ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE :    Tuesday, April 16, 2013
CONTACT:  Sara Rabern (605)773-3215   

Owners of Baron Buildings Make Court Appearance

PIERRE, S.D  - South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley said today that George Donald Nelson III, 45,  and Karla Ann Nelson, 44, both of Fargo, N.D., appeared today in court for a bond hearing.  Bond was set fr $20,000 for each.

George and Karla Nelson were indicted by a Hughes County Grand Jury on March 12th, 2013, on two counts of grand theft by deception, a Class 4 felony punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment and/or a $20,000 fine, and one count of conspiracy to commit an unlawful act, theft by deception, a Class 5 felony punishable by up to five years imprisonment and/or $10,000 fine.

 
The charges stem from the sale of metal buildings that were never completed. The Nelsons formerly operated a business in South Dakota and could have used the following names: Baron Buildings, LLC., Baron Steel Buildings, Steel Baron Buildings, Steel Buildings of Georgia and Ag Pro Buildings/Fargo.

George Donald Nelson III and Karla Ann Nelson are presumed innocent until such time as proven guilty.

 
The case is being investigated by the Division of Criminal Investigation and Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.

If you have done business with the Nelsons and believe that you may be a victim please contact the Consumer Protection Division at 1-800-300-1986 or consumerhelp@state.sd.us

A motions hearing is set for May 16, 2013, in Hughes County.

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