Police Criminal Complaint: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania vs. John Jones (Dauphin County)
Summary
A police criminal complaint against John R. Jones, an inmate at SCI Rockview, filed in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, with Hon. Sonya M. McKnight as the magisterial district judge. It lists offenses under the Pennsylvania Crimes Code, including criminal conspiracy and theft. In the affidavit of probable cause, SA Chris Weaver and SA Katie Grady state that Jones sent Elise J. Ballard the names, dates of birth and Social Security numbers of 10 inmates through prison messages, and that Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) applications in those names drew $66,915.00. They state that a PUA application in Jones’s name was submitted on June 12, 2020 while Jones was incarcerated and paid $21,630.00, that Ballard put $3680.00 on John Jones’s JPay account, and that the PUA funds linked to Jones totaled $88,545.00.
Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used
Full text
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COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVAN IA
POLICE CRIMINAL COMPLAINT
COUNTY OF:DAUPHIN COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Magisterial District Number: t2-2-04
VS.
MDJ: Hon. Sonya M. McKnight DEFENDANT: (NAME and ADDRESS):
Address: 1805 North Cameron St. JOHN R JONES
Harrisburg, PA 17103 rirs{ -MEAteName W Ge
n
SCI ROCKVIEW, 1 ROCKVIEW PL
Telephone : (7 L7)233-3599 BELLEFONTE, PA 16823
D( 1-Felony Full
E 2-Felony Limited fl Distance
I S-fetony Surrounding States t] n-UisOemeanor Futl f] e-UisOemeanor Pending Extradition
[ +-netony No Extradition I g-MlisOemeanor Limited E f-Misdemeanor Pending Extradition
%
=rrrrratt I trJElr I travA I t{Jtt lNrvl{lul,l I lLrN
DocketNumber
rfr: Date Filed Ofltl/LiveScan Number Complai nUlncident Number Request Lab
i7- al I tht 0.1 ft tolf 5 y-5
Services?
occ-20-0025 E ves EX wo
GENDER DoB 06/10/1989 POB PA Add't DoB / I Co-Defendant(s) EI
E utate First Name Middle Name Last Name Gen.
fl Female AKA
RACE flwnite Asian Black Native American t Unknown
r r u Hrspantc l)!l Non-Hispanic E unknown
E Cnv (Gray) E neo (Red/Aubn.) E Soy (Sandy) E elu latue; f] plE (purpte) fl ano (Brown)
Hair
Et eLr (Btack) fl or,rc (orange) E wHr(white) f]xxx (Unk./Batd) E enr.r (Green)
Color fl pr.tx (pinr)
I alru (Btonde / Strawberry)
Eye
Color
X BLK (Btack)
E Hez (Hazet)
E elu (etue) E eno (Brown)
E unn (Maroon) [ pr.rx (ptnr) E wtut- (Mutticotored)
ffi
E xxx (Unknown)
DNA
I tl YES tr No I DNA Location I wElGHr (!bs.)
FBI Number
MNU Number
250
Defendant Fingerprinted I ves El ruo Ft. HEIGHT ln.
Fingerprint Classification:
5 11
DEFEN DANT VEHICLE INFORMATION
State Haz Registration @ School Veh. Oth. NCIC Veh. Code Reg.
Plate # mat
D
Sticker (MM/YY) I I lnd' tr n same
VIN
as Def.
Year Make Model Style Color
tr
Office of the attorney for the Commonwealth fl Approved tr Disapproved because:
to filing. See Pa.R.Crim.P. 507).
HEATHER A. CASTELLINO, SDAG
(Nameortnea@ I lls I zoal
(Date)
(Name of the Affiant) EE=4=Aa3lsApGE#s
(PSP/MPOETC -Assigned Affiant lD Number tBadge #
Penn P4022240A
(ldentify Department or Agency neprese (Police Agency ORI Number)
do hereby state: (check appropriate box)
1- E I accuse the above named defendant who lives at the address set forth above
E I accuse the defendant whose name is unknown to me but who is described as
E I accuse the defendant whose name and popular designation or nickname are unt no*n to mE ana *t orn t trare
therefore desiqnated as John Doe or Jane Doe
with violating the penal laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at
Pa [30U
pA Dept Of Labor And Industrv.
