DOJ: Springfield Man Sentenced to 153 Months in Federal Prison for Submitting False Documents to the Missouri Department of Revenue

• Cleveland used forged signatures to obtain mechanics liens and titles for stolen vehicles, then sold or scrapped them for personal profit.
• He must pay $37,049 in restitution, a $37,049 forfeiture, and $400,000 in fines, with three years of post-release supervision.

Dennis Arthur Cleveland, owner of Affordable Towing, directed employees to submit fraudulent documents to the Missouri Department of Revenue to obtain mechanics liens and vehicle titles for stolen vehicles. The documents falsely claimed owner permission, with forged signatures, enabling Cleveland to sell or scrap the vehicles for personal gain.

Cleveland was sentenced to 153 months in prison, including 120 months for mail fraud and money laundering, 24 months for aggravated identity theft, and nine months for violating post-release supervision. He must pay $37,049 in restitution, a $37,049 forfeiture, and $400,000 in fines, followed by three years of post-release supervision.

• $37,049 restitution to victims
• $37,049 full order of forfeiture
• $400,000 court-assessed fines

• Review all mechanics lien and title applications submitted by Affordable Towing for forged signatures and false owner permissions.
• Cross-check vehicle ownership and reported stolen status in Missouri Department of Revenue records for entities linked to Cleveland.
• Audit proceeds from vehicle sales and scrapping at used car dealerships and local scrapyards associated with Cleveland and Affordable Towing.

This case highlights the risks of fraudulent document submission to government agencies, which can facilitate money laundering and identity theft. Compliance officers must ensure robust verification of ownership and permissions in lien and title processes, especially when dealing with entities like Affordable Towing. The significant financial penalties and prison sentence underscore the importance of detecting and preventing schemes that exploit government systems for illicit profit, protecting both victims and the integrity of official records.