purchased used vehicles at auction and sold them to unsuspecting customers using fraudulent paperwork from four different Florida auto dealerships.
McClure added that the DMV found the three had no legal connection with any of the Florida dealers and did not have a valid dealer license to operate in New York.
"In fact, Nesheiwat has had New York dealer applications denied due to unpaid civil penalties related to unrelated unlicensed sales," McClure said.
When a vehicle is purchased from a registered dealer in New York, strict laws and regulations govern its advertisement, sale, and documentation. A minimum warranty covers the vehicle, and it must undergo safety and emissions inspections before purchase to ensure its safety on the road.
Additionally, the department said registered motor vehicle dealers are subject to DMV oversight.
If a vehicle is being sold improperly or is a lemon, the buyer can file a complaint with the DMV, which can help resolve the issue.
Parker and Livesay have been released under probation supervision. Nesheiwat has posted bail and is on electronic monitoring.
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