Lee County Auburn man turns himself in on financial exploitation of elderly charge

by: Nicole Sanders

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WRBL) — An Auburn man turned himself into the Lee County Sheriff’s Office after he allegedly deceived a 60-year-old Alabama resident out of over $200,000, according to the Lee County District Attorney and Alabama Securities Commission.

James Clayton Langford III, 50, was taken into custody on Tuesday following his indictment of aggravated theft by deception and first-degree financial exploitation of the elderly. These charges can carry a sentence ranging from two to 20 years.

The indictment says Langford was a trustee on an investment account for the victim. According to that indictment, Langford allegedly obtained over $200,000 from the account, then used the money for personal use.

The first count alleges Langford obtained the money through deception. The second count alleges Langford also used deception, intimidation, force and other measures to gain control over the victim’s property.

According to a news release, Langford was out on bond as of Wednesday.

The ASC advices the public to research any investment opportunities. You can call the commission at 1-800-222-1553.

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Lee County Auburn man turns himself in on financial exploitation of elderly charge

Man who posed as licensed contractor arrested, charged with financial exploitation of elderly: Baldwin Co. Sheriff

by: Brett Greenberg

BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WKRG) — A man was arrested Wednesday after he allegedly posed as a licensed contractor in October 2022 and stole around $80,000 from a 61-year-old woman, according to a release from the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office.

Joseph McTigrit was placed in the Baldwin County Corrections Center and charged with Financial Exploitation of the Elderly. Deputies said he is “believed to have multiple victims for the same types of crimes and fraudulent business practices.”

The arrest warrant came from an incident in October 2022 when McTigrit posed as a licensed contractor and was hired by a 61-year-old woman for some home renovations.

Deputies said he was not licensed and could not “legally obtain the proper permits to perform the construction work on the home.”

The woman gave McTigrit over $100,000 to buy supplies and perform the work. According to the release, no supplies were bought and “the work that was started caused further damage to the residence.”

The woman was able to reach him over the phone and he gave her back roughly $20,000 “of the initial money provided” before “cutting off all communication with the victim.”

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Man who posed as licensed contractor arrested, charged with financial exploitation of elderly: Baldwin Co. Sheriff

Rainsville woman arrested on charges of financially exploiting the elderly

Debra Lynn Credille, 45, of Rainsville

A Rainsville woman was arrested on charges of financially exploiting the elderly.

Officers with the Scottsboro Police Department recovered an antique coin collection at a residence during a search warrant on Monday. As a result of the investigation into the coin collection, it was determined to have been stolen from a residence in Hollywood, AL.

Debra Lynn Credille, 45, of Rainsville, was arrested and charged with Financial Exploitation of the Elderly 1st degree and possession of drug paraphernalia. Davey Allen Campbell, 44, of Scottsboro, was also arrested and was charged with Receiving Stolen Property 1st degree.

The investigation is ongoing and more arrests are expected.

Hollywood Police assisted Scottsoboro in the investigation.

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Rainsville woman arrested on charges of financially exploiting the elderly

Former East Prairie funeral home owner charged with financial exploitation of elderly

By David Jenkins

Ricky Penrod

A former Mississippi County funeral homeowner has been charged with financial exploitation of the elderly after selling pre-need funerals without a proper license.

Charles R. “Ricky” Penrod, of East Prairie, was charged Friday with financial exploitation of an elderly person or person with a disability. He was taken into custody Monday and bonded out on a $25,000 cash or surety bond.

According to a probable cause statement, Penrod, the former owner of Shelby Funeral Home in East Prairie, was not licensed to sell pre-need contracts or provide services for pre-need contracts after Oct. 31, 2009. On April 19, 2016, Penrod’s funeral director license was revoked, and Shelby Funeral Home's ownership was assumed by new owner Lonnie Ponder on April 4, 2016.

