Arizona caregivers get prison terms for defrauding homebound victim

Two caregivers have been sentenced to prison for defrauding a 73-year-old homebound victim in Tucson.

Nov 18, 2021, 8:08 AM Updated: Nov 19, 2021, 9:14 am

(Pixabay Photo)

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Two caregivers have been sentenced to prison for defrauding a 73-year-old homebound victim in Tucson, according to authorities.

Federal prosecutors said 34-year-old Michael Tagle Santos was given a 33-month sentence while 28-year-old Cherry Mae De Los Reyes-Santos got a 16-month prison term.

A U.S. District Court judge in Tucson also ordered the married couple to pay an undisclosed amount of restitution to the victim.

Prosecutors say Santos previously pleaded guilty to wire fraud, and his wife pleaded guilty to misrepresentation of a felony.

Between 2013 and 2018, authorities said the couple made unauthorized transfers of the victim’s funds.

They said Santos admitted that he and his wife fraudulently disguised the transfers to make them appear as wage advances, gifts and reimbursements for medical and grocery expenses of the disabled victim.

The couple used the fraudulently obtained proceeds to buy expensive cars, trips to Las Vegas, high-end jewelry and home remodeling, according to prosecutors.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story erroneously said Cherry Mae De Los Reyes-Santos’ sentence was for 16 years.