Sunday, April 26, 2026

Fort Worth woman opens up about ongoing elderly exploitation investigation: "I thought he was helping me"

by Marvin Hurst

An investigation that the Fort Worth Police Department said began as a stolen vehicle parts case has now expanded, as an elderly woman shares her story with CBS News Texas.

The department shared on Thursday that it was asking for help identifying potential victims of financial exploitation tied to 24-year-old Cartaveion Demarcus Holmon, also known by the nickname "Tank". Fort Worth Police believe Holmon may have used deceptive sales practices related to residential solar panel services and vehicle transactions, including allegedly placing cars in victims' names without their full knowledge or consent.


"I thought he was helping me"

The woman CBS News Texas spoke to wished to only be identified as Kathy. She agreed to discuss her near financial ruin in exchange for not using her last name.

"Altogether, they took me from, including the house, I'd say they took me over for like $150,000," Kathy said.

Kathy and her husband, a Vietnam veteran, bought solar panels for their home. Kathy is a retired dishwasher and lives with a learning disability. She said the investment into the panels was about $60,000.

But the panels never worked. Instead, Kathy said the sales representative brought on Holman, the owner of Holmon's Solar LLC, to try to resolve her issue. Kathy said Holmon didn't fix it.

"I had lost all my food and stuff over there," she said, "so Tank came and said that he can switch and try to fix the situation. Instead, that wasn't the case."

Kathy said Holman told her she had made multiple payments of $1,500 to the sales representative. Then, Kathy said, Holmon told her he supposed wanted to help her with her credit. She said she trusted him because she allowed Holman in her home.

"I thought he was helping me to get my credit straight. But that, that didn't happen," she said.

Problems pile up

Instead, Kathy said Holmon reportedly took her to four different places, supposedly to address issues with credit cards on her report. Kathy did admit she had some credit cards, but not as many as the ones she started getting bills for. She also started reportedly getting bills for other things in her name: RVs, loans, and four vehicles.

That didn't add up for Kathy; she told CBS News Texas she doesn't know how to drive.

"I tried to drive. I hit my neighbor across the street. I ran into their house," she said.

Kathy said she was heartbroken, not just because her bank account was bleeding from fraud. She also faced a lien placed on her home of 25 years, and was just $6,000 away from paying off the $51,600 home loan. The damage to her credit was so bad, Kathy said she almost couldn't find a place to live.

"They ran my credit, and it was in the red," she said. "We barely got this apartment with [her husband's] name."

Kathy is now trying to fix her credit.

Charges filed in the case

Fort Worth Police said they arrested Holmon on a charge of exploitation of the elderly. Investigators also said four victims were linked to his case already; three more have popped up since Thursday, April 23, 2026, and police believe there may be more victims. A review of Homon's Facebook page reveals that he reportedly was once a first responder and is tied to a Fort Worth church as a member of the worship team.

The department asks anyone who thinks that they may be a victim to call Detective Crain at 817-392-4414.  

CBS News Texas found that Holmon's Solar LLC still has an "A" rating with the Better Business Bureau, but was not an accredited business by the group. 

Full Article & Source:
Fort Worth woman opens up about ongoing elderly exploitation investigation: "I thought he was helping me" 

Woman charged for allegedly exploiting 96-year-old, faces multiple theft counts in Lewis County

Story by Adel Toay


A 58-year-old woman appeared in court Thursday afternoon after being charged in connection with the alleged financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult in Lewis County.

Kristine Hughey is charged with one count of forgery, 10 counts of first-degree theft and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm. She was arrested without incident and booked into the Lewis County Jail. She did not enter a plea because she has not yet consulted with an attorney. 

"I’m going to take the more prudent course and wait until your attorney is present so I can be assured that your attorney has properly advised you of all your rights, the maximum penalties, and everything else necessary for a valid arraignment," said Judge J. Andrew Toynbee in Lewis County Superior Court. 

The charges stem from an investigation that began April 8, when officers responded to concerns raised by neighbors and referrals from Adult Protective Services involving a 96-year-old woman in Centralia. Authorities say the victim has dementia, requires skilled nursing care and meets the legal definition of a vulnerable adult under Washington law.

Detectives determined Hughey, originally from California, had been living with and caring for the victim since around mid-2025. In September 2025, Hughey obtained durable power of attorney over the woman and soon after transferred ownership of the victim’s Centralia home into her own name using a quitclaim deed, describing it as a gift.

Financial records reviewed with the victim’s permission indicate that roughly $78,000 was withdrawn or spent from the victim’s accounts between September 2025 and March 2026. Investigators noted that the amount significantly exceeded the victim’s approximate $8,000 monthly income from Social Security and pension payments.

Authorities say more than $21,400 was taken out in cash, with additional spending tied to horse-related purchases, travel, dining, entertainment and peer-to-peer transfers to individuals outside the state. Investigators also identified recurring charges they say did not align with the victim’s circumstances as a nursing home resident without a vehicle or livestock.

According to detectives, the victim said she did not approve the large withdrawals or personal expenses and believed the power of attorney and property transfer were meant only to help manage bills and arrange inheritance after her death. She has since indicated she wants to revoke the agreement.

Police say Hughey has a lengthy criminal record across multiple states involving fraud, forgery, theft and identity-related crimes, and has used several aliases.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Centralia Police Department at 360-330-7680. 

Full Article & Source:
Woman charged for allegedly exploiting 96-year-old, faces multiple theft counts in Lewis County