Prineville, Ore. – Law enforcement and DMV investigations into Prineville-based Central Oregon Motors, LLC, have been revealed following an initial story first reported by the Prineville Review last month as well as a report last week by KTVZ’s Matthew Draxton.
The issues came to light after tips were made to the Prineville Review amid victims speaking out and multiple lawsuits being filed by creditors. The lawsuits, filed in New York and Indiana, are seeking to recover over $1.3 million from Central Oregon Motors, its owner Michael Smetzer, and Preston “Shane” Mayfield. Mayfield is a purported friend and business partner of Smetzer.
Mayfield denied having any ties to Smetzer’s business, but claimed he had provided loans to a “named party” [of the lawsuit] in an email to the Prineville Review. When we asked how he would have co-signed on one of the six-figure loans provided to business if he was not part of the company, Mayfield declined to comment further and stated he was going to speak with an attorney.
The Prineville Review later uncovered Mayfield was actually listed as a manager of Central Oregon Motor’s according to documents filed with the Oregon Secretary of State between 2021 and 2023. Smetzer’s wife, Melissa Smetzer, was added as another manager of the company on February 28th, 2023, and then Mayfield was removed (at least on paper) in an annual report filling in March of 2023.
It was not clear when Mayfield co-signed the six-figure loan provided by Nextgear Capital to Central Oregon Motors.
We also learned that complaints had been made with the Oregon Department of Justice after the Prineville Police had allegedly dismissed complaints from victims, reportedly believing it to be a “civil matter”. When we reached out to the Prineville Police and now-former Interim Police Chief Shane Wilson requesting comment on the allegations they were dismissive, they declined to comment except to indicate they were looking into the matter.
According to KTVZ, who ran a two-part story last week about the alleged frauds by Smetzer, the Prineville Police confirmed that there was an ongoing criminal investigation, but provided no further details. Crook County District Attorney Kari Hathorn also reportedly had not yet received any reports from police as of last week.
Although the a spokesperson for the Oregon DOJ ignored this publication’s follow-up seeking confirmation if they were investigating, the Prineville Review uncovered a document that indicated the DOJ Civil Enforcement Division was investigating complaints regarding Smertzer and Central Oregon Motors. The document was shared by an alleged victim on the condition of anonymity (which is why the document contains redactions), as they were afraid to share it after also being contacted by an attorney for Smetzer.
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As first reported by the Prineville Review several weeks ago, Central Oregon Motors and its owner, Smetzer, are also the targets of multiple civil lawsuits by two creditors seeking approximately $1.3 million. One of the creditors, Nextgear Capital, has alleged Smetzer engaged in “misappropriation” and “conversation” (a civil legal term for theft).
Several Central Oregon residents have spoken out in interviews with the Prineville Review and KTVZ about various issues with Smetzer. Those issues range from simple allegations of title fraud to some alleging that Smetzer was bilking victims out of tens of thousands of dollars as part of a fraudulent vehicle consignment scheme.
Jeff Peck and his family alleged they are out over $33,000 after Smetzer sold a jeep and also misrepresented details about the party it was sold to. Peck’s nephew, Marshal Brooks, also told the Prineville Review that Smetzer may have used the vehicles title to obtain fraudulent loans he is not facing lawsuits over.
Officials with the Oregon Department of Transportation which oversees Oregon’s Driver & Motor Vehicle Services, confirmed there had been multiple complaints made with them as well as the Prineville Police Department.
“Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services is aware that multiple complaints against Central Oregon Motors, LLC, and its owner have been received by the Prineville Police Department and DMV,” said Chris Crabb, a public information officer with the Oregon DOT.
“Our Dealer Investigations team is conducting an administrative investigation into the dealer’s actions. Our primary focus right now is to secure and maintain proper documentation of vehicle ownership for the affected vehicles. We will provide additional information when available.”
Adam Powell, a former US Army veteran from Redmond, also told the Prineville Review that he and his wife have been left with an auto loan they are still having to pay for over $15,000 after Smetzer sold their vehicle but failed to remit payment to their credit union to pay off the loan. Following his interview with the Prineville Review, Powell spoke with KTVZ saying that he wanted to see justice.
“If they bring charges to him and stuff, I’m going to be in the courtroom,” said Powell.
Powell also revealed to the Prineville Review he has been in touch with investigators at the Oregon DMV and the Prineville Police Department. He also said a report was filed with Oregon Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection program. He also alleged that Smetzer went to the extent of creating a false purchase order for his 2013 Dodge Ram.
The bogus purchase order contained the name and number of another Central Oregon man who confirmed he had purchased a truck from Smetzer, but it was not a 2013 Dodge Ram.
Several of Smetzer’s victims were military veterans and expressed they were upset that he also played upon a trust and bond often felt between fellow veterans. Smetzer is a US Army combat veteran and reportedly a purple heart recipient.
The Prineville Review also learned of allegations that Smertzer had strong ties to the operation of Central Oregon Car Show’s, which it later learned is reportedly owned by Mayfield. That company, which does conduct commercial transactions with Oregon consumers, is not registered with the Oregon Secretary of State.
Mayfield claimed it is operated by his other Redmond-based company, Perfection Plus Auto Detailing, LLC, although there were no records of an assumed business name (or ABN) for Central Oregon Car Shows’ under that business either.
In an Oct. 23rd email to the Prineville Review, Mayfield said he had no involvement in the operations of Central Oregon Motors and that he was not an owner, manager, or employee. He did claim he had provided private loans to the other named party, seemingly referring to Smetzer.
“At a point in time, years ago, I made private loans to the other named party,” said Mayfield. “I am not an owner, manager or employee of Central Oregon Motors, therefore had no involvement in the daily operations of Central Oregon Motors or any of its purported transactions currently under investigation.”
The records we obtained showing Mayfield as a listed manager of the business were then subsequently discovered, questioning Mayfield’s claim he was never involved in the operations of the business.
Mayfield later refused to answer questions about Central Oregon Car Shows and also requested we not mention his other company’s in our reporting.
“I will not discuss anything related to the car shows. It has nothing to do with the central Oregon motors [sic] situation,” Mayfield said by email.
He also said that Smetzer would no longer be involved with the car shows.
Mayfield has repeatedly garnered media attention for his role as part of a team tasked with maintaining a jet-aircraft called Special Air Missions 970, a Boing 707-153 that served as the primary “Air Force One” for Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy between 1959-1962, but also was conducted flights for Johnson and Nixon. It is now on display with the Museum of Flight in Seattle.
Several victims and others have also been repeatedly expressing frustration on social media that Smetzer had not been arrested and charged.
The Prineville Review attempted for weeks to reach Smetzer by phone, at his business, and then by email, but was unsuccessful. Immediately after initial publication of our original October story, Smetzer responded by email and declined to comment.
