Placerville, Calif. — 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.
A jury on May 20, 2025, convicted William Matthew Ames 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.
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’ personal use rather than product development or business expenses.
“Over the years he took in more than $175,000 under these false contracts and misrepresentations which he spent on himself,”
prosecutors wrote. Vern Pierson
Sentencing took place Sept. 8, 2025, when the Hon. Mark Ralphs imposed an eight-year term — below the available statutory maximum but reflecting the jury’s 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’s Office and the District Attorney’s Special Prosecutions Unit and tried over roughly four weeks.
Local prosecutors emphasized the community harm from fraud schemes that rely on neighbors’ trust. The DA’s 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’s Office to ensure restitution and victim-impact statements are documented.
(timeline & facts)
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2015–2018: Ames solicited investments from dozens of El Dorado County residents using contracts and promotional claims later found to be false.
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May 20, 2025: A jury convicted Ames of three counts of fraud in the offering of a security and three counts of grand theft by false pretenses.
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Sept. 8, 2025: Judge Mark Ralphs sentenced Ames to eight years in state prison.
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Loss amount: Prosecutors say more than $175,000 was taken under false contracts and misrepresentations; the jury found a white-collar enhancement because the loss exceeded $100,000.
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Victims: Local residents who invested and lost money; some were described at trial as particularly vulnerable.
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Law enforcement / DA: El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office and the DA’s Special Prosecutions Unit investigated and prosecuted the case.
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Court / corrections: Ames will serve the state prison term; restitution and victim-impact processes may follow through victim-witness services and civil claims.
Source documents and reporting
This report draws from the El Dorado County prosecution summary and local reporting on the conviction and sentencing. Key public summaries and reporting are available from the District Attorney and the trial prosecutor’s public write-up. Vern Pierson+2Facebook+
