Man who runs Houston car restoration business accused of swindling customers out of over $100K

HOUSTON – The search is on for a man who runs a Houston car restoration business. He’s accused of swindling customers out of over $100,000.

Jessie Guadalupe Montes is charged with two counts of theft aggregate and one count of money laundering. He is currently wanted by authorities.

According to court records, Montes runs a vehicle restoration and refurbishment business called American Vision Auto.

The records say Montes swindled multiple customers by collecting tens of thousands of dollars for work never performed or for sale vehicles he never owned. The records say Montes deliberately misrepresented his ability to sell and provide numerous classic vehicles.

Of the victims Montes is charged for, court documents say he swindled approximately $105,000. Authorities also believe there may be other victims.

Records show this is not the first time Montes has been charged for crimes like this. He currently has a pending case out of the Lake Charles, LA area for similar actions.

Montes has also been convicted or charged in the past for theft in Fayette, Austin, and Waller Counties.

KPRC 2′s Bryce Newberry is covering this story and will have more tonight at 10. If you have had any dealings with Montes or American Vision Auto, please email Bryce at Bnewberry@kprc.com.