Man Sentenced to 18 Years for Stealing From His Mother

Craig Cordell Ralston was sentenced to 18 years in prison for stealing from his elderly mother. Ralston was on parole at the time of the offense and living with his 76-year-old mother in Lakewood.

In 2012, Ralston paroled to his mother’s house in Lakewood, after serving a portion of a 20 year prison sentence for aggravated robbery.  His mother, Jodi Ralston-Jones, told investigators that she knew that her son had done some things wrong, but she wanted to help him. She let him live with her when he was released on parole, hoping that he had changed.

Between October and December, 2013, Ralston began taking his mother’s ATM card and credit cards and using them without authorization.  After maxing out one of her credit cards, he convinced her to raise the limit on the card. He stole $2,765 from his mother’s accounts.

After Ralston was arrested he attempted to get a witness to sign an affidavit saying that he’d had his mother’s permission to use her accounts. The witness refused because it was not true.

"This is a victory for our Elder Abuse Unit. While this case doesn’t involve an extraordinary financial loss, our focus is the impact on Mrs. Ralston-Jones, which cannot be ignored,” said District Attorney Pete Weir, “She tried to help her troubled son and he repaid that by taking advantage of her vulnerability for his own benefit, with no regard for her needs.”

Ralston pled guilty to Theft of and At-Risk Adult (F3) and Tampering with a Witness (F4).  He pled guilty and was sentenced on March 3, 2015. This was his 6th felony conviction.  

 

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Ralston Sentenced to 18 Years for Stealing From Elderly Mother