GREAT FALLS — In a shocking betrayal of trust, Roxanna Rae Lewis-Stella, 60, of Billings, was sentenced today to four and one-half years in prison for stealing more than $700,000 from her elderly mother while posing as a caregiver. The U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich announced the sentence.
Lewis-Stella, who pleaded guilty in January to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, will also serve three years of supervised release following her prison term. Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris oversaw the sentencing hearing.
According to the government’s allegations, Lewis-Stella committed her crimes from November 2021 to July 2023, forging approximately 70 checks from her mother’s account. She attempted to cash a single check for $500,000 and reused checks by altering numbers. To cover her tracks, she impersonated her mother over the phone and intercepted bank statements.
In addition to financial theft, Lewis-Stella stole a 100-ounce silver bar, used her father’s credit cards after his death, and forged a life insurance check. The money was spent on personal expenses such as clothing, travel, entertainment, dining, online shopping, cosmetic procedures, and tattoos.
Lewis-Stella’s mother, vulnerable due to age and reliance on her daughter for care, was forced to sell her home after the thefts were discovered. She now resides in an assisted living facility.
The investigation into Lewis-Stella’s crimes was conducted by the FBI, Fergus County Sheriff’s Office, and Montana Adult Protective Services. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karla E. Painter and Ryan G. Weldon prosecuted the case.
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Key Facts
- State: Montana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Public Corruption|Elder Abuse
- Source: Official Source ↗
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