Way back in June, we told you about Justin Racine, a supposed friend of Justin “JJ” Owens. Owens, of Aurora, CO, died on Memorial Day in an unfortunate motorcycle wreck. At the time, Racine told Owens’ mom that the check was in the mail, rather under his welcome mat. No really, that’s what he said. Friends and loved ones of Owens donated over $3500 to the GoFundMe campaign set up by Racine, yet the family said they saw none of it. And Racine said he put it under his welcome mat for the Owens’ family before he took off for Europe.
In an exclusive at that time, 7News Denver reported that GoFundMe records showed Racine withdrew over $3200 from the GoFundMe campaign he started to supposedly pay for Owens’ funeral. “It was very easy for him to set up this bogus account with GoFundMe and then be able to take all the grieving friends’ money, not to mention the grieving parents,” said Owens’ mother Carol at the time.
In another exclusive, 7News is now reporting that Racine got himself arrested and is facing charges of theft and computer crime. He was booked into Arapahoe County Jail and bonded out.
“The various charges/purchases included, but no limited to, King Soopers, Walgreens, “Wal-Sams,” Groupon, gas stations, fast food purchases, clothing stores, Apple iTunes and at least one liquor store,” states the affidavit. “In addition… a number of debit card purchases were made at DIA and JFK Airports, as well as a foreign exchange/transaction charge.”
Owens’ mother told the station that she doesn’t care about the money, but is relieved by the arrest and wants to warn others to make sure funds donated go to the people intended.
“It’s not about the money for me,” she told 7News. “It’s about justice and my son’s name and about his friends.”
Racine did not want to be interviewed by the station, but said “he been framed and the money had been stolen from under the doormat.”
He is due back in court on December 7th and we will, as always, keep you updated.