Former Connecticut Teacher Arrested in Major Car Title-Washing Scheme

A former Stratford High School English teacher sits at the center of a growing criminal investigation that now stretches across Connecticut—and even beyond. James O’Neill, 47, stands accused of running a complex multi-vehicle title-washing scheme. Investigators claim he used fake Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs), leaving buyers with seized cars, big financial hits, and a mess to clean up.

Former Stratford Teacher Accused in Title-Washing Scheme

Court records say O’Neill faces three separate criminal cases in different parts of Connecticut. These allegations have sparked concern in communities from Stratford and West Haven to Hartford and New Haven, as investigators try to figure out just how many cars and people got caught up in all this.

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From Classroom to Criminal Court

District officials confirm O’Neill resigned from Stratford High School on December 2, 2024. At that point, he was already under scrutiny after Stratford police arrested him in January, saying he’d used school equipment to fraudulently alter motor vehicle titles.

What started as a local personnel issue quickly ballooned into a tangled criminal probe involving multiple agencies. Just two days after stepping down, on December 4, O’Neill was arrested again—this time by the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles.

Those new charges include forgery, making a false statement, and larceny. The list of accusations keeps growing.

Multiple Criminal Cases and Serious Charges

Court documents show O’Neill now faces three pending criminal cases in Connecticut. These charges hit several corners of the state court system, from Middletown to Bridgeport. Investigators see a pattern of organized vehicle fraud here.

List of Alleged Offenses

He’s been charged with:

Forgery

Larceny

Criminal impersonation

Identity theft

Illegal alteration of vehicle identification numbers (VINs)

Investigators say O’Neill is a suspect in cases involving cars in Connecticut and other states, all tied to duplicate or fake VINs. The investigation has even pulled in law enforcement from as far away as Albany, New York. Police in places like Norwalk, Stamford, and Danbury are keeping a close eye out for local victims.

Alleged Fraud Involving a Stolen Jeep Gladiator

One case authorities highlighted shows just how damaging a title-washing scheme can get for a buyer who thinks they’re making a legit deal. A Connecticut man told investigators he traded in his 2017 Jeep Wrangler and paid $10,000 in cash for what he believed was a 2023 Jeep Gladiator.

The “Jameson Neill” Alias

The buyer said he made the deal with a man who called himself “Jameson Neill,” a name investigators say O’Neill used. For months, the buyer drove the Gladiator, thinking everything was above board.

That changed fast when authorities found out the Jeep’s VIN was fake. Turns out, the Gladiator had actually been stolen from an Avis Car Rental in Albany, New York.

Police seized the vehicle. The buyer lost both his Wrangler and the $10,000 he’d handed over. It’s a nightmare scenario, honestly.

Search of West Haven Home Uncovers Evidence

As the investigation moved forward, authorities searched O’Neill’s home in West Haven, a shoreline town not far from cities like New London and Milford. What they found there, well, it didn’t look good for him.

Items Seized by Investigators

Inside, police say they found:

Electronic devices they believe were used to create or store fake documents

A notary embosser and stamps

Multiple vehicle titles possibly linked to fraudulent paperwork

Investigators think these tools played a role in making stolen or encumbered cars look clean on paper. It’s a pretty elaborate setup, if you ask me.

What Happens Next in Court?

O’Neill hasn’t talked to investigators about any of this. He posted a $60,000 bond and is set to appear in Middletown Superior Court as his cases move forward.

Ongoing Investigation and Consumer Caution

His attorney won’t comment publicly. The legal process could drag on for months, maybe even longer, while law enforcement tries to identify every potential victim.

Folks in communities like Stratford, West Haven, Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, and Waterbury are getting reminders to stay sharp when buying used cars—especially from private sellers.

Authorities urge buyers to double-check VINs through official sources and review vehicle history reports. If a deal looks suspiciously good, it’s probably worth a second thought.

Here is the source article for this story: A former CT teacher is suspected in major car title-washing scheme. How he allegedly did it.

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