Hollidaysburg woman accused of taking money from older adult to pay for hotels, cruises

Ritchey allegedly used victim’s account to pay for cruises, hotels

A Hollidaysburg woman faces more than two dozen charges related to the financial exploitation of an elderly person.

Brandy Marie Ritchey, 43, was charged with six felony counts of access device used without authorization, five felony counts each of theft by deception and receiving stolen property, one felony count each of financial exploitation of an older adult of care dependent person and forgery. In addition, she was charged with three misdemeanor counts of receiving stolen property, two misdemeanor counts of theft by deception, and one misdemeanor count each of Receiving stolen property, theft and unauthorized use of an access device.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, state police received a report in March from a protective services investigator for Blair Senior Services.

The investigator told police he was assigned the case on Feb. 13 and that the victim lived at the Presbyterian Home in Hollidaysburg, where she has been a resident since late September 2025. She had previously lived in her home with Ritchey, the investigator said.

During his research, the investigator received two concerning reports about Ritchey purchasing a new car, but lacking the financial means to do so. The second report showed bank statements that appeared Ritchey was financially exploiting the victim.

When protective services interviewed the victim, she voiced concerns that Ritchey was using her money without permission.

Protective services received a spreadsheet of expenditures from the victim’s bank account and found a variety of purchases that the victim did not authorize, including vacations, hotel rooms and cruises, the affidavit states.

Police reported that the purchases began about June 30, 2025, and included several cruises, cruise excursions, hotels in New York and more.

Police also found several unauthorized cash withdrawals from the victim’s bank account at area ATM machines.

In addition, Ritchey took the victim to the bank on Feb. 13 in an attempt to withdraw $40,000. That request was denied and the account was put on hold, protective services reported.

During the investigation, police spoke to a local bank branch manager who reported her suspicions that Ritchey was exploiting the victim.

In an interview with the victim and her family members, the victim said Ritchey has access to her finances to pay for her stay at the home. But for bills associated with the victim’s home, Ritchey brings the bills and the victim pays those by writing out a check.

Police reported they told the victim that Ritchey may have been using her money to benefit herself for a very long time, the affidavit states, noting the total amounted to about $50,000.

When asked, the victim told police she never authorized Ritchey to use her money for a vehicle, vacations or anything else.

“I made it clear several times to her, if you’re doing this, you’d better be using your own money. If you’re using mine, you’re going to be in trouble. I told her I would stick her ass in jail faster than anything,” the victim told police in the interview.

On March 17, police applied for and were granted a search warrant on Ritchey’s residence, vehicle and person.

The warrant was executed on March 18 and police found a variety of items relating to the case, including the victim’s bank cards, bank statements, checkbooks and deposit/withdrawal slips. In addition, police found receipts for the vehicle purchase and a flight to Miami, as well as a receipt from a local pawn shop where Ritchey allegedly sold gold and silver, receiving $1,400.

During an interview with police on March 19, Ritchey allegedly admitted to using the victim’s money for herself and to selling the victim’s jewelry, police reported.

Ritchey allegedly told police she was broke and didn’t know what else to do.

Ritchey was arraigned Thursday evening before Magisterial District Judge Daniel C. DeAntonio and remanded to the Blair County Prison in lieu of $150,000 bail.

Her preliminary hearing is set for May 26 before DeAntonio.

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Hollidaysburg woman accused of taking money from older adult to pay for hotels, cruises 

Decatur police officer on leave after being charged with Financial Exploitation of an Elderly Person

By Stephanie Obediku

DECATUR, Ala. (WAFF) - A Decatur police officer is now on administrative leave after he was arrested Monday night.

Officer Elijah Cole is charged with Theft-First Degree and Financial Exploitation of an Elderly Person.

Cole’s arrest stems from an investigation into a December report alleging criminal activity by a DPD officer.

He has served for over four years with the department, in two separate periods of employment, as a patrol officer.

No further information is available as an internal investigation is underway.  

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Decatur police officer on leave after being charged with Financial Exploitation of an Elderly Person 

Cullman woman arrested on multiple charges including elder exploitation

by ABC 33/40 

A Cullman woman was arrested following a Grand Jury indictment on several charges, including first-degree financial exploitation of an elderly person, illegal possession of a credit or debit card, second-degree theft of property, and attempted first-degree theft of property.

The Cullman Police Department said Verna Hammons Jackson was taken into custody on Dec. 5, 2025, near Main Ave SW and Katherine St., and transported to the Cullman County Detention Center.

