A Marion man has been sentenced to at least 17 years in prison after defrauding customers more than $400,000.
Ryan C. Needels, owner of Clear View Construction, was convicted of 47 felonies related to his contracting business. The charges included money laundering, corrupt activity, telecommunications fraud and 38 counts of theft. Needels was indicted by the Delaware County Common Pleas Court in August 2023.
According to a press release from Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, Needels accepted large payments for pole barns and other projects, but instead stole victims’ money.
Judge Richard Frye sentenced Needels to 17-22 years in prison and ordered him to pay $448,000 in restitution.
During his trial, 19 victims gave testimony and Frye considered many of their victim-impact statements during sentencing.
“Forty-seven convictions speak for themselves,” Yost said, according to the release. “Victims were heard and justice was served.”
Needels had previously pleaded guilty to some of the counts, but that plea was appealed and the convictions were vacated.
This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Marion contractor sentenced to 17 years for $400,000 fraud
Reporting by Abby Bammerlin, Marion Star / Marion Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
