Another accused of bilking elderly

By MICHAEL A. MOHAMMED, Times Staff Writer
Published August 21, 2007

TAMPA - Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies arrested a fourth suspect in a fraud ring authorities say scammed at least 12 elderly victims out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Joel K. Hill, 37, faces charges of grand theft, exploitation of an elderly person and contracting without a license.

Hill, of 2046 Drake Elm Trail in Valrico, turned himself in at the Orient Road Jail early Monday, said sheriff's spokesman J.D. Callaway. He was released on a $20,000 bail.

Deputies began investigating after Mary Shower, 77, was hospitalized with severe arthritis and asked a friend to help pay her bills. The friend discovered that Shower had paid for phony repairs on her home while addled by pain medicine. Detectives estimated she had paid about $115,000 for $10,000 worth of work.

Detectives said a second victim, Carol Michael, 74, of Sun City Center, paid $220,000 for $9,000 worth of work.

Now deputies are working to identify at least 10 other victims in counties throughout the bay area, said sheriff's spokesman J.D. Callaway.

Callaway said Hill worked with Ronald and Lois Lichte, arrested Thursday, and Michael Richardson, who was already in jail on separate charges when deputies discovered the scheme.

Authorities are still searching for a fifth suspect, Clyde Fretwell, 37, of 1018 Canal St. in Ruskin, Callaway said.

Michael A. Mohammed can be reached at mmohammed@sptimes.com or 813 226-3404.

[Last modified August 21, 2007, 00:27:21]