Man allegedly gaslit woman into believing she had dementia
Background: Anderson County Detention Center (Google Maps). Inset: Justin Ray Donaldson (Anderson County Sheriff’s Office).
A South Carolina man is accused of convincing an elderly, grieving widow that she had dementia and then stealing thousands of dollars from her.
Justin Ray Donaldson, 35, was arrested and charged with breach of trust against a 73-year-old woman who had recently been widowed. According to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, Donaldson cultivated a relationship with the woman “similar to that of a grandson” while she was participating in activities at a local senior center. It was unclear why Donaldson was at the senior center, and police told Greenville Fox affiliate WHNS that he was not part of the staff.
After building the woman’s trust, Donaldson allegedly convinced her that she was suffering from dementia and that she should turn over her power of attorney to him. He eventually gained access to her bank accounts, from which he allegedly stole thousands of dollars.
Donaldson apparently made contact with the woman soon after her husband passed away, and “pounced during her vulnerable state,” police said. Over an unspecified period, Donaldson allegedly gaslit the woman into thinking she was suffering from dementia. He allegedly persuaded her to remove her own daughters as her power of attorney and sign it over to him, which she did, according to WHNS.
Donaldson soon “secured her trust” and gained access to the woman’s bank accounts. But police said his scam came to an end when he made a large request of his target. Calling it the “feather in the cap of this scheming plot,” police said Donaldson asked the woman to take out a five-figure home equity loan for “home repairs.” He allegedly used that money to buy a 10-year-old car — a 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe that cost $28,525.
The woman reported the fraud earlier in December and police confiscated the vehicle. They eventually charged Donaldson with breach of trust over $10,000 and booked him at the Anderson County Detention Center.
Update: The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to Law & Crime that Donaldson posted a $10,000 surety bond on Dec. 17 and was released from custody.
