Crystal Perkins, 32, Mansfield, Ohio, has been indicted for defrauding an 82-year-old man of more than $50,000 in an alleged real estate investment scam.
A Richland County Grand Jury indicted Perkins on two counts of theft from the elderly, a second degree felony. The Indictment is now public after being handed down last week.
Perkins allegedly formed a relationship with her elderly victim and over the course of several months took more than $50,000 from him in an alleged real estate investment scam.
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and the Richland County Prosecutor’s Office announced the charges.
The Ohio Attorney General’s Economic Crimes Unit, a division of the office’s Consumer Protection Section, conducted the investigation with help from the Richland County Sheriff’s Office and Richland County Prosecutor’s Office. An attorney from the Attorney General’s Economic Crimes Unit has been appointed as a special prosecutor in the case.
Attorney General DeWine created the Economic Crimes Unit in 2011 to identify and help prosecute consumer fraud of a criminal nature. To date, the unit’s work has resulted in 93 convictions.
“We work closely with officials throughout the state, including Richland County, to identify and pursue cases against those who take advantage of the elderly,” said Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine. “People who take advantage of seniors for their own gain will be held accountable for their actions.”
“Thefts from the elderly are on the rise. The Richland County Prosecutor’s Office would encourage families and friends to keep an eye on their loved ones so that such crimes do not go undetected for such long periods of time or hopefully can be prevented. The Office is also thankful for the cooperation and assistance of the Attorney General’s Office in this matter,” said Richland County Prosecutor Bambi Couch Page.
