Florida Criminal Attorneys Blog

A second individual has been charged in a fraud crime against an elderly man. The defendant and Stuart resident, 27-year old Apryle Marie Shepard, allegedly worked as an accomplice with her boyfriend to steal money from an 89-year old gentleman. In July, Shepard claimed she needed money to bond her boyfriend out of jail and then to have her car towed. The 89-year old victim, who also suffers from memory loss, handed over to the suspect $560.

Officers also arrested Shepard's boyfriend on similar charges. He told the authorities of Shepard's involvement and now she faces criminal charges. She is charged with two counts of larceny over $300 and fraud crimes against a senior citizen.

In addition to these theft charges, Shepard faces unrelated drug crimes. She is accused of four counts of manufacturing opium, four counts of possession of narcotics equipment and felony grand theft. Shepard has not yet posted $62,000 bond and is currently awaiting trial inside the St. Lucie County Jail.

A finger print analysis has led to the arrest of a Tampa man for burglarizing over $500,000 worth of stolen goods. Burglars broke open a wood panel leading into the garage of a Forest Hills Estates home to obtain access to a residence. The offenders raided a five foot safe and stole cash, jewelry, watches, guns and antiques. The total amount of stolen goods has been valued at over $504,000.

Officers performed a finger print analysis of a soda can and it matched positive to that of a suspect, 21-year old Joshua White. White has refused to cooperate with authorities and has not named any additional accomplices or suspects in the crime. White had recently posted on his Myspace web page that he had been living large prior to his arrest. Now he is charged with felony armed burglary of a dwelling, grand theft of over $100,000 and two counts of grand theft with a firearm.

A home nursing attendant in Englewood, Florida, is facing criminal charges for allegedly stealing from her 96-year old patient. The suspect, 54-year old Redempta La Bracco, has been arrested on charges of grand theft, exploitation of the elderly and forging a check. The police caught the defendant red handed on bank surveillance video cashing the $3,000 forged check from the victim's account. La Bracco also allegedly returned gold jewelry from the victim's safety deposit box. A bank teller previously denied a separate $1,700 check after the signature failed to match the one on file.

Police believe that the defendant used the victim's medical condition for financial gain. The victim, 96-year old Anthony Dileonardo, suffers from dementia. La Bracco had been employed with NurseCore, a home health agency. She was fired after accusations of foul play came to light. Officers believe La Bracco intentionally took advantage of the victim's medical condition to benefit her.