651 Boas St, Harrisburg, (suE-dlv6-'o-fi-codd)-- 1naffi
in DAUPHIN County t221 on or about JUNE 2O2O TO SEPTEMBER 1 2020
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b* l1-Al First:
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Middle:
Com plai nUlncident Num ber
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Last:
JOHN R JONES
The acts committed by the accuse
when there is more than one offense, each offense should be numbered chronoloiically.
(Set forth a bniefsummary of tha facts sufficient to advise th€ derendant ot the nature
oirh" .f""*f.iilr"+l'.a. I cit iion to tho 6tatute(s) a[ogodly viotatod,
whhout morc, ls not sufficient ln a Gummtry case, you must cite the specific 6ection(s) ano suusecir,on(ey;ih"-"t"tGl"j
o.o.uin"ncc(s) a egedly viotated.
The age ot the vlctim at the dme of the otirnse m.y-be included lf known. ln addltion siclal socurltyr numlers
ana nnanili infoma{on (o.g. plN6) shoutd not
be llst d.ltthe ldonttty ofan account musl be establlstred, llst onty the tast four dtgttB.2o,t pl"cooj
SS iis.i - 2iij.i
--
B 1 911 b3 1 F1
Lead?
offense Section Subsection NCIC Offense
PA Statute (Title) UCR/NIBRS Code
Code
Statute Description (in
Acts of the accused asso
13, *i.TtfTH:l i9,l0:J,IiLtI9.?1Ltt or Da-uphin,. centre, camuria, ienns.)uania ana *", *narJ oiiirti"ip"t , oir""tv or indirecuy in B1g
conduct of such enterprise's afirs throush a pattern of racketeerinj "ii"*t ;;;i;,;; ii""r.in. our"no"rt *us assocjated with an
ir,iiii, ,irrirgG ;"-;;,J.;
".ti"itv,
enterprise constituting a group of individuals associated.in fact, although noi a legdlintity, in commer"e inJ consisting of Elise J. Ballard, and others,
and Defendant did condud or participate, direcdy or indirectly. in the conduct of "ngaied
re atrairs ofitr" lnr*sni!-iit",
or rr.t"t""ring activity as
defined in 18 Pa.C.S. S911(h) consisting of (Seecontinuation of Offenses) "rt"rp,ii"
tr
Lead?
2
Offense#
911
L4 ffi TrLE lB 1 F1
NCIC Offense
Subsection PA Statute (Title) Gounts Grade Code UCR/NIBRS Code
D lnterstate
StatuteDescription(includethenameofsiIoNs
Acts of the accused associated with
P:gll:}^.gl^.:9*1": j_"g1rT,1iq!]:*here, conslired to violate the provisions of section sr1('diof 6" iriro cooe 18 pa.c.s. Ss11(bX3),
pertaining to corrupt orsanizauons, that is, during the periodi.as set forth hereiri,
oefendant, prr"trg
with urJ inGrii#
-- u,"
crime of corrupt organizationt did conspire and agree with other indMduals, thai they, ol. one o, ,ore
ot tt
enterprise set forth herein, would conduct or participate, direcdy or indirecuy; in the c;;duct of the affairs
ti
"iriliiidd"-,:'ilJ.1i,i#i'ill,X
wttire enipfoveo uv or
"r,
issociatea wiur
of it J tt rougli pattem of racketeering
activitv as defined in 18 Pa.c.s. s911(h), in viotation of section 9111u;1+; ofure crimes cooe, 18 pa.c.s. '
"nte.prir" "
s911(bx4).
