Ron Welch
Muskingum County Prosecutor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
ZANESVILLE MAN SENTENCED TO SIX YEARS FOR IDENTITY FRAUD, FORGERY AND OTHER OFFENSES
(ZANESVILLE, Ohio) — A Zanesville man who repeatedly used other people’s identities during encounters with law enforcement has been sentenced to six years in prison.
Ryan McKelvey, 42, appeared before Muskingum County Common Pleas Court Judge Kelly Cottrill for sentencing after being convicted of two counts of Tampering with Records, four counts of Identity Fraud, two counts of Forgery, Aggravated Possession of Drugs, and Illegal Use of Drug Paraphernalia.
Judge Cottrill sentenced McKelvey to six years in prison.
McKelvey has a criminal history that includes convictions for possession of drugs, theft, illegal conveyance of weapons, multiple counts of falsification, illegal conveyance of drugs, burglary, and disorderly conduct.
THE TRAFFIC STOP
The investigation began during a routine traffic stop by officers with the Zanesville Police Department.
After identifying the driver and determining that she did not have a valid driver’s license, officers approached the vehicle and observed McKelvey sitting in the passenger seat.
Officers noticed McKelvey was breathing heavily, shaking, and avoiding eye contact.
When asked to identify himself, McKelvey provided officers with another person’s name and personal identifying information, claiming that identity as his own.
Officers received consent to search the vehicle and McKelvey. During the search, officers discovered a bag containing pills in McKelvey’s front pants pocket.
During an interview, McKelvey admitted that he was nervous because he had 15 Oxycodone pills in his pocket. He also told officers that he had used a pipe found in the vehicle to snort one of the pills.
A FALSE IDENTITY — AND FALSE DOCUMENTS
Investigators subsequently determined that the identity McKelvey provided to officers was not his.
But McKelvey did more than simply give officers a false name.
During the arrest process, McKelvey signed four documents using the false identifying information.
Investigators then discovered this was not the first time McKelvey had used someone else’s identity during an arrest.
Detectives determined that during a previous arrest McKelvey had provided another individual’s identity and again signed four documents using false identifying information.
The investigation ultimately resulted in McKelvey being convicted of multiple counts of Identity Fraud, Tampering with Records, and Forgery, in addition to the drug-related offenses.
Assistant Prosecutor Warren Edwards handled the case on behalf of the State of Ohio.
“Trying to use another person’s identity when caught committing a crime is simply another attempt by a criminal to avoid responsibility for their crime,” said APA Warren Edwards who handled the case. “This type of fraud on the system will not be tolerated and comes with severe additional consequences in Muskingum County.”
McKelvey was sentenced to six years in prison.
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