While keeping an eye out for a deal on Facebook Marketplace, it is wise to use safe practices as not all are honest about the items being sold. A recent case of local deception has resulted in a felony charge for a Vernal man. According to the Probable Cause Statement, around February 12 in Uintah County, David Temples advertised and offered for sale what was represented to be a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra through Facebook Marketplace. Temples met with the purchaser and sold the phone for $350. After the sale, the purchaser discovered the phone was not authentic but instead a different phone identified through an IMEI search with a substantially lower value. After being notified by the purchaser that the phone was not authentic, Temples blocked further communication and did not respond to additional messages. 44-year-old David Cody Temples has a prior felony fraud conviction within the last 10 years and is now charged with 3rd Degree Felony Theft and Deception. Temples is not in custody.
