When recovering from an addiction, the process can be intimidating. Jobs can be difficult to secure, housing even more so, and not being able to get around can make it all seem impossible. Aaron Edmond Hayes, a mechanic from Altlana Georgia, scammed those in recovery looking for a fresh start.
Hayes ran a business called Wheels N Recovery which sold used vehicles to recovering addicts. The idea was that Hayes, an experienced mechanic, fixed used cars up and sold them at a discount. His business did well, attracting 22 buyers.
However, Hayes was accused of never delivering the cars he was paid for. The scammer was taken to court, where the Attorney General of Georgia sentenced him to spend one year in prison and two years in work release. He was also ordered to pay each customer back for the vehicles that were never delivered.
Therefore, he owes just over $76,000 between all 22 customers, ANF reported. He was also charged with six counts of felony theft by deception.
“He took advantage of people who were vulnerable, and this order holds him fully accountable,” wrote AG Austin Gatson. “This is a good resolution that gives the people back the money that this defendant took.”
One victim said she met the scammer through church
Kelly Meadows told WSB-TV in December of 2023 that she was referred to Hayes through a fellow churchgoer.
“I really thought he was a nice guy,” she said. “There were two different girls that got vehicles through him, so it seemed legit to me.”
She saved for months to buy a car after leaving rehab and paid Hayes $2,000. However, months after she paid him, all he had to offer her were excuses.
“He said he would refund me in seven to ten days, then after that, with no refund, that’s when stuff started to get shady.”
When Hayes was arrested for his elaborate scam, it all made sense to her. She’s been borrowing her mom’s car to get to work while she saves up again.
“I hope he gets better but he’s got to pay,” said Meadows’ mother. “He’s got to pay for what he did and for the money he took from people.”
