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 

Man sentenced to 14 years for stealing $73K from relatives to live lavish lifestyle

EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — An El Paso man accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars from his elderly aunt and uncle’s bank accounts has been sentenced to 14 years in state prison.

Jesus Rodriguez De La Cruz, 46, pleaded guilty last Tuesday.

Rodriguez pleaded guilty to multiple felonies, including two counts of Financial Abuse of an Elderly Person, two counts of Exploitation of an Elderly Person, and one count of Theft of Property.

Rodriguez’s aunt and uncle alerted the El Paso Police Financial Crimes Unit in February 2023 to fraudulent activity on their Wells Fargo account that led to that account being depleted of all the money, which amounted to over $73,000.

The uncle told EPPD that Rodriguez’s name was listed on the transactions resulting in the account’s depletion, and those transactions were unauthorized.

Rodriguez had gained access to their banking information because he had also worked as their financial adviser.

The couple had also lent him $60,000 prior to discovering the missing money, but checks Rodriguez made out as a repayment were later found to be fake.

An investigation uncovered that in 2022, Rodriguez had used the money on luxury vehicles, retail shopping sprees, and extravagant vacations, including a trip to Mexico City during the Formula 1 Racing championship. Rodriguez had previously lost his job at Morgan Stanley after it was learned he defrauded clients of millions of dollars over a three-year period.

A federal investigation resulted in a conviction in the U.S. Court of the Western District of Texas and a sentence of 12 years in federal prison back in March 2025.

"The Defendant was entrusted with sensitive banking information not just because he was a financial adviser, but also because he was a family member,” said District Attorney James Montoya. “It's not just morally reprehensible to defraud elderly loved ones of all their money, it's a crime our Office takes seriously." 

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Man sentenced to 14 years for stealing $73K from relatives to live lavish lifestyle 

Wood River woman charged with financial exploitation of elderly, disabled person

Wood River suspect accused of elder theft and forgery

By Scott Cousins

EDWARDSVILLE – A 57-year-old Wood River woman was charged with financial exploitation of an elderly person with a disability, a Class 1 felony; theft of property over $5,000 by deception from an elderly person, a Class 2 felony; and forgery, a Class 3 felony.

The case was presented by the Madison County Sheriff’s Department.

According to court documents, from about Oct. 14, 2023, to Dec. 9, 2023, the suspect took more than $5,000 in cash using a position of trust from an elderly, disabled person; and on Nov. 24 attempted to cash a check for $4,769.26 purportedly made out by the victim.

The suspect was ordered released from custody.

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Wood River woman charged with financial exploitation of elderly, disabled person

Woman accused of starving 79-year-old mother to death, stealing $47,000

by: Andy Cordan

HICKMAN COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — A 79-year-old Tennessee woman was allegedly starved to death at the hands of her own child, authorities said.

According to Hickman County investigators, it all began in the winter of 2023. That’s when Hickman County EMS responded to the home of 79-year-old Virginia Totty.

Totty was rushed to the hospital and pronounced dead.

According to Lt. Mike Doddo, Virginia – who ate through a feeding tube – was very malnourished. An autopsy later revealed she died as a result of a homicide due to malnourishment and other medical issues.

According to Doddo, Hickman County investigators working with Adult Protective Services and the district attorney’s office pieced together a complete timeline of medical and financial records.

Doddo said the autopsy revealed that Virginia’s daughter, her only caregiver, starved her own mother to death.

This week, a Hickman County grand jury indicted Virginia’s daughter, 44-year-old Lorrie Totty, who lived with her mother and served as her mother’s caregiver, according to investigators.

“She was 100% dependent upon her daughter to help her and her daughter failed her,” Doddo said.

In addition to first-degree murder, Lorrie was also charged with aggravated neglect of an elderly or vulnerable adult, theft of property, and financial exploitation of an elderly or vulnerable adult.

According to Doddo, Lorrie allegedly stole $47,000 from her mother, money that was designated for Virginia’s health care.