Offense#
nDOT Data
StatuteDescription(includethenameorst@FTBYUNLAwFULTAKINGoRDIsPosITIoN
Acts of the accused associated with t
d,"g::,liT.L":TJ-1"^-D-:1,.194 .gllitted the offense durins a Natural Disaster invotvins a catasrrophe ;tricn resud in iuostanti"lduris"
*:T
propefty, hardship, suffering or possible loss of life. to
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OTN/LiveScan Number Com plai nilnaiden[ Num ber
occ-20-0025
First: Middle: Last:
JOHN R JONES
tr 4 I 3e21 a 1 F2
:r- Subsection
pA S
reflnuLrtuala I Accident
(if applicable) I r',lu*o"i fl tnterstate I n Safety Zone I n Work Zone
Statute Description (include the nam
Acts of the accused associated w]t
asree wittron€ or more otrer'persons irat trey or one or more or ttrem woutd ensase in
*;'f ,?"Yl':g:ilflgoJ-?,':t^":iu91 llt!^11*f_91:?t!11 9id
condud which constitutes a clime or did asree_ro-aid such othii perso;";; p";;;;;; dl;
to commit such crime, that it between June of 2o2o and september of 2oio, within the drnii"r
ffiilff;;ffi;H#hffi: ;ff; ;i:]#,"ru",i1"#ffii
oirpni", G"f,e]dmoria, nennryranlu i"o a.*h"*,
3f,*::1,.+i:qf:Ii:*:ll{I9gr:lf!l!1,-9,.o!! ol,o,u of them, wouratngJsei;;il#"#t,fi-tirJ#meoruretoy unrawru takins, in
"r
violation of ritle 18, and in pursuance of such conspirary one or more or"rt jcts *"re c6mi"itd;;;
;ffi;; ;i;'d;; ;ffi i#"iilU#:l:ffi;:i dl
I Attempt E solicitation I Conspiracy Number of Victims Age 60 or Older
18901 A 18 902 A 18 903
tr 5 3922 a3 1 F3
E lnterstate I n Safety Zone I n Work Zone
StatuteDescription(includethenameofstatute@EFTBYDEcEPTIoN
A^r-
ur Lr rE ('uuusEq assoclareo wlln m lS UITenSe: The defendant did intentionally obEined or withhold property
-raL^ -
^uLD of another by deception. A person
deceives if he/she intentionally fails to conect a false impression which the deceiver previously
created or reinforced, o; which the deceiver knows to be
influencing another to whom he stands in a fiduciary or confidential relationship.
Number of Victims Age 60 or Older
! 6 3922 a3 1 F3
PA Statute Counts G )rade NCIC Offens Codr UCR/NIBRS Code
E=;""*--l fl safety zone fl Work Zone
statute Description (include the name of statute or ordinancel. cRrMra{AL @NsprRAcy
Theft By Dec€ption, ]-iue 18, section 3922(aX3), did agree with one or more other persons that they
or one & more of them would engage in conduct whlch
constitutes a crime or did agree to aid such other person or peGons in the planning or commlssion
of such crime or of an attempt or solicitation to commit
such crime, that is, between June of 2020 and september oi 2020, within tire counles of oauptrin,
Cenm, cambri",- nn"yr"nia una Defendant
that thev, or one or more of them, would engage in conduct cbnstinrting the crimi 6ir,"i oy oe."ption, in
"tsewhere,
viotation of rige
fld :9f:^illl$ll^,19ividuals
r'6, ano ln pursuance ot such conspiracy one or more overt acb were committed, in violation of Section 903 of the
crimes Code, re ea.c.s, gSO:.
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ffi poltcE cRtMtNAL coMpLAtNT
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First:
l/
OTN/LiveScan Number
Middle: Last:
ComplainUlncident Number
occ-20-0025
JOHN R JONES
tr 7 I :gzs a 1 tr?
!J
Lead? fiile) Counts lrade NCIC Offense Code UCR/N|BRS Code
E lnterstate | tr Safety Zone I n Work Zone
Statute Description (include the name of statute or orOinance): nrcErvrNc sroLEN pRopERTy
Acts of the accused associated
knowing that it had been stolen or believing that it has probably been stolen, unless the property is received, retained, or
disposed wiih inteni to restore it to
the owner.
E Attempt E soticitation I Conspiracy r.f umUer of Victims Age 60 or Otder
18 901 A 18 902 A 18 903 I
n B 75L2 a 1 F3
ad? Offense# Counts irade NCIC Offense Codr UCR/NIBRS Code
E lnterstate
StatuteDescription(includethenameofstatuteo@MINALUsEoFAcoMMUNIcATIoNFAELIw
@ n Work Zone
Actsoftheaccusedassociatedwithtnisoffense:rrrtrrattire.aoovenameddefendantdid,onoiffi
communicauon facility to commit, cause or.fucilitate the commission or the attempt thereof of any crime under this tide or
under the pA cont-olled substance,
Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act 64-1972, all of which is in violauon ofthe liEe 18 pA CS
57512.
