The Cleveland Division of the FBI - Akron Resident Agency and the Sagamore Hills Police Department announce the arrest of Oreatio Cecil Taylor, 30-years-old.

Taylor was placed into custody yesterday afternoon without incident by Sagamore Hills Police detectives and officers working the case.

According to the federal criminal complaint, an 86-year-old Sagamore Hills resident was telephonically contacted on March 16th by an unknown male indicating that the elderly lady’s granddaughter had been in an accident and was going to be arrested. The elderly lady was informed that $7,000 was needed so that her granddaughter could post bond and be released from police custody. A female was placed on the phone and began to cry—the elderly Sagamore Hills lady believed this to be her granddaughter. An unknown black male traveled to the elderly lady’s home to retrieve $7,000 in cash.

The unknown male caller called again asking for additional money indicating the accident her granddaughter was in was worse than originally thought and her charges would now be higher. Sagamore Hills Police Department had been made aware of the previous transaction and was contacted again by relatives of the elderly victim. Detectives responded to the home of the elderly Sagamore Hills resident and observed the additional calls made from the unknown male to the elderly victim to discuss the second monetary request. Again, it was determined that the money would be picked up from the home. Officers conducted surveillance and a detective remained in the home with the elderly victim.

On March 19, 2020, at approximately 4:24 p.m., Sagamore Hills police officers observed a white Chevy Silverado with Indiana license tags approach the area. Officers observed a black male exit the vehicle and walk towards the front door. Officers placed the male into custody and identified him as Taylor, a Bahamian national who had overstayed his visa by approximately five years.

Taylor is being federally charged with fraud by wire. He will appear before Judge Kathleen B. Burke, U.S. Magistrate Judge, this afternoon, March 20, 2020.

A complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Any questions regarding this press release should be directed to SA Vicki Anderson at vagregg@fbi.gov or 216-522-1400.