The police department said the arrest follows an extended investigation led by Investigator Shannon Cheatwood and Officer Kyle Foshee, who dedicated extensive hours and effort to ensure the case was successfully brought forward. 

The police department expressed appreciation to the Cullman County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance and strong partnership throughout the investigation.

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Cullman woman arrested on multiple charges including elder exploitation 

Warrenton man charged with fraud, financial exploitation of an elderly person

Matthew Bligh, 31, of Warrenton, was charged with the fraudulent use of a debit card and financial exploitation of an elderly person on April 14. Both charges are felonies. 

A witness reported suspicious activity on the 75-year-old victim’s bank statements from May, June, July and August of 2024, according to the probable cause statement filed by Detective James Plackemeier. 

The report also stated the victim does not drive and needs help getting groceries every week. 

According to the probable cause statement, the victim provided Bligh with her debit card to purchase groceries from Wal-Mart. Plackemeier stated between June 24, 2024 and Aug. 5 2024 Bligh, along with his fiance, used the debit card to make purchases at businesses and withdrawals from ATMs 24 times totaling roughly $3,300. 

During an interview with Bligh, he said he made the withdrawals “to have some extra cash” and during a separate interview with suspect 2, she said she and Bligh made the withdrawals together because they thought they could get away with it, according to the probable cause statement. 

Bligh has an initial appearance hearing scheduled for May 28.  

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Warrenton man charged with fraud, financial exploitation of an elderly person

Franklin County business owner faces charges of financial exploitation

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has announced that a grand jury in Franklin County has returned charges against Daniel E. Harrison, 40, for allegedly defrauding consumers through his business, Extreame Lawn and Landscape. Harrison faces three counts of financial exploitation of an elderly person and three counts of deceptive business practices.

“As Attorney General, I will always hold accountable those who target innocent Missourians,” said Attorney General Bailey. “We will continue to work around the clock to obtain justice for any Missourian who has been ripped off.”

The charges allege that between February 2022 and August 2022, Harrison’s business falsely promised to engage in home and business renovations for consumers in exchange for upfront payments. Once paid, Harrison either abandoned the projects after performing negligible work or without completing any work or delivering any materials.

The case is being prosecuted and investigated by the Attorney General’s Office.

Consumers who believe they may have been scammed by a contractor should file a complaint with the Missouri Attorney General’s Office by calling the Consumer Protection hotline at 1-800-392-8222 or by submitting a complaint online at ago.mo.gov.

Attorney General Bailey reminds the public that charges against Harrison are allegations and, as in all criminal cases, the defendant is presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty in a court of law.

The indictment can be viewed here.

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Franklin County business owner faces charges of financial exploitation

Cole County woman wanted for financial exploitation of an elderly person

by Shea Baechle

Holly Kliethermes is wanted for arrest on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, for the financial exploitation of her father-in-law. (Photo - File)

NEW BLOOMFIELD — A Cole County woman is wanted for arrest for the financial exploitation of an elderly person.

Holly Kliethermes is wanted for the financial exploitation of an elderly or disabled person, which is a Class B felony, according to court documents.

She has allegedly been exploiting her father-in-law from November 2021 to October 2023.

Click here to view the PDF file.

The exploitation began when her husband obtained the power of attorney over his father, and his father started living at a senior living center. 

Kliethermes and her husband were responsible for making payments on his father's behalf to the senior living center, but the home said they had not received hardly any payments from the couple and that when contacted their calls and emails had gone unanswered.

The couple's payments to the living center were roughly $55,000 overdue.

Staff members at the living center said some payments had been made on occasion, but not remotely enough to cover the father-in-law's monthly expenses, according to court documents.

She allegedly began using the victim's savings account money to pay for a bank visa card.

From November 2022 to July 2022, she had allegedly used $38,585.05 of the victim's money to pay for personal purchases, as well as cash two checks made to the father for an additional $3,400 and $241.29.

Bank records had shown purchases made at Sam's Club, Target, Walmart, and more from the father's account, but court records state that the victim was confined to the nursing home during those purchasing times.

Police found security footage from the stores listed in bank transactions to allegedly see Holly Kliethermes making the purchases.

Sheriffs spoke with Kliethermes regarding his father's funds being spent and the overdue balances, which he said he was aware of.

The son also confessed to cashing the two checks to his father but used them to buy the victim "goodies," according to court documents.

When the Sheriff discussed the over $72,000 that had been spent from his father's bank account, the man then blamed his wife.

Court records state that a Sheriff's Investigator spoke to the victim at the nursing home.

