Roy Wayne Jenkins, Elder Fraud, Kentucky 2018

Louisville, KY – Roy “Wayne” Jenkins, 66, of Louisville, Kentucky, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced to 21 months for systematically draining the life savings of an elderly woman. Jenkins exploited a position of trust to pilfer $285,336.93 from the victim between August 2013 and January 2018, leaving her financially vulnerable in her later years.

Court documents detail a calculated scheme where Jenkins gained access to the victim’s finances under the guise of assisting her son, who held Power of Attorney. While ostensibly managing the woman’s affairs as she lost capacity, Jenkins instead diverted funds for his own personal gain. The fraud wasn’t a single act, but a prolonged series of deceptive transactions, including unauthorized withdrawals of life insurance proceeds he wasn’t entitled to.

Jenkins’ methods were brazen. He forged checks drawn on the victim’s accounts and a trust established for her benefit. He also made unauthorized online payments, funneling money from the victim’s accounts directly into his personal credit card account. The scheme wasn’t discovered until a thorough investigation was launched, revealing the extent of the financial damage inflicted upon the vulnerable senior.

U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett issued a statement following the sentencing, emphasizing the severity of the crime. “Fraudsters who concoct schemes to target the hard-earned savings of our seniors take note,” Bennett warned. “Along with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners we will work tirelessly in pursuit of identifying, apprehending, and fully prosecuting you.” The sentence sends a clear message that exploiting the elderly will not be tolerated.

The investigation was a joint effort between the Louisville Metro Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service, highlighting the collaborative approach to combating financial crimes targeting vulnerable populations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Corinne E. Keel successfully prosecuted the case, securing the conviction and subsequent sentencing.

This case was investigated and prosecuted as part of the National Elder Justice Task Force and the Kentucky Elder Justice Task Force, initiatives designed to combat elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation. The Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative underscores a growing national concern over the financial security of older adults, and Kentucky is a key focus area with two districts participating in the initiative. Jenkins’ sentence represents one victory in the ongoing fight against those who prey on the elderly.

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