When Lindsey Russel and her fiance Michael Robinson experienced issues with their 2011 Land Rover, they quickly sought a knowledgeable mechanic.
A friend recommended Wesko Automotive in their hometown of Holland, Texas.
“The motor blew and potentially the transmission, but we weren’t going to know until the engine was replaced,” Russel told KCEN. “I was actually referred to him. His lot was pretty much always full.”
She said the owner, Wesley Kordes, asked for $2,000 upfront to diagnose and fix her SUV. He also promised a quick turnaround. Kordes assured her repairs would be done by February as he waited for parts.
“He said my car would be fixed quickly,” Russel said. “But it did not turn out that way.”
They decided to visit the Land Rover over a year later
Russel and Robinson said the two tried several times to contact Kordes for an update on the repairs. For the most part, they said he failed to answer calls or texts. So, they decided to visit the shop to find their Land Rover in July of 2024.
Several parts of the Land Rover were missing, it was incredibly dirty, and the engine was missing parts.
“It was in pieces,” she said. “There weren’t any tires on it, there were parts that looked to be missing.”
Still, Kordes refused to turn over the Land Rover. So the couple took legal action against him in October 2024. Robinson estimated their financial losses are well over $10,000 since they’re still making loan payments and keeping up their insurance. Every month, she’s paying around $400.
“I’m stuck paying for a car I don’t even have,” she said. “This whole ordeal has caused a lot of stress and made it difficult to trust people.”
Kordes faces three criminal charges
The Sheriff’s Office served Kordes with demand letters and followed with criminal charges after three letters went unanswered.
“The first time it was auto theft, the second time was auto theft, and this time they’re going for bank fraud,” he said. “But, even if he’s charged with bank fraud, she’s still stuck with the car payment, she’s stuck with the insurance payment.”
Despite the criminal charges against Kordes, the couple still doesn’t have their Land Rover. They’re currently suing Kordes for the $10,000 they’ve lost over the two years it was missing. Russel feels let down by how long it’s taking to close the case.
“If I was someone important, this would have already been resolved,” she said. “I’m not stopping until somebody does something. This is not right. You don’t do this to people.”
