Former Monroe County official sentenced for stealing from disabled wards

By STAFF REPORT

PARIS — A former elected Monroe County official was sentenced Wednesday to 10 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to charges including financial exploitation of a disabled person, felony stealing, and filing false documents.

Senior Judge Rick Roberts sentenced Jessica A. Chase, 49, of Paris, under Section 559.115 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, according to the Monroe County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

Chase served as Monroe County’s elected public administrator from Jan. 1, 2021, through Feb. 7, 2023. In that role, she was appointed legal guardian and conservator for disabled residents under the county’s care. Monroe County Prosecuting Attorney Nicole Volkert alleged that during her time in office, Chase stole money from the custodial accounts of disabled people she was responsible for protecting.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office opened an investigation after a criminal complaint was filed by one of Chase’s wards. Sheriff Joe Colston said the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control and the Missouri Attorney General’s Office assisted in the investigation. A separate federal civil investigation by the Social Security Administration remains pending.

An insurance policy covering the Monroe County Office of Public Administrator previously paid a settlement to victims to cover the amounts taken from their accounts.

As part of Wednesday’s sentencing, Roberts also ordered Chase to pay $12,000 in restitution to cover legal costs incurred by Monroe County.

“Jessica Chase violated her oath of office,” Volkert said. “She stole money from the most vulnerable people in our community.” 

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Former Monroe County official sentenced for stealing from disabled wards 

Savannah man arrested for exploitation of an elderly person in Evans County

By Summer Swanson

EVANS COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - The GBI announced they have arrested and charged 51-year-old Duane Ellington Nunnally with Exploitation of an Elderly Person, Filing False Documents, and Theft by Taking.

Back in August 2025, Evans County Probate Judge Darin McCoy filed a report regarding potential elder abuse. As the investigation into the the exploitation of an elderly individual progressed, the Evans County Sheriff’s Office requested the GBI for assistance.

The investigation led to Nunnally’s arrest on Monday, January 26.

Nunnally was booked into the Tattnall County Jail.

The GBI says once the investigation is complete, the case will be given to the Atlantic Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

Nunnally released the following statement after the arrest:

All those fake charges that are being made against me are fraudulent. Everyone knows the type of man I am— a community leader, a stand-up guy that treats every race with dignity. This is a family dispute over my father. My friends at the U.S. Marshals Services contacted me about the allegations and charges. They then took me to Tattnall County jail privately and I was released.

Duane Nunnally

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Savannah man arrested for exploitation of an elderly person in Evans County 

Former Monroe County official arrested for financial exploitation, stealing and forgery

By WGEM Staff

MONROE COUNTY Mo. (WGEM) - A former Monroe County public administraor was arrested on Monday after a four-month investigation started by the Missouri State Highway State Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported the arrest of 45-year-old Jessica Chase.

On February 15, Monroe County Sheriff Joe Colston requested the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control investigate Chase.

Following an investigation, Chase was charged with six counts of financial exploitation of an older/disabled person, six counts of forgery, seven counts of filing false documents, 12 counts of felony stealing, two counts of fraudulent use of a credit/debit device, and one count of money laundering.

A probable cause statement claims that while working as a PA for the county, Chase served as the conservator for many elderly and or disabled people.

The statement alleges that Chase financially exploited and permanently deprived several disabled people of their money by taking money from their accounts, without their knowledge or permission to purchase items for herself. In addition, Chase is also accused of withdrawing cash from several bank accounts, without the owner’s knowledge or consent and allegedly keeping that money for herself.

Chase allegedly conducted the transactions between March 16, 2023, and December 22, 2023.

According to court documents, Chase was the public administrator for Monroe County from Jan. 3, 2021, until she resigned on Feb. 6 of this year.

Chase has been on a $150,000 cash bond in the Monroe County Jail.

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Former Monroe County official arrested for financial exploitation, stealing and forgery

CONTACT 13: Las Vegas attorney in guardianship case charged

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) - A Las Vegas attorney involved in a guardianship abuse scandal faced a judge Wednesday.

Noel Palmer Simpson worked for private guardian April Parks and three of her associates.

Simpson is looking at two felony charges for theft and filing false documents. She is part of the sweeping guardianship abuse indictment involving more than 200 felony counts.

According to court records, Simpson and Parks changed the beneficiary on an elderly client's life insurance policy without court permission while Simpson "used the legal system to divert and capture more than $25,000."

The client wanted the money to go to her friends, but Simpson created a probate case so when the client died, she and Parks could charge estate fees.

Although Simpson is only facing two charges, court records claim she was involved in many other incidents.

Contact 13 discovered that Simpson worked with another disgraced guardian, Patience Bristol, who was convicted for exploiting and stealing from her elderly and vulnerable clients. Bristol is serving up to 8 years in prison.

If found guilty, Simpson could be looking at one to 10 years in prison for the theft charge and one to five years for filing the false document. Her next court appearance is in September.

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CONTACT 13: Las Vegas attorney in guardianship case charged