Victims Sought in Disneyland Ticket Scam on Craigslist

Detectives said today they are hoping to track down additional victims of a man who pleaded guilty to selling counterfeit Disneyland tickets on Craigslist.

Terance Ray Hutchinson, 35, pleaded guilty Tuesday to counterfeiting a registered Disneyland mark in a plea deal which calls for two additional counts to be dismissed when he returns for sentencing on Sept. 21, according to Jane Robison of the District Attorney's Office.

Hutchinson placed Craigslist ads offering Disneyland "park hopper" tickets for sale at reduced prices. When buyers arrived at the amusement park, they were told that the tickets were copies and denied entry, said Sgt. Mike Austin of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Carson Station.

One victim called Hutchinson to ask for more tickets, planning to confront him and demand a refund. Detectives set up surveillance for that Sunday meeting, and Hutchinson was arrested.

Disneyland officials have told detectives that "approximately 50 of these same exact tickets" were presented at the park's box office, so more victims have yet to be identified, Austin said.

Hutchinson used his own name and phone number when he bought the original tickets and placed the Craigslist ad, according to Austin.

"He wasn't the smartest," the sergeant said.

Gardena police previously arrested Hutchinson on June 8 but released him three days later, "uncertain what they had," Austin said.

Hutchinson is expected to be sentenced to time served, 30 days of community service and ordered to make restitution to his victims, Robison said.

Anyone with information about the scam or similar incidents was asked to call Austin at (310) 830-1123.

Keep up with South Gate Patch Latino by subscribing to breaking news alerts, liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter. Have an event or announcement you'd like to publicize? Submit them for free.