Lorrie was jailed without bond. She refused an interview with WKRN about this arrest.

“It’s very sad, very disturbing, very upsetting that an elderly person in our community would be treated like that, no less her own family member, her own blood, very hard to stomach,” Doddo said.

Another person living at the Totty residence was also indicted and arrested.

Randy Rochelle, 56, was charged with financial exploitation of an elderly or vulnerable adult. He was implicated in the theft of Virginia’s missing $47,000.

 His bond was set at $75,000.

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Woman accused of starving 79-year-old mother to death, stealing $47,000

Kingsport attorney permanently disbarred

by: Slater Teague

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) — A Kingsport lawyer who was indicted on felony charges has been banned from practicing law in Tennessee.

The Tennessee Supreme Court permanently disbarred attorney Jason Ray McLellan effective Wednesday. According to the court’s Board of Professional Responsibility, McLellan consented to his disbarment because he could not successfully defend the accusations made against him. 

A Sullivan County grand jury indicted McLellan in December on felony charges of financial exploitation of an elderly or vulnerable person and theft of property, according to court documents. The indictments accuse him of financially exploiting a 78-year-old woman by “making numerous monetary transactions to himself totaling $341,193.23” from an estate without the effective consent of the estate’s representative.

Both charges are Class A felonies.

Court documents show that McLellan was arraigned and pleaded not guilty in January. The status of the case is unclear.

The Board of Professional Responsibility outlined multiple accusations against McLellan in an announcement Wednesday.“

In the pending disciplinary matters, Mr. McLellan misappropriated estate funds in the representation of a client and attempted to conceal the misappropriation, made misrepresentations to a court, engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, and misrepresentation, failed to abide by a client’s decision regarding the dismissal of a pending lawsuit, failed to reasonably consult with a client about the means by which the client’s objectives were to be accomplished, and failed to obtain the client’s informed consent before taking action. He also failed to keep client information confidential, failed to withdraw after a conflict of interest developed, allowed a third person to direct his professional judgement, failed to comply with his ethical requirements upon discharge from representation, and failed to comply with the requirements of a suspended attorney. Finally he failed to comply with court orders, and failed to respond to disciplinary complaints.” 

--Board of Professional Responsibility of the Tennessee Supreme Court

In addition to being disbarred, McLellan was ordered to reimburse the Tennessee Lawyers Fund for Client Protection for any money paid to claimants “for losses caused by one or more of Mr. McLellan’s ethical violations.”

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Kingsport attorney permanently disbarred

Man charged with elder abuse, accused of stealing $356K from his mother

Corey Baker is charged with elder abuse. (Source: WMC/MPD)

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - A 43-year-old man who is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from his mother is now facing charges of elder abuse.

According to an affidavit, the Department of Human Services received a report that Corey Baker’s 77-year-old mother was the victim of abuse, neglect and financial exploitation.

Baker’s wife, Sharika Baker, was allegedly apart of the abuse as well.

Investigators say the Bakers took out a line of credit for $100,000 without the victim’s knowledge or consent and also purchased a 2019 Dodge Challenger for more than $30,000.

The couple reportedly used the victim’s money for other payments including the care note and liability insurance for the vehicle.

A close family friend, who was also listed on the victim’s bank account along with the Bakers, noticed they were making unauthorized withdrawals from the victim’s account beginning in 2017.

The victim suffered a total loss of $356,000 over approximately two years from December 2018 to January 2020, according to the affidavit.

Corey Baker is charged with exploitation of an elder/or vulnerable person and theft of property $250,000 or more.

 

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Man charged with elder abuse, accused of stealing $356K from his mother

Former Limestone County judge sentenced to 4 years in prison

MONTGOMERY — Attorney General Steve Marshall announced on Tuesday that former Limestone County district judge Douglas Lee Patterson has been sentenced to serve four years in prison.

Patterson pleaded guilty on Oct. 30 to three felony charges: use of official position or office for personal gain, financial exploitation of the elderly in the first degree, and theft of property in the third degree.