Court documents from Mississippi County Circuit Court between the State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors v. Shelby Funeral Home, Inc., states Shelby Funeral Home was administratively dissolved as of Feb. 13, 2004. The court document also states Penrod engaged in pre-need services from Dec. 31, 2009, through the date of the order, which was dated July 24, 2014.

According to the probable cause statement, there was an interview with Ponder on March 26, 2020. Ponder confirmed he took possession of the funeral home in 2016 after assuming the debt incurred by Penrod.

Ponder told officers over time that he located at least 100 pre-need contracts, sold by Penrod, that had not been funded. Ponder also said there could be more unfunded contracts but would not know until he is contacted by the purchaser's family of the pre-need contract following a death.

Ponder also told officers he serviced 18 funerals in which families had provided a copy of a pre-need contract sold by Penrod. According to Ponder, he received no money from Penrod for the contracts, and he only asked the families to pay the inflationary costs of the funeral.

Ponder said he was trying to do the right thing by paying the funeral costs, stating his costs for those funerals was about $140,000.

Some of the pre-need contracts written by Penrod were after the sale of Shelby Funeral Home in April of 2016. Ponder told officers there was no money available to fund the pre-need accounts Penrod had written, providing 68 unfunded pre-need accounts.

The total dollar amount not transferred to Ponder by Penrod when taking ownership of Shelby Funeral Home was $268,040.10, with potentially more funds identified upon a death and the families coming forward.

According to the probable cause statement, Penrod stated the money from the pre-need accounts was garnished by the IRS because he didn’t put the money in the right place.

Sergeant J.S. Stoelting, a Missouri State Highway Patrol investigator, asked Penrod if he was ever licensed to sell pre-need contracts, to which Penrod replied, “yeah, at one time.”

Stoelting then asked Penrod if he continued to sell pre-need contracts after losing his license, and Penrod replied, “probably,” stating he couldn’t put the money into an account or the IRS would garnish it. Penrod told Stoelting everyone knew about the missing money, even the state.

Stoelting explained to Penrod that he sold numerous people a pre-need funeral without a proper license, to which Penrod replied, “I know.”

Stoelting also confronted Penrod that people wrote him a check that he cashed at McDonald’s Grocery Store, and the money is gone. Penrod asked, “for how much money?”

The investigator told Penrod they were still totaling it up, and Penrod replied, “They won’t cash a check that big.” Stoelting then informed Penrod he had copies of the cashed checks, with one for around $9,000.

Penrod was asked about one specific pre-need account for $9,532.25 that was purchased from him on July 7, 2014. The check was cashed by Penrod, and the family later learned of the missing pre-need money from Ponder.

A complaint was filed with the Missouri Attorney General’s Office on Jan. 19, 2020, after learning of the missing money. A letter, dated Feb. 11, 2020, was also written to the Attorney General requesting Penrod repay the money, $397 per month for two years. As of Sept. 23, 2020, there was no money returned to the family.

Stoelting asked Penrod when the last time was he sold a pre-need contract, to which he replied, “2014 or 2015.” Penrod told investigators when he received the money, he would cash the checks to keep the IRS from getting it so he could pay his bills, such as his electric and mortgage.

Penrod told officers that no one else was at fault for the mess but him, and “if the files are wrong, I’m responsible.”

Penrod will be arraigned at 10 a.m. Friday in Mississippi County.

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Former East Prairie funeral home owner charged with financial exploitation of elderly

Gainesville resident charged with financial exploitation of elderly

Amanda Forrest

Gainesville resident Amanda Forrest, 39, was arraigned last week before Circuit Judge Craig Carter on a charge of financial exploitation of the elderly.

The charge stems from accusations that, last December, Forrest made a “false promise” to care for the animals and property belonging to an 80-year-old citizen described as a “Confidential Victim” in the charging document filed by Ozark County Prosecuting Attorney John Garrabrant.

The probable cause statement in the case, filed by Ozark County Sheriff’s Deputy Cpl. Curtis Dobbs, says that, on April 20, he responded to a report of unknown subjects loading items into a truck at a residence on County Road 511.

