Cemetery owner from Ohio pleads guilty in fraud case
The other DELAWARE — half of a husband-wife team accused of scamming dozens of people out of money intended for cemetery markers and other services that were never delivered has pleaded guilty.
Theodore L. “Ted” Martin, 54, pleaded guilty Monday to 14 counts, mostly related to elderly victims for thefts occurring between 2014 and 2016.
His wife, Arminda Martin, 47, and former co-owner of Fairview Memorial Park in Lewis Center, pleaded guilty to similar charges Friday.
Delaware County Assistant Prosecutor Corey Goe described one of the victims as a family member of a soldier killed in Iraq. Another was a woman who pre-paid for a burial plot next to her deceased grandson.
“Most of the funds ... have all been tracked back to various casino purchases,” Goe said. “Those monies and funds are no longer in existence.”
Martin recalled some of the cases, stating that funds were collected, vaults, markers and vases ordered, but not delivered.
Asked by Delaware County Common Pleas Court Judge Everett Krueger: “Did you put her funds in a trust account?” Martin quietly said, “No.”
Martin was transported from federal prison where he serving a sentence for federal tax-fraud.
Asked by Krueger if he was being forced into the plea agreement, Martin said, “Nobody’s forcing me ... circumstances are forcing me.”
Asked about giving up his rights, including to a jury trial, he added: “I don’t wish to give those rights up ... but under these circumstances, yes.”
If the prison sentences are served consecutively, Martin could spend up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced, along with Mrs. Martin, Dec. 8.
Attorney A.C. Strip, who was appointed receiver for the cemetery, said he has only heard from one potential buyer for the property.
The cemetery has remained open throughout the case, with one burial a week on average, Strip said.
Victims continue to come forward, currently more than 70, to whom the Martins owe more than $200,000.
The Martins also are scheduled for a Dec. 11 jury trial in Portage County, where they are accused of similar crimes at Grandview Memorial Park cemetery in that northeastern Ohio county.