Jennifer High Sentenced for Elder Theft Scheme

FREDERICK- On February 12, 2019, Jennifer Renee High, age 36, of Berkeley Springs, WV pled guilty to Theft Scheme $10,000 – $100,000 and Credit Card Theft $1,500 – $25,000. Sentencing was held on Friday, May 17, 2019 at which time a sentence of 15 years to the Division of Correction was imposed with all but 5 years of that sentence suspended. Upon release, the Defendant will be on 5 years of supervised probation and will have to pay restitution exceeding $90,000 to the victim, Diane Dwyer.

High worked for the victim’s family for approximately 14 years as a caregiver for the victim’s disabled daughter. When the victim became ill in early 2013, the Defendant volunteered to assist the victim by shopping for her, getting her money from the ATM, and paying her bills online. In December 2016, the victim, who is also an elderly individual, began to tell her daughters that she did not have any money, later receiving several overdraft notices from her bank. This prompted the victim’s family to check the bank account statements for the prior year. That check resulted in the victim and the victim’s daughter uncovering over $22K in theft from the victim’s bank account. The theft involved thousands of dollars in unauthorized ATM withdrawals, payment of the Defendant’s bills and the purchase of and payment for used cars.

After reporting this to the Brunswick Police Department, an investigation included an interview of the Defendant where she admitted to her crime and acknowledged that it had occurred over a much longer period of time. She estimated the value of the theft to be around $70,000. A review of bank records for that period of time confirmed that the Defendant had been fraudulently utilizing the victim’s funds for over four years and that the amount of the theft totaled over $90,000. That amount also included the fraudulent use of one of the victim’s credit cards which the victim never permitted the Defendant to use.

Jennifer Renee High

State’s Attorney Charlie Smith reacted, “Anyone preying on the vulnerable victim, be it a child or elderly adult, deserves this kind of harsh prison sentence. Whether it’s a physical, emotional or financial exploitation, it often does lifelong harm to victims and their families. We hope this case will send a message to those exploiting our elderly citizens.”

The State was represented by Chief Assistant State’s Attorney Jason Shoemaker.

In an effort to increase awareness regarding this type of crime, the Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office will be hosting 5 upcoming presentations on elder fraud and prevention.

 

Senior Center Date/Time

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Frederick Senior Center Wednesday 6/12, 5:30p Charlie Smith, State’s Attorney

Emmitsburg Senior Center Thursday 6/13, 12:30p Jason Shoemaker, Chief Assistant State’s Attorney

Urbana Senior Center Thursday 6/25, 6:00p Charlie Smith, State’s Attorney

Urbana Senior Center Wednesday 6/26, 11:30a Jason Shoemaker, Chief Assistant State’s Attorney

Brunswick Senior Center Wednesday 6/19, 12:30p Erin Pearl, Assistant State’s Attorney

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FREDERICK, MD – On Friday, May 17, 2019, a Frederick County Grand Jury indicted Dr. Ernesto Torres on an additional 65 charges. These charges stem from additional victims coming forward following the initial indictment on May 3, 2019. Below is a list of the additional charges:
– 9 Counts – Child Sex Abuse
– 10 Counts – Sex Abuse of a Minor
– 43 Counts – Sex Offense – 3rd Degree
– 2 Counts – Sex Offense – 2nd Degree
– 1. Count – Assault – 2nd Degree
Dr. Torres was arrested on the above charges on May 20, 2019, at approximately 2:27 pm. A bond review will be scheduled for tomorrow in Frederick Circuit Court, the time is to be determined.The Frederick Police Department believes there may be other victims in this case. Anyone with information about this case, including other potential victims should contact Detective Sean McKinney at 240-578-5683.
There are many resources available online and locally that provide tips on having these conversations. Local resources are available for victims of sexual assault including:
– Frederick Police Department, Victim Services Unit (301) 600-1356
– The Child Advocacy Center (301) 600-1758
– Heartly House (301) 662-8800
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. It is merely a formal charge until and if the defendant is found guilty in a future judicial proceeding. All defendants are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

FREDERICK, MD – Chris Lee Myers, 39, of Jefferson, Maryland was indicted by the Frederick County Grand Jury on one count of 1st Degree Murder in the homicide of his girlfriend. Myers waived his right to a bond review on May 3rd, and is currently being held at the Frederick County Adult Detention Center without bond. “Grand Jury is just the first step in the process of pursuing justice for this horrible domestic violence homicide. We are continuing our investigation, and I look forward to proving his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt,” stated State’s Attorney Charlie Smith.

Relatives of the victim, identified as Heather Caitlin Williams, 24, of Jefferson, Maryland, reported her missing at about 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday May 1st, when she did not arrive at her relatives’ residence as expected. Williams’ vehicle, a 2017 Ford Fiesta, was not at her residence on the 4500 block of Jefferson Pike when relatives went to check on her. Her relatives entered the home, and found Ms. Williams deceased inside the residence with evidence of substantial head injury.

Myers, who shared a residence with the victim, was arrested by the Baltimore Police Department at approximately 6 p.m. on Wednesday May 1st after being stopped for a traffic violation in the City. He was driving Williams’ vehicle at the time of his arrest. A search warrant of the vehicle revealed several items in the car with what appeared to be blood stains on them. The items presumptively tested positive for blood. The Victim’s cell phone and purse were also found in the vehicle.

Williams’ body was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore where an autopsy was performed and will determine the manner of death.

The State’s Attorney’s Office is urging anyone with information concerning the events or the parties to contact the Maryland State Police, Frederick Barrack.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt. It is merely a formal charge until and if the defendant is found guilty in a future judicial proceeding. All defendants are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

FREDERICK, MD – On April 26, 2019, the Frederick Police Department began an investigation into the allegations that a Frederick Pediatrician, Dr. Ernesto Torres, sexually assaulted an 18-year-old female during an examination at his medical practice. Charges were recommended to the States Attorney’s Office which was then presented to the Grand Jury on May 3, 2019. The Grand Jury found there was sufficient evidence to charge Dr. Ernesto Torres with 2nd Degree Rape, 2nd Degree Assault, and 4th Degree Sex Offense.

Subsequently, an arrest warrant was issued for Dr, Ernesto Torres, age 68, of Frederick, Maryland. On Tuesday, May 7, 2019, at 7:30 am, Dr. Torres was arrested at his residence, 7600 block of San Di Gan Drive, Frederick, Maryland and transported to the Frederick County Adult Detention Center where he is being held awaiting an appearance before the District Court Commissioner.

We understand that this is an emotional incident that not only affects the victim in this case but also patients and families entrusted to his care. Both the States Attorney’s Office and the Frederick Police Department would like to commend the victim for coming forward in this case.

There is no information to indicate that there are additional victims, but we would encourage parents to please talk to your children about body boundaries and safety. There are many resources available online and locally that provide tips on having these conversations. Local resources are available for victims of sexual assault including Heartly House and the Child Advocacy Center. Additionally, the Frederick Police Department’s Victim Services Unit will be available to provide support. To contact the unit, please call (301) 600-1356.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt. It is merely a formal charge until and if the defendant is found guilty in a future judicial proceeding. All defendants are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.