Mon County woman charged with financial exploitation of an elderly person

By WDTV News Staff

MORGANTOWN, W.Va (WDTV) - A Morgantown woman has been charged with financial exploitation after police find that she accumulated over $500,00.00 in assets from an elderly person.

Brittany Miller, 37, has been charged with financial exploitation of an elderly person, according to the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office.

Reports state that Miller gained financial access to the victim’s funds, after personally creating and filing a Statutory Power of Attorney document around February 2023 in Monongalia County and elsewhere.

She then created a pattern of repeated withdrawals, checks to cash, and debit card use that was inconsistent with the victim’s needs, abilities, and location. This led the victim’s financial institution to freeze accounts for suspected elder abuse.

There were 24 personal checks made out to Miller beginning in February of 2023 to December of 2025; a personal check to purchase ownership of a property in Vienna, WV: three debit card transactions for boudoir photography sessions; seven debit card transactions for jeep upgrades; three debit card transactions for cosmetic procedures; and a single cash payment for cosmetic porcelain ceramic teeth.

There was an accumulated financial loss for the victim estimated to be greater than $500,00.00, causing Adult Protective Services (APS) to take protective action against the suspected abuse.

According to detectives, Miller exerted influence over the victim due to her age, cognitive impairment, and dependency, using her fiduciary authority to control finances, change wills, and act for personal gain. No credible evidence or information had been found to support “good faith” or otherwise lawful use of the victims’ funds.

Miller’s bond was set at $40,000 and was posted on March 24. 

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Mon County woman charged with financial exploitation of an elderly person 

Missouri coin store owner charged with conning elderly man out of thousands of dollars

The owner of a Missouri coin store could face prison time after he allegedly exploited thousands of dollars from an elderly man.

By Sarah Motter

BURLINGTON JUNCTION, Mo. (KCTV) - The owner of a Missouri coin store could face prison time after he allegedly exploited thousands of dollars from an elderly man.

Nodaway County, Missouri, Circuit Court records filed on Monday, July 14, indicate that Gerald R. Galyan, 49, of Burlington Junction, has been charged in connection with the crime.

A probable cause statement filed by the Nodaway County Sheriff’s Office revealed that on June 17, 2024, investigators were contacted about a possible theft. The elderly victim’s nephew reported that several discrepancies had been found in his uncle’s bank account.

Law enforcement officials noted that in total, more than $26,000 had been stolen from the victim’s bank account. The investigation led the Sheriff’s Office to Galyan, the owner of T and J Coins N’ More. 

During an interview with investigators, they said Galyan claimed the victim had paid him the missing money for services he had provided since the victim’s wife had passed away. He then claimed the victim had been a partner in his gold and silver business.

However, the victim told law enforcement officials he never intended to be partners with Galyan. 

The Sheriff’s Office said a search of Galyan’s home and business revealed receipts for the transactions as well as $35,000 in counterfeit cash and counterfeit items.

Court documents noted that Galyan was charged with financial exploitation of an elderly person, stealing $750 or more, counterfeiting and fraudulent use of a credit or debit device on July 14. If found guilty, he could be sentenced to up to 33 years in prison.

A warrant was issued for Galyan’s arrest on Monday with the condition of a $30,000 bond. As of Monday evening, he does not appear to have been arrested on these charges. No further information has been released. 

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Missouri coin store owner charged with conning elderly man out of thousands of dollars 

Former employee charged with theft from Geneva dance studio

by Brenda Schory

A former employee of a Geneva dance studio faces charges of financial exploitation of an elderly person and theft of more than $100,000, court and police records show.

Desiree R. Cortez, 47, of Geneva was charged May 29 with three felonies: financial exploitation of an elderly person by illegally using more than $50,000 of assets; financial exploitation of an elderly person age 70 or older by a person in a position of trust for more than $15,000 of assets; and theft of over $100,000 but less than $500,000, according to the charging documents.

Cortez’s attorney did not respond to a message seeking comment.

Cortez was in charge of accounting and payroll for the Elise Flagg Academy of Dance, 319 W. State St., Geneva, for four years until she was fired Jan. 23, according to a 48-page police report.

