Man Accused of Trying to Sell Bedridden Elderly Woman's House: Miami-Dade Police

Tom Roy Jenkins, 43, of Oakland Park, was arrested Monday and faces multiple charges, including fraud, grand theft and elderly exploitation, according to an arrest report.

By Alyssa Hyman 

In an undercover takedown, Miami-Dade Police arrested and charged a man who they say tried to sell a bedridden elderly woman's house using fake IDs, fake documents and stolen information.

Tom Roy Jenkins, 43, of Oakland Park, was arrested Monday and faces multiple charges, including fraud, grand theft and elderly exploitation, according to an arrest report. He's being held in jail on a $45,000 bond.

"This individual attempted to practically steal a home from an 86-year-old bedridden female that's in a nursing home," said Miami-Dade Police spokesman Alvaro Zabaleta.

Detectives said Jenkins used a fake Florida driver’s license and drew up fake documents to pose as the elderly woman's son to sell her Miami home.

Tom Roy Jenkins

Police said he went to a North Miami title company with a forged purchase sale agreement to sell the woman's house for $500,000.

"He provided a fictitious Florida driver's license, so he had all the documentation that he needed in order to show that this was going to be a legitimate purchase of this home," Zabaleta said.

Police said Jenkins and another woman also presented fake IDs to a notary public.

"Everyone was asking for documentation, everyone was doing the right thing throughout the entire process," Zabaleta said. "There was nothing negligent, but everything that was being provided was all fictitious, but sometime in the process the title company noticed that there was something wrong."

The red flags led the title company to contact the Miami-Dade Police Department's real estate fraud squad to set up an undercover takedown Monday after police said Jenkins tried to pick up a $462,000 check for the house.

The owner of the title company, Marina Title, said in a statement Tuesday that other people were involved in the fraud ring and that "my only hope is that they are brought to justice soon."

"We all have to be more vigilant than ever due to the rampant amount of deed and wire fraud that has infiltrated the South Florida market," Jennie G. Farshchian wrote in a statement in part. "The level of fraud we are seeing now is more sophisticated and organized than before, which requires us as real estate attorneys and title agent to constantly be investing in new methods and technologies in an effort to combat the fraud. The current scheme involves a property that the fraudsters had physical access to, where the buyer had even visited the property and met with the tenant."     

Real estate title lawyer Valerie Hassan said it’s easy for criminals to track down a lot of information through public records online and said it’s important to hire an attorney in the real estate business. She also said it's important for homeowners to check up on their property records.

"In my opinion, it’s very important that you keep up to date with checking your property by checking to make sure the records are the way they should be," she said.

Police said they want the community to take a good look at the suspect in case he has other victims. While the title company and officers were able to stop this transaction from going through, sometimes that’s not the case and it becomes a big nightmare for the homeowner to get their property back.

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Man Accused of Trying to Sell Bedridden Elderly Woman's House: Miami-Dade Police

Nurse’s aide accused of stealing $27K from elderly Jacksonville Beach woman

UPDATE:

The State Attorney’s Office announced it has dropped the case against a 37-year-old nurse’s aide accused of stealing $27,000 from a 78-year-old Jacksonville Beach woman who she was taking care of. The 37-year-old woman was facing one county of elderly exploitation and one count of credit card fraud.

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – A nurse’s aide is accused of stealing at least $27,000 from an elderly Jacksonville Beach woman who she was taking care of.

According to Jacksonville Beach police, [the accused] became friends with Carolyn Chelette, 78, while Chelette was in a physical rehabilitation center in July. Chelette told News4Jax that [the accused] was one of several nurse’s aides who tended to her needs.

“They came in and help me shower. I wasn’t allowed to get out of the bed at first,” Chelette said. “She would come in and she was so helpful.”

[The accused]  agreed to help Chelette with in-home care when Chelette was discharged and eventually convinced Chelette to loan her money, police said. According to an arrest report and Chelette, [The accused]  told Chelette that she was a single mother of four and was no longer working at the rehab center because she was providing assistance to the 78-year-old and needed the money for a car payment, student loan payment and other needs. [The accused] said she would pay it back, police said.

“She came up with $800 worth, so I told her I would cover that for her until she got back on her feet,” Chelette said.

Chelette said she developed a level of trust in [the accused], who began doing her grocery shopping.

“She said, ‘You make a list and I will pick up your stuff for you.’ So I would give her authorization to use my card to buy my groceries or to do this or that,” Chelette said.

But Chelette told police she thinks [the accused] took a photo of her debit card and used it repeatedly for the next several months. In October, Chelette learned her bank account had been “drained” of $27,000, police said.

