The Union County Grand Jury has indicted a man for allegedly stealing the identity of his deployed Marine brother.
Austin Curtis Ball, 21, of 160 Lantern Lane, Plain City, is charged with one count each of identity fraud, obstructing official business and possession of drug abuse instruments.
On July 29, Ball was pulled over by the Ohio State Highway Patrol for allegedly following a car too closely. While the trooper was speaking with Ball, he noticed drug paraphernalia in the vehicle. The trooper asked for identification. Ball said he didn’t have any identification on him and gave the name and address of his brother. When police investigated further, they found additional drug paraphernalia in the vehicle. When asked again, Ball allegedly identified himself as his brother. A passenger in the vehicle did not contradict Ball.
The man was released and a summons was issued to have Ball appear in court.
“He failed to appear in court, but obviously the notification would have gone out in the brother’s name to his address,” said Union County Assistant Prosecutor Rick Rodger.
A warrant was issued for the brother because he did not come to the court appearance. A Plain City police officer learned of the warrant and contacted the Highway Patrol. He told the trooper about the mix-up. The officer explained the brother was an active duty Marine and was not in Ohio at the time of the alleged offense. The trooper was able to identify Ball as the one in the car.
Also indicted was:
Tanya Lynn Howell, 41, of 344 N. Franklin St., Richwood. Howell is charged with one count each of aggravated burglary and assault. According to court documents, on Nov. 19, Howell broke into a Richwood woman’s home and went to the bedroom. In the bedroom, Howell found her husband and the woman who lived in the home. Howell allegedly knocked items off the shelves and grabbed the other woman. Howell allegedly pushed the woman down. According to court documents, when the woman got back up, “Tanya Howell grabbed her again and pinned her against the bed, attempting to hit (the victim’s) head against the bed post.”
The victim was eventually able to get Howell off of her. Howell then left the scene.
If convicted on both charges, Howell could face more than a decade in prison.
Jacob Allen Smith, 22, of 31016 Winnemac Road, Richwood. Smith is charged with one count each of receiving stolen property and possessing a defaced firearm. According to court documents, on Oct. 23, Smith allegedly had a handgun he knew or should have known was stolen.
If convicted, Smith could face as many as 24 months in prison.
Joshua J. Scott, 27, of 980 N. Maple St., Marysville. Scott is charged with two counts of theft, and one count each of identity fraud and illegal use of supplemental nutritional assistance program benefits or Woman, Infants and Children Program Benefits. In March and April, Scott allegedly used a woman’s benefit’s card.
If convicted, Scott could face as many as four years in prison.
Paula M. Mills, 45, of 5160 Longview Road, in Hilliard. Mills is charged with one count each of theft from a person in a protected class and identity fraud against a person in a protected class.
According to court documents, from June to August, Mills allegedly stole the identity and $1,474 from an elderly woman.
If convicted, Mills could face as many as six and a half years in prison.
Colton Paul Shrum, 22, of 244 Race St., Richwood. Shrum is charged with one count of theft for allegedly stealing a visa card earlier this month. If convicted, Shrum could face as many as 12 months in prison.
Mary Ann Hillyard, 34, of 19756 Westlake Lee Road, Marysville. Hillyard is charged with one count of theft and four counts of tampering with records. According to court documents between July and November 2016, Hillyard filed multiple false documents in an effort to get cash, food assistance and medical assistance from the Department of Job and Family Services. If convicted, Hillyard could face as many as 21 years in prison.
Jared Cole Minshall, 29, of 8060 Price-Hilliard Road, Plain City. Minshall is charged with one count each of theft and receiving stolen property. According to court documents, between March and September, Minshall stole six chainsaws from a Union County man. If convicted, Minshall could face as many as 24 months in prison if convicted.
Kenneth Ray Crumb, 39, of 29734 Lemasters Road, Richwood. Crumb is charged with one count of theft from a person in a protected class. According to court documents, between July and October, Crumb allegedly stole $4,000 from a local elderly woman. If convicted, Crumb could face as many as 18 months in prison.
William E. Goodknight Sr., 57, of Grove City. Goodknight has been charged with one count each of theft and receiving stolen property. According to court documents, on Aug. 10, Goodknight allegedly stole cameras and equipment from Costco in Jerome Township. If convicted on both counts, Goodknight could face as many as 24 months in prison.