(MANSFIELD, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Richland County Prosecutor Bambi Couch Page today announced that a Mansfield woman has been sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to pay $80,000 in restitution for stealing from an elderly man.
Crystal Perkins, 33, of Mansfield, pleaded guilty to one count of theft from the elderly, a second degree felony, in March. She was sentenced today.
“This case shows that stealing from the elderly is a serious crime,” Attorney General DeWine said. “The state will not tolerate this kind of abuse. We will continue to thoroughly investigate and pursue these cases.”
Richland County Prosecutor Bambi Couch Page added "Crimes against the elderly are some of the most tragic cases we deal with, as many of our victims do not live long enough to be made whole. Hopefully, that will not be the case in this matter. In these types of cases, both a prison sentence and an order of restitution seem completely appropriate and just. This Office continues to encourage families and friends to look out for the elderly and to report anything suspicious involving their relationships or finances. We appreciate the assistance of the Attorney General’s Office in handling the prosecution of this case."
Perkins formed a relationship with her elderly victim and over the course of several months took tens of thousands of dollars in cash and gift cards from him. She falsely claimed the money would be used to repair and sell an out-of-state property, promising that all his money would be returned once the property was sold. In reality, there was no such property.
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 was 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 101 convictions.
Reports of possible abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of an elderly Ohioan can be made to the Ohio Attorney General's Office by calling 800-282-0515.
-30-
Media Contacts
Dan Tierney: 614-466-3840
Kate Hanson: 614-466-3840