He is set to serve four years in prison followed by six years of supervised probation. Patterson, according to a news release from Marshall, is required to serve all of the four years in prison, and if he fails to abide by the terms of probation, he could be ordered to serve another 12 years in prison. He was also ordered to pay restitution totaling $72,822 to his victims.

“It is fitting that Patterson has received a stern sentence for his crimes and that we have brought a measure of justice for his victims,” said Attorney General Marshall. “He betrayed the citizens of Limestone County and exploited those who trusted him, stealing from the most vulnerable among us — children, the disabled and the elderly. This sentence serves to restore the public confidence in our judicial system and sends a strong warning that such despicable actions will not be tolerated, and all will be held equally to account under the law.”

FBI Birmingham Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp Jr. said, “Everyone, even judges, are subject to the rule of law. The sentence handed down today demonstrates the FBI’s firm commitment to work with our law enforcement partners to address public corruption at every level and hold public officials accountable when they violate the law, their oath of office and the public’s trust.”

As part of Patterson’s plea agreement, he admitted to stealing $47,800 from the Limestone County Juvenile Court Services Fund, which was designated to support the children of Limestone County.

Patterson also admitted in court that, while serving as a private attorney, he financially exploited Charles Lee Hardy, for whom he served as a court-appointed conservator. Hardy died in December 2015 and was left with nothing to inherit to his family.

Patterson also admitted to stealing from another client, Rudolph Allen, while in private practice. According to Tuesday’s announcement, Patterson stole $601 from Allen three years after he died in July 2015. Patterson spent the money on himself rather than turn it over to Allen’s family.

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Former Limestone County judge sentenced to 4 years in prison

Alabama judge charged with theft, ethics violation resigns

ATHENS, Ala. - A north Alabama judge accused of misusing court funds and stealing money from clients has resigned from his post.

Former Limestone County District Judge Doug Patterson announced he would be stepping down effective July 3, according to a letter to the Alabama Supreme Court filed Tuesday.

“The unescapable reality is that I cannot financially, mentally, or emotionally continue to fight the full weight, power and resources of the State of Alabama in two different theaters,” Patterson wrote in the letter, saying the move should not be viewed as an admission of guilt.

The former judge was suspended after being indicted on felony charges of use of official position for personal gain, financial exploitation of the elderly and theft of property in December 2019. He has pleaded not guilty to the counts, news outlets reported.

The Alabama attorney general’s office accused Patterson of using $47,000 intended for juvenile court programs on personal expenses. The former judge also was accused of improperly withdrawing about $47,800 from the account of a nursing home resident for whom he had served as a conservator, as well as between $499 and $1,500 from the estate of another client.

The case was scheduled for trial in June but was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic, news outlets reported. Jury trials in Alabama remained paused until September. Patterson was set to face a separate trial at the Alabama Court of the Judiciary on the ethics charge this week, but that trial was also postponed.

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Alabama judge charged with theft, ethics violation resigns

Woman accused of financially exploiting multiple elderly victims

Jaylon George

by: Antoinette Odom

FOLEY, Ala. (WKRG) — Jaylon George, 19-years-old, is accused of financially taking advantage of at least four elderly residents of a local nursing home, formerly George’s place of employment.

Officers and Criminal Investigators from the Foley Police Department, with the assistance of the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office and the Baldwin County District Attorney’s Investigative Unit worked together to issue a search warrant for George.

This investigation is being conducted in a cooperative effort by a newly formed team created by the Baldwin County District Attorney’s Office targeting financial exploitation and abuse of the elderly.

George, who was out on bond for previous financial crimes, was arrested and charged with two felony counts and two misdemeanor counts of Financial Exploitation of the Elderly, two felony counts of Theft of Property, and one felony count of Possession of Forged Instrument.

The Foley Police Department says additional victims may have been discovered during the search and additional charges are likely.  George’s previous bond has been revoked.

