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Garfield Heights Woman Indicted on Multiple Felony Counts in Ashland County Fraud Case
ASHLAND, OHIO — March 20, 2025 — A Garfield Heights woman is facing a series of felony and misdemeanor charges after allegedly executing a multi-location bank fraud scheme that targeted multiple Park National Bank branches across north-central Ohio.
Daion Owens, 29, appeared before Magistrate Emily M. Bates of the Ashland County Common Pleas Court today via video conference following her arrest on a sealed indictment (sub rosa) issued by a Ashland grand jury.
Owens, who was not represented by legal counsel during the hearing, was informed of her rights and the eight-count indictment against her. Attorney Kimberly Stout-Sherrer was subsequently appointed as her legal representative after Owens was found to be indigent.
The indictment, presented by Assistant Prosecutor James Reese, outlines a complex scheme in which Owens allegedly forged and attempted to cash fraudulent checks across multiple counties on August 2, 2023. The charges include:
Two counts of Theft (Fifth-degree felonies), for allegedly stealing a total of over $3,500 from two Park National Bank branches — one in Ashland and another in Ontario.
Two counts of Attempted Theft (First-degree misdemeanors), stemming from unsuccessful attempts to cash fraudulent checks in Mansfield.
Four counts of Forgery (Fifth-degree felonies), related to forged checks drawn on an account belonging to a Park National Bank customer, “The Veterans and First Responders.”
According to the indictment, Owens successfully cashed checks at the Ashland and Ontario locations, totaling $1700.00 and $1849.19 respectively. However, her attempts to cash similar fraudulent checks at Mansfield branches were denied.
Court records show that Owens is accused of using checks from a compromised account ending in 5965, belonging to The Veterans and First Responders, a nonprofit organization. Investigators allege she knowingly presented forged instruments with the intent to defraud the organization and the bank.
During the bond hearing, Prosecutor Reese referenced Owens’ extensive criminal history, including recent charges in multiple Ohio counties:
2023: Three counts of counterfeiting (F4) and one count of forgery (F5) in Summit County
2023: Seven counts of forgery (F5), receiving stolen property (F5), and grand theft (F4) in Lorain County
2023: Theft charge (M1) in Mayfield Heights
2017: Falsification charge (M1) in North Olmsted
The magistrate set bond at $25,000, allowing for either a 10% cash deposit or full bond via surety or collateral. As part of her bond conditions, Owens must not leave the state without permission, abstain from drugs and alcohol, submit to random testing, and have no contact with Park National Bank locations.
She is scheduled for arraignment on Monday, March 24, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., which will also be held via video unless she posts bond prior to the hearing.
Owens is currently held on the charges of theft, attempted theft, and forgery, all carrying potential prison time if convicted. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not ruled out the possibility of additional charges or co-conspirators in the fraud scheme.
