Wayne Robert Rummel, a 41-year-old resident of Crown City, Ohio, has been sentenced to three years of federal probation for bankruptcy-related fraud. The sentencing took place on January 5, 2026, in Huntington, West Virginia.
Court records show that Rummel filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of West Virginia on July 5, 2023. While his case was still ongoing, he attempted to secure financing to buy a 2022 Nissan Altima valued at $24,758.50. Rummel knew that obtaining such a loan required approval from the Bankruptcy Court.
On February 26, 2025, Rummel sent an email to the lender containing a fabricated court order that appeared to grant him permission to obtain the vehicle loan. During court proceedings and as part of his guilty plea, Rummel admitted he created the fake order and acknowledged that no approval had been given by the court.
United States Attorney Moore Capito announced the sentencing and praised the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for its investigative efforts. Capito also noted that “The United States Trustee’s Charleston field office, which serves West Virginia, made the criminal referral of this case to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.” The United States Trustee Program is part of the Department of Justice and works to ensure integrity and efficiency within the bankruptcy system.
The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan T. Storage prosecuted the case.
Further information about this case can be found through PACER by searching for Case No. 3:25-cr-138.
