Woman charged with exploitation of elderly person

 

January 21, 2018



An Alva woman is accused of using deception to obtain money, merchandise or benefits from an elderly person.

Katy Dalene Ryals, 33, of Alva was charged in Woods County Jan. 18 with two felony counts: exploitation of an elderly person or disabled adult by deception or intimidation and violation of Oklahoma statute via computer.

The exploitation charge is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 and/or up to 10 years imprisonment. The computer violation is punishable by imprisonment for not more than five years or by a fine of not more than $4,000 or by both such imprisonment and fine.

According to information in the case, the term elderly person refers to someone of at least 62 years of age.

Court records show that on Jan. 11 around 2:30 p.m. Carolyn Wilson, 72, of Alva went to the Woods County Sheriff’s Office to inquire about an alleged victim of domestic violence. Wilson had been led to believe that Ryals, also known as Katy D. Shoulders, was the victim of an assault.

Wilson showed Woods County Deputy Adam Honeyman text messages she had received from Ryals providing details of the alleged attack. Messages from Ryals stated, “He made his way to Alva Tuesday. Got me leaving school.”

Ryals continued, “I’ve done all I can do charges were submitted to the da it’s up to them what happens.” Another messages from Ryals said, “I’m flat broke. And haven’t started work.”

In another message Ryals said, “I’m terrified. This is why I didn’t get a real job for so long every time I do he finds me and roughs me up good and disappears until the next time.” Another message stated Ryals had $225 in bills due she couldn’t pay.

Wilson told Honeyman that Ryals was a victim of domestic violence with her ex-husband from Louisiana tracking her down and harming her.

Wilson was led to believe the attack on Ryals occurred Tuesday, Jan. 9, outside Northwest Technology in Alva. Deputy Honeyman checked with the county district attorney’s office, but they had no reports or information regarding the attack He also checked with the Alva police chief who did not have any reports. Honeyman then checked with E-911 dispatch and learned there was a call regarding a domestic with Ryals on County Road 463 in Woods County.

Honeyman spoke with Deputy David Cummings who responded to the call on Wednesday, Jan. 10, at 1:06 a.m. Cummings’ reported Ryals was no more of a victim than the other party involved. Cummings said Ryals kicked a door open to be able to get back to the other party involved during the incident. Honeyman also learned the incident began in Alva at a bar and carried over to when Ryals and her boyfriend arrived home on County Road 463.

After learning all of this, Wilson told Honeyman she had obviously been lied to and taken advantage of by Ryals. Wilson said she initially employed Ryals as a care provider after having knee replacement surgery. Wilson said she allowed Ryals to move into her and her husband’s home because Ryals “had nowhere else to go.”

Wilson said once she was able to walk and do things on her own, she began to attempt to get Ryals to move out of her house. Ryals initially refused to leave, causing Wilson stress and mental anguish while claiming Wilson had not honored their agreement. Wilson and her husband said there was a very heated argument in their home regarding Ryals leaving.

Ultimately, Wilson rented a duplex house in the 800 block of Flynn St. in Alva for Ryals from Lori Kraft.

Honeyman further learned at the start of Ryals’ employment with Wilson, she was suffering from injuries she claimed to have sustained from working for the dairy in Dacoma. She told Wilson she had been trampled on by a cow.

Wilson told Deputy Honeyman she had helped Ryals with vision needs, medical bills and legal fees relating to bogus checks in addition to the house. She said Ryals said she had no way to provide for herself due to this man who would show up and attack her anytime she actually had gainful employment. Wilson said she felt an obligation and need to help Ryals with everyday life.

On Friday, Jan. 12, Honeyman conducted a non-custodial voluntary interview with Ryals in Alva. He asked about her relationship with Wilson. Ryals said she had taken care of Wilson when she had knee surgery and had worked for her on and off since. She confirmed that she and Wilson texted regularly. When asked about the texts, Ryals said Wilson had helped her but said, “Carolyn is a crazy old lady.” Honeyman states in his affidavit that he showed pictures of messages from Wilson’s phone, and Ryals admitted to lying to Wilson for sympathy and at times money.

On Monday, Jan. 15, Honeyman spoke with Elizabeth Smith. She and her husband own Alva Vision Clinic. Smith confirmed that Wilson paid $375 to them for Ryals’ vision needs. Smith said she offered employment to Ryals to clean her home. She told Honeyman she found Ryals to be deceitful, claiming she had cleaned certain areas and worked hours Smith could prove she had not. She said this led to terminating Ryals’ employment.

Honeyman talked to Lori Kraft from whom Wilson had rented a duplex for Ryals. Kraft said she had stocked the duplex with food, spending approximately $200, to help Ryals get on her feet and to save Wilson from spending the money to help her more.

On Jan. 16, Honeyman spoke with Wilson again and learned she spent $500 to help Ryals take care of her bogus check legal issue.

Honeyman talked with the owner of the dairy where Ryals said she was injured. He was told she was never injured.

Wilson contacted Honeyman on Jan. 18 to report she also had some property missing from her residence. She had purchased $300 in gift cards in $50 amounts from Whittet’s Country Store. The cards were intended as Christmas gifts. They had been missing for some time, and she replaced them right before Christmas. Wilson told Honeyman she talked with store owner Doug Whittet and learned that Ryals and her boyfirned had recently been in the store purchasing meats with $50 gift cards.

Honeyman also contacted agencies in Louisiana where Ryals had resided in the past and was unable to confirm any history related to her being a victim of domestic violence.

 

Reader Comments(0)

 
 

Our Family of Publications Includes:

Arc
Newsgram

Powered by ROAR Online Publication Software from Lions Light Corporation
© Copyright 2024