According to the police report, Cortez made $258,669.46 in unauthorized personal purchases from June 1, 2022 through March 1.

Reports indicate police began investigating March 11 when the next employee to handle the dance company’s accounts reported the suspected theft.

Police detailed hundreds of transactions, so many that investigators created a spreadsheet to keep track, according to the report.

Cortez also is accused of using dance studio funds to pay for her daughter’s attendance at ballet camp in Pennsylvania and a high school trip to Europe; Amazon, DoorDash, UberEats, Verizon and Starbucks purchases; vacation travel expenses; and opened new credit cards and bank accounts in the dance company’s name, according to the report.

Cortez is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 1 for a preliminary hearing.

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Former employee charged with theft from Geneva dance studio

Limestone County man arrested for home repair fraud, financial exploitation of 92-year-old

By Sarah Broadway

According to court documents, on Wednesday, authorities arrested a Limestone County man after he agreed, and received payment, to repave a 92-year-old’s driveway and didn’t do the repairs.

Court records say 45-year-old Jack Clifford Lovell, Jr., agreed to pave the elderly man’s driveway and was paid $3,600 for the work he allegedly didn’t do in October of last year. Lovell is charged with home repair fraud and financial exploitation of an elderly person in the first degree.

Lovell is being held in the Lauderdale County Jail. His bond has not yet been set.

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Limestone County man arrested for home repair fraud, financial exploitation of 92-year-old

Clarksburg woman waives hearing; accused of financial exploitation of elderly

 CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WV News) — A 53-year-old Clarksburg woman on Monday waived her right to a probable cause hearing on a charge alleging financial exploitation of an elderly person.

The waiver before Harrison Magistrate Kim Wygal sends the case against Patricia Ann Mitchell to Harrison County Circuit Court.

While serving as conservator or guardian of an individual older than 65, Mitchell had nearly $19,500 in “questionable disbursements,” Harrison Deputy Detective J.L. Cumberledge has alleged.

Mitchell reported she paid her rent, car insurance, credit cards and retail accounts with the money, Cumberledge alleged.

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Clarksburg woman waives hearing; accused of financial exploitation of elderly

Moundsville Woman Allegedly Exploits Thousands From Elderly City Resident

by ALAN OLSON Staff Writer

MOUNDSVILLE — A woman faces felony charges after allegedly exploiting a woman who took her in during her time of need, totaling nearly $9,000 in various bills, purchases and legal fees.

In July, Moundsville Police officers met with an 81-year-old woman who was reporting credit card fraud. The woman told police that Kimber Anders, 50 of Moundsville, and her son had needed a place to live for about six months, which she offered to them.

During this time, Anders would occasionally be given her debit card to make purchases, she said, as well as to take temporary, informal loans when necessary with her permission.

Between October 2021 and April 2022, Anders allegedly continued using the woman’s card for things such as Amazon purchases and bills. Police say that between those transactions and a water bill to Anders’ house, the total came to over $1,900.

Additionally, the woman said she had paid more than $7,000 for Anders’ legal bills in 2019, which was done with the expectation of repayment, which she never received.

Anders was arrested in early October and charged with financial exploitation of an elderly person, a felony. She posted $5,000 bond from the Northern Regional Jail. Her preliminary hearing is set for Oct. 25 before magistrate Mark Kerwood.

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Moundsville Woman Allegedly Exploits Thousands From Elderly City Resident

Blotter: Chicago woman charged with financial exploitation of an elderly person in Northbrook

By Kaitlin Edquist

 

The following items were taken from Northbrook Police Department reports and releases. An arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt.

 

Financial crimes 

 

Halisa Oba, 48, of the 800 block of Grace Street, Chicago, was charged with financial exploitation of an elderly person and unlawful use of a credit card in the 2200 block of Founders Drive after a report from September. Oba is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 20.

A Northbrook resident reported Oct. 8 that they were contacted by someone who claimed to be an Apple representative. The person said there was a problem with the resident’s phone and that they needed to buy $6,000 in gift cards to complete the repair.