The victim stated his son was in charge of his nursing home bill, and that he was aware of his overdue balance.

However, the father said he hadn't seen his son in over six months and that he never permitted him to use his money for personal uses.

Nursing home staff were able to confirm that they had never seen the wife or husband bring anything to the victim and that they certainly did not bring anything for his father. 

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Cole County woman wanted for financial exploitation of an elderly person

Former Cook County judge accused of taking hundreds of thousands of dollars from elderly man faces theft, money laundering charges

by Rebecca Johnson and Madeline Buckley

CHICAGO — A former Cook County judge accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from the bank accounts of an elderly former Tuskegee Airman to purchase cryptocurrency has been indicted on seven felony counts of theft, money laundering and financial exploitation of an elderly person.

The felony charges were lodged Nov. 9 against Patricia Martin, who stepped down in 2020 as presiding judge in the Child Protection Division of Cook County Circuit Court. She’s allowed to live in Missouri while she awaits her next court date in December, according to court records.

“She had a long and distinguished career, and we expect her to be vindicated,” said Martin’s attorney, Michael Leonard.

The Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, which handles allegations of lawyer misconduct, said in a May 31 fraud complaint that Martin stole from Oscar Wilkerson, an elderly man whose financial affairs she was supposed to manage. They alleged she used the money for her own benefit, including buying more than $100,000 in cryptocurrency in her own name.

Wilkerson died in February at 97.

In total, the attorney discipline complaint alleged Martin took $246,203.80 of Wilkerson’s money during about a two-year period. It also accused her of lying to Wilkerson and his doctor and failing to cooperate with an investigation.

Lawyers for Wilkerson also filed a lawsuit against Martin last year where a judge ordered a $1.1 million default judgment due to Martin’s “continued unresponsiveness” to court hearings and orders. Martin has already been disbarred.

Martin’s attorneys are appealing the default judgment.

Martin filed a motion in July to dismiss the judgment, arguing, among other issues, that Wilkerson’s death in February left the case without a proper plaintiff.

Mary Wisniewski, a spokesperson for Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans’ office, said in a statement that “neither judges nor employees … can comment on pending or impending cases, under Illinois Supreme Court ethical rules.”

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Former Cook County judge accused of taking hundreds of thousands of dollars from elderly man faces theft, money laundering charges

New Jersey duo arrested in Washington County, Tenn. scam investigation

by Caleb Perhne

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Tenn. — A New Jersey duo are in the Washington County, Tennessee jail, accused of scamming a resident in our region out of more than $100,000.

Chinagorom Onwumere and Salma Abdalkareem are each facing numerous charges, including multiple counts of extortion, financial exploitation of an elderly person, theft over $60,000, and criminal impersonation.

Lt. Vince Walters said it's the only time he's seen an alleged scammer caught in his 27 years.

“We put as much resources into every case we have,” Walters said. “The difference in this case was the evidence was there. We were able to follow the money, and it led us to the New Jersey duo and we were able to make an arrest.”

Investigators said the two New Jersey residents pretended to be with the FBI and scammed a Washington County, Tennessee resident out of more than $100,000. They said the suspects threatened the victim with arrest and court if the victim didn't pay thousands of dollars through checks and gift cards.

Investigators said that's a red flag, something law enforcement will never do.

“They're not going to put out an arrest warrant and let you know over the phone that they've put an arrest warrant out,” Walters said. “And there's no way that you can pay to get out of it.”

The suspects are now in jail, each on $500,000 bonds. They're due back in court November 30.

“We're not going to set on the sidelines and put up with it,” Walters said. “Our citizens are valued. Our citizens of the United States are valued. Our money is hard-earned, and we are vigilant in finding these individuals.”

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New Jersey duo arrested in Washington County, Tenn. scam investigation

Nevada man waives hearing on felony counts in Barton County

by Jeff Lehr

Dec. 9—LAMAR, Mo. — A Nevada man has been ordered to stand trial in Barton County on six felony counts of stealing and three counts of financial exploitation of an elderly person.

Denis Masters, 56, waived preliminary hearings Monday on the charges in Barton County Circuit Court. Associate Judge James Nichols set the defendant's initial appearance in a trial division of the court for Dec. 15.

Court documents show the charges pertain to thefts on dates going back as far as October 2020 and as recent as August of this year.

For 2020, Masters is accused of stealing a lawn mower that was left at his repair shop and not returned for more than five months and of charging an elderly woman more than $10,000 for conversion of a silo into a gazebo that was never done, and for insulation for a garage that was never provided.

