HAMBLEN COUNTY, Tenn. (WVLT) – A Dandridge man has been charged after the Hamblen County Sheriff’s Office said he tried to sell a tractor he did not own on Facebook Marketplace.
On Saturday, HCSO said it received a report from a man who found that his tractor had been falsely listed for sale for $30,000 under the alias “Angela Dawn Benz.”
The next day, HCSO Sheriff Chad Mullins and Det. Lt. Brooks met with the victim at a business where he arranged a meeting with the suspect, later identified as Jason Robert Blair, for a potential purchase.
Before the meeting, Mullins said Blair was seen entering the field where the tractor was originally parked, and a trail camera captured a picture of his truck leaving the field.
Monday afternoon, Blair was taken into custody and charged with criminal impersonation and attempted theft by deception.
Mullins said this is a great reminder to use caution when buying or selling items online.
“It is important to always meet in a public, well-lit location and to verify the legitimacy of listings before transferring money or personal information,” Mullins said.
