Mat Heck illegally seizes a companies data access

If your business relies on 2 Factor authentication to access your online accounts, this article is a warning, a wake-up call, a story of unchecked government overreach. Heck should be removed from office for a whole host of reasons, but this one is the one that you don’t want to happen to you.

Skip Ross and his son Colby Ross have a digital production facility on S. Gettysburg Ave. It’s not hard to find, it’s right under the tallest broadcast tower in Dayton, which they also own. Only problem, Colby was killed back on May 20th of 2024, by a loser who was being recklessly pursued by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s department illegally ^[1]. Colby, who’s car was stopped when she hit it, was ejected from his car, and killed. The Sheriff was asked to find his phone by the family, which they did- and then, they kept it- “as part of the investigation.”

The prosecutors office refuses to turn it over or explain how the victims phone is relevant to the county’s crimes.

In the meantime, Skip Ross, is locked out of software, social media, and tools he needs to run his business. His partner, his son, relied on that tech to keep their data safe- yet, the people stealing it is our local government.

I’ve known Skip for decades, and was working with him and Colby starting at the beginning of this year. Colby was a bright, energetic and positive supportive partner in the family business. His death has been devastating to Skip and to their business. But this insult on top of injury where Montgomery County Prosecutor refuses to explain what right they have to hold the victims phone is one step too far.

I requested the rationale for the seizure of the phone, copying both Skip and his attorney Michael Wright- the was the response from Linda Dodd:

I forward your inquiry to Ms. Gramza, as she is the prosecutor assigned to this case.  As indicated, she will follow up with the victim’s father regarding this.

This is an active homicide case, and as such I cannot provide any further information to you at this time.

Lynda

My request was clear:

Ms. Dodd,
As a citizen journalist- I am asking why.
I expect a response- as does Mr. Ross.
As does his attorney.
As does the community.
There is no investigation of Colby Ross.
There is an investigation against the Montgomery County Sheriff’s office-
if that is not a true statement- we’re all ears.

Gramza claims:

Mr. Esrati

I received your email from Lynda Dodd regarding Mr. Ross’s cell phone. Because you are not a party to the case I am not at liberty to discuss the specifics of the pending investigation. I will follow up with Mr. Ross’s father regarding this matter.

Ann

So who are they investigating? Colby? What did he do? What does his phone have to do with his death caused by the County’s reckless pursuit?

Mr. Ross. Mr. Wright, both agree with me, they either need the phone, or a legitimate reason why not.

And, you and I, this is a good reason to make sure that more than one person has access to your authentication for critical business applications, and not be dependent on a phone that could be randomly seized and held, without justification.

I wrote a little song: Yo Mat Heck, Hand over da phone!