The Scioto County Sheriff’s Office has charged a man following complaints from elderly residents that he has been taking money for work but not doing the job he was hired to do, an arrest has been made.

James P. Ramey, 49, of High Street in Minford, is being held without bond, charged with theft by deception against the elderly, a fourth-degree felony.

Scioto County Sheriff Marty V. Donini said detectives from the sheriff’s office had been working on several cases in which elderly people have hired a man to do construction work on their houses. Donini said the subject would ask for money in advance to buy materials and for other costs. He would then take the money, damaged the house and not repair it or not do any work at all.

Donini said the detectives are familiar with Ramey, who was charged in November 2004 with 10 counts of theft by deception from the elderly and seven counts of felony theft, which ended with the suspect being sentenced to prison on charges similar to the ones he faces now.

Donini said, after an investigation, charges were presented to a Scioto County grand jury, which resulted in an indictment warrant being filed against Ramey, who turned himself in Thursday at the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office after being advised by detectives that there was a warrant for his arrest.

According to Donini, more victims have come forward and other charges will be presented to the grand jury. He said he is also encouraging all other victims to come forward corcerning Ramey.

Donini said anyone with information regarding the case should contact detective Jodi Conkel at 740-351-1091. He said all calls will remain anonymous.

FRANK LEWIS may be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 232, or flewis@heartlandpublications.com.