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Highlands Today

Man Charged With Defrauding 88-Year-Old Woman

Christopher Allen Horton, 28

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By JOE SEELIG

Highlands Today

Published: February 24, 2009

SEBRING - A Lorida man was free Monday on $3,000 bond after being arrested and charged with the fraudulent use of an 88-year-old woman's debit card that drained her account of more than $6,000, authorities said.

The alleged crimes took place between Dec. 21 and Jan. 16, the report stated.

Christopher Allen Horton, 28, of 2509 Bluff Hammock Road, was booked into jail on his 28th birthday Sunday on charges of grand theft $5,000 or more but less than $10,000, obtaining property less than $20,000 by fraud or swindle, illegal use of credit card more than two times within six months.

According to a Highlands County Sheriff's Office arrest report, on two separate occasions the wheelchair-bound Sebring resident gave Horton her debit card and pin number to buy her some food items.

The victim reportedly believed that Horton was offering her his assistance, the report stated, but "it is strongly believed Horton intended to exploit the victim," Det. Michael Theodorou wrote in his report.

Horton mostly made large cash withdrawals from ATM machines at local businesses such as Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Winn-Dixie, Bank of America and Highlands Independent Bank, for a total of 51 times, the report stated.

He told sheriff's investigators that he used the money to buy and smoke crack cocaine, but also used some of the money to buy food and pay his electric bill, the report stated.

It wasn't until the victim's checking account had reached a high enough negative balance that the card was frozen, so it could no longer work.

The total amount of the fraud was reported at $6,108.60.

Highlands Today reporter Joe Seelig can be reached at (863) 386-5834 or jseelig@highlandstoday.com .

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