A Fresno business owner was arraigned Wednesday for a scheme to defraud the customers of his classic car business, according to a Department of Justice news release.

On Thursday, July 23, a federal grand jury in Fresno returned a 22-count indictment against Jeffrey Scott Hedges, 48, charging him with wire fraud and money laundering. Prosecutors allege that he defrauded his customers of more than $600,000.

You can read the indictment at this link.

FBI Seeks Tips, Other Victims in Case

Anyone with information about Hedges or West Coast Chassis or who believes they may be a victim can contact the FBI at (916) 746-7000.

Hedges now lives in Irvine.

According to court documents, Hedges owned and operated West Coast Chassis LLC. Between November 2015 and January 2019, Hedges advertised his business online as one dedicated to the restoration of classic cars such as Corvettes and Camaros.

However, instead of providing the promised chassis and modifications to the vehicle frames that his customers sent him, Hedges kept the money and failed to do the work.

Hedges Faces 20 Years in Prison

This case is the product of an investigation by the IRS and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura D. Withers is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Hedges faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.