ARCHBOLD WEATHER

Archbold Man Allegedly Steals From Elderly Woman





Keith Pedigo

Keith Pedigo

Keith A. Pedigo, 27, rural Archbold, has been indicted by a Williams County Grand Jury for allegedly bilking an elderly woman out of thousands from her social security checks.

Williams County offi- cials first discovered the situation about three weeks ago, when Steve Towns, Williams County Sheriff, went with real estate appraisers to a home that was being foreclosed upon.

Inside, they found the owner, an elderly woman, sitting in front of a space heater because there was no heat in the house.

Further investigation revealed that allegedly, Pedigo would visit the woman once a month, when she received her social security check.

Towns said Pedigo would drive her to the bank and cash her check, allegedly pocketing about half of the money.

The victim trusted Pedigo to take care of her bills, but he apparently did not.

Towns said Pedigo confessed to the situation in an interview with a Williams County Sheriff Department lieutenant.

Indicted

Pedigo was indicted by a Williams County Grand Jury on Tuesday, March 17, on a single count of theft from an elderly person.

Fulton County Sheriff Department deputies arrested Pedigo on Thursday, March 19, and booked him into the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio.

As of Tuesday morning, Pedigo was being held on a $10,000 cash bond (no 10% allowed).

Pedigo had an initial appearance in Williams County Common Pleas Court on Friday, March 20.

He is scheduled to be arraigned today, Wednesday.

Admitted

Pedigo admitted to taking a significant amount of the victim’s money over a substantial period of time, possibly five years, Towns said.

“In the indictment, (the total amount taken) was specified as more than $25,000 to $30,000 but less than $50,000 to $60,000,” Towns said.

Kirk Yosick, Williams County prosecuting attorney, said the woman’s home was in foreclosure because “we believe she wasn’t fully aware” money was being taken from her, leaving her unable to make her mortgage payment.

“We’re still assessing the total,” Yosick said.

The charge against Pedigo is a second-degree felony.

Yosick said the potential sentence for theft from an elderly person is two to eight years in prison, and a maximum fine of $15,000.

Yosick said if Pedigo is convicted, he will be required to make restitution to the victim.

However, Yosick questioned whether Williams County officials would be able to collect the full amount from Pedigo.

The Victim

After meeting with the woman, Towns said it was apparent that she could no longer care for herself.

He contacted the Williams County Department of Jobs & Family Services.

A search was made for family members who might be able to help, but in the end, an attorney was appointed to be the woman’s legal guardian.

Today, the woman is being cared for in a nursing home. She will still lose her house to foreclosure.

Legwork

Towns said Williams County deputies are still doing legwork on the case.

“There could possibly be other victims out there,” he said.

Towns said it is “hard to fathom how people” could steal from the elderly.

“Normal people would have a conscience,” he said.

“It always seems like (crimes against) children and elderly people are the hardest ones to take, because they can’t defend themselves,” Towns said.

Yosick said Pedigo would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

“Absolutely,” Yosick said.– David Pugh


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