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PLEASANT GROVE — Investigators have identified another alleged victim of the owner of a Land Cruiser business who is already facing numerous criminal charges.
Steven James Jackson, 47, of Pleasant Grove, was charged Friday in 4th District Court with communications fraud, a second-degree felony, and wrongful appropriation, a third-degree felony.
Jackson now faces a total of five counts of communications fraud, four counts of theft by deception and engaging in a pattern of unlawful activity, second-degree felonies; and wrongful appropriation and theft by deception, third-degree felonies, in four separate cases.
Jackson was the owner of Land Cruisers Direct in Lindon. The company's Facebook page says it "specializes in finding rare and unique 4x4s that were not originally available in the U.S.A. market. We import them and sell them directly to customers."
In the latest allegation, a customer dropped off a 1991 Land Cruiser at Jackson's shop in March 2022 for repairs. In September, the customer sent Jackson a $5,000 check that was cashed the same week, according to charging documents. By the end of September, Jackson allegedly told the customer the vehicle would be ready in October.
But by mid-October, Jackson stopped communicating with the customer, according to investigators.
"The customer continued to call, email, and text throughout November and December with no response or communication from the defendant on at least eight different dates," the charges state. "The customer stopped by the shop on Dec. 15, 2022, and left a note asking for an update. Additional attempts to communicate were made in January and February 2023 with no response."
Jackson finally texted the customer back in February. But then went silent again in March and April, the charges allege.
As of Friday, "the customer still does not have his vehicle or any evidence that the $5,000 paid has been used for any repairs. It has been over 16 months since the customer has been in possession of his vehicle."
Jackson's next court hearing for his other three cases is scheduled for Aug. 24.