He is accused of exploiting another elderly woman in 2021 and 2022 by swindling almost $30,000 out of her for a garage that was never delivered and assembled, and painting and repairs of two houses that were never completed.

In March 2021, Masters purportedly sold a metal building to a woman for $6,000 that he never delivered to her, and he charged another woman $2,000 in April of this year for gutters he never installed.

In November of this year, a couple reported to Lamar police that Masters stole $2,000 from them that was intended to purchase sections of a barn that he had advertised for sale.

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Nevada man waives hearing on felony counts in Barton County

Morgantown woman accused of taking over $30,000 from elderly relative

by Erin Cleavenger

Oct. 29—A Morgantown woman is facing four counts of grand larceny and one count of financial exploitation of an elderly person after allegedly withdrawing thousands of dollars from an elderly relative's bank account.

On Oct. 19, an employee from Adult Protective Services (APS) spoke with West Virginia State Police Corporal J.T. Wood regarding evidence that Cassandra Renee Tichenor, 36, of Morgantown, financially exploited an 84-year-old relative who is a patient at a Marion County health care center, the criminal complaint said.

Wood stated in the report that APS provided him with copies of checking withdrawal slips from a Westover bank showing 68 withdrawals made by Tichenor from the victim's bank account.

The alleged transactions occurred from January through September, and according to the APS employee, were not made with the victim's consent.

Wood noted the withdrawals totalled over $30, 000, four of which were over $1, 000 each, constituting grand larceny.

Upon interviewing Tichenor, Wood found she "is the power of attorney for the victim, but none of the money described was used for the victim."

According to the complaint, Tichenor admitted to the transactions and told the officer the money was used for her own personal expenses.

Tichenor pleaded not guilty to the charges at her initial hearing in Monongalia County Magistrate Court on Oct. 26 and was released on $5, 000 personal recognizance.

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Morgantown woman accused of taking over $30,000 from elderly relative

They stole $500K from her uncle, cops say. She fled to Spain. Her son’s behind bars

By Carli Teproff

A woman and her son face charges after Hialeah police say they forged documents and stole about $500,000 from her 93-year-old uncle. She fled to Spain. Her son has been arrested. Getty Images | Royalty Free Getty Images/iStockphoto

Read more here: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/crime/article251913358.html#storylink=cpy

A 93-year-old man was left “penniless” after police say his niece and her son forged documents and stole his Hialeah home and cash valued at $500,000, the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s office announced Friday.

The son, Italo Nelli, 19, was arrested and charged with an organized scheme to defraud and elderly exploitation. He faced a judge Friday.

His mother, however, “did not want to get arrested,” and fled to Malaga, Spain, he told investigators.

A warrant was issued for Hadee Toledo, 50, who is now considered a fugitive. She faces charges including exploitation of the elderly, conspiracy to commit organized scheme to defraud and forgery.

“The thief who steals from the elderly reveals a callousness buried deep in their own heart,” State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said in a news release. “But the relative who steals everything possible from an aged family member, can often be snatching the person’s very will to live.”

19-yr-old Italo Nelli has been arrested & charged w/ Conspiracy to Commit Organized Scheme to Defraud & Financial Exploitation of an Elderly Person for allegedly stealing 1/2 million dollars from his 93-yr-old great uncle & leaving him penniless. (1/3)

— Kathy Rundle (@KathyFndzRundle) June 4, 2021

19-yr-old Italo Nelli has been arrested & charged w/ Conspiracy to Commit Organized Scheme to Defraud & Financial Exploitation of an Elderly Person for allegedly stealing 1/2 million dollars from his 93-yr-old great uncle & leaving him penniless. (1/3)

— Kathy Rundle (@KathyFndzRundle) June 4, 2021

I commend the detectives @cityofhialeah Police Dept & prosecutors in my Elderly Exploitation Unit for their commitment to ending such despicable crimes. We also have an AW out for Nelli's 50-yr-old mother, Hadee Toledo, the mastermind behind this theft & our victim's niece. (3/3) pic.twitter.com/LZVGWLHL88

— Kathy Rundle (@KathyFndzRundle) June 4, 2021

According to police, the 93-year-old man was hospitalized in August 2020 after contracting COVID-19.

He was not allowed any visitors.

A family member contacted Hialeah police earlier this year to report that his niece had forged documents that gave her power over his bank accounts, according to the report.

The joint investigation between Hialeah police and the state attorney’s office revealed that Toledo had the documents legally notarized, with her son as the witness.

