Man convicted on swindle charges following thefts from customers

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office has secured the conviction of Darin Lee Horner on two counts of theft by swindle, following multiple thefts from customers between 2017 and 2019 in Tracy, according to a press release.

At the plea hearing, Horner admitted to taking money from multiple customers without ordering the appliances purchased and with the intent not to deliver the goods they paid for. Horner instead used the money elsewhere, including deposits to his personal account to make house payments.

Until May 1, 2019, Horner was the operator and sole proprietor of Affordable Appliance Plus in Tracy. Through his business, Horner purported to sell customers affordable appliances. Multiple customers paid Horner for items they never received. More than 50 individuals were victimized by Horner’s misrepresentations and ongoing scheme between 2017 and 2019, and the total loss to victims exceeded $200,000.  

Attorney General Ellison’s office prosecuted Horner upon a referral from Lyon County Attorney Abby Wikelius under state statute.

“It’s hard to afford your life when thieves and scammers take your money for products they never actually deliver,” Ellison said in the press release. “Darin Lee Horner’s actions were unlawful and unacceptable, and I am pleased my office was able to hold him accountable for his crimes. I will continue to do everything in my power to fight fraudsters and protect the pocketbooks of Minnesotans across our state. If you believe you were the victim of theft, I highly encourage you to report the crime to local law enforcement.”

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Dec. 16. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the Tracy Police Department assisted in the investigation and prosecution of Horner.