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Woman accused of financially exploiting multiple elderly victims

Peterson pleads guilty to multiple elder abuse charges

BY BEN WHEELER

 

Stephanie Peterson, formerly Butler, pleaded guilty Monday to 13 charges related to elder abuse stemming from when she was operator of an assisted living facility.

Peterson was the head of Senior Lifestyles, an assisted living facility in Putnam County, which was raided last year by law enforcement, and Peterson was subsequently indicted on 28 charges related to allegations of elder abuse, financial exploitation, money laundering and obtaining controlled substances by fraud.

Thirteenth Judicial District Assistant District Attorney Mark Gore questioned Criminal Investigator Randal Slayton regarding his investigation into the allegations against Peterson during Monday's plea hearing in Putnam County Criminal Court.

"Our investigation was initiated as a result of a (Vulnerable Adult Protective Investigation Team) meeting," Slayton said. "There were a plethora of allegations that ranged, financial malfeasance against residents."

Slayton said during the investigation, which began in February 2018, he found a number of times when Peterson was found to be taking money or prescription medication from patients of Senior Lifestyles. He also discovered poor living conditions in the facility such as bed bugs and residents in urine-soaked clothing.

Slayton said that local law enforcement reports alleged residents had wandered from the facility and that financial crimes were committed against residents.

One of those crimes was against a man who reportedly began his stay at Senior Lifestyles with roughly $7,645.67 in his accounts prior to entering the facility. Slayton said shortly after the man moved in, the account began having withdrawals totaling thousands of dollars, including a roughly $200 purchase at Opry Mills. When Slayton interviewed Peterson, she admitted to the purchase at Opry Mills. Slayton testified that Peterson said she "had a good old time." Eventually, the entire account was drained.

After one patient left the facility, Peterson reportedly took that patient's remaining medication and told her daughter to destroy the packaging of the medication, according to Slayton.

Peterson also would reportedly overcharge rent from patients' bank accounts and take credit cards out under at least one patient's name.

The plea agreement results in an effective 10-year sentence; however, the plea agreement does not cover how Peterson serves the sentence.

Peterson pleaded guilty to 13 of the 28 charges:
• Knowing abuse, neglect or exploitation of an adult
• Financial exploitation of an elderly/vulnerable adult
• Financial exploitation of an elderly/vulnerable adult
• Financial exploitation of an elderly/vulnerable adult over $1,000.
• Theft of property over $2,500
• Financial exploitation of an elderly/vulnerable adult over $2,500
• Identity theft
• Financial exploitation of an elderly/vulnerable adult over $1,000
• Financial exploitation of elderly/vulnerable adult
• Financial exploitation of elderly/vulnerable adult over $2,500
• Financial exploitation of elderly/vulnerable adult over $1,000
• Financial exploitation of an elderly/vulnerable adult less than $1,000
• Financial exploitation of an elderly/vulnerable adult less than $1,000.

A sentencing hearing is set for March 23, 2020 in Putnam County Criminal Court. Defense attorneys said they plan to call at least one expert for the defense at the hearing. Judge Gary McKenzie presided over the case.

McKenzie requested she be supervised by the Tennessee Department of Corrections during the time leading up to the sentencing hearing.

"Months of investigation went into preparing to charge Ms. Butler. I am pleased that Butler’s exploitation of the residents of Senior Lifestyles was stopped," 13th Judicial District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway said.

"The effort of investigators and prosecutors in this case put a stop to the victimization of truly vulnerable people who could not help themselves and have prevented the victimization of many others. Our law enforcement community takes elder abuse very seriously.  We get up everyday to do what we can to keep people from hurting others and to punish those who do."

Co-conspirator in the case, Brian Fitzhugh Richey was indicted with Peterson and pleaded guilty in February 2018 to one count of obtaining controlled substances by fraud, waiving his right to a jury trial. Richey was later indicted on federal charges relating to his time working with MedManagement Inc., which managed Pain MD.

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Peterson pleads guilty to multiple elder abuse charges