FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 2025
Sierra County Sheriff’s Office Arrests Suspect in Facebook Marketplace Scam
Sierra County, CA – The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a suspect involved in an online scam that defrauded a local resident of nearly $20,000.
On September 20, 2024, the Sheriff’s Office received a report from a Sierra County resident regarding a fraudulent vehicle purchase made through Facebook Marketplace. The victim had paid $19,800 for a vehicle that was never delivered. Upon further investigation, it was determined that the suspect had used a fake name, email, phone number, and website to create the fraudulent ad. After receiving payment, the suspect deleted all communication methods, preventing the victim from making further contact.
Following an extensive investigation, on December 26, 2024, investigators with the Sierra County Sheriff’s Office identified a suspect and obtained an arrest warrant for Donald Gibson of New York. The warrant was issued for theft by false pretenses and three counts of money laundering.
On January 8, 2025, the Sheriff’s Office was notified by the New York Police Department that Gibson had been taken into custody. With the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service, Gibson was extradited to Sierra County and booked into the Wayne Brown Correctional Facility in Nevada County on February 27, 2025. He is currently being held on $140,000 bail as he awaits court proceedings.
The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office urges residents to remain vigilant when making online purchases, particularly on social media platforms, and to report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.
#USMarshals #NYPD
