MONTEGO BAY, St James — A $15-million motor vehicle deal that triggered fraud allegations reached a quiet conclusion in the St James Parish Court on Wednesday, bringing an end to a case that had been winding through the justice system since October last year.

At the centre of the matter was St James resident Odane Johnson, who had been accused of pocketing $15 million in a transaction involving the supposed purchase of a bus.

Johnson faced charges of obtaining money by false pretences as well as misleading and deceptive conduct after allegedly convincing another man that he could secure a bus for him.

Court records indicate that sometime in 2024 Johnson reportedly informed the complainant that he knew someone who was selling a bus. Acting on that assurance, the complainant transferred $15 million to Johnson’s bank account to facilitate the purchase.

Johnson later indicated that the bus had already been bought and told the complainant that arrangements were being made for the title to be transferred. Months passed, however, and after roughly six months of delays the title was still not produced, nor was the money returned.

Suspicion grew, prompting the complainant to make his own enquiries. Those checks revealed what prosecutors described as a startling discovery — Johnson himself owned the bus, which also carried a lien.

The matter was subsequently reported to the police, resulting in Johnson being arrested and charged.

At an earlier court hearing, Johnson’s attorney, Maurice McCurdy, informed the court that his client had since paid off the outstanding bank loan attached to the vehicle, an issue that had previously prevented the transfer of the title.

When the case returned before the court Wednesday, it was sent to mediation. Both sides later reached an agreement. The prosecution indicated that it would offer no further evidence in the case and Johnson was formally discharged.