An alleged plan to beat a paternity test could lead to prison for a pair of Marysville men.
The Union County Grand Jury has indicted Kenny A. Casperson, 43, of 17495 Clark Dawson Road, and Michael D. Thompson, 42, of 20825 Collins Ave. Both men are charged with tampering with evidence and identity fraud. Union County Prosecutor Dave Phillips said Casperson had been identified as the possible father of a child. The Union County Department of Job and Family Services contacted Casperson about taking a paternity test. He was scheduled to come to the office and give an oral swab for DNA comparison.
“It is alleged that Mr. Casperson didn’t come in at all,” Phillips said.
The prosecutor explained that on April 18, Thompson allegedly showed up at the DJFS office and pretended to be Casperson.
“This was an apparent effort to prove Mr. Casperson was not the father,” Phillips said.
He said Thompson allegedly had an old driver’s license of Casperson’s.
Thompson was allegedly photographed and provided the sample, all the while acting like Casperson.
DJFS staff then asked for a fingerprint to go with the paternity test.
“He made excuses and left when asked to verify his identity,” Phillips said.
Eventually Thompson was identified as the man who came into the office.
If convicted on both counts, each man could face as many as six years in prison.
Also indicted was:
– Douglas Eric Summers, 23, of West Mansfield, is charged with having weapons under disability, a third-degree felony. Summers has a prior domestic violence conviction meaning he is not allowed to own have or live in a home with guns. Summers was arrested May 18 as part of a drug raid at 836 Collins Ave., Apt. 6, in Marysville. Police executed a search warrant at the home. When they entered the home, Summers was the first person they encountered. He was allegedly in possession of a Walther 25-calibur handgun. He was taken into custody without incident.
During the search, investigators found marijuana; meth; tactical body armor; weapons including rifles, handguns, shotguns; counter surveillance devices; as well as devices used for packaging and sale of drugs; and a significant amount of cash.
If convicted, Summers could face as many as five years in prison.
– Amie Elizabeth Boester. 27, of Ostrander. Boester is charged with aggravated possession of drugs and petty theft. According to court documents, on June 10, Boester allegedly stole a variety of cosmetic items from Wal-Mart in Marysville. When she was arrested, she was also allegedly in possession of methamphetamine. If convicted, Boester could face as many as 18 months behind bars.
– Marvin A. Martinez, 31, of Columbus, and Sidney Bernardez Mejia, 34, of Aurora, Colorado. Each man is charged with attempted kidnapping, abduction, possessing criminal tools and two counts of felonious assault. According to court documents, on July 11, the two men approached another man at his home in the 11000 block of Cedar Crest Drive. The victim said the two men were asking questions about the victim’s electric service provider. During the conversation, the men allegedly threatened the victim with guns and tried to force him to go inside. When the victim didn’t cooperate, he was allegedly hit in the face with a gun and knocked to the ground. A struggle ensued, and the victim began to yell for help. The suspects ran to their vehicle and fled.
The Union County Sheriff’s Office and the Dublin Police Department arrived at the scene. After further investigation, detectives went to the 200 block of Eldon Avenue in Columbus and arrested Martinez and Mejia. At this time, detectives are still investigating the case and searching for the third suspect who is believed to be the driver for Martinez and Mejia.