{"id":10371,"date":"2025-10-15T21:55:49","date_gmt":"2025-10-16T05:55:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/inedc.com\/24\/?p=10371"},"modified":"2025-10-15T21:55:49","modified_gmt":"2025-10-16T05:55:49","slug":"cameron-park-man-sentenced-to-8-years-after-jury-finds-he-spent-investors-money-on-himself","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/inedc.com\/24\/crime\/cameron-park-man-sentenced-to-8-years-after-jury-finds-he-spent-investors-money-on-himself\/","title":{"rendered":"Cameron Park man sentenced to 8 years after jury finds he spent investors\u2019 money on himself"},"content":{"rendered":"

Placerville, Calif. \u2014 A Cameron Park man was sentenced to eight years in state prison Thursday after a jury found he bilked local residents out of more than $175,000 by falsely soliciting investments for nonexistent or misrepresented products, prosecutors said.<\/p>\n

A jury on May 20, 2025, convicted William Matthew Ames<\/strong> of three felony counts of fraud in the offering of a security and three counts of grand theft by false pretenses, finding that between 2015 and 2018 he used forged documents and false statements to induce dozens of El Dorado County residents to invest.<\/p>\n

Prosecutors told the court that Ames presented investors with contracts that misrepresented his ownership interest and the use of funds, claimed phony clinical trials, sales and patent activity, and even forged bank statements that inflated his assets to appear credible. Evidence introduced at trial showed investor funds were diverted for Ames\u2019 personal use rather than product development or business expenses.<\/p>\n

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\u201cOver the years he took in more than $175,000 under these false contracts and misrepresentations which he spent on himself,\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

prosecutors wrote. Vern Pierson<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Sentencing took place Sept. 8, 2025, when the Hon. Mark Ralphs imposed an eight-year term \u2014 below the available statutory maximum but reflecting the jury\u2019s findings of deliberate, sustained deception and a white-collar enhancement because losses exceeded $100,000, prosecutors said. The case was investigated by the El Dorado County Sheriff\u2019s Office and the District Attorney\u2019s Special Prosecutions Unit and tried over roughly four weeks.<\/p>\n

Local prosecutors emphasized the community harm from fraud schemes that rely on neighbors\u2019 trust. The DA\u2019s office and law enforcement urged anyone who believes they were contacted by Ames or who may be a victim to contact the El Dorado County District Attorney\u2019s Office to ensure restitution and victim-impact statements are documented.<\/p>\n

(timeline & facts)<\/h3>\n