Acts of the accused associated with this Offense:
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Docket Number: Date Filed: OTN/LiveScan Number Com plainUlncident Number
cf- l1- Xl lt occ-20-002s
First: Middle: Last;
JOHN R JONES
OFFENSE DESCRIPTION CONTINUATION
Offense # 1:
4. Multiple acts of Criminal Conspiracy to commit violations of the Chapter 39 of the pennsylvania Crimes
Code, 18 Pa.C.S.A. 9903,
A' Multiple acts of violation of the Chapter 49 of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code, including 1g pa. C.S.
A.
54911,
B. . Multiple acts of violation of chapter 39 of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code, including 18 pa. C.S.A.
S 3921
and 18 Pa. C.S.A. g 3922;
in violation of Section 911(bX3) of the Crimes Code, 18 pa.C.S.
S911(bX3).
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JOHN R JONES
2. I ask that a wanant of arrest or a summons be issued and that the defendant be required to answer the charges I have
made.
3. I verify that the facts set forth in this complaint are true and conect to the best of my knowledge or information and
belief. This verification is made subject to the penalties of Section 4904 of the Crinies Cooe 11a pa.C.S. 4904) relating
S
to unsworn falsification to authorities.
4. This complaint consists of the preceding page(s) numbered 1 through
13.
5. I certify that this filing complies with the provisions of the case Records Pubtic Access poticy of the Unified Judiciat
System of Pennsylvan,a that require filing confidential information and documents differenflyihat non-confidential
information and documents.
The acts committed by the accused, as listed and hereafter, were against the peace and dignity of the Commonwealth
oJ Pennsylvania and were contrary to the Act(s) of the Assembly, orln violation of tne statuies iited.
(Before a warrant of arrest can be issued, an affidavit of pr6bable cause must be comploted, sworn to before the
issuing authority, and attached.)
(Date) (Year)
AND NOW, on this date I certify that the complaint has been properly completed and verified.
An affidavit of probable cause must be completed before a warrant can be issued,
ll-A-o/
(Magisterial District Cburt Number)
/,:
l,
"b
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JOHN R JONES
AFFIDAVIT of PROBABLE CAUSE
OnMarch 27,2020, the CARES Act was signed inlo law, which included Title II, Subtitle A, "Relief for Workers
Affected by Coronavirus Act." Section 2102 of the CARES Act created a tempomry federal program called
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) that in general provides up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits
and provides funding to the states for administration of ttre program. The PUA program provides unemployment
assistance to individuals not eligible for regular unemployment compensation (UC) or extended benefits under
state or Federal law, including those who have exhausted alt rights to such benefits. While the U.S. Deparhnent of
Labor (USDOL) oversees the Pandemic Unemployment Assistanc€ @UA) program, the Pennsylvania Deparhrent
of Labor & Industry administers the program in pennsylvania.
PUA is only for individuals who are unemployed due to COVID-I9 reasons and does not cover individuals
without an attachment to the labor market or those who are unemployed for non-COVID- 19 reasons. This benefit
is only for individuals who would otherwise be working but are unable to because of ttre current pandemic.
According to the Pennsylvania Deparhnent of Labor & Industry's website, the following groups axe explicitly
defined as being ineligible to receive PUA: kmrates; Retirees with no job and no job offer; Individuals who were
not working at all or did not have a job offer; Children who were not working in actual employment; Individuals
being paid to file other people's PUA application; College Students with no job and no job offer; Individuals on
Social Security Disability with no work attachment; Claimants who work as an employee and qualiff under
regular Unemployment Compensation; Individuals living in a halfuay house on lock-down; and Landlords.
Additionally, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry's website states that "Knowingly making false
statements or omitting material facts to obtain PUA benefits to which you are not entitled will result in a
disqualification and repayment of all overpaid PUA benefits. You may also be subject to criminal
prosecution." On June 1,2020, Ttre Pa. Offrce of Attomey General received a referral letter from the Governor,s
office referring investigation and prosecution ofPUA related fraud based upon the findings of an audit conducted
by the Pa. Dept. of Labor & Industry.
In June of 2020 tle Deparhnent of Conection identified possible PUA fraud involving inmates at SCI Rockview
and other state corectional institutions. The Departrnent of Corrections identified Elise J. Ballard through prison
inmale messages as possibly being part of the PUA fraud. The Departrnent of Corrections identified messages
between SCI Rockview inmate John Jones and Elise Ballard where 10 inmate names, DOB,s, and SSN,s were
being provided.
