Samuel Holmes v. Lexington-CJD, LLC d/b/a/ Freedom CDJR of Lexington

CourtDistrict Court, E.D. Kentucky
DecidedOctober 23, 2025
Docket5:23-cv-00249
StatusUnknown

This text of Samuel Holmes v. Lexington-CJD, LLC d/b/a/ Freedom CDJR of Lexington (Samuel Holmes v. Lexington-CJD, LLC d/b/a/ Freedom CDJR of Lexington) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, E.D. Kentucky primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Samuel Holmes v. Lexington-CJD, LLC d/b/a/ Freedom CDJR of Lexington, (E.D. Ky. 2025).

Opinion

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF KENTUCKY CENTRAL DIVISION AT LEXINGTON

SAMUEL HOLMES CASE NO. 5:23-CV-249-KKC-MAS Plaintiff, v. OPINION AND ORDER LEXINGTON-CJD, LLC d/b/a/ FREEDOM CDJR OF LEXINGTON Defendant. *** *** *** This matter is before the Court on a Motion for Summary Judgement (DE 70) filed by Defendant Lexington-CJD, LLC (“Freedom”). Now that this motion is fully briefed, it is ripe for the Court’s review. For the following reasons, Freedom’s motion is GRANTED in part and DENIED in part. I. FACTUAL BACKGROUND This action arises from the circumstances surrounding Plaintiff Samuel Holmes’ purchase of a limited-production 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost (“Black Ghost”) from Freedom. Holmes, a businessman and real estate investor, owns at least 15 collector cars. Holmes purchased limited-production vehicles, including the Black Ghost, as long-term retirement investments. Freedom is a Kentucky LLC that sells and services cars in the Commonwealth. On May 20, 2023, Holmes purchased the Black Ghost from freedom. This was the third limited-production vehicle Holmes purchased from Freedom in 2023. Previously, Holmes purchased a 2023 Dodge Charger King Daytona for $156,112.81 on May 4 and a Dodge Challenger Swinger for $80,304.00 on May 10. Notably, the two cars were purchased from Freedom with an odometer reading of 11 miles. (DE 77 n.11.) The sale and acquisition of the Black Ghost on May 20, 2023 did not present a standard car-buying transaction. Holmes states that he was “very ill” on that day, claiming to have suffered an extreme attack of sarcoidosis the day before that complicated his diabetes. (DE 77 at 4, n.12.) Holmes maintains that the illness caused him to have a reduced ability to see and think. (Id.) Although ill, Holmes informed Freedom’s sales professional, Ryan Hall, that he wanted to come in and pick up the vehicle. (DE 70 at 6.) To facilitate this, Hall transported Holmes to the dealership. (Id.) Freedom states that when Holmes arrived at the dealership, he was given a demonstration of all the vehicle’s features and even sat in the

driver’s seat. (Id. at 7.) At some point after that, Holmes signed the necessary paperwork (“Purchase Packet”) to purchase the Black Ghost. Holmes testified that both he and Freedom signed five documents in the Purchase Packet, all of which indicated that the Black Ghost’s odometer read 11 miles. The executed documents stating that the odometer read 11 miles were the (1) Odometer Disclosure Statement; (2) Limited Power of Attorney to Transfer Ownership and Disclose Mileage; (3) Warranty Registration Statement; (4) Retail Purchase Agreement; and (5) Application for Kentucky Certificate of Title. (DE 77 at 1–2.) Although the purchase documents stated that the Black Ghost had an odometer reading of 11 miles, the parties dispute the “actual” mileage on the Black Ghost at the time of purchase. Holmes asserts that he purchased the Black Ghost with 11 miles on it. It was not until after he accepted delivery of the Black Ghost and obtained possession of it that he noticed the odometer read “24 or 25” miles. (DE 70 at 2.) To the contrary, Freedom asserts that Pre-Delivery Inspection Report indicates the Black Ghost had 20.1 miles on its odometer when Freedom received it on May 19, 2023. (Id. at 19.) That same day, Freedom asserts that its detail shop manager, Sarah McHone, drove the Black Ghost approximately four miles in accordance with the manufacturer’s procedures. (Id.) The Black Ghost’s Pre-Delivery Inspection Report states that the odometer read 24.5 miles at “End of Road Test.” (Id.) Thus, Freedom maintains that the Black Ghost had 24.5 miles on the odometer on May 20, 2023, the day Holmes purchased the vehicle. The actual mileage on the car on May 20, 2023 is not entirely clear. This dispute in mileage is hereinafter referred to as the “13.5 mile discrepancy.” Freedom contests that the 13.5 mile discrepancy is a result of a forgetful error. Freedom’s general manager, Robert Cecil, testified that Freedom’s software automatically pre-populates “11” as the mileage on the paperwork for every sale of a new vehicle. (DE 70 at 18.) Freedom asserts that a sales

