Brian Allan Hoyer

On July 24, 2024, officers with the Minneapolis Police Department were forwarded a case for investigation which started in the State of Kansas. The investigation relates to a theft involving a victim (“the Victim”) who resides in Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, and Brian Allan Hoyer [DOB REDACTED] (“Defendant”), who resides in Kansas. On December 4, 2024, Officers met with Victim and conducted a formal interview. Victim told officers that he made a post on an audio equipment website related to Constellation Audio equipment.

After making the post, Victim [NAME REDACTED] from Defendant on June 30, 2021. Defendant proclaimed that he had a client who was looking to sell Constellation Audio equipment. Victim and Defendant agreed that Victim would pay Defendant $30,000.00 for the equipment (“the Equipment”). Defendant stated that he would be picking up the Equipment between July 26, 2021, and July 30, 2021, from the State of Colorado. On July 28, 2021, Victim used two credit cards to pay Defendant a total of $30,900.00 (which included a credit card processing fee). On July 29, 2021, Defendant told Victim [NAME REDACTED] would be a delay in the delivery of the Equipment.

Victim told Defendant if the delivery didn’t happen prior to Victim’s credit card bill being due, that Victim would need a full refund. One week later, Defendant notified Victim [NAME REDACTED]. Victim immediately emailed Defendant requesting a refund. Defendant replied that he would initiate a refund. On August 27, 2021, one day prior to Victim’s credit card bill being due, Victim still had not received a refund from Defendant. Victim then disputed the two credit card transactions with the credit card companies and notified Defendant.

Victim [NAME REDACTED] whole by the credit card companies. On August 31, 2021, Defendant emailed Victim stating that if Victim still wanted the Equipment Victim would need to make a bank transfer immediately. Defendant further told Victim, he had a separate buyer lined up for the Equipment. On September 14, 2021, Victim wired $30,000.00 to Defendant. Subsequently, officers obtained banking records related to banking accounts for both Victim [NAME REDACTED]. Victim’s banking records show that Victim paid Defendant $30,000.00 on September 14, 2021. Defendant’s banking records show that he received $30,000.00 from Defendant on September 14, 2021. Victim [NAME REDACTED] from Defendant.

Victim [NAME REDACTED] on delivery of the Equipment but did not receive satisfactory answers. Victim then requested that Defendant refund the bank transfer of $30,000.00. Defendant never refunded the money. Officers obtained, from Victim, many emails between Victim and Defendant for the date ranges of June 20, 2021, to May 15, 2023. Those emails corroborate what Victim [NAME REDACTED].