GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A 24-year-old Gainesville man was arrested Wednesday after police said they arranged an undercover purchase of suspected counterfeit tickets for the Florida Gators' football game Saturday against the LSU Tigers.
Late Tuesday afternoon, Gainesville police received a call from a person who purchased computer-printed full-page Ticketmaster game tickets after seeing an advertisement on Craigslist, investigators said. They said the tickets were sold for $50 each.
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They said the victim met Jordan Peters (pictured below) in person and purchased the tickets. After the transaction, the victim became suspicious of the validity of the tickets and contacted the University Athletic Association Ticket Office, police said.
They said the victim then contacted Peters again with a different number and inquired about purchasing the tickets. Peters provided copies of the exact same seats in a text message, police said.
Police said investigators covertly contacted Peters early Wednesday and arranged to purchase tickets from him. Undercover investigators met Peters at a predetermined location, where they said he presented the counterfeit tickets as he had the day before.
Inside Peters' backpack were 26 additional copies (both black/white and color) of an apparent printed UF vs. LSU game ticket, police said. They said all copies bore the name "Richard Ronson" and listed the seat as section 19, row 51, seat 3 or 4.
Peters' charges include grand theft, scheme to defraud and fraudulent creation and/or possession of admission ticket(s), all of which are felonies.
Peters told investigators that he had completed only three to four transactions, police said. They said investigators have contacted those purchasers individually.
Police said this should be a warning to know where your next tickets come from.
"It is very important, especially with large games, to make sure that you are purchasing your tickets to a reputable source," Officer Ben Tobias said.
Police said if you purchased tickets from Peters or have tickets with the listed seat(s), contact Detective Juan DeCastro at 352-393-7665. For other ticket concerns, contact the UAA ticket office at 352-375-4683 or go to gatorzone.com/tickets.