WICHITA, KS — After more than 500 days of investigation and litigation, the Sedgwick County District Attorney's Office has secured full refunds for two consumers who were defrauded by Sunset Auto Sales, a now-defunct used car dealership. Investigator Jimmie Merrick led the investigation, which resulted in checks of $10,600 and $10,000 being returned to the victims through a claim against the dealership's licensing surety bond, according to a media release from the district attorney's office.
The case began in September 2024, when a consumer purchased a 2006 Ford Mustang GT from Sunset Auto Sales as a gift for his daughter. Although the buyer paid for the vehicle, the dealership never provided a title, leaving the family unable to register the car. The car needed some repairs, which the consumer paid for out of pocket, and then the transmission failed so the dealer took the car back to ostensibly replace the transmission at further cost to the consumer. The dealer failed to replace the transmission and failed to return the car to the consumer. When the consumer asked for a refund, since he was left without a working vehicle or the paperwork needed to drive it legally, the dealership responded with promises to take corrective action but never corrected the issues.
The consumer filed a complaint with the District Attorney's Office, and the case was assigned to Investigator Merrick. A second, similar complaint from another consumer was assigned to Merrick shortly after. The dealership's manager offered assurances that the matter would be resolved, even as the owner relocated to Texas.
After the dealership was given multiple opportunities to make the consumers whole and failed to do so, Assistant District Attorney Chris Garcia filed a lawsuit against the dealership and its manager. The litigation led to a settlement with the dealership's owner, under which the business ceased operations. As part of the resolution, the office pursued a claim against the dealer's licensing surety bond through the Kansas Department of Revenue. Although the bonding company initially denied the claim, the office worked with the Kansas Department of Revenue's Dealer Licensing division to secure payment in full for both consumers.
On July 30, Investigator Merrick personally presented the first consumer with a check for $10,600. A second check for $10,000 was mailed to the second consumer.
The Sedgwick County District Attorney's Office encourages consumers who believe they have been the victim of fraud or deceptive business practices to file a complaint with its Consumer Protection Division at 316.660.3600 https://www.sedgwickcounty.org/district-attorney/consumer-protection-division/.