DELAWARE, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—As former Bucyrus attorney Adam Stone awaits sentencing in the Delaware County Common Pleas Court, Crawford County Now has obtained a comprehensive 21-page sentencing memorandum that strongly recommends Stone serve a lengthy prison term.
Delaware County Prosecutor Melissa Schiffel emphasized that any punishment less than prison would undermine the seriousness of Stone’s actions and the principle that no one, including attorneys, is above the law.
In the memorandum, Schiffel expressed: “The defendant manipulated the Strakers, lied to them, and impersonated another attorney, Chris Kinsler, relying on his professional stature to perpetrate a fraud that resembles a sensational movie plot rather than a real-life experience.”
The document details the extensive manipulation Stone inflicted on Dan and Mindy Straker, his clients, leading to irreparable damage as they navigated their son’s unsolved death.
Stone, according to the State, exploited their trust and familial bond, even having the Strakers babysit for him while stealing their money, fully aware they had no valid legal case.
Notably, on November 10, 2020, according to the document, Stone’s legal representation escalated from inadequate to outright criminal fraud. He deceived the Strakers into believing he had secured a meeting with Special Prosecutor Margaret “Maggie” Tomaro of the Attorney General’s Office, a claim the state later disproved with confirmed evidence indicating no such communication ever occurred.
Schiffel told the court that text messages submitted as evidence illustrated Stone’s ongoing deception. On February 6, 2021, he messaged the Strakers about conversations with a crash reconstructionist, claiming progress was made, and on July 12, 2021, he falsely asserted that a special grand jury was being convened with their blessing, to which the Strakers responded, “Thanks so much. We love you!”
Schiffel’s memorandum recounts the many ways Stone manipulated not only the victims but also involved family members in his deceit amidst the Strakers’ grief. “He created a false belief that he truly cared, positioning himself as a friend and trusted confidant,” she argued.
Although the Strakers have received financial restitution, it was not from Stone but rather from the Ohio Supreme Court’s fund for victims of attorney fraud.
Schiffel warned of Stone’s potential for recidivism, highlighting the alarming nature of his actions given his previously stable circumstances:
“A fraud or a theft is easier to comprehend when someone is supporting a drug habit or has no job or place to live. Here, the defendant was a successful lawyer with a thriving practice. He was married and has a family. He had a stable living atmosphere and by all societal accounts, had everything going for him. This is concerning and should be considered by the Court as evidence of potential recidivism-if he perpetrated a fraud this intricate and prolonged when everything was going right in his world, what is he capable of doing at the first sign of stress, financial issues, or significant health issues?” Schiffel wrote.
This case has broader implications, affecting not just the Strakers but also local law enforcement and the integrity of the Attorney General’s Office and the Crawford County Prosecutor’s Office.
Adam Stone is set to be sentenced Tuesday morning, and Crawford County Now will provide updates as sentencing information becomes available. For the full state sentencing recommendation, follow the link below.