Elkhart man admits stealing thousands, pleads guilty to wire fraud

An Elkhart man accused of ripping off victims in a phony investment scheme pleads guilty in court.

Charles Ray Smith admits to lying to four people about non-existent real estate investments, stealing more than $315,000, pleading guilty to wire fraud in federal court, Monday. Along with any jail time, Smith will pay restitution to the victims.

As ABC57 previously reported, prosecuting documents accused Smith of attempting a murder-for-hire plot to kill the victims involved when he found out about the investigation.

His sentencing is scheduled for 10am, May 11^th, in US District Court.