Date/Time of Offense: September 2021.

Offense(s)/Charge(s): Two Counts of Felony Obtaining Property by False Pretenses

Location of Incident: South Iredell County 

Suspect(s): James Scott Riley, 40 Years Old

                    119 Stover Road

                    Mooresville, North Carolina 28117

Sheriff Darren Campbell stated: On Wednesday, September 22, 2021, a report was filed with the Iredell County Sheriff’s office in reference to possible Obtaining Property by False Pretense. The victim advised the responding deputies he had purchased a fish aquarium for the amount of 7,472.49 from a salt water fish store located in the southern portion of Iredell County, and he never received the aquarium. The case was assigned to Detective J. Roberts with the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office Economic Crimes Unit.  

While investigating this report, a second victim came forward reporting a similar incident involving the same business. In this case a fish aquarium was purchase from the same business for 10,434 dollars. The victim never received this aquarium either.

Evidence from these investigations indicated the business owner is James Scott Riley of Mooresville. After contacting the distributor of the aquariums, it was proven Riley had taken money from both victims, and had not paid the distributor for the aquariums after informing both victims the aquariums had been ordered and shipped.

As a result of the investigation, James Scott Riley was charged with: Two Counts of Felony Obtaining Property by False Pretense. Riley was arrested on Wednesday, September 29, 2021, on these charges and was taken to the Iredell County Detention Center. Riley appeared before Magistrate T. Thompson who issued a 5,000.00 dollar secured bond on these charges.