An Effingham County resident, Edward L. Stief, Jr., 42, has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of wire fraud, mail fraud, and engaging in unlawful monetary transactions involving criminally derived property. The case involves the financial exploitation of an elderly victim totaling more than $330,000.
According to federal prosecutors, Stief met the victim in May 2023 while providing lawn care and landscaping services. He later convinced the victim to appoint him as Financial and Healthcare Power of Attorney through a series of misrepresentations. Court documents state that Stief then became a signatory on the victim’s bank accounts.
In August 2023, Stief persuaded the victim to cash out life insurance policies and transferred most of those funds into his own accounts. He also took possession of the victim’s gold coin collection, gold necklaces, and watches.
U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft commented on the case: “The defendant posed as a trusted helper, offering lawn care services to gain the victim’s confidence, only to exploit his trust. He then deceived this vulnerable victim into leaving a nursing home with false promises of care, just to pocket more money. We will relentlessly pursue such financial predators to protect southern Illinois communities.”
By October 2023, Stief had convinced the victim to leave a nursing home facility under assurances of full-time care; however, authorities report that the victim did not receive proper medical attention or support after moving in with Stief.
FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge Christopher J.S. Johnson stated: "After a lifetime of hard work, our seniors deserve to feel safe and secure. Instead, criminals like this defendant shatter that trust, stealing not just their money but their sense of security,” adding that “FBI Springfield and our partners will continue to hold those who commit elder fraud accountable for their callous and reprehensible actions."
Stief faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment for each count of wire and mail fraud and up to 10 years for unlawful monetary transactions in criminally derived property. Sentencing is scheduled for December 2 at the federal courthouse in Benton.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI Springfield Field Office and Effingham Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen Howard is prosecuting the case.
The U.S. Department of Justice offers resources for victims over age 60 through its National Elder Fraud Hotline at (833) 372-8311 (Monday through Friday).