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JOHN R JONES
The Department of Corrections identified that Elise Ballard was also connected through prison messages and
prison account payments with SCI Huntingdon inmate Robert E. palmer.
Your affiant was aware of a pattern of recent fraud scheme from previous PUA fraud investigations that inmates
were contacting individuals outside of the prison using the State Conectional Institution communication system
and providing them with names, DOB's, and SSN's of inmates and having the person on the outside file for pUA.
Since the inmates were incarcerated, the person on the outside needed to complete the PUA application and also
have an address for the PUA funds to be sent. Affiant also leamed from previous investigations involving pUA
fraud, that the palrnents would be sent to the imate at the address provided on the application in the form of a US
Bank Debit card and ofl some occasion's actual checks from the PA Treasury. Once the PUA funds were received
money would be placed on the inmate's prison financial account "JPay" by the person receiving the firnds and the
person who submitted the application if different from the person who received tle funds would receive a
payment. JPay is the name of the intemal prison money transfer service to deposit money on inmate,s commissary
or trust account.
On 8/27120, Affiant traveled to Johnstown, PA and made contact with Elise Ballard at her residence 718 Linden
Avenue, Johnstown, PA.
Ballard was home and agreed to talk in her living room. Ballard was advised that she was being contacted
regarding inmates obtaining unemployrnent and asked if she was in possession of any unemployment debit cards.
Ballard stated that she did have debit cards and was involved in filing for PUA unemployment for inmates. During
this conversation Ballard was sitting at a desk with a frrnctioning desktop computer. Ballard reached into the desk
drawer and handed your AfEant a US Bank Debit card in the name of Albert Williams, an inmate at SCI
Huntingdon. Ballard stated that she had received approximately five, US Bank Debit cards at her address and used
them all and either tfuew them away or misplaced them. Ballard agreed to go to the Johnstown Police Departrnent
to sit down and discuss her role in the PUA unemployment fraud. Ballard drove herself to the Johnstown police
Departrnent to be interviewed.
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Elise Ballard was read her Miranda wamings and agreed to answer questions and make a statement. The interview
was also recorded. Ballard stated that she had a boyfriend, two brothers, and several good friends in state
correctional facilities. Ballard stated that Robert Palmer is her boyfriend and is in SCI Huntingdon; John Jones is
her best friend in SCI Rockview. Ballard stated that she had been asked by Palmer and Jones to file unemployment
applications for them. Ballard stated that she unde$tood that filing the applications was not allowed and was
fraud. Ballard stated that she thought the pandemic @UA) money was available to anyone who applied and
considered it like stimulus money that everyone could get. Ballard stated that she filled out nrunerous applications
for numerous inmates and could not recall how many applications she completed. Ballard could not recall how
much money she received from the debit cards. Ballard stated that she put most of tle money on inmate accounts
through the prison JPay accounts and sent larger amounts to inmates through MoneyGram. BaIIard was shown
her
communications with inmates and admitted that she had exchanged the messages and information for other
inmates dwing conversations with inmates. Ballard stated that she only had five of the debit cards mailed to her
address in inmate names and the rest of the applications she completed were sent to each inmate,s residence.
Ballmd stated that she did not receive any payment from the other inmates for filling out the applications. Ballard
was questioned about the other inmate's names and stated several times that she could not recall the numbers and
amounts involved with the debit cards. Ballard stated that there were "too many to remember,,. Ballard reported
that she lived alone at the 718 Linden Avenue address. Ballard reported tlat her home intemet was tluough
Atlantic Broadband and that the accou.nt was in her name or in Robert palmer's name.
Your Affiant's reviewed the Departrnent of Corrections inmate financial JPay accormts for inmates John Jones and
Robert Palmer. Elise Ballard was listed on the JPay accounts as putting $3680.00 on John Jones and
$2205.00 on
Robert Palmer's inmate accounts in June, July and August of 2020. The deposits into the inmate accounts
coincided with the PUA payments placed on the debit cards for tlose inmates. The Jpay system identifies t11e
narne and the IP of the person making the deposit and the IP associated with the majority of the deposits made
by
Elise Ballard came from IP address 138.207.247.124.
