By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
Yukon Police investigations have led prosecutors to charge three people with financially exploiting the elderly.
The Canadian County District Attorney’s Office alleges Yukon’s Esteban Miguel Reiner, 47, Yukon’s Dolores Sue Reiner, 41, spent more than $18,000 on personal items using money that belonged to the victim. The crime reportedly occurred between May and December 2022.
Esteban and Dolores Reiner were charged June 12 and 14, respectively, in Canadian County District Court with exploitation of an elderly person.
Assistant District Attorney Rebecca Boyer alleges the Reiners while “acting conjointly” spent the funds “on personal items” when the 95-year-old female victim was in the hospital recovering from heart surgery, according to the charging document.
The Yukon police investigation found that Esteban and Dolores Reiner used the victim’s bank account to buy airline tickets to Las Vegas, concert tickets, WWE tickets, Amazon purchases, Walmart purchases, and to make T-Mobile payments.
Esteban Reiner is related to and was “in a position of trust” with the alleged victim, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in district court.
Esteban Reiner knowingly used the woman’s “bank account for personal gain and neglected to property care for (her) needs after her medical procedures and hospital stay,” the affidavit reads.
A witness provided Yukon Police with bank statements showing $18,053.55 in charges were made while the victim was in the hospital, the document shows.
The witness provided insurance paperwork indicating the elderly woman did not have her prescription filled for at least two months after the heart procedure.
When contacted by a Yukon police investigator, Esteban and Dolores Reiner allegedly denied any wrongdoing while claiming they only used the woman’s bank card when she gave them permission – and only to eat while she was in the hospital.
However, the alleged victim told a different story in a Zoom video call with the detective.
The woman “confirmed that she never gave the defendant or his wife permission to use her account,” according to the court affidavit.
Canadian County District Judge Paul Hesse and District Judge Khristan K. Strubhar signed warrants for the Reiners’ arrests. Bond is $10,000 for Esteban Reiner and $5,000 for Dolores Reiner.
SEPARATE INVESTIGATION
Union City’s Steven DeWayne McKinney, 52, was charged June 12 with financial exploitation of an elderly adult in a separate case investigated by Yukon Police.
The Canadian County DA’s Office alleges McKinney “by deception or intimidation” spent $38,000 that belonged to an elderly man to make purchases at Lowe’s, convenience stores, feed stores, and restaurants while the victim was in a nursing home.
The crime reportedly occurred between February 2020 and April 2022.
The defendant is related to and has guardianship of the victim, court documents show.
A representative of Adult Protective Services in May 2022 contacted a Yukon police captain about the elder exploitation, according to a probable cause affidavit.
After reviewing bank records, a police investigator determined McKinney used about $38,000 from the alleged victim’s account “for personal gain.”
ATM cash withdrawals were made along with charges to stores and restaurants.
“The charges found on the account do not seem to have anything to do to help with the needs of (the victim),” the investigator’s affidavit reads.
McKinney also allegedly neglected to pay for the man’s nursing home care – totaling about $54,000.
Defendant McKinney refused to meet or speak with the Yukon police detective about the account.
Judge Hesse signed a warrant for McKinney’s arrest. Bond is $10,000.
Esteban Reiner, Dolores Reiner and McKinney each face up to 10 years in state prison and a maximum $10,000 fine if convicted of the felony charges.