“I was overdrawn, so then I was afraid to write a check because I was afraid she was sending more things through that would make me more overdrawn,” said Chelette, who told News4Jax she is now fighting with the credit union to recoup her money and it has been an uphill battle.

Investigators said they documented dozens of ATM withdrawals and reviewed surveillance video of [the accused] making those withdrawals.

[She] is charged with elderly exploitation and credit card fraud.

Full Article & Source:

Nurse’s aide accused of stealing $27K from elderly Jacksonville Beach woman

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Prosecutors Drop Case of Nurse's Aide Accused of Stealing $27K From Elderly Jacksonville Beach Woman

‘I betrayed the trust:’ Limestone County judge writes letter admitting to crimes

Limestone County Judge Douglas Patterson is charged with use of official position or office for personal gain, financial exploitation of the elderly first-degree and theft third-degree.



In a letter obtained by WAAY 31, a judge in Limestone County who is supposed to uphold the law admitted he’s guilty of breaking it.

We confirmed Douglas Patterson wrote this letter and sent it to several other judges in the county.

Patterson is on paid leave after a grand jury indicted him for stealing from the county and exploiting the elderly. He is still getting paid his salary, which is almost $11,000 a month.

The typed letter was sent to Judge Baker on Dec. 17, which was less than a week after Patterson was charged.

Part of the letter we recieved in the mail is redacted.

People are frustrated especially after learning about Patterson’s letter.

"This is crazy. He admits everything. Every single thing. Disabled and elderly clients," says Katie Winton.

On Tuesday, WAAY 31 showed Winton, who lives in Limestone County, the letter Douglas Patterson sent admitting to his crimes.

"It's crazy to me. It's absolutely insane. I just..I mean i don't know. It's just absolutely crazy," says Winton.

In the letter dated 6 days after his indictment last month, Patterson admitted to what he called his "unethical, criminal, and reprehensible conduct".

He wrote, "I betrayed the trust placed in me by my disabled and elderly clients by stealing from their funds for which I owed a fiduciary duty and trust." He also stated, "I betrayed the trust of the people of Limestone County by stealing from funds belonging to them and placed under my control."

"I don't even have words honeslty, it's insane to me," says Winton.

The state Attorney General’s office wants this case fast tracked because it raises questions as to whether Patterson used his position as judge for personal gain and he's still receiving his salary.

"I would say so. If he's still being paid for that, he's admitted to everything that he's done I would say that is not right," adds Winton.

On Tuesday, we reached out Steven Haddock, a retired Morgan County judge, who was appointed to this case. He told me he's waiting to select an arraignment date based on the Limestone County Circuit Court's schedule.

We reached out to the Attorney General's office to see if they were aware of this letter and they told us no comment.

______________________________________

WAAY 31 was anonymously sent a letter written by Douglas Patterson, the Limestone County judge indicted on multiple charges.

In his letter to Limestone County Circuit Judge Robert Baker, Patterson writes about his "unethical, criminal and reprehensible conduct.” Three other recipients were Cc'd in the letter. One of the recipients has confirmed to WAAY 31 they did receive it.

Patterson is charged with use of official position or office for personal gain, financial exploitation of the elderly first-degree and theft third-degree.

In his letter, Patterson states, "I betrayed the trust placed in me by my disabled and elderly clients by stealing from their funds for which I owed fiduciary duty and trust."

He then goes on to say, "Then I betrayed the trust of the people of Limestone County by stealing from funds belonging to them and placed under my control."

Court documents say the state prosecutor in the case is asking for the trial to be fast tracked. They also show that while Patterson is suspended from serving as a judge and hasn't been hearing cases since September 2019, he is still receiving a paycheck until he is convicted or resigns.

If convicted, Patterson could face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $30,000 each for the first two charges. He could also face up to five years in prison and a fine for the theft charge. 

Full Article & Source:
‘I betrayed the trust:’ Limestone County judge writes letter admitting to crimes 

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AG asks court to set hearing date for Limestone County judge indicted on theft, elderly exploitation charges

AG asks court to set hearing date for Limestone County judge indicted on theft, elderly exploitation charges

LIMESTONE COUNTY, Ala. -- The Alabama Attorney General's Office filed a motion asking the Limestone County Circuit Court to set an arraignment date for a judge who was indicted last month on multiple charges.

Limestone County District Court Judge Douglas Patterson was indicted Dec. 11 on charges of third-degree theft, financial exploitation of the elderly and using his position for personal gain.

