Tattoo Artist Stole Money From Me And Ghosted Me

So to start this off I’d just like to say; I know I got myself into this situation, and I won’t do it again.

So I’d known this guy (roughly 7-8 months at the times) since he added me on Snapchat. We talked briefly, and occasionally he’d send me snaps advertising the tattoos he does. Now at the time I didn’t know anything about tattoo artist licenses or anything and I now know that he is tattooing illegally out of the apartment he rents. I paid him $300 in cash at his apartment as well as two $25 (online) deposits so he “knew I was being serious”. I paid $100 for one tattoo and $250 up front for another large tattoo I wanted him to do on me. He never finished the $100 tattoo and I was supposed to come back to have it finished, and never even started the $250 one. He left me on delivered for about a week after the first tattoo and I requested the $250 telling him I’d just go somewhere else since he wasn’t respond. After a few days he responded that he wasn’t sick and that he could do the following week. I messaged back saying I was free on x day and x day and if that didn’t work then I’d like m $250 back and he could keep the $100 for the tattoo he didn’t finish. He the proceeded to unadd me and block my number. Every subsequent attempt I’ve made to contact him has fallen through. I also made two $250 requests (one on Venmo and one on my online banking app” with a note stating “send by 9/20 or will take to small claims court” that’s summarized, but still.

What I have proof of;

*Picture of the fresh tattoo on his couch
*Said couch being listed for sale on his Facebook a few days after.
*Picture of tattoo geotagged at his apartment as well as Snapchat logs putting me at his address.
*Saved message from him telling me the password to get into his apartment gate.
*The two $25 deposits made over my online banking app
*All three of his Snapchat profiles including his tattoo business one
*His Snapchat accounts being active and posting after I was ghosted
*Both the request on banking app and Venmo being sent as well as the note attached
*Messages confirming tattoo design prior to appointment
*Saved chat saying when I’d be available and if not to send the money back
*Saved snaps of him advertising his tattoos with his body on the ads as well.

Will this even hold up in small claims court? I just want my $250 back so I can get it done somewhere else as well as finish his unfinished work on me. To file is also like $120 so can I request that on top of the $250? Did I royally screw myself over by paying $300 in cash? How do I even go about filing for this??? At the very least can I report him for tattooing illegally?

Location: Columbus OH