A Northbrook resident reported Oct. 12 that someone opened a bank account using their information without permission.

A Northbrook resident reported Oct. 15 that they received messages from their bank that someone attempted to cash checks in their name without permission.

 

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Blotter: Chicago woman charged with financial exploitation of an elderly person in Northbrook

Ritchie County woman accused of stealing over $16,000 in funds from an elderly woman

RITCHIE COUNTY, W.Va (WDTV) - A Ritchie County woman accused of stealing over $16,000 in funds from an elderly woman is now facing charges.

Sally Frederick, 29, of Harrisville has been charged with financial exploitation of an elderly person.

The sheriff’s office said in a post on Facebook that deputies obtained an arrest warrant for Frederick on July 21 after a complaint was made.

Over $16,000 in funds were stolen from the 78-year-old victim, the sheriff’s office said.

Deputies arrested Frederick on July 24.

“The Ritchie County Sherriff’s Office would like to thank and acknowledge Chief R.T. Davis of the Pennsboro Police Department,” the sheriff’s office said in the post. “Chief Davis’s assistance in the serious exploitation case was essential in its success.”



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Ritchie County woman accused of stealing over $16,000 in funds from an elderly woman

Man charged with bilking his elderly mother

FAIRMONT — A Idamay man faces a charge of financial exploitation of an elderly person after he used more than $6,000 of his incapacitated mother’s money for personal use.

W.Va. State Police said an investigation found that from May 4, 2017 through April 2019, 44-year-old Jessy Aric Haught took advantage of his mother’s finances.

According to the court papers, Haught was appointed Power of Attorney May 18, 2016 of his incapacitated 71-year-old mother. As Power of Attorney, he was authorized to access his mother’s bank account and be financially responsible for any debts she had that needed paying.

According to the complaint, Haught’s mother was placed in a nursing and rehabilitation center May 2017 and has accumulated bills for her care at the center that Haught failed to pay by forwarding her deposited Social Security, alimony and pension checks to the center. The complaint states that Haught’s mother’s bills have accumulated as high as $126,035.19 because of Haught not using his mother’s money for her own care.

According to the court papers, a total of $8,519.72 in Social Security checks and alimony/pension checks have been deposited in Haught’s mother’s bank account between May 3, 2017 and Jan. 23, 2019. During the same period of time, Haught has withdrawn $8,474.84 from his mother’s bank account through ATM withdrawals, cashier checks and other other purchases, but has only made four payments totaling $2,080 to the nursing and rehabilitation center for his mother’s care, the complaint states.

According to the court papers, Haught has used approximately $6,394.87 of his mother’s money for personal use by withdrawing that amount from the bank through approximately 50 ATM withdrawals, six cashier check withdrawals, 14 point of sale purchases and one online payment to Frontier, with the majority of the withdrawals in Mannington.

Court records show Haught’s bail of $10,012 was posted and he is out of jail.

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Man charged with bilking his elderly mother

Editorial: Stronger fight for seniors

We have little sympathy for criminals in the first place.

But there’s something especially repulsive about a person who would prey on the most helpless in our society - children, the elderly and the disabled.

Maxine Donaldson, 53, pleaded guilty Monday in Richmond County Superior Court on charges stating she did precisely that: neglecting older and disabled folks under her supposedly competent supervision and, on top of that, siphoning off financial benefit from them.

The charges spanned two cases - neglect of an elderly person; operating an unlicensed personal care home; and 13 counts of exploitation of an elderly person. In a plea deal, Judge Daniel J. Craig sentenced Donaldson to 15 years in prison and five years on probation.

She was arrested first in 2017 for the exploitation part - specifically, stealing $25,000 from a 69-year-old Alzheimer’s patient she looked after. We hesitate to say that Donaldson actually “cared for” this vulnerable man.

Prosecutors said she told the man’s children she would tend to the man’s needs for $1,600 a month. But a few months later, she upped the fee to $2,600 a month, and by that time she had added herself to the man’s bank account. The man’s children had no idea any of this was going on, prosecutors said.

