John Anthony Sanchez appeared for sentencing in District Court on Tuesday, December 15th, on charges of using the personal identifying information of an elderly person to harm them or for another unlawful purpose. The charge is a category B felony that carries 1-20 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000. According to Assistant District Attorney Priscilla Baker, Sanchez was working at Highland Manor when he gained access to a resident's personal debit information and subsequently used that information to make $1,031 in personal purchases.
Kelly Campbell, the victim’s daughter who is also on the credit card account, provided victim impact testimony before the court. She explained that her 76-year-old disabled mother recently lost her husband to COVID 19, is presently quarantined, and was unable to attend the hearing. According to Campbell, nearly all of her mother's income is dedicated to paying her rent at Highland Manor. It is automatically deposited into her account at Washington Federal Bank. “She was vulnerable and he exploited her,” Campbell stated, “and even though he told the police that this was a one-time emergency, it was not. These illegal purchases were not made for need or a child’s welfare, but for computer games and cable subscriptions.”
Campbell went on to explain that Sanchez also purchased cell phones, paid for his internet, and purchased auto insurance, even though he lives a quarter of a mile from the facility and could have walked. Further, he systematically made small charges that increased over time and found ways to avoid detection. He continued to make purchases for four months, from July through October, and only stopped when Google received a warrant request.
Sanchez's wife also works at Highland Manor, which is an additional source of worry, stated Campbell, “My mother trusted and relied on him and she is afraid it will happen again."
Sanchez, who has paid back the $1,031 in restitution, also addressed the court offering an apology and said, “I am ready to face the consequences before me.”
Judge Stockard explained the seriousness of the charges to Sanchez stating, “Elderly victims are so vulnerable, and the impact is long-lasting, they live in fear that it will happen again. And those were not financial problems, those are what we call first-world problems.” Stockard concluded, “This was not an insignificant event. It was cruel, it was selfish and totally unacceptable.” Sanchez, who has no criminal history, was sentenced to probation on a suspended sentence of 4-10 years in prison. He was remanded to custody and must also serve 180 days in the county jail.
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