Darin Lee Horner has been sentenced by a Lyon County court to 364 days in jail and five years of probation after pleading guilty to two counts of theft by swindle. The sentencing follows Horner’s admission that, between 2017 and 2019, he took money from multiple customers in Tracy, Minnesota, for appliances they never received. Instead of delivering the purchased goods, Horner used the funds elsewhere, including depositing money into his personal account to make house payments.
Horner operated Affordable Appliance Plus in Tracy until May 1, 2019. According to authorities, he misrepresented his business and defrauded dozens of individuals through an ongoing scheme during this period.
The case was prosecuted by the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office following a referral from Lyon County Attorney Abby Wikelius under Minnesota Statutes section 8.01. This statute allows the attorney general to appear in court for criminal cases upon request from a county attorney. Generally, prosecuting authority over most criminal acts rests with city and county attorneys; the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office typically holds civil authority except in cases referred under section 8.01 or involving Medicaid fraud.
Attorney General Keith Ellison commented on the case: “My job as attorney general is to help Minnesotans afford their lives, which means going after fraudsters and thieves like Horner,” said Attorney General Ellison. “I would be furious if I saved up to buy a new appliance, only for the salesman to turn around and steal my money. I hope Horner’s sentencing serves as a warning to anyone else that would try to cheat hardworking Minnesotans.”
The investigation involved assistance from both the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the Tracy Police Department.