According to the motion, the prosecution attempted pre-arraignment negotiations, but the effort was unsuccessful. Prosecutors said there is no reason to delay Patterson's arraignment to discuss a scheduling order.

The motion asks that a trial date be set for two reasons -- to notify the public if Patterson indeed abused his position or not and because he continues to get paid. State records show that as a district court judge, Patterson is being paid $5,400 every two weeks.

For fiscal 2019, that's a total of nearly $126,000. So far, in the fiscal year that began in October, while Patterson has not been on the bench, he's been paid at least $32,000.

Alabama has a process to investigate -- and if necessary -- remove a judge who violates judicial rules. The Judicial Inquiry Commission review process requires a formal complaint be filed -- which is not a public record residents can look at. After that, the commission would review if a judge has violated the judicial canons.  But, even during that process, up to and until a ruling from the Alabama Court of the Judiciary proceeding, the judge would still be eligible to be paid.

The motion goes on to say other Limestone County judges have to work extra to ensure important business proceeds as usual.

According to state law:

"A judge shall be disqualified from acting as a judge, without loss of salary, while there is pending (1) an indictment or an information charging him in the United States with a crime punishable as a felony under a state or federal law, or (2) a complaint against him filed by the judicial inquiry commission with the court of the judiciary."

Patterson was appointed a judge in 2016 by former governor Robert Bentley. Prior to that he worked as an attorney, including work as a conservator for incapacitated people,  the Alabama Attorney General's Office said.

Patterson is accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars by writing about 70 checks to himself from the Limestone County Juvenile Court Services Fund over a period of years. More than $47,000 that was supposed to go to juvenile programs and juvenile court staff among other things, prosecutors said.

Patterson also is accused of taking money before becoming a judge. According to the attorney general's office, Patterson took $47,800 from the conservatorship account of an elderly client. Over a six and a half year period, prosecutors said Patterson drained the account and left less than $200 in it when he was done. The client, who was living in a nursing home for military veterans, has since died.

Another person Patterson worked for as a conservator, also had between $499 and $1,500 taken from his estate's account after his death, prosecutors said.

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AG asks court to set hearing date for Limestone County judge indicted on theft, elderly exploitation charges

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Limestone County judge arrested for theft, elderly exploitation

Limestone County judge arrested for theft, elderly exploitation

LIMESTONE COUNTY, Ala. - Limestone County District Court Judge Douglas Patterson was booked into the Limestone County Jail on Thursday morning.

A sheriff's office spokesman confirmed that Patterson, 37, was booked on charges of third-degree theft, financial exploitation of the elderly and using his position for personal gain. The spokesman said Patterson was at the jail for about 30 minutes and posted $30,000 around 9 a.m.

Patterson was appointed a judge in 2016 by former governor Robert Bentley. Prior to that he worked as an attorney, including work as a conservator for incapacitated people,  the Alabama Attorney General's Office said.

Patterson is accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars by writing about 70 checks to himself from the Limestone County Juvenile Court Services Fund over a period of years. More than $47,000 that was supposed to go to juvenile programs and juvenile court staff among other things, prosecutors said.

Patterson also is accused of taking money before becoming a judge. According to the attorney general's office, Patterson took $47,800 from the conservatorship account of Charles Hardy. Over a six and a half year period, prosecutors said Patterson drained the account and left less than $200 in it when he was done. Hardy, who was living in a nursing home for military veterans, has since died.
Another person Patterson worked for as a conservator, Rudolph Allen, also had between $499 and $1,500 taken from his estate's account after his death, prosecutors said.

In all of the cases where money was taken, it was placed into accounts for Patterson's business, law firm or personal use, according to the attorney general's office.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said in a news release that Patterson's actions "debase the judicial system."

"The allegations contained in this indictment shock the conscience and illustrate a callous and selfish disregard for the law as well as the welfare of Alabama's most vulnerable citizens: children and incapacitated seniors," Marshall said.

Patterson faces up to 20 years in prison and up to a $30,000 fine for each charge of using his position for personal gain and financial exploitation of the elderly. He faces up to five years in prison and a $7,500 fine for the theft charge.

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Limestone County judge arrested for theft, elderly exploitation

Las Vegas police lieutenant’s elderly exploitation trial starts

By David Ferrara Las Vegas Review-Journal 

A Metropolitan Police Department lieutenant deceived an elderly couple out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, prosecutors told jurors Tuesday at the start of the officer’s criminal trial.

The allegations against James Melton, 52, stretch from December 2010 to May 2017. The 13 counts include elderly exploitation, theft, grand larceny auto and perjury.