professional is then required to replace the default mileage amount with the vehicle’s actual mileage before printing the paperwork, but, in this case, the sales representative failed to change the default number. Holmes contests Freedom’s explanation of the 13.5 mile discrepancy. He asserts that the software does not default mileage to 11 or any other number, and that the shop manager, McHone physically typed “1” and “1” in all five of the named Purchase Packet documents. (DE 77 at 5.) Additionally, he points to Freedom’s contradictory explanation of events. The general manager, Cecil, testified the Black Ghost arrived with 24 miles, while McHone, the shop manager, testified that it arrived with 20.1. (DE 77 at 6.) Holmes’ expert, Steven Proto, contends that it is “highly, highly unlikely that 20.1 or 24 miles were put on the vehicle at the manufacturer.” (Id. at 15.) Even though the necessary paperwork had been signed on May 20, 2023 Holmes did not take immediate possession of the Black Ghost. He officially took possession 13 days later on June 2, 2023, when it was transported by trailer to a detailer for ceramic coating. On June 3, 2023, Holmes called Freedom to express his dissatisfaction in the extra mileage alongside finding “multiple scratches on the exterior of the vehicle.” (DE 70 at 2.) After the parties were unable to come to an agreement, Holmes returned the Black Ghost to Freedom’s possession on June 26, 2023. On August 17, 2023, Holmes filed this action against Freedom and FCA US LLC (“Dodge”) in Fayette County Circuit Court. (DE 1-1.) The complaint asserts claims for breach of contract, intentional infliction of emotional distress, intentional misrepresentation, conspiracy, violation of KRS § 367.842, violation of the Kentucky Consumer Protection Act (“KCPA”), fraud, and seeks punitive damages as well as injunctive relief in the form of a return of the price paid. (DE 8-2.) On August 29, 2023, Defendants removed the case to

federal court. (DE 1.) On November 6, 2023, this Court dismissed Dodge as a party to this action. (DE 18.) Now, Freedom moves for summary judgment on all claims, arguing as follows: (1) no reasonable jury could find the reasonable inducement necessary to allow [revocation of acceptance] nor could [it] find the reasonable reliance required for a fraud and intentional misrepresentation claim; (2) the record does not contain competent evidence that Holmes suffered a “substantial impairment” or damages in connection with the purchase; (3) the fraud/intentional misrepresentation claims fail because no reasonable jury could find evidence to overcome the presumption of Freedom’s innocence and honesty; (4) the intentional infliction of emotional distress claim fails because Holmes failed to identify an expert; (5) Holmes lacks standing under the KCPA and/or KRS § 367.842; (6) Holmes may not seek recission or any other form of equitable relief based on mutual mistake or unjust enrichment; and (7) Holmes’ conspiracy claim fails because it is not an independent cause of action under Kentucky law. (DE 70 at 3.) Additionally, Freedom seeks attorney’s fees and storage fees in the amount of $50/day. II. DISCUSSION A district court will grant summary judgment when the moving party shows there is no genuine dispute regarding any material fact and that the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a); see also Celotex Corp. v.

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Bluebook (online)
Samuel Holmes v. Lexington-CJD, LLC d/b/a/ Freedom CDJR of Lexington, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/samuel-holmes-v-lexington-cjd-llc-dba-freedom-cdjr-of-lexington-kyed-2025.