The person who reported the incident also said two vehicles – a 1999 Buick Regal and a 1995 Ford Explorer – were missing from the property.

Dobbs learned that the owner of the residence had been hospitalized in Mountain Home, Arkansas, from January to March, and then was transferred to a long-term care facility in Willow Springs. The social service director at the facility told Dobbs the resident had been “in an incapacitated state” since his arrival there, and a Guardian Ad Litem had been appointed for him in April.

When Dobbs arrived at the residence on April 20, he saw tire tracks at the back of the house “and drag marks where someone had recently drug a heavy object and loaded it into a vehicle,” he wrote in the probable cause statement. He also saw that a window had been broken on the side of the home.

While he was at the house, a truck arrived carrying Amanda Forrest and two other occupants. The two other passengers in the truck told Dobbs that Forrest had “promised them money in exchange for helping her load and haul items to another location where a person was waiting to purchase them.” Both of the other passengers said Forrest told them she had permission to be at the residence.

Forrest admitted to Dobbs that she had taken items from the home but said she had the owner’s permission in order to pay for feeding the cats and dogs, according to the statement.

Dead cats and dogs near death

The reporting party had discovered the animals in the residence and reported the situation to the sheriff’s office on March 24. The deputy who investigated the incident then said that between six and nine dead cats were found in the home as well as two dogs that were near death.

Based on information from the reporting party and other witnesses, Dobbs wrote that Forrest “may have had permission ... to feed the animals but not sell any of the items” belonging to the property owner. He added that no evidence indicated that any money received from the sale of the items ever benefitted the owner or was used to feed his animals. “The animals left in her care were abandoned and locked in the home where most died from lack of food and water,” he wrote.

Unpaid bills, missing vehicles

When asked about the two missing vehicles, Forrest said she had wrecked the Explorer and sold it to someone in Arkansas for $200.

Dobbs showed Forrest photos of the household items and appliances reported as missing, “which appeared to be on her Facebook page. ... Ms. Forrest was attempting to sell these and other items for cash on Facebook sites such as Mountain Home Online Yard Sale,” Dobbs wrote.

Forrest said she sold the items in order to pay the resident’s bill at Gainesville Veterinary Clinic. Dobbs contacted the clinic, which told him the resident did have an outstanding balance, but no one had paid on it since the charges were accrued in December.

On April 23, Dobbs contacted someone in Mountain Home who had advertised on Facebook, offering cash for old cars. The man told Dobbs that Forrest had contacted him, and he had driven to the Ozark County residence and purchased the two vehicles from Forrest, paying $200 for each vehicle. The actual value of the vehicles was in excess of $1,000 each, Dobbs wrote. The man said he had already crushed the Buick but still had the Explorer.

In the charging document, Garra-brant accused Forrest of “promising performance that the defendant did not intend to perform or knew would not be performed and thereby knowingly obtained control of two motor vehicles, household appliances and furniture ... with the intent to permanently deprive Confidential Victim of the use of the property.”

Forrest is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 8 for a plea or trial setting.

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Gainesville resident charged with financial exploitation of elderly

Diamond man to stand trial on seven felony counts

A rural Diamond man waived preliminary hearings Wednesday on seven felony counts he is facing in Jasper County Circuit Court, including financial exploitation of an elderly man.

Associate Judge Joe Hensley ordered Travis C. Perry, 45, bound over for trial on two counts of forgery, two counts of stealing, and single counts of financial exploitation of an elderly person, trafficking in stolen identities and receiving stolen property. The judge set Perry's initial appearance in a trial division on six of the counts for Feb. 20 and his initial appearance on the seventh count, one of the stealing charges, for Feb. 21.

The exploitation and receiving stolen property charges and one of the forgery counts stem from a March 3, 2016, sale of a skid steer loader to a 75-year-old man for $1,500 cash and a used pickup truck valued at $1,500. According to a probable-cause affidavit filed by a Jasper County Sheriff's Department investigator, the skid steer loader, which had its factory-installed VIN plate removed, turned out to have been reported stolen in Oklahoma in 2003.

