A Charles City man must spend a year in prison for using eBay to fraudulently sell computers to consumers. Twenty-seven-year-old David Martin had pleaded guilty in February to one count of mail fraud and one count of wire fraud.

Martin admitted in federal court that he used eBay to fraudulently represent that he would sell computers or other electronic equipment to consumers, when he never intended to do so. Instead, Martin required payment for the ordered items in advance, then kept the money without sending the merchandise.

The scheme involved 15 victims and over $50,000. Martin was sentenced yesterday (Tuesday) to 12 months in prison and ordered to make over $43,000 in restitution.