6A | MARCH 4, 2021 | COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL Deputies make arrest in large-scale fraud case DOUGLAS COUN- TY — On Friday, Feb. 26, deputies with the Douglas County Sheriff ’s Office served search warrants in Elkton and Cottage Grove in regard to a five-month long investigation into a fraudulent non-profit or- ganization run by an in- dividual using the alias of “John P. Hope.” During the course of the investigation, “Hope” was identified as 40-year- old Tyrone Curtis Powell. Powell was arrested during the execution of the search warrants. In the later months of 2020, deputies began an investigation into the sus- pected fraudulent trans- action of privately-owned property to a foundation called the “Impossible Roads Foundation,” which was run by Powell. The victim in the trans- action was elderly and under the impression the foundation was a legitimate non-profit organization that built tiny-homes for disabled veterans. The vic- tim originally had agreed to donate approximately 3 acres to the foundation, believing it was legitimate. But during the transac- tion Powell actually ob- tained approximately 30.8 acres and a shop. Powell immediately began assum- ing the shop and property as his own property after the transaction. After the transaction for the property, Powell ob- tained Restraining Orders against the victim and filed criminal reports accusing the victim of other crimes, such as burglary and theft. Powell filed these reports and court documents using the alias of “John Hope.” Deputies initially inves- a .. Powell fled Arizona. Powell is believed to have traveled to Alaska, initially, and then shortly there af- ter to Bellingham, Wash. Once in Bellingham, Pow- ell assumed the identity of “John Hope” and was able to illegally obtain a Wash- ington Identification card and Social Security card under the new alias with his fraudulent story. While in Bellingham, he again started anoth- er fraudulent non-profit organization, Impossible Roads Foundation. Under this fraudulent or- ganization, Powell claimed to build tiny homes for disabled veterans. Powell obtained large donations from companies such as Home Depot and Matson, as well as others. In January of 2021, dep- uties traveled to Belling- ham and interviewed mul- tiple individuals who were familiar with Powell, and who knew him as “John Hope.” While in Bellingham, deputies also investigat- ed the Impossible Roads Foundation and its claims of building tiny homes. Through the investiga- tion, deputies learned the majority of the donated items were not being uti- lized and were essentially abandoned. Furthermore, it was learned the majority of shipping containers, which were donated under the pretenses they were to be used as the tiny home structures, had been sold to a company or individu- als. Deputies also investigat- ed some of Powell’s history in Arizona and were able to contact an individual who was able to provide Tyrone Curtis Powell, aka “John P. Hope.” tigated “Hope’s” identity and learned that his actual name was Tyrone Curtis Powell. During this por- tion of the investigation, deputies learned Powell had been raised in Califor- nia, attended Yale Univer- sity and resided in Arizona, where he became involved in fraudulent activity. Also, during this time, Powell operated sepa- rate/unrelated fraudulent non-profit organizations under the names of “The Missing Piece Foundation,” “True Story World,” “The Missing Piece Foundation Endowment,” “Machine Seven Super Car Tour” and “Love.” While in Arizona, Pow- ell’s fraudulent activity be- gan to catch up with him in both criminal and civil proceedings. In 2009, Pow- ell was arrested for alter- ing a VIN on a vehicle in which he had obtained a loan, then reported stolen and removed the VIN and license plate. Powell also became in- volved in civil litigation for defaulting on loans. Powell made claims to law enforcement that he was a victim of identity theft resulting in hundreds of thousand dollars in loss. In approximately 2010, an obituary for Powell was printed in the local news- paper. A couple years later c1og!Ire eed not to clog for as long as you own your home, or we will clea detailed history on Powell’s behavior and sudden dis- appearance from Arizona. Based on the informa- tion learned in the investi- gation, deputies applied for and were granted search warrants for Powell’s ho- tel room in Cottage Grove as well as the shop in Elk- ton. Powell was arrested and lodged at the Douglas County Jail on the follow- ing charges: • Aggravated Theft by Deception in the 1st De- gree • Identity Theft, Forgery in the 1st Degree • Perjury (2 counts) • False Swearing (2 counts) • Criminal Possession of a Forged Instruments in the 1st Degree • Unlawful Possession of a Fictitious Identification • Fraudulently Obtain- ing a Signature. Additional charges may follow. Deputies were assisted by the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office, Federal Law Enforcement with the Social Security Administration, Belling- ham Police Department, Washington State Patrol, and Casa Grande Police Department (Arizona). The Sheriff ’s Office is asking anyone with infor- mation in regards to this investigation or Powell, contact the Douglas Coun- ty Sheriff ’s Office by email at dcso.pio@co.douglas.or. us or through the tip line at 541-957-2099. 