A second case involving the other forgery charge, one of the stealing charges and the stolen identities count was filed against him in November after an investigation by the Joplin Police Department of an attempt to cash a forged check for $261 on July 20 at a drive-up window of Arvest Bank on East 32nd Street in Joplin. The check was made payable to a Scott Freeman and the defendant allegedly presented a Missouri identification card for Freeman in an effort to get the check cashed.

A probable-cause affidavit states that when a bank teller became suspicious, Perry instructed the woman driving the car he was in to drive off.

The second stealing charge involves a refrigerated trailer that he allegedly stole and hauled to Oklahoma for resale in May, using a truck rig that he borrowed from another man. The scheme fell apart when the prospective buyer discovered the trailer was stolen. He was charged with that offense in October after an investigation by the Jasper County Sheriff's Department.

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Diamond man to stand trial on seven felony counts

Joliet woman charged with financially exploiting elderly

AURORA — A 41-year-old suburban Chicago woman has been charged with stealing money from a resident of a long-term care facility while working for a state contractor.

A Thursday statement from the Kane County State's Attorney's Office said Mary E. Pfingston of Joliet faces a multicount indictment that includes charges of financial exploitation of the elderly and public contractor misconduct.

Pfingston worked for Senior Services Associates. It was contracted with the state through the Illinois Department on Aging. The indictment alleges Pfingston stole thousands of dollars from the care-facility resident in 2015.

Pfingston was arrested Wednesday. An Illinois State Police statement said that she also had a warrant for failure to appear in a Will County case and remained in custody on Thursday. The official statements don't name an attorney for Pfingston.

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Joliet woman charged with financially exploiting elderly

Chicago-area woman charged in financial exploitation case

AURORA, Ill. (AP) — A 41-year-old suburban Chicago woman has been charged with stealing money from a resident of a long-term care facility while working for a state contractor.

A Thursday statement from the Kane County state’s attorney’s office says Mary E. Pfingston, of Joliet, faces a multi-count indictment that includes charges of financial exploitation of the elderly and public contractor misconduct.

Pfingston worked for Senior Services Associates. It was contracted with the state through the Illinois Department on Aging. The indictment alleges Pfingston stole thousands of dollars from the care-facility resident in 2015.

Pfingston was arrested Wednesday. An Illinois State Police statement says that she also had a warrant for failure to appear in a Will County case and remained in custody on Thursday. The official statements don’t name an attorney for Pfingston.

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Chicago-area woman charged in financial exploitation case

Trial delayed in elderly exploitation case

A case involving a charge of financial exploitation of the elderly has been delayed as both sides gather more evidence.

Michael Anthony Stewart, 43, stands accused as the owner of Budget Home Repair. Prosecutors said a 60-year-old woman was told to pay $25,700 to repair a sump pump and seal a basement water problem. She was told she’d have no choice but to tear her house down if she didn’t make the repairs, according to the charges.

Richard Shelton, a St. Joseph Police Department detective, stated in court documents that Stewart overcharged for work not needed and did so by making false claims.

Stewart was originally represented by Michael Insco. However, he withdrew. Sean Pickett, a Kansas City attorney, now represents Stewart.

Ron Holliday, the assistant Buchanan County prosecutor, reported investigators uncovered additional information about the case.

Pickett announced he’s in the process of also uncovering additional evidence.

Circuit Judge Patrick Robb gave the defense 45 more days to file the new discovery and provide it to the prosecution.

Holliday also told the judge that Shelton would be out of the country during the trial and asked to have the date changed.

Robb agreed to cancel the trial scheduled to begin on Monday, Oct. 23. The judge ordered the four-day jury trial to be reset to begin on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2018.

