This morning, Lynn Marie Keller was adjudicated guilty and sentenced to 10 years in prison, followed by 5 years of probation, for two counts of Grand Theft from a Person 65 years or Older. The defendant was also ordered to pay $112,000 in restitution.
Assistant State Attorney Jessica Horowitz prosecuted the case.
On November 30, 2019, the victims’ son contacted the Collier County Sheriff’s Office in reference to grand theft of $20,000 in jewelry and a car. The defendant, a friend and neighbor of the victims, was the suspect, accused of abusing the relationship for financial gain. The victims were an elderly woman who was under crisis care by hospice and her husband, who was now living in a skilled nursing facility.
Further investigation revealed transactions made by the defendant utilizing a Power of Attorney of the female victim and the joint bank accounts belonging to the victims.
The female victim died. The defendant then took many items from the house and fled the area. She also instructed a friend of the victim, not to tell the son that his mother died.
Deputies made contact with the defendant who admitted having possession of the jewelry, as well as the couple’s checkbooks, debit cards, and credit cards. She also admitted having the car, a 2019 Kia Sorrento. The defendant transferred the car into her own name the day before the female victim died and without the male victim’s permission.
The defendant told deputies she was in the Florida Keys but would return with the items. The vehicle was never returned. A warrant was issued for her arrest. She was arrested by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and extradited to Collier County for trial.
Samantha Syoen – State Attorney’s Office Communications Director