Toledo, police said, signed the man’s house deed over to herself and drained all of his accounts. When questioned, Nelli told investigators that his great-uncle had signed the documents in front of him.

Police, however, said the documents were dated during the time he was quarantined for COVID and was not allowed visitors.

Nelli received $5,000 and a 2019 Mercedes-Benz E220 from the scheme, police said.

Said Fernandez Rundle: “I commend the detectives of the Hialeah Police Department and the prosecutors of my Elderly Exploitation Unit for their commitment to ending such despicable crimes.” 

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They stole $500K from her uncle, cops say. She fled to Spain. Her son’s behind bars

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Gadsden Woman Charged With Financial Exploitation Of The Elderly

by Joey Weaver

Attorney General Steve Marshall has announced the arrest of a Gadsden woman for financial exploitation of an elderly person. Gina Cook Gilbert, 59, was arrested this morning by agents of the Attorney General’s Office and taken to the Etowah County Jail.

Gilbert is charged with two counts of first-degree financial exploitation of an elderly person for taking property from Patricia Louise Cook Jerome in an amount that exceeds $1,000,000. She was arrested on warrants* brought by agents of the Attorney General’s Office and bail is set at $60,000 cash.  

No further information about the investigation or about Gilbert’s alleged crimes other than that stated in the warrants may be released at this time.

If convicted, Gilbert faces a maximum penalty of two to 20 years for each of the counts, which are B felonies. 

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Gadsden Woman Charged With Financial Exploitation Of The Elderly

Woman charged with stealing thousands of dollars from elderly woman

ROCKFORD (WREX) — A woman has been indicted for stealing thousands of dollars from an elderly woman in Rockford.

According to Winnebago County State's Attorney Marilyn Hite Ross, a Grand Jury returned an indictment against Kim Richerson, 52, for Financial Exploitation of an Elderly Person.

Officials say Rockford Police responded to a complaint regarding the exploitation on Sept. 20.

Officers met with the victim, a 72-year-old woman, who hired Richerson as a caregiver.

The woman told police she found out Richerson was cashing her personal checks at a local tavern.

Investigators found Richerson cashed over $27,000 in checks over several months.

Financial Exploitation of and Elderly Person is a Class 1 Felony which can can result in up to 30 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Richerson is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 9 a.m. before Judge Joseph McGraw.

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Woman charged with stealing thousands of dollars from elderly woman

Thirty-year sentence meted out in $1.2 million swindle of Nevada woman

NEVADA, Mo. — A judge sentenced a Nevada man this week to 30 years in prison for his role in a $1.2 million swindle of an elderly woman.

Circuit Judge David Munton assessed Christopher I. Buller the prison term at a sentencing hearing Tuesday in Vernon County Circuit Court. A jury had found the 40-year-old defendant guilty of a Class A felony count of financial exploitation of an elderly person in a trial the first week of April.

Buller's co-defendant in the case, Eric S. Davis, 41, of Joplin, pleaded guilty a year ago to a reduced Class B felony count of financial exploitation of an elderly person and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

The two men deceived a Nevada woman into selling all her stock in a major oil company to help bail Davis out of a supposed financial obligation to a trucking company and legal trouble with a court in Kansas City.

Davis befriended the woman in January 2011 and she paid for him to attend a truck driver training school, where he rolled a truck into a ditch after just three days in the program. Although he was never a truck driver or an employee of the company that ran the school, Davis told the woman that he was employed by it and needed money to pay for the truck he wrecked.

Buller assisted Davis by calling her and posing as a company employee with information about the amount of payments due.

Davis subsequently extended his deceit of the woman by telling her that he needed to pay large sums of money to a judge in Kansas City to avoid serving jail time for a past debt. Davis provided her with the fictitious name of "Judge Henry Copeland," and Buller assisted him in that part of the swindle by telephoning her and posing as the judge.

According to a probable-cause affidavit filed in the case, Davis would meet the victim outside her bank or in store parking lots, and she would bring him boxes or bags full of cash.

The swindle came to light at a guardianship hearing in July 2014 when she testified that she had sold all her stock in the oil company and gave the money to Davis so he could take it to the judge in Kansas City. An examination of her living trust account by an investigator with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services determined that between January 2011 and February 2012, she'd made 16 cash withdrawals totaling $1.2 million.

Davis told the investigator that he was a regular patron of a casino in Oklahoma and that he "may have gambled away" all the money he received from the woman.


Christopher Buller chose not to testify at his trial in April when a jury found him guilty of assisting Eric Davis in the bilking of an elderly woman.