Upon reviewing prison messages between Elise Ballard and her boyfriend Robert Palmeq an additional 20 names
with DOB and SSN's were found. It was determined that iqnate Robert Palmer provided 20 inmate names along
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POLICE CRIMINAL COMPLAINT
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Com plainUlncident Num ber
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with DOB's, and SSN's to Elise Ballard tlrough prison messages. The 20 names provided by palmer to Ballard
coincide with completed PUA applications submitted by Ballard.
Your Affiant's requested additional information from the PA Departrnent of Labor and Industry, specific to Elise
Ballard. Labor and Industry was able to search for tle narnes of the inmates associated with Ballard,
applications
completed with similar IP addresses associated with Ballard, and for addresses associated with Ballard. The
Department of Labor and Industry found 42 names associated with the search criteria related to
Elise Ballard; 31
of the PUA applications were completed using IP address 138.207 .247.124. Your Affiant conducted a
search and
determined that IP address 138.207.247.124 is owned by Atlantic Broadband. A search of Atlantic Broadband
records deterrnined that IP address 138.207.247.124 belonged to subscriber Robert palmer at 718 Linden
Avenue,
Johnstown, PA.
As a result of the search by the Deparhnent ofLabor and [ndushy, the names provided by inmates John Jones
and
Robert Palmer, were identified as having PUA applications completed. Additional names who had pUA
applications completed were found associated with Elise Ballard. The total for all the pUA applications completed
by Elise Ballard was 31 applications. Robert Palmer provided 20 of tlle names and those 20 names totaled
$148,247.00 in PUA funds issued. John Jones provided 10 of the names and those l0 names totaled
$66,915.00 in
PUA funds issued. Not all applications that were submitted by Ballard were approved for pUA payments. One
name SCI Huntingdon inmate Albert Williams could not be determined how Ballard received it. Albert
Williams
was the name on the debit card in the possession of Elise Ballard on 8/27 /20. Checks with SCI Huntingdon
determined that Albert Williams was the cellmate of Robert Palmer at SCI Huntingdon from April of
2020 until
September of 2020. Albert Williams received $10,920.00 in PUA frurds. The total for a]l the pUA funds
associated
with the 31 PUA applications completed by Ballard was $226,0L2.00.
The Perursylvania Offrce of Attomey General contacted the Pennsylvania Department of Labor aad
Industry and
requested the application and payment infomration regarding Robert E. Palmer and John R.
Jones pUA claims.
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry records show that Robert palmer had an application
for PUA
subrnitted on June 11,2020. On the application it was reported that palmer,s last day of employment
was
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JOHN R JONES
12/1/2019. Your Affiant notes that Palmer was incarcerated on the date his application was submitted.
Additionatly, records show that Palmer's application was submitted by an individual using the address 718 Linden
Ave, Johnstown, PA. Pennsylvania State Correctional Institution records show that Robert Palmer has been
incarcerated in SCI Huntingdon from I l/1/16 thru present.
The Pennsylvania Deparftnent of Labor and Industry also provided information regarding PUA payrnents made to
Robert E. Palmer. Records show that Palmer received payments on 6112120 (check), 6t17120 (debit card), 6120120
(debit card), 6123120 (debit cafi), 6/29/20 (debit card), 719120 (debit card), and 7ll5l20 (debit card). The rotal for
all the palments was $t 5,660.00. The payments were from the last day of work listed on Palmer's application to
present. These payments directly coincide with the time that Palmer was incarcerated at SCI Huntingdon. The
PUA payments were made using check and a US Bank pre-paid debit card with the last four numbers 0310. The
Pennsylvania Deparhnent of Labor and Industry records show that Palrner's PUA US Bank debit card was mailed
to the Linden Ave, Johnstown, PA address.
The SCI Huntingdon inmate money account "JPay'' showed that Palmer received money on his account from Elise
Ballard on 6113/20, 6ll6D0, 6119120, 6123/20,6127120,7121120,7130120,813/20, and 8t3t/20. The total amount
deposited, on Robert Palmer's JPay account by Elise Ballard was $2205.00.
The total amount of PUA funds that were associated with the 20 names Robert Palmer provided Ballard through
the State Correctional Institution communication system and the PUA funds he received was $163,907.00.
The Pennsylvania Department oflabor and Industry records show that John R. Jones had an application for PUA
submitted on June 12, 2020. On the application it was reported that Jones last day of employm ent wx 12t2912019.
