Criminal apprehended after applying for auto dealer license

INDIANAPOLIS (January 10, 2020) — A criminal attempting to own an auto dealership was apprehended in Indianapolis after he unknowingly agreed to meet with an investigator from Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson’s Auto Dealer Services Division. Timothy Luther had been on federal supervised release for months.

In Indiana, it is standard procedure to review the background of auto dealer ownership applicants, and Luther’s open warrant was discovered by Secretary of State staff. The staff were put in contact with the U.S. Marshals Office, who confirmed that Luther had been incognito since August. Staff transferred all information on Luther’s application to the Marshals.

After several weeks of searching for Luther, the U.S. Marshals asked the Secretary of State’s office to set up a face-to-face meeting under the pretense of discussing his background. Luther agreed to the meeting and arrived at the arranged location. During the meeting, Marshals surprised Luther and apprehended him. On December 4^th, Timothy Luther appeared in federal court and was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison.

“I want to thank the U.S. Marshals and members of my team for their thorough work in capturing a federal offender,” said Secretary Lawson. “I am always grateful when our office is able to support law enforcement in the course of a normal day, and am proud of their dedication and watchfulness.”

For more information on the Secretary of State’s Auto Dealer Services Division, visit www.in.gov/sos/dealer.