49-Year-Old Anaheim Woman Accused Of Getting 76-Year-Old Man To Fraudulently Marry Her
FULLERTON (CBSLA.com) — A 49-year-old Anaheim woman is accused of getting a 76-year-old man to marry her so she could defraud him out of money and property.
Polly Sandra John is charged with five felony counts of theft from an elder, two felony counts of attempted theft from an elder, three felony counts of grand theft auto, one felony count of grand theft and sentencing enhancements for aggravated white collar crime over $100,000 and property damage loss over $65,000.
If convicted, John faces a maximum sentence of 11 years in state prison.
She is scheduled for a pre-trail hearing on August 8 in the North Justice Center in Fullerton.
Officials believe there could be more victims out there.
Authorities say that John isolated the victim -- identified as 76-year-old Lynn Merrell -- between November 2011 and December 2012 after his wife passed away. Officials said John manipulated the man -- who has dementia -- into changing his bank accounts, putting her as the beneficiary of his pension, vehicles and home, as well as taking his money and cars. John also allegedly forced Merrell to buy her another vehicle.
Bank tellers and representatives with AAA contacted Anaheim Police after they reportedly observed John and Merrell arguing in their businesses. Anaheim Police investigated the relationship and arrested John in January 2013.
John is being held on $750,000 bail.
Anyone with additional information is asked to call Supervising District Attorney Investigator Damon Tucker at (714) 648-3667.