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Thirty-year sentence meted out in $1.2 million swindle of Nevada woman

Nashuan pleads guilty to exploitation

Ashton Haven (right)

NASHUA – When he met a divorced woman with five children through an online gaming site a couple years ago, longtime Nashua resident Ashton Haven believed the “complete family life” he’d so longed for was finally within reach.

Attorney Jeff Odlund, one of Haven’s two lawyers, told Superior Court Judge Charles Temple that his client’s case is one in which “Ashton was placed in a situation where he wanted what he saw as having a family.”

“While it is not an excuse for the choices he made, I think it explains how the case happened … it contexualizes it,” Oldlund said, referring to the series of felony charges leveled 13 months ago against Haven, accusing him of financially exploiting an elderly relative by stealing thousands of dollars from her accounts.

Haven, 29, of 120 Monroe St., appeared before Temple in Hillsborough County Superior Court South Monday afternoon to plead guilty to three of the seven charges he’d faced in connection with the theft of more than $27,000 from the elderly woman, for whom Haven had durable power of attorney.

Temple, after hearing arguments and sentencing recommendations from Odlund and co-counsel Amanda Henderson, and the prosecutor, state Assistant Attorney General Brandon Gerod, took a roughly 15-minute break before pronouncing sentence.

He ultimately sentenced Haven to 1-3 years in state prison, with 90 days of the minimum suspended for three years after his release.

Coupled with the agreement that Haven be given credit for the 96 days he’s already spent in jail, brings his total minimum stand committed time to just under six months, a resolution that Temple said he believes reconciles “a number of aggravating and mitigating factors in this case.”

Haven, formerly known as Amy Haven, was indicted in May 2017 on a total of seven charges, which, beside the count of financial exploitation of an elderly, disabled or impaired adult and the two counts of theft by deception, included two additional counts of theft by deception and two counts of theft by unauthorized taking.

Those four charges were dropped by prosecutors as part of the agreement.

The attorneys had come to a capped plea agreement in the case, meaning that each side presented a sentencing recommendation to the judge. Odlund asked for a sentence of 1-2 years in state prison, all deferred for one year and then suspended for two years, while Gerod recommended that Temple sentence Haven to 1-3 years in state prison.

On the other charges Haven agreed to plead guilty to Monday – two counts of theft by deception – both sides recommended a term of 2-4 years in state prison, all suspended for three years.

Both also agreed that Haven be credited with the 96 days of time already served, and that he be allowed to report to state prison on April 6, to allow him to give two weeks notice to his present employer, a local coffee shop.

The terms of the agreement also order Haven to pay $27,600 in restitution to the victim. He must also enroll in any educational, treatment or counseling programs recommended by prison officials, and obtain “further rehabilitation,” Temple said, “so you can finally address the demons that have haunted you for the better part of your life.”

The judge referred to Odlund’s account of his client’s childhood, in which he said Haven was “a victim of serious violence” that led to a diagnosis of PTSD in adulthood.

Haven grew up in the area, Odlund said, and had no criminal history until this case. “My client is also transgender, and was on hormone therapy … but that stopped when he went to Valley Street Jail” after his arrest.

Losing his father to a heart attack at a young age, Haven was “suddenly thrust into the position of caring for” the elderly relative, Odlund said.

“The responsibility fell to him … frankly, being called upon to be her power of attorney was beyond his capabilities, but he was the only adult in the home,” he said.

Once Haven met the woman with five children, he began using “the misappropriated funds” for “frivolous, unreasonable” purchases of goods and services, Odlund said.

Gerod, the prosecutor, said “a substantial amount of money was spent on restaurants, mainly fast-food places for the woman’s children.

Meanwhile, Gerod said, the victim, who had been diagnosed with dementia five years earlier, trusted Haven, but otherwise “she simply did not have the cognitive abilities to realize what was happening.” She therefore trusted that Haven “was doing everything in her best interest,” he said.

The woman “is really the most vulnerable victim you can have,” Gerod continued. “She had no ability to realize what was happening … unable to consent to anything.”

He also noted the “horrible condition” that authorities found the house in when they began investigating the case, and that Haven neglected paying utility bills so long that services were eventually shut off.

Odlund said that the fact Haven was “comfortable living in conditions like that” shows that he “has deep psychological issues” that need to be addressed.

Haven alternated between stoic and emotional as he watched the proceedings from the defense table.

Asked if he wanted to address the court, Haven spoke briefly with his attorneys then rose from his seat.

“I just want to say I’m truly sorry,” he began, his voice breaking. “I understand now, that at the time, I didn’t see what was going on … now I see it,” he said between pauses.