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Trial delayed in elderly exploitation case

Salem man sentenced to 30 years for exploiting the elderly

Joshua S. Miller

On Thursday, Judge Ronald D. White sentenced Joshua S. Miller, 38, of Salem, to 30 years in prison for two counts of financial exploitation of the elderly. The case was prosecuted by Phelps County Senior Assistant Prosecutor Brad Neckermann.

Miller had pleaded guilty back in 2014 to two counts of financial exploitation of the elderly, where he had scammed two elderly Rolla citizens out of almost $200,000. According to Neckermann, Miller used a common scam where a person befriends someone, oftentimes a person who is elderly or disabled, and then offers to perform maintenance work on their homes. Miller told both victims that they needed work on the roofs, insulation in their attics, and other fixes. He told the victims if they didn’t pay what he asked, their homes would be at risk.

As is often the situation on these cases, the victims were elderly and unable to verify that the repairs were necessary. One of Miller’s victims wrote checks to Miller totaling $183,500 over a four-year period for repairs on a home that was worth less than $150,000.

In June, 2014, Miller was given probation by the original judge to offer him an opportunity to pay back the victims. While on probation, Miller did not pay back any of the money and committed a new offense in Texas County, where he stole jewelry from the home of an elderly woman. Judge White found that the defendant had violated probation and ordered Miller to serve his 30 year sentence.

Prosecutor Brendon Fox issued a warning for people to look out for their elderly relatives and friends.

“These scams are more common than you think, and they are rarely reported because the victims are often either unaware they’ve been scammed or are too embarrassed to report it. Please look out for your friends, family, and neighbors, and if you think they are being taken advantage of by someone, report it,” Fox said.

If you believe someone is the victim of financial exploitation of the elderly or disabled, you can contact the Adult Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-392-0210.

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Salem man sentenced to 30 years for exploiting the elderly

Two charged with taking financial advantage of elderly people

Louise McLendon

Two people have been arrested and charged with taking financial advantage of elderly people.

On June 21, investigators with the Dothan Police Department arrested and charged Stephen Fredrick Beck III, 36, of Dothan, with financial exploitation of the elderly and identity theft.

According to Dothan Police Lt. Will Glover, Beck had taken advantage of a family member with health issues, which benefited Beck with an automobile. He also used the same family member’s name to obtain automobile insurance on the vehicle. However, once the victim realized what had occurred, she contacted the Dothan Police Department.

Investigators also arrested and charged Louise McLendon, 66, of Dothan, with financial exploitation of the elderly. McLendon was the caregiver for a 76 year-old victim.

According to Glover, family members of the victim noticed a decrease in the victim’s checking account. Glover said the suspect had written several checks totaling $7,000, and forged the victim’s signature.

Both cases are still being investigated by the Dothan Police Department. Anyone with any additional information can call the Dothan Police Department at 334-615-3000.

A person convicted of taking at least $2,500 in cash or property through exploitation of an elderly person is guilty of a Class B felony, punishable by between 2 and 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $30,000.

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Two charged with taking financial advantage of elderly people

Woman charged with abuse, neglect after elderly man found in 'deplorable' conditions

Mariah Funderburk

Police say an elderly Geneva County man is being evaluated at a local hospital after being found bedridden and his niece has been charged with financial exploitation of the elderly as well as abuse and neglect.

Mariah Funderburk, 23, of Kinston, remains in the Geneva County Jail with bail set at $70,000.

According to authorities, the man had been the subject of numerous welfare checks and most recently was found in extremely poor living conditions.

“Before the victim’s wife passed away, she was his caregiver,” said Geneva County Sheriff Tony Helms. “Following her death, the niece took over as his caregiver due to the fact that his health had declined. We had received calls in the past and I would have deputies go and perform a welfare check on the victim, and the victim stated he was fine and everything was okay. Calls continued and I would continue to send deputies as well as representatives from the department of human resources.

"Over time his power had been turned off, bills were never paid and more complaints from the community were brought to my attention. He was not fine. The victim actually receives a pretty good amount of money and it would all be gone in 10 days or so," Helms added.