1-844-533-9173 FREE TOWING TAX DEDUCTIBLE Help Prevent Blindness Get A Vision Screening Annually Ask About A FREE 3 Day Vacation Voucher To Over 20 Destinations!!! HIDDEN VALLEY MEN’S GOLF CLUB NEW MEMBER SPECIAL $50 includes PGA Handicap First Round Free for new members The Men’s Club meet Tuesday and Thursday with tee off at 11am. For more information call Russ at 541-285-8423 775 N. River Rd • Cottage Grove 541-942-3046 844-739-5874 BUY 1, GET 1 % 40 OFF COTTAGE GROVE: 6th & Gibbs Church of Christ 195 N. 6th St. • 541-942-3822 10:00am Christian Education: Pre-K through 5th Tim Baker, Senior Minister www.6thandgibbs.com First Presbyterian Church 3rd and Adams St 541-942-4479 Rev.: Karen Hill Worship: 10:00am Sunday School: 10:00am fpcgrove.com Calvary Baptist Church 77873 S 6th St • 541-942-4290 Pastor: Riley Hendricks Sunday School: 9:45am Worship: 11:00am The Journey: Sunday 5:00pm Praying Thru Life: Wednesday 6:00pm Hope Fellowship United Pentecostal Church 100 S. Gateway Blvd. 541-942-2061 Pastor: Dave Bragg Worship: 11:00am Sunday Bible Study: 7:00pm Wednesday www.hopefellowshipupc.com “FINDING HOPE IN YOUR LIFE” Cottage Grove Bible Church 1200 East Quincy Avenue 541-942-4771 Pastor:Bob Singer Worship 11am Sunday School:9:45am AWANA age 3-8th Grade, Wednesdays Sept-May, 6:30pm www.cgbible.org St. Andrews Episcopal Church 1301 W. Main • 541-767-9050 Rev. Lawrence Crumb “Scripture, Tradition, Reason” Worship: Sunday 10:30am All Welcome Seventh-day Adventist Church 820 South 10th Street 541-942-5213 Pastor: James D. Boram Bible Study: Saturday, 9:15 am Worship Service: Saturday, 10:40 Mid-week Service: Wednesday, 1:00 Trinity Lutheran Church 6th & Quincy • 541-942-2373 Pastor: James L. Markus Sunday School & Adult Education Living Faith Assembly 9:15am 467 S. 10th St. • 541-942-2612 Worship Services Sundays: 9a & 11a Sunday Worship 10:30 am Comm. Kitchen Free Meal Tue & Thur Youth Worship Sundays: 11a (all 5:00pm TLC Groups ages welcome) Mondays: 5:30p (6th-12th grades) tlccg.com United Methodist Church Non-Denominational 334 Washington 541-942-3033 Church of Christ Worship 10am 1041 Pennoyer Ave umcgrove.org 541-942-8928 Preacher: Tony Martin “VICTORY” Country Church Cottage Grove Faith Center Sunday Bible Study:10:00am 33761 Row River Rd. Sunday Worship:10:50am & 5:30pm 913 S. 6th Street • 541-942-5913 Pastor: Barbara Dockery 541-942-4851 www.pennoyeravecoc.com Worship Service: 10:00am Lead Pastor: Kevin Pruett www.cg4.tv Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Message: “WE BELIEVE IN MIRACLES” Full Childrenʼs Ministry available St. Philip Benizi Services: 9:00am & 10:45am Catholic Churches CRESWELL: 1025. N. 19th St. Creswell Presbyterian Church Delight Valley 541-942-3420 75 S 4th S • 541-895-3419 Church of Christ Father John J. Boyle Rev. Seth Wheeler 33087 Saginaw Rd. East Holy Mass: Adult Sunday School 9:15am 541-942-7711 • Pastor: Bob Friend Saturday Vigil – 5:30 pm Sunday Worship Service 10:30 am Two Services: Sunday – 10:30 am 9am - Classic in the Chapel For weekday and Holy Day of website www.creswellpres.org 10:30am - Contemporary in the Obligation schedule see website Auditorium OLPHCG.net First Baptist Church 301 S. 6th st • 541-942-8242 Pastor: David Chhangte Sunday School 9:30am Worship Service 10:30am Youth Wednesday 6:30pm cgfi rstbaptist.com '"DOES NOT INCLUDE COST OF MATERIAL. EXPIRES 03/31/2021. 1 ALL PARTICIPANTS WHO ATTEND AN ESTIMATED 60-90 MINUTE IN-HOME PRODUCT CONSULTATION WILL RECEIVE A $25 GIFT CARD. RETAIL VALUE IS $25. OFFER SPONSORED BY LEAFGUARD HOLDINGS INC. LIMIT ONE PER HOUSEHOLD. COMPANY PROCURES, SELLS, AND INSTALLS SEAMLESS GUTTER PROTECTION. THIS OFFER IS VALID FOR HOMEOWNERS OVER 18 YEARS OF AGE. IF MARRIED OR INVOLVED WITH A LIFE PARTNER, BOTH COHABITATING PERSONS MUST ATTEND AND COMPLETE PRESENTATION TOGETHER. 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DONATE YOUR CAR Worship Directory Church of Christ 420 Monroe St • 541-942-8565 Sunday Service: 10:30am 541-21 Imagine The Difference You Can Make Confession: 4 PM to 5 PM Saturdays or by appointment St. Philip Benizi, Creswell 552 Holbrook Lane Sunday 8 am Our Worship Directory is a weekly feature. If your congregation would like to be a part of this directory, contact us today! S entinel C ottage G rove 541-942-3325 116 N. 6th Street Cottage Grove, OR