Officers seek man convicted in $90k car auction scheme

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Law enforcement agencies in DeSoto County are on the lookout for a man convicted of stealing thousands from people in a car auction scheme.

Leandre Barner was indicted in 2022 for false pretense after an Olive Branch man said he paid for two cars he never received. A DeSoto County judge issued a bench warrant on June 24 after he failed to appear in court.

Additionally, several years ago, Barner was convicted on theft charges in Shelby County. He is due back in court on Monday after prosecutors asked for his suspended sentence to be revoked.

The DeSoto County Fugitive Division confirmed with WREG that it is working with neighboring law enforcement agencies to locate Barner.

Records show that Barner wasn’t a licensed car dealer who had the hookup on cars being sold at auction. He was a convicted felon who used an alias to elude victims and police.

In 2019, Barner was convicted of stealing more than $90,000 after promising each person discounted cars that were never delivered.

He spent a few months in jail and was sentenced to nine years’ probation. As part of Barner’s probation, he was supposed to pay monthly restitution to each victim.

When WREG asked Barner if the victims would get their money back, he replied, “Yeah, they’ll get their money back… It’s the court order.”

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