Helms said the man was most recently found suffering from bed sores and lying in his own waste with medical equipment attached that had been unattended.

“This man was found in deplorable conditions," Helms said.

Helms is currently reaching out to family members to locate a caregiver for the man.

“The ones I have contacted are not able to physically care for him. If we can’t find a family member, the victim will be placed in a nursing home. The good news, at this point, is the victim is recovering and getting the care he needs in the hospital.”

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Woman charged with abuse, neglect after elderly man found in 'deplorable' conditions

Charged with exploiting elderly

A local couple is being charged with several felonies after police say they exploited money from an elderly couple they were caring for.

Martin Schroeder, 62, and Betti Kathryn Schroeder, 60, of Farmington, are both charged with a class B felony of financial exploitation of the elderly.

According to a probable cause statement, on Dec. 30, an officer with the Farmington Police Department received an email and documents from the victims’ son who lives in another state

The email and documents were in reference to his father and mother, who reside in Farmington. The elderly couple and the Schroeders live in the same house and Martin and Betti Schroeder, who are family members, were tasked with caring for the elderly couple.

The man who contacted the police holds general power of attorney for the elderly couple and power of attorney for their health care. In a statement from the reporting party, he expressed concerns for the physical well-being of his parents.

The man said the Schroeders were being paid $4,000 a month to provide daily necessities, health care and constant monitoring of the elderly couple. In the statement, the man indicated he didn’t believe his parents were being monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week as they should have been.

The man also provided email messages between Betty Schroeder and he discussing his parent’s needs. Being power of attorney, he also found some discrepancies on his parents bank statements. He further stated his father, who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, was made to authorize transactions.

One loan took place on Sept. 1 and $7,500 was drawn from the elderly couple’s bank account. This money was reportedly withdrawn by Betti Schroeder and given to her youngest daughter. Another withdrawal on June 28, in the amount of $10,500 was made. The monies were reported to have been used to purchase a new GMC SUV for Betti Schroeder.  (Click to Continue)

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Charged with exploiting elderly

Coto de Caza man faces 120-plus felony charges in $2 million loan modification scam

Kevin Frank Rasher

On YouTube, the 44-year-old Coto de Caza man says he can help homeowners in danger of losing their homes.

“If you’re in need of foreclosure proceedings to be stopped, payments to be more affordable, and interest-rate reductions to be done, I’m your man,” he says.

But prosecutors allege that Kevin Frank Rasher, who goes by “Kevin Carter” in the video, actually was running a loan-modification scam that bilked more than 400 troubled homeowners out of $2.2 million.

Rasher was arrested at his home in May and charged in July with more than 50 felony counts including grand theft and burglary.

On Thursday, he was charged with more than 70 new felony counts including money laundering, grand theft, and financial exploitation of an elder, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office said.

Prosecutors said Rasher, from 2011 to this April, falsely represented himself as a Housing and Urban Development attorney even though he never has had a law license in California.

Prosecutors said he had a $10,200-a-month rental home in Coto de Caza, only some homeowners ultimately got loan modifications, and the alleged scam left at least three victims without their homes.

If convicted, Rasher faces up to 98 years in prison. He was being held in lieu of $2 million. Before posting bond, he must prove that the money is from a legal source.

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Coto de Caza man faces 120-plus felony charges in $2 million loan modification scam

Couple Ripped Off Elderly Relative For $6K, Husband Bought Motorcycle, Speedway Tix and Rented U-Haul: Cops

Lisa Blazek and Kenneth Blazek

JOLIET, IL — A Romeoville couple ripped off an elderly relative for nearly $6,500 and the husband used the money to buy a motorcycle, tickets to Chicagoland Speedway and to rent a U-Haul, according to a criminal indictment filed in Will County court.

Lisa Blazek, 44, and Kenneth Blazek, 45, were both arrested and booked into the Will County jail Thursday night.

Kenneth Blazek was charged with a continuing financial crimes enterprise, the financial exploitation of the elderly and theft. Lisa Blazek was charged only with the financial exploitation of the elderly and theft.

