Court briefs - March 11

Man who scammed seniors will become a senior while in jail

A man who will be senior himself in a few days was scolded by a judge on Wednesday for stealing money from seniors in a telephone scam three years ago.

Larry John Vollendorf, 59, of Red Deer was jailed for nine months after pleading guilty to a single count of fraud earlier this year, when he appeared in provincial court.

He must also repay $28,399 in Canadian funds to several elderly Americans whom he helped bilk.

Vollendorf, who has a lengthy record but no convictions since 1985, was originally charged with eight counts of theft and fraud.

Calgary Crown prosecutor Peter McKenzie told Judge Jim Hunter that Vollendorf set up an account in Alberta where American seniors would send money after being telephoned by people in Canada saying they had won money in a bogus lottery scheme.

Vollendorf didn’t make the calls in the scam, which was investigated by American police, the United States Postal Service and RCMP.

Vollendorf was charged in 2007 but the case dragged when Vollendorf dismissed his first lawyer and took time to find another before setting a preliminary hearing date that never occurred.

Hunter told Vollendorf he was shocked by the scam, which involved a frail man in Illinois.

Hunter reminded Vollendorf that he needed more court time previously to visit his sick mother.

“I’m sure if someone had done this to your mother, you would have been appalled,” Hunter said.

“You will be a senior citizen soon yourself. You took advantage of a frail, elderly man. You should be utterly and absolutely ashamed of yourself,” the judge added.

Vollendorf said he has lost his house and life savings.

Hunter asked where the money went.

McKenzie said the money went to “third parties” involved in the fraud. They were never charged.

Defence lawyer Paul Morigeau said the money went to pay debts to “some people.”

Fraud suspect gets April court date

A Red Deer woman charged in real estate frauds estimated at more than $200,000 returns to court in April.

Celine de Castro, 50, will be back in Red Deer provincial court on April 7 after her lawyer Brad Mulder adjourned the matter for further negotiations with the Crown on Wednesday.

De Castro faces nine counts of fraud of more than $5,000 each, three counts of uttering forged documents and one count of fraud valued at less than $5,000.

RCMP allege that between Aug. 21, 2007, and Oct. 31, 2009, the accused offered properties in Red Deer for sale to alleged victims as an investment opportunity.

Other alleged incident occurred between Oct. 15, 2009, and January 2010.

Police allege the victims gave the accused money to purchase properties that she claimed were bank foreclosures.

Police said the properties in question were not for sale during the period.

Fraud and forgery suspects to enter pleas later this month

Two Blackfalds people will return to court later this month to enter pleas on numerous fraud and forgery charges totalling more than $165,000.

Sean Saunders, 27, reserved his plea on Wednesday to March 19, when Jacklyn Saunders, 27, also returns to provincial court.

Jacklyn Saunders faces two counts of theft of more than $5,000 each, and single counts of forgery, uttering a forged document and altering documents.

Sean Saunders is charged with two counts of theft of more than $5,000 each and a single count of uttering a forged document.

They were charged in early January after RCMP received information from a business about an alleged internal fraud.

It’s alleged that a woman who worked for the firm in an administrative capacity altered 61 cheques to reflect larger sums of money and to whom the cheques were payable.

The woman was employed at the business from February 2006 to September 2008.

The total fraud is alleged to be $167,800.

Police said 56 of the alleged bogus cheques were made payable to the woman and five cheques to the male suspect.

Convicted bomber set free after 5 1/2 months in jail

A man who made the ignition device for a pipebomb that sent shrapnel into a house and narrowly missed a sleeping baby has received time served and probation.

Kevin Scott Sinclair, 29, of Red Deer was sentenced in provincial court on Wednesday to 11 months in jail, satisfied by his 5 1/2 months in pre-trial custody, and 18 months probation.

Sinclair pleaded guilty earlier this year to using an explosive that he helped make with intent to endanger life or to cause serious damage to property.

Two other charges were withdrawn by Crown prosecutor Tony Bell.

Prior to Feb. 22, courts generally gave prisoners a two-for-one credit for time served. But that was abolished by Parliament, which said inmates should only get a one-for-one credit unless the sentencing judge finds it plausible to grant more credit.

Two other men were also charged in the Oct. 20 early-morning blast on Jordan Parkway in northwest Red Deer.

The 20-cm-long pipebomb exploded under a vehicle parked near a residence, sending ball bearings and other shrapnel in several directions.

Chunks crashed into the house and penetrated walls, narrowly missing a sleeping four-month old.

Other chunks crashed into other houses and caused extensive damage to the vehicle it was placed under by two men.

Defence lawyer Arnold Piragoff told court that his client indicated the bomb was only intended to be a prank.

However, the prosecutor said Sinclair was at the scene and knew what it was intended for.

Sinclair’s probation involves a nightly curfew and prohibition from alcohol.

Sinclair testified earlier at the preliminary hearing for his brother Christopher Sinclair, 27, of Red Deer, who faces three charges. He was ordered to stand trial in Red Deer Court of Queen’s Bench following the hearing. He’s charged with making an explosive device, mischief endangering life and using an explosive device.

Christopher Sinclair remains in custody and appears in Queen’s Bench on April 12 to set a trial date.

Michael Joseph Toews, 26, of Red Deer was placed on 18 months probation in December after pleading guilty on Nov. 3 to making an explosive device.

jwilson@reddeeradvocate.com