Maryland Car Salesman Convicted in Major Dealership Theft Scheme, Faces Up to 20 Years in Prison
MARYLAND — A former car salesman at a College Park Nissan dealership has been convicted on 17 criminal charges after prosecutors say he used his employee access to steal multiple vehicles from the business, resulting in more than $204,000 in losses.
Employee Accused of Stealing Cars Directly From Dealership Lot
According to Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Tara H. Jackson, the salesman—identified as John Massaquoi—carried out the thefts while working at Darcars Nissan on 9330 Baltimore Avenue.
Investigators said that on November 23, 2024, Massaquoi checked out keys from the dealership’s secured key locker, drove three vehicles off the lot, and then returned to the property on foot. A few days later, he allegedly came back and stole a fourth vehicle.
The dealership reported a total inventory loss of $204,665 linked to the theft scheme.
Arrest and Criminal Charges
Massaquoi was later arrested and charged after investigators pieced together the timeline of the vehicle disappearances. Prosecutors say his knowledge of dealership operations made the thefts easier to execute and harder for staff to immediately detect.
He was convicted on the following charges:
- Theft scheme over $100,000
- Four counts of theft between $25,000 and $100,000
- Four counts of unlawful taking of a motor vehicle
- Four counts of unauthorized removal of property
- Four counts of rogue and vagabond
These combined charges carry steep penalties, and prosecutors confirmed he could face up to 20 years in prison.
Sentencing Set for March 2026
A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for March 6, 2026, where a judge will determine the length of Massaquoi’s prison term. Prosecutors argue the thefts represent a major breach of trust by an employee placed in a position of responsibility.
The dealership continues to cooperate with authorities as the case moves into the sentencing phase. For developing updates on major crime stories across the country, continue following NapervilleLocal.com.
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