Published on December 18, 2025 10:09 am
Last Updated on December 18, 2025 10:09 am
An Effingham County man has been sentenced to 12 years in federal prison after he admitted to exploiting an 89-year-old man out of more than $400,000.
42-year-old Edward Stief, Jr. pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, one count of mail fraud and one count of unlawful monetary transactions in criminal-derived property. The judge ordered Stief to pay $411,773.51 in restitution.
US Attorney Steven Weinhoeft said, “Not only did Stief manipulate his victim into cashing life insurance policies and draining his bank accounts, but he also convinced the man to leave the care of a nursing home. This 12-year prison sentence sends a clear message that we will protect vulnerable populations against predators who would prey upon them.”
According to court documents, Stief met the victim in May 2023 after becoming acquainted with him while offering lawn care and landscaping services. Shortly thereafter, Stief used several misrepresentations to convince the victim to appoint him as his Financial and Healthcare Power of Attorney.
After becoming the victim’s Power of Attorney, Stief became a signatory on the victim’s bank accounts. In August 2023, he talked the victim into cashing out his life insurance policies and deposited most of the victim’s money into Stief’s personal bank accounts. Over the course of the next several months, Stief spent the entirety of the victim’s life savings on himself. In addition, Stief also took the majority of the victim’s personal items including his gold coin collection, gold necklaces, guns and watches.
In October 2023, Stief persuaded the victim to leave a nursing home facility and move into his full-time care. Under Stief’s supervision, the victim was not cared for and his medical needs were not met.
The FBI Springfield Field Office and the Effingham Police Department contributed to the investigation.
The National Elder Fraud Hotline is a service from the US Department of Justice that helps victims over 60 years old report crimes and access resources. The hotline is available weekdays from 10am to 6pm at 833-372-8311 or 833-FRAUD-11. Callers can remain anonymous, and translation services are available.
