Franado Ray Brown Jr. has been convicted of multiple charges in a case involving financial exploitation of the elderly. The jury returned the guilty verdict just after 7 p.m. Thursday night in Lee County, following a three-day trial. The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Jessica Horowitz, of the State Attorney’s Office Economic Crimes Unit.
The defendant was found guilty of:
• Count I: Grand Theft from a Person 65 Years of Age or Older, including the finding for the value of the property
• Count II: Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card
• Count III: Unlawful Possession of the Personal Identification Information of Another Person
• Count IV: Exploiting Elderly/Disabled Person, including the finding for the value of the funds, asset, or property
• Count V: Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card
• Count VI: Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card
• Count VII: Exploiting Elderly/Disabled Person, including the finding for the value of the funds
• Count VIII: Theft, including the finding for the value of the property
The victim in this case was a 72-year-old physically disabled adult, who took in the defendant in exchange for room and board. The defendant was to be assisting the victim with his errands, medication organization, and transportation. The victim provided the defendant with access to a debit card for the victim’s necessary purchases, but the defendant added his name to the victim’s credit card accounts, charging thousands of dollars.
The victim never gave permission for the defendant to add his name to the account or use the credit cards. In addition to charges for hotels and bars, the defendant took thousands of dollars of cash advances from the cards.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office investigated the crimes. The defendant admitted to law enforcement that he used the funds to buy Fentanyl for himself and a friend.
The victim was unable to testify but multiple physicians, both local and out of state, testified on behalf of the victim.
Sentencing is scheduled for March 17, 2025.
Samantha Syoen – Communications Director, State Attorney’s Office