‘New open box’ appliance seller in small-town Minnesota convicted of swindling 50+ victims

An appliance salesman in rural Minnesota accused of swindling more than $200,000 from more than 50 customers has reached a plea deal that pays back his victims.

Darin Lee Horner, 55, of Garvin pleaded guilty to two of six felony counts of theft by swindle in a filing to Lyon County District Court on Tuesday.

The plea deal calls for the dismissal of five other felony counts, including one for racketeering. Horner is due in court for sentencing on Dec. 16.

At a plea hearing, Horner admitted to taking money from customers without ordering the appliances purchased and with the intent to not deliver the goods they paid for, a statement from Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said this week.

“It’s hard to afford your life when thieves and scammers take your money for products they never actually deliver,” Ellison said.

According to the criminal complaint, from 2017 to 2019, Horner used payments from dozens of customers for trips to Wisconsin Dells and Las Vegas, car and house payments, fantasy football fees, and a loan for personal watercraft.

Horner’s company, Affordable Appliance Plus in Tracy, touted itself as a “new open box” seller, offering deep discounts on merchandise, but with a long lead time.

One customer paid Horner $4,100 to buy appliances but never received her merchandise or a refund. Another customer sent a wire transfer of $7,100 for a truckload of televisions but never got them.

A third customer paid $31,000 for both appliances and televisions but received goods that were not what he had ordered.

In some instances, a few customers got refunds, but it was from money that came from other victims.

Horner’s excuses for delays included holidays, road closures, and “pending flooding.”

His plea deal calls for him to receive a stay of execution on his sentence. Horner will be placed on probation for five years and must serve between 270 days and a year in jail, with time split between 2026 and 2027.