Activate ipad

The iPad is useless to you.

Here are the Apple support pages that outline the Activation Lock - and the only mechanisms by which it can be turned off:

Activation Lock for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

Turn off Activation Lock – Apple Support

As you will discover, unless you are the owner of the AppleID that was last used to activate the device, you’ll not be able to defeat or bypass the Activation Lock. With documentary evidence that you are the original owner (such as sales receipt showing the serial number), Apple may be prepared to assist - otherwise they and nobody here will be able to help you.

The All Too Common SAD Reality of Buying … - Apple Community

Here is what Apple suggests when purchasing used:

Check for Activation Lock before you buy a device from someone else

Before you buy an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, from someone other than Apple or an authorized Apple reseller, make sure that the device is erased and no longer linked to the previous owner’s account. Follow these steps to check if the device is ready to use: 

1. Turn on and unlock the device. 
2. If the passcode lock screen or the Home screen appears, the device hasn't been erased. Ask the seller to completely erase the device by going to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. Don't take ownership of any used iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch until it's been erased.
3. Begin the device setup process.
4. If you're asked for the previous owner’s Apple ID and password, the device is still linked to their account. Hand the device back to the seller and ask them to enter their password. If the previous owner isn't present, contact them as soon as possible and ask them to use a browser to remove the device from their account. Don't take ownership of any used iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch until it has been removed from the previous owner’s account.

You will know that a device is ready for you to use when you're asked to "Set up your iPhone," “Set up your iPad," or “Set up your iPod” the first time you turn it on.

Epicness88 Said:

"Activate ipad: I recently purchased an iPad from the pawn shop. It was all ready to go to setup but I found out that it belonged to someone else and it is locked. I don’t have a way to find the person that it used to belong to. Is there any way to unlock the iPad or remove the Apple ID?"

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A Scam, Perhaps?:

If this is a used device, then know that only the person logged in can log them selves out of it. So, if they do not log out, then you are out of luck (IOW: You've been scammed). So, ask the pawn shop for a return.

How to Fix this:

This is the site the pawn shop should have had the original owner use, prior to purchasing it. What to do Before you Sell, Give Away, or Trade in your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support. Simply put, they should have known better.