Ron Welch
Muskingum County Prosecutor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, May 28, 2026
Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office Participates in Community Fraud Seminar
Representatives from the Muskingum County Prosecutor's Office participated in a community centered fraud seminar aimed at local senior citizens and their caregivers.
The seminar, hosted by The Center and its Executive Director Kate Paul, was a county-wide inter-agency collaboration between the Prosecutor’s Office, the Sheriff's Office, and the Zanesville Police Department. Representatives from each agency, including Prosecutor Ron Welch and Sheriff Matt Lutz, discussed in detail trending schemes aimed at senior citizens. Panelists also went into detail on ways they can protect themselves from falling victim and losing everything to their name.
Assistant Prosecutor John Litle discussed a scam commonly known as “pig butchering,” a scheme in which offenders gradually build trust with victims over time before financially exploiting them and stripping away their savings and sense of security.
Additionally, Prosecutor Welch addressed a larger concern and question most often heard from members of the public; how is the person who stole thousands of dollars from me not in prison?
Specifics of criminal law and sentencing related to the common charges associated with theft were discussed and members of the audience were provided the opportunity to engage with panelists and ask questions.
Welch explained that a desire to decrease the prison population motivated changes in the law. A thief or scammer with no prior felony convictions has to steal more than $37,500 to even be considered for prison. Welch expressed an understanding that locking up violent offenders is a must but letting thieves and scammers go free is not the answer either.
After learning of the significant financial loss required for a defendant to receive prison time according to Ohio law, one member of the audience noted, “that’s small beans to some, but a lot to us.”
She then asked what members of the community can do to help shape laws with the community’s needs in mind. In response, Prosecutor Welch encouraged those in attendance to stay engaged in the legislative process and continue making their voices heard.
The Muskingum County Sheriff's Office and the Zanesville Police Department have both been successful in investigating cases of fraud that originated outside of Ohio. These investigations have resulted in a nationwide roundup of scammers and substantial prison terms for the offenders. Despite the challenges of sending a scammer to prison, it is important to come forward for purposes of holding the person accountable and preventing others from becoming a victim.
The Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office plans to continue educating senior citizens through its partnership with The Center by offering quarterly visits focused on topics of interest and community awareness.
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