The Blazeks drained away their elderly relative’s money for six months in 2014, the indictment said. She was 81 at the time of the alleged crimes and has an address listed in Joliet.

The Joliet police investigated the Blazeks and brought the case against them.

Kenneth Blazek bought a $5,500 motorcycle from a dealer in Joliet, the indictment said, as well as splurging on speedway tickets and the U-Haul.

The charges were filed Thursday morning. The Blazeks were in custody shortly before 8:30 p.m.

The Blazeks’ bond was previously set at $50,000 each.

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Couple Ripped Off Elderly Relative For $6K, Husband Bought Motorcycle, Speedway Tix and Rented U-Haul: Cops

Assisted living owner arrested for financial exploitation of elderly residents

BOULDER COUNTY - Boulder County Sheriff's deputies arrested an assisted living owner Thursday.

Christopher Butler, 59, was arrested for a long list of charges alleging financial exploitation of elderly residents of Timberline Lodge Assisted Living.

The assisted living facility is located off Jotipa Drive, just north of Longmont.

Deputies said their investigation began in August 2015 after the daughter of an 83-year-old man had concerns about her father's finances. The daughter alerted investigators that Butler was a signer on the victim's bank account.

Detectives said Butler would sign checks to himself and deposit them into his personal accounts. Butler also used some funds to pay expenses of Timberline Lodge, according to deputies. Butler would also write checks out of his account and deposit money into the victim's account. The process is known as 'kiting."

“Kiting” is a crime involving writing a check on account A with insufficient funds and depositing it in another account, account B, and then writing a check on account B and depositing it in account A to cover the first check written on account A. They take advantage of the time it takes for the checks to clear the bank, making it appear there are sufficient funds in each account.

Deputies found that more than $475,000 had been paid by the victim to Butler between January 2009 and December 2015. Deputies said based on the contract for services, Butler should have only been paid approximately $273,000 during that time period.

The State of Colorado Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Division is working closely with the families of residents. Immediate family members have been contacted by the state.

The Timberline Lodge will remain open and serving clients until family members have the opportunity to find appropriate living arrangements. The staff is working with the state agency and continues to provide care to residents. They say it is always preferable to have residents stay in the facility they live in and have become accustom to, as long as they are safe.

The investigation has not found any situations where residents were at physical risk.

The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office is concerned there may be additional victims. Deputies ask that if you had a family member at the Timberline Lodge Assisted Living facility and have concerns about their financial affairs to call 303-441-4444.

Those with questions about a loved one should contact the State of Colorado Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Division.

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Assisted living owner arrested for financial exploitation of elderly residents

Litchfield woman accused of draining $200K-plus from elderly mother's accounts enters Alford plea

Ann Marie Zillmer

LITCHFIELD — A Litchfield woman accused of financially exploiting nearly $220,000 from her elderly mother, a vulnerable adult, entered a plea agreement Wednesday in Meeker County District Court.

Ann Marie Zillmer, 56, asserted an Alford plea Wednesday. Under an Alford plea, a defendant does not admit to the crime but acknowledges there is enough evidence to lead a jury to convict. It is recorded as a guilty plea.

She was charged in September with six felony counts of financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult. As part of the plea agreement, four of those counts will be dismissed.

Zillmer also agreed to a stayed sentence, restitution and capped probation at five years.

According to the criminal complaint on the charges, authorities first became aware of potential misuse of funds when Zillmer’s mother was evicted in February 2015 from an adult care facility in Winsted.

Zillmer had pulled her mother out of the facility because her mother’s accounts were greatly depleted, with a large portion going toward the care facility and “most” of the funds for her mother’s benefit, she told authorities.

She explained the situation to a Meeker County detective: She had been told by an attorney that she could charge her mother’s account a monthly rent to compensate for the months her mother had lived at her home.

The detective and Meeker County Social Services began an investigation, serving subpoenas on the two banks holding accounts belonging to Zillmer’s mother.

