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CARETAKER CONVICTED AND SENTENCED TO EIGHT YEARS IN PRISON FOR STEALING APPROXIMATELY $1 MILLION FROM 88-YEAR-OLD MAN WITH DEMENTIA

Posted by Fay Arfa | Jun 26, 2018 | 0 Comments

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A caretaker was convicted and sentenced to eight years and eight months in state prison today for stealing approximately $1 million from an 88-year-old man with dementia.

Defendant Charges Court-Offered Sentence
Ignacio Conlu Barandiaran, 36, Long Beach Pleaded guilty today to the following counts:

Felony

  • (16) Caretaker theft from elder 65 years of age and older
  • (3) First degree burglary
  • Elder neglect
  • (2) Receiving stolen property
  • Evading a peace officer/reckless driving
  • Felon in possession of body armor

Sentencing Enhancements

  • (18) Property loss/damage over $65,000
  • (18) Aggravated white collar crime over $100,000

Misdemeanor

  • Resisting public or peace officer
  • (3) Identity theft
  • (2) Driving on suspended license
  • (2) Hit and run with property damage
  • Possession of more than one ounce of marijuana
  • Eight years and eight months in state prison
  • Ordered to pay $370,849 in restitution to victims

Circumstances of the Case #17HF1466

  • At the time of the crimes, the defendant was in a position of trust as an in-home caretaker for Frank F., an 88-year-old man with dementia.
  • Between December 2015 and March 2017, the defendant stole nearly $1 million from the victim by depleting his bank accounts, burglarizing his home, and making purchases on his credit cards. He spent the victim's money to make personal purchases including but not limited to vehicles, narcotics, gasoline and fast food.
  • Barandiaran made the victim sign over his power of attorney to him, which medical experts later determined the victim did not have the capacity to sign or understand what he was doing.
  • The defendant took out a reverse mortgage on the victim's home and attempted to sell the property without the victim's knowledge or consent.
  • On Nov. 13, 2017, the Orange County Sheriff's Department, who investigated this case, arrested the defendant on the arrest warrant.

Circumstances of Case #17HM05673

  • On April 23, 2017, Barandiaran was pulled over for not stopping at a red signal. The defendant then failed to provide proof of insurance and he was driving on a suspended license.

Circumstances of Case #17HM10918

  • On May 9, 2017, Barandiaran was arrested by the Orange County Sheriff's Department (OCSD) for the possession of more than 28.5 grams of marijuana or more than 4 grams of concentrated cannabis.

Circumstances of Case #17HF0877

  • On June 25, 2017 Barandiaran was driving on a suspended license and evading police while driving recklessly following a hit and run. The defendant resisted arrest when stopped by OCSD in Mission Viejo.
  • At the time of the crime, the defendant was in possession of body armor and stolen property including a license plate and the personal identifying information of Frank F., John Doe, and Jane Doe.

At the sentencing today, Frank F.'s attorney submitted a victim impact statement on behalf of his family, as he passed away before the case was resolved. The statement described how the defendant had “brainwashed” the victim into granting him access to his bank accounts and investments. It stated in part, “[Frank's daughter] was glad to be able to tell her father before he died, however, that ‘Nash' had been arrested and was being prosecuted for his crimes.”

Prosecutor: Senior Deputy District Attorney Marc Labreche, Major Fraud Unit

Orange County District Attorney /Case # Various / June 25, 2018

About the Author

Fay Arfa

Fay Arfa has the distinction of being Certified as a Specialist in two separate areas of law – Criminal Law as well as Appellate Law – by the California State Bar, Board of Specialization. The National Board of Trial Advocacy has also awarded her a board Certification in Criminal Trial Advocacy. ...

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