March 2, 2021 3:40 a.m.
Deputies with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office have made an arrest in a large-scale fraud case.
Sergeant Brad O’Dell said on Friday deputies served search warrants in Elkton and Cottage Grove in regards to a five-month long investigation into a fraudulent non-profit organization ran by an individual using the alias of “John P. Hope”. During the course of the investigation, “Hope” was identified as 40-year old Tyrone Powell. Powell was arrested during the execution of the search warrants.
O’Dell said in the later months of 2020, deputies began an investigation into the suspected fraudulent transaction of privately-owned property to an organization called the “Impossible Roads Foundation”, which was ran by Powell. O’Dell said the victim in the transaction was elderly and under the impression the foundation was a legitimate non-profit organization that built tiny-homes for disabled veterans. O’Dell said the victim had agreed to donate approximately 3 acres to the foundation, but during the transaction Powell actually obtained nearly 31 acres and a shop. Powell immediately began assuming the shop and property as his own after the transaction.
O’Dell said later Powell obtained restraining orders against the victim and filed criminal reports accusing the victim of other crimes, such as burglary and theft.
Deputies learned that after attending Yale University, the suspect lived in Arizona where be became involved in fraudulent activity. Also, during this time Powell operated several fraudulent non-profit organizations under various names.
O’Dell said Powell is believed to have traveled to Alaska and Washington, later assuming the identity of “John Hope” and obtaining a Washington identification card and a Social Security card under his new alias. O’Dell said while in Washington, Powell started the latest supposed non-profit organization.
Deputies traveled to Washington in January, and interviewed several people who were familiar with Powell and knew him as “John Hope”.
Powell was charged with first degree counts of theft by deception, identity theft, forgery, and criminal possession of a forged instrument along with 2 counts each of perjury and false swearing, unlawful possession of a fictious identification and for fraudulently obtaining a signature. O’Dell said additional charges may be added. After arraignment, bail was set at $400.000.
Anyone with information regarding Powell or the investigation is asked to call the DCSO Tip Line at 957-2099.