PORTLAND, Ore.—In a shocking turn of events, Ronnie Stevens, 51, and his wife Tina Ephrem, 44—known respectively as Tim Ephrem and Lisa Ann Peterson—have been sentenced to federal prison for their involvement in a fraudulent scheme that targeted an elderly couple, netting them over $1.6 million. The couple conspired to swindle the elderly victims, Adult Victim 1 (AV1) and Adult Victim 2 (AV2), over two years.
“Elder abuse is a devastating crime that can leave its victims financially and emotionally damaged for the rest of their lives,” said U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams. “Seniors fall victim to fraud schemes at far greater rates than the rest of the population. We all need to watch out for our elderly friends and loved ones.”
According to court documents, Stevens and Ephrem preyed on AV1 by claiming to broker vehicle sales and later, an alleged lucrative investment opportunity. Stevens told AV1 that he could advance funds to release a $100 million estate in exchange for a substantial return. The scheme involved a fictitious identity, Tammy Ward, used by Stevens and Ephrem as part of the fraud.
Between 2016 and 2018, Stevens made over 5,000 calls to AV1 and AV2, while they siphoned off $1.6 million for personal expenses including rent, utilities, luxury goods, and travel. The couple was arrested in January 2019 and pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit wire fraud later that year.
Renn Cannon, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon, emphasized the impact of the crime on the victims: “Stevens and Ephrem can never truly repair the damage they have done through their selfishness.” Tigard Police Chief Kathy McAlpine praised federal partners for their assistance in the investigation.
On November 18, 2019, Stevens was sentenced to 71 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release, while Ephrem received a sentence of 60 months with the same term of supervision. Their sentences are part of a justice system that aims to hold such predators accountable for their actions.
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Key Facts
- State: Oregon
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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