Police: German Shepherd breeder disappears with deposits, claims puppies died


3 photos
Save Story
Leer en español

Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

SALT LAKE CITY — Police are looking for a woman who is peddling puppies. Buyers say the puppies steal their hearts, then the woman steals their money.

A couple came across an online ad for German Shepherd puppies. For $500, you could purchase an adorable new addition for your family. So that's what they did.

"We contacted Lacey Moses Jumper," said David Wimmer.

The breeder, Lacey Jumper, had a litter of three puppies for sale. The Wimmers fell in love and selected one.

"We went ahead and put down a $250 deposit," Wimmer said.

But turns out that same puppy was also promised to another family. Doug Neibauer says he gave Jumper $500, a down payment for a female and a male puppy. They would be old enough to go home in five weeks.

"We left thinking this is going to be great. We have these two beautiful puppies that we're going to add to our home," said Neibauer.

Both families believed the deal was legitimate. They saw the puppies, they knew Jumper's phone number, email address and where she lived, and they even got a handwritten contract.

But around the time the puppies were ready to be picked up, both families received a heart-breaking call. Jumper told them the puppies had all died after eating rat poisoning under a trailer in the backyard.


There's a lot of victims and a lot of money. It's anywhere from $150 to $250 each. The total, between all of them, is over $2,100.

–Sgt. Robin Heiden


"It devastated all of us because we were so excited to get these puppies," said Neibauer.

After doling out the bad news, Jumper disappeared. Her email account was shut down and her phone number was disconnected. KSL investigators found where she lived, but there was an eviction notice on the front door. The deposits for the puppies vanished right along with her.

A check of 32-year-old Jumper's background shows a criminal history and a long list of outstanding warrants.

Salt Lake City Police say at least 12 different people have reported they were scammed by Jumper. KSL investigators found more alleged victims in Delta and Wyoming. All of them made a deposit for a puppy.

"There's a lot of victims and a lot of money," said Sgt. Robin Heiden. "It's anywhere from $150 to $250 each. The total, between all of them, is over $2,100."

As for the puppies, their fate is still unknown.

"With the amount of lies she told everybody, I don't know if they're alive or if they're dead," said Wimmer.

Both the Wimmers and the Neibauers did find other puppies to purchase, but they still hope Jumper is caught.

"She can change her name, she can change her phone number, she can change her email address, but what she cannot change is her face," said Neibauer.

After KSL started looking into the story, someone saying he was Jumper's attorney called. He said all the buyers would be refunded by the end of the week. That didn't quite happen, but so far, five people have received refunds, including the Neibauers, but there are many others still without their money.

Police are actively searching for Jumper. If you have any information about Jumper or her whereabouts, you can call the Salt Lake City Police Department at 801-799-3000.

Photos

Most recent Utah stories

Related topics

Utah
Tania Mashburn

    STAY IN THE KNOW

    Get informative articles and interesting stories delivered to your inbox weekly. Subscribe to the KSL.com Trending 5.
    By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

    KSL Weather Forecast