This took place in Donaldson’s licensed personal care home, Shavonna’s Place. While she was out on bond in that case, an elderly abuse task force found she had been running an unlicensed personal care home on the side, on Belair Road.

The judge also ordered Donaldson’s name be placed on Georgia’s newly instituted elder abuse registry, the product of several measures passed last year by the Georgia General Assembly aimed at protecting seniors from being mistreated.

It’s been an ongoing mission in our state legislature for several years. In 2013, for example, lawmakers had the wisdom to pass House Bill 78, which shifted the state’s elder abuse laws into the criminal code. That now gives law enforcement greater authoritative muscle to respond to reports of abuse.

Last year, one of the bills lawmakers passed enabled district attorneys statewide to form special teams to respond to suspected cases of abuse, neglect or exploitation. The Augusta Judicial Circuit already had that - the local Crimes Against the Vulnerable and Elderly task force. That’s the group of investigators that ferreted out the unlicensed care home in the Donaldson case.

As America’s population grows grayer, we find ourselves more often relying on other people to help look after our older loved ones. Some people just don’t have the time or the ability to give their senior relatives the comfort and care they deserve.

That often means seeking out smaller personal care homes, especially if you don’t have deep enough pockets to pay for accommodations in a larger, more professionally operated assisted living facility. And these homes need to be safe and secure.

Thanks to increasingly tougher Georgia laws, seniors who deserve special care are getting better protection against the unprincipled leeches out to do them harm.

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Editorial: Stronger fight for seniors

Man charged with counterfeiting, financial exploitation

HUNTINGTON — The following information was provided by criminal complaints filed in Cabell County Magistrate Court:

COUNTERFEITING: One person was arrested after allegedly exchanging counterfeit currency for legitimate bills with an elderly man Tuesday in Milton.

Joshua Lee Gibson, 26, was jailed at 4:25 p.m. Thursday. Authorities in Cabell County charged him with counterfeiting and financial exploitation of an elderly person. Bond was $11,000. According to the criminal complaint, the victim reported to the Milton Police Department with a claim that Gibson had asked for change for a $100 bill. The victim exchanged the large bill for four $20 bills and two $10 bills.

The victim stated he did not realize the bill was fake until he took it to the bank. The complaint states the responding officer observed Chinese markings along the back side of the bill.

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Man charged with counterfeiting, financial exploitation

Athens man charged with financial exploitation of elderly

William "Rodney" Jackson

An Athens man accused of stealing more than $2,500 from four elderly people in 2013 has been formally charged with three counts of first-degree financial exploitation of an elderly person, records show.

Based on an investigation by the Alabama Securities Commission and others, a Limestone County grand jury recently indicted William "Rodney" Jackson, 44, of 13580 Coldstream Way.

According to the indictment, Jackson is accused of obtaining or exerting unauthorized control over United States currency in excess of $2,500 and with the intent of depriving the owner of the property. Jackson is charged on three counts of exploitation involving four people, including:

• Count 1 involves one person and occurred May 13, 2013;
• Count 2 involves two people and occurred May 2, 2013; and
• Count 3 involves one person and occurred May 24, 2013.

The names of the alleged victims were redacted in the indictment filed in Limestone County District Court.

Jackson turned himself in to the Limestone County Sheriff's Office on Dec. 28, Dan Lord with the ASC told The News Courier Dec. 31. He was released after posting a $15,000 bond, records show.

Details of the case against Jackson were limited Thursday. Lord said a press release on the arrest would be issued, possibly this week.

Under Alabama law, a person can be charged with financial exploitation of an elderly person if he or she "intentionally and knowingly uses deception, intimidation, undue influence, force or threat of force to obtain or exert unauthorized control over the property of (a person) who is age 60 or older."

First-degree financial exploitation of an elderly person is a Class B felony punishable upon conviction by two to 20 years in state prison.

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Athens man charged with financial exploitation of elderly

Newfields man gets 2-4 years for exploiting elderly woman

BRENTWOOD -- The Newfields man who exploited an elderly woman by taking several credit cards in her name was sentenced to two to four years in state prison.

