Dyersburg man arrested after allegedly creating online scam, multiple potentially affected

DYER COUNTY, TN – [June 26, 2025] – Your help is needed! On June 25, 2025, investigators from the Dyer County Sheriff’s Office arrested Matthew L. Ray, a 44-year-old from Dyersburg, on charges of theft exceeding $1,000.

The investigation began after Ray attempted to sell a 16-foot Big Tex trailer to several residents in Dyer County, using a photo he possessed.

On June 13, 2025, Ray received $2,500 from a businessman in Newbern, promising to deliver the trailer by June 17. When the trailer was not delivered as promised, the victim reported the incident on June 19.

Subsequent investigations revealed that the photograph used was of a trailer listed for sale by Wright Trailers in Seeonk, Massachusetts, for $8,595, with no connection to Ray.

Ray is currently held on a $75,000 bond. He is set to appear in General Sessions Court on July 3, 2025, at 9 a.m. Dyer County Sheriff Jeff Box stated that his office has received reports indicating that Ray may have attempted to defraud multiple individuals through similar schemes.

Authorities encourage anyone who has been a victim or has made payments to Ray without receiving the purchased items to contact their local law enforcement agency or the Dyer County Sheriff’s Office at (731) 285-2802.

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