Four people have been indicted in connection with two separate cases of defrauding elderly victims, according to the latest session of the Scioto County Grand Jury. And for at least two of the accused, it’s not their first rodeo.
The indictments highlight a growing concern about financial crimes targeting vulnerable seniors, with suspects using telecommunications fraud and electronic transactions to drain thousands of dollars from elderly victims.
Case One: Familiar Faces Back in Trouble
Anna Caudill, 33, of Portsmouth, and Richard Colley, 36, of Stout, were indicted for scamming an elderly person using telecommunications fraud.
🔹 Charges Against Caudill:
- Theft
- Theft from a Person in a Protected Class
- Telecommunications Fraud (2 counts)
Caudill is no stranger to the courtroom. She was convicted of telecommunications fraud in 2022 and originally sentenced to probation through the STAR Justice Center, but her probation was revoked. She ended up serving 158 days in prison and was released in 2023. The new indictment states Caudill is currently homeless and continued criminal activity by targeting another elderly victim.
🔹 Charges Against Colley:
- Theft from a Person in a Protected Class
- Telecommunications Fraud (2 counts)
Colley’s rap sheet is lengthy, with previous convictions for motor vehicle theft, failure to register as a sex offender, receiving stolen property, and more. Authorities say he teamed up with Caudill to scam an elderly person using fake claims via phone or text, tricking them into handing over money.
Case Two: $18,000 Vanishes in Fraud Scheme
In a separate indictment, Jodi and Ronald Howard of West Portsmouth are accused of draining $18,000 from an elderly woman using fraudulent electronic transactions between January and March 2025.
🔹 Charges Against Both Jodi, 51, and Ronald Howard, 53:
- Theft from a Person in a Protected Class (2 counts)
- Telecommunications Fraud (2 counts)
The couple allegedly carried out a series of digital transactions to siphon funds, leaving the elderly victim thousands of dollars short. Authorities say the fraud wasn’t a one-time mistake—it was a deliberate, repeated pattern over several months.
Why These Charges Matter
“Theft from a person in a protected class” is a serious charge in Ohio, referring to crimes committed against seniors or other vulnerable individuals. The law offers enhanced penalties for anyone who knowingly targets the elderly for financial gain.
Telecommunications fraud involves using phones, texts, or the internet to deceive someone into giving up personal information or money. These types of scams have become increasingly common—and devastating.
Protecting Seniors from Scams
Officials are urging the public to be alert for red flags like:
- Unusual banking activity
- Strange phone calls asking for money
- Reluctance from seniors to discuss their finances
If you suspect elder fraud, contact law enforcement or Adult Protective Services immediately. It’s a reminder that scams don’t always come from strangers—they can come from someone you know.
All four defendants are expected to be arraigned in Scioto County Common Pleas Court in the coming weeks.