Thomas U. Gage, 58, of Newfields, was sentenced to begin his prison term in Rockingham Superior Court Thursday on two Class A felony counts of financial exploitation of an elder adult. He was sentenced to a fully suspended sentence of three to six years on the second charge after he pleaded guilty on both charges Sept. 9.

The sentence was suspended for five years from the date of Gage’s release from state prison, and was conditioned upon his good behavior and restitution to the victim.

An investigation conducted by the state attorney general’s office, in conjunction with the Exeter Police Department, revealed between January 2015 and January 2016, Gage, a former Exeter-based attorney used undue influence to convince the victim, a former client of his, to open several credit cards and allow him to use them to fund a real estate renovation project, according to the AG’s office.

The investigation showed Gage did not own the real estate he was supposedly renovating and instead used the credit cards to satisfy numerous personal debts and expenses without the victim’s knowledge or consent, the AG’s office said. The total amount of credit card debt incurred using the victim’s cards was more than $81,000.

Gage was disbarred in 2016 for reasons unrelated to these offenses.

The Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services encourages reporting exploitation to its agency by calling (800) 949-0470.

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Newfields man gets 2-4 years for exploiting elderly woman

Former Exeter lawyer heads to prison, apologizes for 'reckless enterprise'

Public defender Eliana Forciniti speaks with Thomas Gage before he was escorted out of the courtroom by a sheriff’s deputy and taken to state prison after being sentenced Thursday for financially exploiting an elderly woman.

BRENTWOOD — Former Exeter lawyer Thomas Gage was sent to state prison for at least two years Thursday after financially exploiting an elderly woman who was once a family friend and client, and leaving her saddled with more than $81,000 in credit card bills.

Gage, 58, of Newfields, was sentenced to 2 to 4 years in prison and must pay restitution after pleading guilty in September to two counts of financial exploitation.

During his sentencing hearing in Rockingham County Superior Court, Gage apologized for the pain he’s caused the victim, saying he never set out to hurt her financially.

“It became a reckless enterprise which caused reprehensible harm,” he said, adding, “All I can say at this point is that I’m devastated.”

Gage was charged after taking out five credit cards in the victim’s name and racking up more than $80,000 between January 2015 and January 2016.

Gage, who formerly practiced in Exeter, was disbarred in 2016 for mismanaging other clients’ money.

According to Attorney Brandon H. Garod, Gage told the victim that he was renovating a family home that he inherited from his parents and wanted to turn it into an apartment building, but couldn’t get his own financing. He convinced the victim to allow him to take out five credit cards in her name, claiming she would not be responsible for the debt because he planned to set up a limited liability company, which would inherit any of the debt and not affect her credit. As part of the plan, Garod said Gage told her that eventually she could earn income from the rental.

Garod said Gage never set up the LLC and didn’t actually own the property, which faced foreclosure. After taking out the credit cards, Garod said he maxed them out and used the money to pay off his own debt and his businesses, Gage Law Offices and Quality Title Company.

Garod argued that Gage was manipulative and was able to get the victim to agree to the scheme by a “lifetime of building trust” between him and the victim through their family connections and handling any legal matters as her attorney.

“The trust made this possible,” said Garod, who works in the Consumer Protection and Anti-Trust Bureau’s Elder Abuse.

The victim also spoke about the impact on her her finances and her health and how she’s had to deal with credit card companies looking for repayment.

“He kept making promises that didn’t follow through,” she said.

Eliana Forciniti, Gage’s public defender, disagreed with how the prosecution had portrayed him as a “sophisticated con artist.”

She described him as a man with low self-esteem who has been depressed and felt that throughout his life he was never able to live up to the expectations of others.

Forciniti claimed that Gage was in denial about the state of his own finances and truly thought that he could save the old family home and remodel it.

But she said he has taken responsibility for what he did and agreed that he should be punished, arguing that a 1 to 3 year prison sentence was appropriate.

“His actions were certainly careless and reckless. He was lying to himself,” she said.

