Problem Solvers: Prineville car salesman accused of scamming 13 customers facing 35 ID theft, forgery, other charges

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The owner of a Prineville car dealership, the focus of recent KTVZ Problem Solvers reports for allegedly scamming clients while selling their vehicles, has been arrested on 35 counts of aggravated ID theft, forgery and illegal consignment practices. 

Michael Dwayne Smetzer Jr., 37, of Prineville, entered not guilty pleas to all of the felony and misdemeanor charges through his attorney during his arraignment Thursday before Crook County Circuit Judge Wade Whiting. Smetzer, who was arrested Wednesday by Crook County sheriff’s deputies, appeared by video from jail. 

In a three-part Problem Solvers report late last year, KTVZ’s Matthew Draxton spoke with several of Smetzer's customers about their experiences with the business, saying they did not receive the money for the vehicles months later. One said Smetzer told him the issues were with the finance company and were out of his hands. 

Deputy District Attorney Paxton Deuel said at Thursday's hearing that the alleged crimes occurred over a two-year period, during which Smetzer sold cars but failed to pay his victims, and “forged titles and bill of sales. Right now, there’s 13 alleged victims stemming from his actions over two years.” 

The judge told Smetzer that each of the Class B felonies carry maximum penalties of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, while the Class C charges could bring five-year prison terms and a $125,000 fine. You can read the full indictment below this article. 

Whiting asked the prosecutor if they had calculated the total alleged losses. Deuel said each of the aggravated thefts involved sums of $15,000 to $20,000, so it totals “well over $100,000.” 

It also came to light during the court proceeding, as Smetzer asked for a court-appointed attorney, that he is in arrears for $62,000 in unpaid child support. 

Defense attorney A Vada Camacho asked the judge that Smetzer be granted conditional release, since he apparently has no criminal history.  

But Whiting said he had reviewed the indictment, and due to “the severity and number of charges,” set his bail at $50,000. If Smetzer is able to post 10 percent and gain release, the judge ordered that he have no contact with any of the alleged victims. 

Smetzer is due back in court next Thursday for a pre-trial conference.