(LOGAN, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today announced that an Ohio man has been indicted for running a scheme in Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia where he allegedly purchased over $30,000 worth of livestock and vehicles using fraudulent checks and falsified documents.
Brandon White, 28, of Lucasville, was arraigned today after being indicted by a Hocking County grand jury on May 22. The indictment became public today. It includes 15 counts:
- Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity, first degree felony
- Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle, fourth degree felony (two counts)
- Theft of an Elderly Person, fourth degree felony
- Theft of an Elderly Person, third degree felony
- Theft by Deception, fifth degree felony (five counts)
- Money Laundering, third degree felony (two counts)
- Tampering with Records, third degree felony (three counts)
White is accused of using fraudulent checks to purchase cattle from farmers who had advertised on Craigslist that they had cattle to sell. When he picked up the animals, he often used a false alias and paid the victim using a check drawn on an account that did not belong to him and had insufficient funds. White then sold the cattle quickly, before the checks bounced. He also is accused of filing false documents and stealing vehicles used to transport the cattle. He allegedly operated under the names B&S Trucking and Livestock LLC and Brandon’s Cattle Company.
“We won’t stand by while farmers and other Ohioans are ripped off,” Attorney General DeWine said. “This defendant is accused of traveling around Ohio and nearby states to steal livestock and vehicles using fraudulent checks and false documents.”
The case is being prosecuted by an attorney with Attorney General DeWine’s Economic Crimes Unit. Attorney General DeWine created the Economic Crimes Unit shortly after taking office in 2011 to help prosecutors and local law enforcement investigate and pursue economic crimes.
This case was investigated by the Attorney General’s Economic Crimes Unit along with the Gallia County Sheriff’s Office, Hocking County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson Township Police, Portsmouth Police, Scioto County Sheriff’s Office, Kenova Police (West Virginia), Mercer County Sheriff’s Office (Kentucky), Wood County Sheriff’s Office (West Virginia), and the Ohio Department of Public Safety.
The defendant was convicted in Kentucky on similar charges. He currently is being held in the Southeast Ohio Regional Jail.
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Documents
Indictment
Media Contacts
Dan Tierney: 614-466-3840
Kate Hanson: 614-466-3840