“I am truly sorry.”

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Nashuan pleads guilty to exploitation

Former long-term care ombudsman charged with stealing money from resident

An Illinois woman has been arrested after allegedly attempting to steal more than $15,000 from an assisted living resident while serving as a long-term care ombudsman.

Mary Pfingston, 41, was arrested Thursday and charged with felony elder theft, theft of $10,000 to $100,000, financial exploitation of an elderly person and three counts of public contractor misconduct.

Authorities began investigating Pfingston in 2015 after receiving a complaint that said she had made “several suspicious transactions” from the bank accounts of an assisted living resident she was representing. Among the reported transactions were an attempted wire transfer of $15,000 and cashing a $4,000 check, the Chicago Daily Herald reported.

Pfingston had been employed by Senior Services Associates, which was contracted by the Illinois Department of Aging to provide ombudsman services, according to the newspaper.

Bette Schoenholtz, executive director for Senior Services Associates, declined to comment to McKnight's Long-Term Care News about the specifics of the case, but stressed that residents, family members or staff who see “anything unusual” in a long-term care facility should report it to authorities or the ombudsman program in order to protect residents.

If convicted Pfingston faces up to seven years in prison; she's scheduled to appear in court Dec. 15.

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Former long-term care ombudsman charged with stealing money from resident

Limestone prisoner charged with bribery

Jerry Long

A Limestone County Jail prisoner has been charged with bribing a witness for calling a crime victim in jail and trying to pay her to drop charges, records show.

Limestone County Deputy Caleb Durden obtained a warrant Dec. 7 charging Jerry Dewayne Long, 39, of 17265 Blackburn Road, Athens, according to Limestone County District Court records. Deputy Casey Foxworthy served the warrant.

According to the deputy's incident report, Long is jailed for impersonating a police officer, miscellaneous theft and financial exploitation of an elderly person, the victim being James Long.  While in jail, Jerry has been calling the victim and attempting to get him to drop the charges. He told the victim he still has the money he took from him and is going to pay him back, according to Durden's report. The calls to the victim occurred between Nov. 13 and Dec. 6, records show.

The victim told the deputy he felt harassed and he asked Jerry on multiple occasions not to contact him anymore. Although the victim blocked Jerry from calling his telephone, Jerry continues to call the victim by using other inmate's calling cards, according to the report.

Jerry remains in the Limestone County Jail with bail set at $10,000. His release has not been set, however.

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Limestone prisoner charged with bribery

Man's 'outrageous' abuse of mother nets 10 years in prison

Russell Carwile

URBANA — A Champaign County judge called an Urbana man’s abusive conduct toward his late mother “outrageous” before sentencing him to 10 years in prison.

“As far as he was concerned, (she) didn’t die fast enough,” Judge Tom Difanis said of Russell Carwile.

The 57-year-old was sentenced Friday for financial exploitation of an elderly person, having pleaded guilty to that in July. He admitted stealing more than $190,000 from his mother between November 2013 and Sept. 8, 2015, while he served as her power of attorney. The maximum he could have received was 15 years in prison.

It wasn’t until a welfare check by Champaign County sheriff’s deputies on Sept. 7, 2015, that the deplorable physical condition of his then-88-year-old mother was discovered.

Assistant State’s Attorney Dan Clifton had three deputies and a paramedic testify about what they saw at the woman’s mobile home in Urbana late on the afternoon of Labor Day 2015.

Sgt. Dave Sherrick and deputies Ted Nemecz and Stacy Corray described the woman as malnourished, dehydrated and covered in urine and feces that appeared to have been present for weeks.

Nemecz, responding to a welfare check phoned in by a neighbor, said he tried to get in via a sliding glass door but couldn’t get it open enough to enter.

Hearing the faint voice of an elderly woman as he called out, Nemecz said he climbed through a window into the home, which he said “smelled like an unclean public bathroom.”

He found the woman lying on a bed naked with a single cover, covered in excrement. He said she was blind, partially deaf, and asked him for water.

Nemecz called for an ambulance and while he and his fellow deputies were present, Carwile drove up to the house, appearing “agitated” and “not compliant.”

Sherrick said Carwile told the deputies in rather coarse terms that there was no need to summon an ambulance for his mother, who suffered from dementia. The son told deputies his mother had last seen a doctor seven months earlier and that he didn’t take her because there was nothing medical professionals could do for her.

