DELAWARE — A Marion contractor who defrauded customers out of nearly $450,000 will serve 17 to 22 years in prison after being convicted on 47 felony counts in Delaware County Common Pleas Court.
Ryan C. Needels, owner of Clear View Construction, defrauded consumers of nearly $450,000 in a long-running scheme in which he accepted large payments for pole barns and other projects but failed to complete the work, according to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost.
The charges against Needels include engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, telecommunications fraud, seven counts of money laundering and 38 counts of theft.
Judge Richard Frye presided over the case, which included testimony from 19 victims and additional victim-impact statements submitted ahead of sentencing.
The judge ordered Needels to serve 17 to 22 years in prison and pay $448,000 in restitution, describing him as a “predator,” according to the attorney general’s release.
Ty Sonagere, one of 18 victims set to receive restitution, was scammed out of $18,100.
“Based on what we experienced, I have no doubt that had a more lenient sentence been given, he would have returned to the same behavior,” Sonagere said in an email to Delaware Source.
“This decision helps protect others from going through what we did, and for that, I am grateful.”
Sonagere said he believes the outcome reflects the seriousness of the harm done to multiple families.
“I am extremely pleased that justice was served in this case. The Attorney General’s office, the attorneys involved, and the judge got it right,” he said.
The remaining victims will receive payments ranging from $9,000 to $95,000, according to the final judgment entry.
“Forty-seven convictions speak for themselves,” Yost said. “Victims were heard and justice was served.”
Prior cases show pattern of fraud
This case stems from an Aug. 31, 2023 indictment in Delaware County.
Court records show Needels has faced prior theft-related cases in the county.
In 2019, he pleaded guilty to two counts of fifth-degree felony theft and was granted intervention in lieu of conviction, which he later violated by not paying court costs.
He was indicted again in 2020 on a fourth-degree felony theft charge, ordered to pay $41,615 in restitution and again granted intervention in lieu of conviction. He later violated those terms.
Needels was placed on community control for the violations, but was later arrested for violating his community control. He was booked into the Southeastern Correctional Institution on Nov. 26, 2024.
Jail records show he was transferred to the Delaware County jail on Feb. 20 before being returned to the state facility on March 20.
