Florida Pastor Accused of Bilking Elderly Couple out of Home

A Florida woman has been arrested and accused of using her position as a church pastor to steal the home of an elderly couple.

Yvonne Hampton-Barley, 63, who calls herself “prophetess” on her Facebook page, allegedly befriended a couple who are in their 80s and illegally transferred ownership of their home to herself in 2018, setting herself up as their sole beneficiary when they died, Local 10 News reported.

She also allegedly added her name to the male victim’s bank accounts and posed as his daughter to withdraw around $18,000, claiming she had power of attorney for the couple. She also attempted to access their retirement accounts and life insurance policy, Miami-Dade Police said.

Hampton-Barley is facing charges including grand theft, organized scheme to defraud, and exploitation of the elderly.

An attorney representing the victim’s family, Ralph Ventura, told NBC 6 they were “relieved and gratified” justice was being done. He said the couple has since moved out of Florida.

“As a community, when a member of a community that is elderly is exploited, we take these crimes very, very seriously,” said Miami-Dade Police spokesman Angel Rodriguez, adding that anyone else who felt they had been defrauded by Hampton-Barley was encouraged to come forward.

Main photo: Yvonne Hampton-Barley from March 2020 / Facebook

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