Ohio woman sentenced for stealing $300,000 from elderly person

OHIO — A Cleveland woman who evaded capture for more than a decade has been sentenced to 32 months in federal prison for her role in a scheme involving stolen U.S. Treasury bonds.

Toni Laverne Smith, 71, pleaded guilty to conspiring to transport and sell stolen Treasury bonds across state lines, forging bonds, and using a false Social Security number.

According to court documents, the bonds were stolen in 2011 from the home of an elderly woman.

Between September 2011 and April 2012, Smith and a co-conspirator transported the stolen bonds across state lines.

Using fake identification in the victim’s name, they forged and sold over 350 Series E and EE Treasury bonds with a face value of $268,500.

The sales generated $299,364, which included accrued interest on the bonds.

The pair also used the victim’s Social Security number to open bank accounts at institutions in multiple states, including Michigan and Illinois.

Smith managed to avoid arrest for over a decade until federal authorities apprehended her on unrelated charges on June 3, 2024.

The investigation was conducted by the United States Secret Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Vanessa Healy for the Northern District of Ohio.

Anyone who believes they may have had Treasury bonds stolen can report the issue by visiting TreasuryDirect.gov or calling 844-284-2676.