A former Nevada bank teller is sentenced to up to 6 years in prison and paid $25,000 in restitution after exploiting a handicapped woman and spending the victim’s money on sex toys, dog toys, shoes, and bills.
Fox News reports a district judge in Elko sentenced a former Nevada bank teller, 26-year-old Alexus Espitia, to four to six years in prison and ordered her to pay $25,000 in restitution. But she might get a nine-month suspension if she serves it over the next three years while on probation.
Prosecutors say Espitia befriended an elderly, handicapped woman and forged over a dozen checks from the victim’s account. She later cashed them at another bank and opened an Amazon account using the victim’s name to make purchases.
Alexus Espitia, 26, was sentenced on Wednesday to four to six years in prison and ordered to pay $25,000 in restitution after exploiting a handicapped woman, even continued to use the bank account after the victim’s death. (Photo: FOX Reno)
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Espitia began visiting the woman’s house after assisting with a wire transfer, followed by frequent visits to help with personal care, chores, and even transporting the victim to Elko from a hospital in Utah.
Investigators say Espitia spent the victim’s money on things for herself, including sex toys, Halloween costumes, dog toys, shoes, and souvenir items from a trip to Florida. Reports say she continued using the bank card to pay her utility bill even after the victim’s death. In an interview with the police, she claimed the money was received for the services rendered.
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Elko Daily Free Press reports Espitia was reported to police on May 2020 after being discovered by the victim’s estate administrator. Espitia was sentenced to pay $24,739 to the bank and $4,644 to the victim’s estate. She was also ordered to complete 100 hours of community service with a nonprofit or governmental organization.
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