Prosecutors have said that Melton hired April Parks, the owner of A Private Professional Guardian LLC; her office manager, Mark Simmons; and attorney Noel Simpson to exploit an elderly couple.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Jay P. Raman explained to the jury during opening statements that others involved, including April Parks, had pleaded guilty and were given lengthy prisons sentences in separate cases.

“This case is about what James Melton did, including using others to get what he wanted,” Raman told jurors. “He may attempt to blame others for his actions. But the buck stops with James Melton.”

This year, District Judge Tierra Jones, who is overseeing Melton’s trial, ordered Parks to serve 16 to 40 years behind bars for stealing from elderly victims for whom she was supposed to care. Simmons and Parks’ husband, Gary Taylor, also were given prison time.

Prosecutors have alleged that Melton hired Parks, Simmons and Simpson to act as guardian for Beverly Flaherty, 87, and obtain control of more than $700,000 in assets from her and her husband, 84-year-old Jerome Flaherty.

Melton, who most recently worked in Metro’s Homeland Security division, has been on unpaid suspension since July 2017, when authorities launched the investigation.

His attorney, Josh Tomsheck, did not give an opening statement but has said publicly that Melton “violated no law and committed no crime.”

Melton, Parks, and Simmons were accused of using Simpson’s services to file false and misleading legal papers with the court in order to obtain guardianship and name Melton as the successor trustee of Beverly Flaherty’s family trust.

Simpson has cooperated with prosecutors, pleading guilty in November to one count of elderly exploitation, and is expected to testify at Melton’s trial.

Full Article & Source:
Las Vegas police lieutenant’s elderly exploitation trial starts

Man who pleaded guilty in deadly shooting now accused with wife, daughter of elderly exploitation

Bail has been set at $30,000 each for two women accused of taking more than $50,000 from an elderly relative — and prosecutors have filed a similar charge against a man serving 49 years in prison for a deadly 2015 shooting that brought the reported exploitation to light.

Although the charges are not directly related to the shooting, police said the investigation into that case spurred them to look into the financial dealings of the man charged in Andrew Maul’s death, as well as his wife and daughter.

Robert H. Gill, 64, was arrested in the Sept. 11, 2015, shooting and subsequently pleaded guilty. He now is charged with financial exploitation of an elderly person involving a relative.

“Gill was the guardian for the [relative] and it looks like he was removing money and putting it into his account,” Police Lt. Doug Thompson told the State Journal-Register.

After Gill’s arrest, a family member raised questions about unusual transactions involving the purported victim’s finances.

Authorities maintain Gill’s daughter, Jewell Maul, 38 — the ex-wife of Andrew Maul — and Gill’s wife, Joyce Gill, 63, knew what was going on with the account and used it for withdrawals and deposits, according to WLDS News.

Both were charged Monday with Class 1 felonious financial exploitation of an elderly person. They were being held Tuesday in the Morgan County jail.

Financial exploitation of an elderly person or a person with a disability becomes a Class 1 charge if “the value of the property is $50,000 or more or if the elderly person is over 70 years of age and the value of the property is $15,000 or more or if the elderly person is 80 years of age or older and the value of the property is $5,000 or more.”

Robert Gill pleaded guilty in November to one count of intentional murder in Andrew Maul’s shooting death and was sentenced to 45 years. He was given another four years for one count of aggravated residential arson after setting fire to the home of Andrew Maul’s mother, Debbie Bartz, soon after the shooting.

As a part of the deal, three counts of murder and one count of residential arson were dismissed.

Special prosecutor Ed Parkinson is handling the exploitation case. He also prosecuted the murder and arson charges.

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Man who pleaded guilty in deadly shooting now accused with wife, daughter of elderly exploitation

Goldsboro woman accused in elderly exploitation also facing church check fraud charges

GOLDSBORO, NC (WITN)- A woman facing sheriff's office charges for allegedly exploiting her 86-year-old grandmother is now accused of check fraud in connection to a church.

Goldsboro Police say back on April 17th they received a report from the Wayne County Sheriff's Office that the Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Mount Olive was the victim of check fraud.

Police say counterfeit checks were manufactured, uttered, and cashed on the church's bank account at a financial institution within the Goldsboro city limits.

Warrants were secured on Tiffany Anstey, 33, and Adrian Holbrook, 26, both of Goldsboro.

Anstey was charged with uttering forged instrument, obtaining property by false pretense, and attempted obtaining of property by false pretense. She was given a $5,000 secured bond and has a first court appearance scheduled for Friday.

Holbrook is still at large.

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Goldsboro woman accused in elderly exploitation also facing church check fraud charges