Woman Sentenced to 6-Years for Financial Exploitation of Senior With Memory Loss

A Murphysboro woman has been sentenced to 6 years in prison for financially taking advantage of a senior citizen.

Celeste A. Locke, 49, pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of financial exploitation of an elderly person. Authorities said the victim was in his 80's and had difficulty with memory loss.

Prosecutors claim Locke told the victim several different stories, including that her husband had passed away and that she was in need of medical procedures. She promised to repay the money after receiving a large settlement. Detectives learned the victim had sent Locke more than $5,000 and that his bank accounts had nearly been depleted.

Locke was arrested in June. Jackson County State's Attorney Mike Carr says Locke admitted that she had never been married, hadn't had any medical procedures performed, and was not going to receive any settlement money. Carr says Locke also told investigators she used some of the money from the victim to support a drug addiction.

In addition to her 6-year prison sentence, Locke will also serve two years of mandatory supervised release.

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Murphysboro Woman Sentenced to 6-Years for Financial Exploitation