A review of the accounts showed recurring transfers of thousands of dollars, over $185,000 total, into an account belonging to the Darwin bar and restaurant Zillmer owns.

In addition, $34,000 had been funneled into an account in an Illinois bank to pay a loan taken out by Zillmer and her husband.

The transfers allegedly took place from July 2011 to February 2015. Court records show a total of $219,786.84 was transferred into Zillmer’s accounts over those four years.

She told the detective in March 2015 that her bar and restaurant business was in financial trouble and that she had made numerous transfers to its account to help save it.

Zillmer was established as her mother’s attorney-in-fact in August 2007, authorizing her to carry out financial and business transactions.

However, according to the criminal complaint, the attorney provision did not authorize Zillmer to transfer her mother’s property to herself.

Zillmer is set to be sentenced May 13 in Meeker County District Court.

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Litchfield woman accused of draining $200K-plus from elderly mother's accounts enters Alford plea

Dothan man charged with exploiting 85-year-old grandmother

Cecial Arvay Satchell II

Dothan police arrested a 27-year-old man on Monday and charged him with the financial exploitation of his 85-year-old grandmother.

Dothan Police Lt. Will Glover confirmed police arrested Cecial Arvay Satchell II, 27, of South Bell Street, and charged him with felony identity theft and felony financial exploitation of the elderly.

Glover said the victim in the offenses was the suspect’s 85-year-old grandmother.

“Mr. Satchell stole the identity of an elderly family member and opened up a credit card and began running up purchases on the credit card without the intention of paying for them,” Glover said.

Glover said the charges came as a result of police receiving an anonymous tip Monday about the offenses.

Court records show police charged Satchell with stealing $1,000 from the victim between Oct. 1 and Nov. 30, 2015.

Satchell was taken to the Houston County Jail and held on bail totaling $45,000.

Satchell’s arrest for felony financial exploitation of the elderly became the fourth such arrest by the Dothan Police Department within the last six weeks.

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Dothan man charged with exploiting 85-year-old grandmother

2 from West Frankfort accused of taking around $100,000 from elderly woman

Jeffrey Connell

WEST FRANKFORT, IL (KFVS) - Two West Frankfort, Illinois residents are accused of exploiting the elderly.

Jeffrey M. Connell, 37, of West Frankfort, was charged with financial exploitation of the elderly.

Police say charges against Anna M. Connell, 81, of West Frankfort may also be forthcoming.

According to police, as of February 2014, an elderly widow living in West Frankfort was allegedly exploited by two acquaintances on multiple occasions.

They say according to the story from the acquaintances, this allegedly exploitation continued until October 2015, when police became involved.

Police say an alleged $100,000 was taken from the woman.

The suspects, Jeffrey and Anna Connell, were located and interviewed.

According to police, they allegedly provided false and misleading information to the victim.

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2 from West Frankfort accused of taking around $100,000 from elderly woman

Wetumpka woman charged with elder abuse following yearlong investigation

A Wetumpka woman was arrested on Friday on charges related to elder abuse, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

The State Bureau of Investigation major crimes agents executed a search warrant on Friday and arrested Sandra Gayle Humphrey, 52, of Wetumpka .

She is charged with one count of financial exploitation of an elderly person in the first degree, a Class B felony and elder abuse and neglect, a Class A misdemeanor. She is being held in the Elmore County Detention Facility on $16,000 bond.

"The search warrant was the culmination of a yearlong investigation into the financial exploitation of a senior citizen," Secretary of Law Enforcement Spencer Collier stated in a release.  "SBI agents will continue to partner with local partners to investigate those who exploit and abuse our senior citizens."

The District Attorney's Office and Drug Task Force from the 19th Judicial Circuit along with the Elmore County Sheriff's Department, provided valuable assistance in this investigation.

Details on the charges were released. Humphrey's arrest warrant wasn't available for release.

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Wetumpka woman charged with elder abuse following yearlong investigation