Judge Amy Messer said the court would accept the fact that he’s had challenges in his life, but she was “troubled” by the fact that he took the victim’s money while under audit for mismanaging other clients’ money, which led to him being disbarred in 2016.

Messer said Gage had an opportunity to reflect on how he handled the finances of others, but “despite that you continued on a path where you seriously impacted someone else’s life. You took advantage of another person. You violated her trust. You frankly changed the trajectory of her life.”

In addition to the 2- to 4-year sentence, Messer also handed down a 3- to 6-year suspended sentence and ordered that he pay $81,274 in restitution to the victim.

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Former Exeter lawyer heads to prison, apologizes for 'reckless enterprise'

Oklahoma man charged after allegedly scamming elderly victim out of thousands

Guy Byrd

OKLAHOMA CITY – An Oklahoma man has been charged with exploiting an elderly person after he agreed to make repairs to the victim’s home.

In November of 2016, officials say the victim picked up 48-year-old Guy Wesley Byrd and brought him to his Del City home.

Byrd reportedly told the victim that it would cost about $4,500 to complete repairs to the home.

After the victim agreed to the price, the probable cause affidavit states that Byrd told the victim he would have to purchase a truck to haul the materials to the house.

The affidavit states that Byrd found a truck on Craigslist for $4,800 and the victim agreed to loan Byrd the money to purchase the truck.

After purchasing the truck with the victim’s money, officials say Byrd promised to be at the victim’s home the next morning.

When Byrd didn’t show up the next day, the victim tried calling him numerous times.

The affidavit states that a mutual acquaintance told the victim that Byrd had packed up all of his belongings in the middle of the night and left.

Earlier this week, Byrd was charged with one count of exploitation of an elderly person.

Online records state that Byrd has been charged with several counts of home repair fraud in the past.

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Oklahoma man charged after allegedly scamming elderly victim out of thousands

Quincy woman accused of exploiting elderly man

Laura E. Dodd

QUINCY -- A Quincy woman is being held in the Adams County Jail on $15,000 bond after being arrested Wednesday for allegedly using an elderly man's checking account without his permission.

Laura E. Dodd, 36, was charged with financial exploitation of an elderly person, a Class 3 felony. Charging documents allege that between Feb. 20 and Tuesday, Dodd accessed between $300 and $5,000 from the man's checking account. Dodd was the caregiver of the man.

During her first appearance Thursday in Adams County Circuit Court, prosecutors said Dodd is currently on probation for possession of methamphetamine and was out on bond in another case. She also is on probation for a case in Marion County, Mo.

Dodd's next court date is April 4.

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Quincy woman accused of exploiting elderly man

Woman charged with exploitation of an elderly person

Ashley D. Ramsey

A 24-year-old Enid woman was arraigned Thursday on a felony charge accusing her taking money from the wallet of a 62-year-old man.

Ashley D. Ramsey appeared free on $2,500 bond for arraignment on a single felony charge of exploitation of an elderly patient. She faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 on the charge.

According to an affidavit filed in the case, Enid Police Department Officer Nicole Binckley responded Feb. 12 to the home of a man who requires home health care services.

Binkley spoke with the man, Ramsey, the man's home health care provider and two of Ramsey's supervisors, all employed by Complete Home Health.

Binckley spoke with the two supervisors, and they said Ramsey had stolen $100 from the man's wallet, according to the affidavit. One of the supervisors said they both came to the residence to confront Ramsey and when they did, Ramsey admitted to taking the money.

One of the supervisors told Binckley that Ramsey said she was going to repay the money when she got paid, according to the affidavit. While speaking to the supervisor, Binckley noted in the affidavit that Ramsey looked up at her, and without asking, said, "Yeah, I took the money."

Binckley asked the 62-year-old man what had happened. He said he asked Ramsey to go to the store and get a few items. While Ramsey was gone, he fell asleep, according to the affidavit. The man said when he woke up his wallet had been moved and was not in its normal place.

The man said when he checked the wallet $100 was missing, according to the affidavit. When he asked Ramsey about the missing money, he said she admitted to taking it.

