Up to 80 Victims Identified in RV Dealership Fraud Case

Lockeford Investigation Centers on Carson Pass RV After Abrupt Closure

Authorities in San Joaquin County, California, are investigating a possible fraud case involving Carson Pass RV, a dealership in Lockeford that abruptly closed in March. Investigators say multiple RVs may have been sold without notifying their owners and without completing required DMV paperwork.

So far, the sheriff’s office says it has identified up to 80 potential victims, with both RV owners and buyers caught up in the case. Sheriff Patrick Withrow told local media that millions of dollars may be involved, and investigators expect the number of affected people to grow.

For some owners, the problem started with what looked like a standard consignment sale. RVs were left with the dealership to be sold, but in some cases owners say they were later told the units had been sold without payment ever arriving. Buyers may also be facing registration issues if title and DMV paperwork were not properly completed.

Both Sellers and Buyers Are Being Pulled Into the Case

According to local reporting, some RVs are still on the dealership property, while others have already changed hands. The sheriff’s office is also working with the California DMV as investigators try to sort out ownership and registration issues tied to the dealership.

Because of the scale of the case, the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office has requested help from the FBI. No arrests have been announced, and officials say it could take weeks to untangle ownership records and build the case.

That leaves a lot of uncertainty for people on both sides of the transaction. Some owners are still trying to locate RVs they believed were in storage or on consignment, while some buyers may now be holding RVs they cannot easily register or transfer into their names.

What Affected RV Owners and Buyers Should Do

The sheriff’s office says anyone who believes their RV may still be at the dealership can go in person between noon and 6 p.m. with proof of ownership to retrieve it. Anyone who purchased an RV from Carson Pass RV, or believes they may be affected by the investigation, is being urged to contact lead investigator Detective Dodge at mdodge@sjgov.org or call the sheriff’s office non-emergency line at 209-468-4400.

I feel so bad for these victims,” Withrow said. “This is brutal.” Industry expert Mikie John, owner of Big Valley RVs, said the situation has shaken confidence across the RV market. “The community is devastated; it’s very sad, not only for the community, but for dealers too,” John said.