A neighbor told deputies that Carwile usually spent the night in his mother’s home but left her alone for several hours during the day even though she was unable to get food or water for herself or get to a bathroom. Neighbors said Carwile locked the doors from the outside to prevent his mother from getting out, Sherrick recounted.

Sherrick identified pictures that showed the mother’s non-air-conditioned room and bathroom in horrible condition while Carwile’s bedroom and bathroom were relatively clean and cooled by a window air conditioner.

Sherrick said he also found a brown rope with two loops in it, two plastic-bag corners containing cocaine, and 11 guns and ammunition in Carwile’s bedroom.

Corray said he was informed by a nurse at Presence Covenant Medical Center that the woman was “extremely dehydrated, malnourished and had feces on her body” that had to be “scraped” off of her.

She also had an open wound on her leg with a bandage that hadn’t been changed in a long time.

Arrow Ambulance paramedic Michael Lynch said he saw maggots in the wound on closer inspection.

Carwile was arrested that day and charged with criminal abuse or neglect of an elderly person and unlawful use of weapons. After the woman’s death on Feb. 13, 2016, the more serious charge of financial exploitation of an elderly person was filed against him in March 2016.

Clifton said police learned after the woman’s death that, while acting as her power of attorney, Carwile took more than $190,000 of his mother’s money and used it to buy himself a home on East Main Street in Urbana.

Clifton urged Difanis to impose the 10-year sentence he agreed to ask for when Carwile pleaded guilty.

“This is the kind of offense that can and must be deterred,” the prosecutor said. “He could have easily taken her money and hired someone to care for her. Instead, he took the money for himself.”

“It shows a callousness, disregard and egotism that’s almost unmatched,” Clifton said.

Assistant Public Defender Tony Allegretti asked the judge to consider a lesser sentence, noting Carwile’s guilty plea, his agreement to repay his mother’s estate $190,350, and his poor health, which includes diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Carwile had an aggravated-battery conviction from 1978, three misdemeanor convictions after that and one for driving under the influence in 2007. He declined to say anything on his own behalf.

Carwile is eligible for day-for-day good time in prison. He’s been out on bond since the charges were initially filed.

“I think the Department of Corrections will take better care of him than he took of her,” Clifton said after the hearing.

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Man's 'outrageous' abuse of mother nets 10 years in prison

Charleston woman allegedly faked mother’s will, pocketed $1 million

Tracie D. Wilson

Police say a Charleston woman created a fake will for her dying mother, in order to cut her siblings out of an estate worth more than $1 million.

Tracie D. Wilson, 44, allegedly colluded with several others to create a fraudulent last will and testament for her mother, Joyce M. Johnson, according to a criminal complaint filed in Kanawha County Magistrate Court.

Johnson, who was 77 years old, was hospitalized in June 2015, suffering from “multiple serious medical conditions” and was “lethargic and suffering from a decline in mental status,” according to the complaint, filed by State Police First Sgt. S.E. Wolfe.

At the time, Wilson and her co-conspirators had discovered that Johnson’s estate was worth about $1 million. The estate was supposed to be divided equally between Johnson’s four children, according to the complaint.

Johnson died on June 27, 2015. After that date, according to the complaint, Wilson met with one of her co-conspirators, forged her dead mother’s signature and had the fake will certified by a notary public.

Two other people served as witnesses for the fake will, according to the complaint. Neither of them actually saw the will signed, and one of them knew the will was fake.

After the fake will was signed and notarized, Wilson filed it with the Kanawha County circuit clerk’s office. The will was made public on Aug. 6, 2015, according to the complaint.

Wilson then received “approximately $1,107,858.84,” which was the estimated appraisal of her mother’s estate at the time.

Police say the allegations against Wilson are all supported by statements from co-conspirators and witnesses, text messages, bank statements and other evidence.

Johnson was retired vice-president of J.E. Johnson Funeral Home, a firm her and her late husband, J.E. Johnson, established in 1960. After his passing, the Kanawha City funeral home was sold to Chad and Billie Harding, which they renamed Harding Funerals & Cremations, according to Johnson’s obituary.

Wilson was arraigned in Magistrate Court Tuesday. She is charged with financial exploitation of an elderly person, protected person or incapacitated adult; obtaining money, property and services by false pretenses; conspiracy to commit a felony; forgery of public record, certificate, return or attestation of court or officer; and computer fraud. All are felonies, and Wilson could face more than 40 years in prison and fines of more than $20,000 if convicted of all charges.

She was being held Tuesday at the South Central Regional Jail on a $25,000 or 10 percent cash bond.

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Charleston woman allegedly faked mother’s will, pocketed $1 million