1969 Chevy Impala Sold As Part of Alleged Scam

Russell Alan Hodges, 48, of Fairbury, was arraigned in Jefferson County Court on Wednesday, December 29. Linda Bauer was the presiding judge.The defendant is charged with theft by deception, with a value between $1,500 and $5,000, making the charge a class 4 felony punishable by up to two years in prison, 12 months of post-release supervision and a $10,000 fine. He may also be responsible for restitution.On August 30 of this year, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office was contacted by an individual who claimed to have purchased a vehicle from the defendant, a 1969 Chevrolet Impala convertible two-door coupe, for which he paid $2,000. However, the reporting party alleged Hodges and a co-defendant, Leslie Schwisow, never turned over the title.Deputies conducted a title search of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), and determined, “Neither Hodges nor Schwisow are legal owners of the 1969 Chevrolet Impala.”According to the Deputy that filled out the Affidavit is Support of Arrest Warrant, “Hodges stated he was attempting to get a title for the vehicle and that Schwisow was the person wanting to sell the vehicle. Hodges stated that he had posted the vehicle for sale on Facebook Marketplace for Schwisow. I told Hodges that you could not sell a motor vehicle without a title in the state of Nebraska. Hodges stated he had contacted the original owner in North Dakota and was awaiting the title in the mail.”Deputies made contact with Schwisow and noted, “Schwisow stated Hodges had sold the vehicle and he told Hodges he did not want the vehicle sold.”On November 29, a warrant was issued for Hodge's arrest.Hodges requested court-appointed counsel and Public Defender Scott Gropp was assigned to represent him. Another hearing is set for January 12, 2022.The defendant has a prior criminal history. On October 3, 1996, he was convicted of sexual assault of a minor in Gage County and is a registered sex offender. On March 1, 2017, Hodges pleaded No Contest to violating the Sex Offender Registry Act for failing to register a change of address within three days as required.Hodges remains free on a $5,000 (10 percent) bond.

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