What Happened at Carson Pass RV in Lockeford?
The San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office is investigating Carson Pass RV, a now-closed recreational vehicle dealership in Lockeford, California, following a growing number of reports from community members who say they have suffered significant financial losses.
According to investigators, the dealership allegedly sold RVs placed on consignment without notifying the rightful owners and without completing required Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) documentation. In plain terms: people trusted Carson Pass RV to sell their vehicles on their behalf — and their RVs were sold without their knowledge, without their consent, and without them receiving a single dollar.
The dealership abruptly closed in early March 2026. The San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office confirmed that investigators have already identified approximately 37 vehicles that were sold without the owners' knowledge, and the number of victims continues to grow. Authorities believe total losses could reach into the millions of dollars.
The San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office, the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office, and the FBI are all involved in the investigation.
Who Are the Victims?
This alleged fraud created multiple layers of victims:
RV Owners Who Consigned Their Vehicles
If you dropped your RV off at Carson Pass RV for consignment — meaning you trusted them to sell it on your behalf — you may have had your vehicle sold without your knowledge and without receiving any payment. You may still hold the title to a vehicle that is now in someone else's possession.
Buyers Who Purchased RVs From Carson Pass RV
If you purchased an RV from Carson Pass RV, you may be unable to register your vehicle because the required DMV ownership transfer paperwork was never completed. You paid for something you may not legally own — through no fault of your own.
Banks and Lenders
Financial institutions that financed RV purchases through Carson Pass RV may also have been defrauded, with loans extended on transactions that were never properly documented.
What Are Your Legal Rights as a Fraud Victim?
Being a victim of this type of dealership fraud does not mean you are without options. California law provides multiple avenues for victims to pursue financial recovery — both through the criminal justice process and through independent civil litigation.
Civil Fraud Claims
You do not have to wait for criminal charges to be filed or a conviction to occur to pursue your own legal claim. A civil fraud lawsuit can be filed independently and can seek:
- Compensatory damages — the full value of your lost vehicle or unpaid proceeds
- Consequential damages — additional financial losses caused by the fraud
- Punitive damages — California courts may award additional damages in cases of intentional fraud designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter future conduct
- Attorney's fees — in certain fraud cases, prevailing parties may recover legal costs
Conversion Claims
If your RV was sold without your consent, California law recognizes this as conversion — essentially the civil equivalent of theft of personal property. You have the right to sue for the fair market value of your vehicle.
Breach of Contract
When you signed a consignment agreement with Carson Pass RV, that was a binding contract. Selling your vehicle without your knowledge and failing to remit payment is a clear breach of that contract.
California Vehicle Code Violations
California law imposes strict requirements on licensed vehicle dealers regarding consignment sales, DMV documentation, and payment to vehicle owners. Violations of the California Vehicle Code by a dealer can give rise to additional civil liability.
DMV and NMVTIS Remedies
If you purchased an RV from Carson Pass RV and cannot register it due to incomplete title transfer, there are legal mechanisms to resolve your title issues and potentially pursue the dealership for your costs and damages.
Why You Need a Civil Attorney — Not Just Law Enforcement
The criminal investigation is critically important, and we fully support the work of the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office and the DA. But it is important to understand one fundamental truth:
Criminal prosecutions do not write you a check.
Even if the owner of Carson Pass RV is charged and convicted, that process does not automatically return your money or your vehicle. The District Attorney represents the State of California — not you personally. Restitution through criminal proceedings is uncertain, often partial, and can take years.
A civil attorney works for you — and only you — with the specific goal of recovering every dollar you lost. Civil litigation can move faster than criminal proceedings and can reach assets and insurance policies that criminal restitution cannot.
The Bottom Line
What allegedly happened at Carson Pass RV in Lockeford is a serious betrayal of trust. People in this community — and beyond — did everything right. They chose a licensed dealership. They signed paperwork. They waited patiently. And they were allegedly robbed.
You trusted a business to do right by you. If that trust was violated, you have rights — and you have options. California law exists precisely to protect people in your situation.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The investigation into Carson Pass RV is ongoing and no criminal charges have been filed at this time. All individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.