Your AfEant notes that Jones was incarcerated on the date his application was submitted. Additionally, records
show that Jones application was submitted by an individual using the address 718 Linden Ave, Johnstown, pA.
Pennsylvania State Correctiona.l Institution records show that John R. Jones has been incarcerated in SCI
Rockview from 2 17 / 17 lla:u present.
AOPC 4tZA- Rev. 7lLB easell of 13
ffi polrcE cRTMTNAL coMpLArNT
'ff!.i[lTr Date Filed:
lt
OTN/LiveScan Number Com plainUlncident Number
occ-20-oo2s
First: Middle: Last.
Defendant Name:
JOHN R JONES
The Pennsylvania Deparknent of Labor and lndustry also provided information regarding the payments
made to
Jones. Records slrow that Jones received payments on 6113/20 (check), 6/23/20 (debit card),
6/29/20 (debit card),
a:ard 7 /15120 (debit card). The total for all the payments was
$21,630.00. The pal,rnents were from the last day of
work listed on Jones application to present. These palments directly coincide with the time that Jones was
incarcerated at SCI Rockview. The PUA pal,rnents were made using check and a US Bank pre-paid
debit card with
the last four numb erc 1629. The Pennsylvania Departunent of Labor and Industry records show that palmer,s pUA
US Bank debit card was mailed to the 718 Linden Ave, Johnstown, pA address.
The scl Rockview inmate money account "Jpay" showed that Palmer received money on his account from
Elise
Ballard on 6123/2a, 6D6120, 6127/20,717120, and 7125120. The total amount deposited, on Robert Palmer's
Jpay
account by Elise Ballard was $3680.00.
The total amount of PUA funds that were associated with the 10 names John Jones provided Ballard through
the
state correctional Institution communication system and the puA funds he received was
$88,545.00.
On lll17l20, your AfEants traveled to Johnstown, PA and conducted a second interview of Elise Ballard at 71g
Linden Ave., Johnstown, PA.
Ballard was read her Miranda wamings and agreed to answer questions and make a statement. The interview
was
also recorded.
Ballard was questioned about the additional names and applications reported by the Department of Labor
and
Industry. Ballard admitted to completing all the applications from the list of 31 pUA applications. Ballard
stated
that she personally received 24 of the PUA US Bank debit cards that wele sent to Johnstown addresses. Ballard
stated that she used her address and friends addresses in Johnstown to get tlle debit cards. Ballard
stated that the
debit cards mailed to other cities were sent to the individual inmate's families and she had no frrther
involvement.
Ballard was asked what she did with all the debit cards she received. Ballard stated that once she received a debit
card she would withdraw the money and transfer the money to inmate prison accounts. Ballard stated that
she
disposed of several of the debit cards and some still had balances on the cards. Ballard stated
that she knew what
ffi--i-._..__-_-- rs
& poLrcE cRTMTNAL GoMpLATNT
u-l\-\1
Docket Number: Date Filed:
First:
l/
OTN/LiveScan Number
Middle: Last:
ComplainUlncident Number
occ-20 -002s
JOHN R JONES
she was doing was wrong and regretted completing the applications. Ballard stated that she was "just trying to help
people out".
I, SA CHRIS WEAVER/SA KATIE GRADY, BEING DULY SWORN ACCORDING TO THE LAW, DEPOSE AND SAY
THAT THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE FOREGOING AFFIDAVIT ARE TRUE AND CORRECITO THE BEST OF MY
KNOWLEDGE, INFORMATION AND BELIEF.
I CERTIFY THAT THIS FILING COMPLIES WTH THE PROVISIONS OF THE CASE RECORDS PUBLIC ACCESS
POLICY OF THE UNIFIED JUDICIAL SYSIE/U OF PEA"VSYLVANIAIHAT REQUIRE FILING CONFIDENTIAL
INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTS DIFFERENTLY THAT NON-CONFIDE INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTS.
(Signature of
Sworn to me and subscribed befo day of
Date
My commission expires first Mon u,ry'
?clz
AOPC 4LZA- Rev. TlLS Pasei3 otl]
File and source
- File
- www.attorneygeneral.gov__d20c98a89a__2021-01-26-John-Jones-Complaint.pdf
- Size
- 15,933,560 bytes
- SHA-256
- f46c0fb08ebb4e1ec7256f24c0cba2800b609099036d8e2603755114d25937ce
- Original
- No public link identified.