A 69-year-old man has been arrested after authorities say he spent nearly 20 years convincing a Tuscarawas County resident to hand over more than $1 million for an alpaca farm that never existed.
Ricky Lindsay, 69, is charged with aggravated theft, a second-degree felony, following an investigation by the Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the sheriff’s office, the 63-year-old victim lost $1,092,117 between 2006 and October 2026.
The alleged scheme began in 2006 when the victim met Lindsay while discussing rental properties. At some point, Lindsay approached him about becoming business partners in an alpaca farming operation that he claimed involved the government.
Investigators said Lindsay convinced the victim to provide money for land, animals and other expenses associated with getting the farm started.
Over the years, Lindsay continued asking for money, claiming he needed it for everything from purchasing property and alpacas to paying the IRS.
But the farm never materialized.
According to the sheriff’s office, whenever the victim questioned Lindsay about the property or animals, Lindsay would come up with another explanation. More recently, he reportedly claimed the money was needed to cover legal fees.
Despite never seeing the farm, the victim continued giving Lindsay money, sometimes meeting him once or twice a week to hand over cash.
The victim kept receipts and a detailed ledger of the payments, which investigators say totaled more than $1.09 million.
On Oct. 22, the victim went to the Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office to report what had happened. Deputy Bob Mecomonaco handled the complaint, according to the department’s incident report.
Investigators learned the victim had last met Lindsay on Oct. 21, when he gave him another $1,064.
Deputies contacted Cambridge police and learned Lindsay was staying at a hotel in Cambridge.
When Tuscarawas County deputies arrived and questioned Lindsay about the allegations, authorities said he could not provide answers about the money or the promised farm.
Lindsay was taken into custody Oct. 22. During his arrest, investigators seized $1,065 in cash, nearly the exact amount the victim had handed him the day before.
Cambridge police also charged Lindsay with obstructing official business after authorities said he provided a false name.
According to the sheriff’s office, Lindsay told investigators he had been living at the Cambridge hotel for approximately four months. He also claimed to stay at a hotel in Canton and occasionally in Florida, although investigators have been unable to verify those claims.
Authorities said they suspect Lindsay may have been involved in similar scams throughout his life, but that has not been confirmed.
Following discussions with Tuscarawas County prosecutors, Lindsay was arrested on a second-degree felony charge of aggravated theft and transported to jail.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Lindsay is being held in the Tuscarawas County Jail on a $250,000 bond.
