THOMASVILLE (CNHI) — Complaints about a Coolidge used-car dealer that began in March resulted in the Wednesday arrest of the dealer and ongoing state and local investigations.

“People who bought cars from Car Nation were having problems getting their tags,” said Capt. Steven Jones, Thomas County Sheriff’s Office public information officer.

Jones contacted Jerry Lee Frazier Jr., Car Nations operator, and was assured the situation was “a minor problem” that would be fixed.

In April, Jones began receiving two or three complaints daily about Car Nation customers being unable to purchase permanent tags for their vehicles.

Customers’ temporary tags were expiring. Frazier, Jones said, was issuing hand-written temporary tags.

“In Georgia, temporary tags now have to be printed from the office of the state department of revenue,” Jones explained.

Jones said Frazier was not completing required title work within 30 days of a sale, as required by Georgia law.

“When a customer’s temporary tag expired and he still had not done title work, he issued a counterfeit tag,” the officer said.

Jones went to the business, where Frazier said the problem would be corrected.

Issuance of counterfeit temporary tags continued.

A sheriff’s office investigation showed Frazier was selling vehicles that had liens. Jones met with Frazier a second time.

“That is when we put him on notice: This stops now,” Jones said.

Further investigation showed Car Nation’s Thomas County business license, state used-car dealer license and bond and liability insurance had expired.

A search warrant executed at the business produced counterfeit temporary tags and proof of expirations.

Jones filed a number of complaints about the business with the office of the Georgia secretary of state, which oversees and inspects used-car dealers.

Frazier operates the business for the owner, who has received a cease-and-desist order.

A secretary of state’s office representative who met with Jones Wednesday said the state agency will determine if state charges are warranted against the owner.

“The suspect denied responsibility for everything” Jones said.

Frazier, 28, 38 Mary’s Lane, Moultrie, was arrested, arraigned and released on bond Wednesday.

He is charged with two counts of theft by deception and one count of concealing the identity of a vehicle by using counterfeit temporary tags.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820.