MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — A former Jefferson County resident has been sentenced to more than 10 years for defrauding an elderly man of nearly $2 million.
U.S. Attorney for Northern West Virginia William Ihlenfeld says Samuel Kristofer Bunner, 51, formerly of Ranson, was sentenced Monday to 10 years and one month in federal prison.
Ihlenfeld said Bunner defrauded an elderly man who suffered from dementia. Bunner made friends with the man at the local VFW where Bunner worked and eventually convinced the victim to sign over power of attorney to him.
The fraud against the victim was extensive, Ihlenfeld said.
“He sold real estate from out from under him. He liquidated investment accounts. He opened credit cards and used the victim’s money to pay those credit card bills. He ultimately stole $2 million from him as the victim’s health declined,” Ihlenfeld said.
Bunner pleaded guilty to bank fraud and aggravated identity theft in February 2024.
Bunner has been ordered to pay $1,906,229 in restitution to the victim, although Ihlenfeld said the full amount will likely never be recovered. He said s it has impacted the level of care for the victim.
“He’s in a home where he receives full-time care but the sad thing is he was actually receiving a higher level of care because he saved for his whole life but he’s no longer able to afford (that care) because a lot of this money is gone,” Ihlenfeld said.
Bunner will serve five years of supervised release following his prison sentence. His wife is his co-defendent. Wendy Bunner will be sentenced at a later date.
Panhandle News Network Reporter Luke Wiggs contributed to this story.