Woman charged with defrauding victim nearly 100 years old of over $500,000

NAVARRE, Fla. — A Navarre woman has been arrested after an Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) investigation allegedly revealed she defrauded a woman in her 90s out of more than $500,000 over an 18-month period, the OCSO said in a statement.

According to the OCSO, Sheena Russell, 45, of Burton Circle, is charged with theft of over $100,000, organized scheme to defraud more than $50,000, and elderly exploitation.

OCSO Investigator Mike Kruger said the thefts from the victim’s trust and bank accounts took place between March 30, 2020, and September 22, 2021.  The total reportedly exceeded $582,647.

The victim is now 99 years old, the OCSO said.

Russell reportedly knew the victim and her late husband for several years, having served them as a waitress at a Fort Walton Beach restaurant.

According to the OCSO report, she allegedly started doing errands for the victim after her husband passed away.

The OCSO said its investigation began following a complaint by the victim’s brother, who lives out of state.

Russell claims she and the victim had a joint business venture, while the victim says she did not give Russell consent to withdraw or transfer any money from her accounts, the OCSO said.

According to the OCSO, its investigation shows among other things, Russell used funds from the victim to help pay off her mortgage, buy a vehicle, and fund trips to Walt Disney World, Pigeon Forge Tennessee, the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas, and Washington, D.C., as well as a ski trip to Utah.