Ryan Todd Powers, 41, was found guilty of four counts of Exploiting an Elderly or Disabled Person by a Lee County jury following a 4 day trial. He faces up to 60 years in prison at his sentencing on October 2nd.
Powers became the Power of Attorney for the victim and her husband in August 2015. After obtaining power of attorney he opened a fraudulent checking account in her name without her knowledge or approval and had her monthly social security checks redirected into the new account. From October of 2015 to July of 2016, he proceeded to use this account, along with her husband’s account for his own personal use, while refusing to pay for the victim and her husband’s care. While the victim was in a healthcare facility, she had no belongings and had to have clothes donated to her. The victims had several assets which Powers sold, and in November of 2016, he used the power of attorney to deed the victim’s home to himself. Power’s actions resulted in a loss of a total amount exceeding $50,000.00.
Assistant State Attorneys Jennifer Royal and J.D. Miller of our Economic Crimes Unit handled the case.
ASA Royal promised the victim that she would do everything that she could for her and as a result of this verdict the victim may ultimately get her home back.
Samantha Syoen
Communications Director
State Attorney’s Office
239-533-1125
ssyoen@sao20.org