Dating website con-artist sentenced

MANCELONA — He was accused of meeting women on a dating website using a false name, initiating relationships with these women, and then conning them out of their money after gaining their trust. Now, James Max Hughes, 38, has been sentenced for fraud.

The Mancelona man was arrested in February for numerous misdemeanor and felony offenses involving crimes of fraud and larceny by false pretenses.

Hughes pled guilty to one count of attempted common law fraud and for being a Habitual Offender – Third Degree.

He was also accused of victimizing friends of his victims; as he’d claim to own a business, wanting to open a local branch of his business in their town.

As part of his sentence, he’ll serve a minimum of four years in prison and a maximum of ten. Hughes was also ordered to pay full restitution to his victims.