Ramsey's direct supervisor told Binckley that Ramsey had been complaining for the past two weeks about not having enough money to pay her bills, according to the affidavit. He said he was then notified about the 62-year-old man's money being gone and when he and the other supervisor asked Ramsey about it, she admitted to taking the money.

"By the time I started talking to Ashley, Ashely had stated at least three times that she had taken the money," Binckley wrote in the affidavit. Ramsey told Binckley she had put down a deposit to rent a house but needed another $100 to secure the house.

Ramsey said she saw the money in the man's wallet and took it to pay the rest of the downpayment for the house, according to the affidavit. Ramsey said she had every intention of repaying the man when she got paid.

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Woman charged with exploitation of an elderly person

Man accused of posing as sheriff to swindle elderly man

Jerry Dewayne Long

An Athens man is facing felony charges after claiming to be Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely in order to con a 74-year-old man out of about $9,000.

Jerry DeWayne Long, 39, of 17265 Blackburn Road, has been arrested on charges of first-degree financial exploitation of an elderly person and criminal impersonation of a peace officer. Narcotics charges are also pending, said Deputy Stephen Young, public information officer for the Sheriff's Office.

Long remained in the Limestone County Jail Monday night with bail set at $7,500.

Deputies took a report Sunday from the victim, who said he received a telephone call from a man identifying himself as Blakely. The man asked the victim to go to an address and leave $220 in the grill on the porch, claiming it was part of a drug sting. He told the victim he would get his money back after an arrest was made.

Investigators Chad Harbin and Caleb Durden identified Long as the suspect because the address given for the money drop was Long's. Long had also used his own phone to call the victim.

One of Long’s associates helped investigators find Long at Athens Pharmacy, where he was allegedly attempting to obtain narcotics. Investigators found probable cause to arrest Long after he admitted impersonating the sheriff. Investigators also discovered Long had fraudulently obtained about $9,000 previously from the victim and had been using the money for drugs. Investigators found on Long cocaine, syringes and an assortment of prescription pills. Those charges are pending.

Prior charge

Long had been arrested in June in connection with another possible swindle.

In that case, Long was charged with first-degree theft by deception for swindling an elderly victim out of more than $100,000 between 2015 and May. An investigation determined Long had promised an 81-year-old victim he had a large sum of money coming to him and he would sign it over to the victim. Young said Long continued to receive money from the victim between 2015 and 2017 that totaled more than $100,000, claiming he had cancer and needed medical treatment in Birmingham and couldn’t get the money for the treatment.

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Man accused of posing as sheriff to swindle elderly man

Shoals man charged in insurance scheme that allegedly took millions from elderly customers

Ronald Powell

ATHENS, Ala. — A Muscle Shoals man has been arrested and charged with insurance fraud and financial exploitation of an elderly person, in a case potentially involving millions of dollars, according to the Alabama Department of Insurance.

Ronald Warren Powell, 55, turned himself in to Limestone County Sheriff’s Office Wednesday and was released on bond.

A source with the Alabama Department of Insurance  told WHNT News 19 Powell gained control of millions of dollars under false pretenses from elderly victims who thought they were buying insurance policies, but instead the money went to Powell, according to sources from the Alabama Department of Insurance.

Other victims claimed they were unaware their signatures had been forged and their funds diverted to Powell, according to the insurance department source.

Powell’s Florence-based attorney James Irby said Powell denies any wrongdoing and “absolutely denies” any claim that he gained control of millions of dollars from the sale of false insurance policies. He said those claims go well beyond what is alleged in the Limestone County indictment.

“We are very confident in our position and we certainly are going to aggressively defend against these charge,” Irby said.

Powell had previously been barred from selling financial securities in Alabama in a 2015 action by the Alabama Securities Commission.  Powell had served as chairman and CEO of the Tom Jones Insurance and Financial Services Group in Muscle Shoals, according to the Alabama Securities Commission.

He was indicted on one count of first-degree insurance fraud and one count of financial exploitation of an elderly person.

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Shoals man charged in insurance scheme that allegedly took millions from elderly customers