A 31-year-old Ocala man was arrested after he pretended to modify the victim’s truck after receiving over $25,000 in payments for the work.
On November 24, 2021, a male victim contacted the Marion County Sheriff’s Office to report an incident of fraud.
According to the victim, he entered into an agreement with Michael Ryan Dockery to make modifications to the victim’s 2019 Ford F-250 truck. The MCSO report indicated that Dockery worked for a local auto shop.
An estimate was signed on March 16, 2021 for a grand total of $41,704.92. The victim delivered the truck to Dockery’s location on April 2, 2021, and he also gave Dockery $6,000 in cash.
On April 22, 2021, the victim requested for Dockery to send a written list of all the work that needed to be completed on the truck, and the victim paid Dockery with a $10,000 check on April 28, 2021.
On June 8, 2021, Dockery sent a text message to the victim that stated, “Hey buddy, can I swing by for a check. I got bumpers and all ordered so they will be shipping in 2 weeks. Wheels are in and tires will be here any day.”
After receiving this message, the victim gave Dockery another $10,000 check.
The victim requested another update on the status of the truck on September 1, 2021. Dockery responded with a picture of the truck that was sent via text message, and he stated in a text message, “It’s all the stuff you can’t see at the moment that’s being done.”
Dockery sent another text message shortly after that stated, “All the lift is done and coated, next will be axles then assemble.”
The victim periodically received updates from Dockery via text message regarding the progress of the truck’s modifications.
On October 28, 2021, the victim learned that Dockery was being evicted and he had concerns about his truck remaining in the building. Dockery sent a text message to the victim on November 1, 2021 that said, “Everything is handled. There is no issues with the building.”
The victim requested that his parts for the truck be returned to him, and Dockery refused the request.
On December 10, 2021, Dockery was evicted from the location and the victim recovered his truck. The victim stated that the modifications and work that Dockery claimed to have done were not completed.
The victim recovered the parts that were removed from his truck, but Dockery allegedly did not purchase any replacement parts.
An MCSO detective arrived at the victim’s business on December 22, 2021, and the victim called Dockery while the detective was present. According to the MCSO report, Dockery told the victim that the parts for the truck were being kept in a storage building, but a location for that building was not provided.
The detective spoke with Dockery on December 22, 2021 to arrange for an in-person interview on December 27, 2021. Dockery did not show up to that interview and he did not call to reschedule.
On December 30, 2021, Dockery was arrested, transported to Marion County Jail, and he was released on $5,000 bond the following day. He is facing a felony charge for fraud.
A court date has not been scheduled yet, according to jail records.