Elder-Abuse
.info

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

PRISON FOR DEFENDANTS IN ELDER ABUSE CASES

District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced today that on February 17, 2005, defendant Tammy Lee Jackson was sentenced to four years in state prison for financial elder abuse. Superior Court Judge Lawrence G. Antolini denied probation to the defendant and imposed the maximum state prison term for violating Penal Code Section 368(e), elder financial abuse. In addition, the judge ordered Jackson to make restitution to the victim.

Jackson was an in home caretaker for the 81 year old victim who was unable to care for herself. An investigation by Santa Rosa Police Department Detective Greg Ayer revealed that Jackson had forged her name to the victim’s checks and misappropriated over $180,000 in funds during a seven month period.

This was not the first prison sentence this year handed out by judges in elder abuse cases. On January 27, 2005, Superior Court Judge Dean A. Beaupre denied probation to Jamie McMannus. He was also sentenced to the maximum state prison term for elder financial abuse. His victims were his mother and father-in-law. The couple lost their life savings of over $270,000 and were forced to sell their home. The victims were unable to attend the sentencing but over 20 family members spoke to the court on their behalf. Mr. Passalacqua said, "These sentences send a strong message that those who prey on the elderly in our community will be facing state prison commitments." Both cases were prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Craig Brooks.