KEENE, NH – A Keene woman has pleaded guilty to a pair of charges stemming from a case involving the financial exploitation of an elderly adult.

In a news release Attorney General John Formella said that Cheryl Rogers, 35, of Keene pleaded guilty and has been sentenced in the Cheshire County Superior Court to one class A felony count of theft by deception, and one class A felony count of financial exploitation of an elderly adult.

An investigation conducted by the Keene Police Department revealed that between June 8, 2020, and August 18, 2021, Rogers used a mobile phone application to obtain free local telephone numbers. She used one of those numbers to send a text to a man identified in the release only as E.L, a local Keene man, and pretended to be her father. Rogers, acting as her father, told E.L. that she had cancer and needed money for treatment, promising that E.L. would be reimbursed.

Also, between July 1, 2021, and August 18, 2021, Rogers used another telephone number to text E.L. again, this time claiming to be a financial institution representative. Rogers told E.L. that he would be subject to criminal charges and other legal action if he didn’t pay. In total, Rogers unlawfully obtained $45,499 from E.L.

Rogers was sentenced to serve 12 months in the House of Corrections, stand committed, and ordered to pay $45,499 in restitution to E.L. on the theft by deception charge. On the financial exploitation charge, she was sentenced to serve 3 1/2 – 7 years in New Hampshire State Prison, suspended for 10 years on the condition that she pay restitution and participate in a drug treatment court, if accepted.

She is also prohibited from caring for elderly or vulnerable adults, may not serve as a fiduciary for any person, and was sentenced to 5 years’ probation.

Anyone who has witnessed, or who has been a victim of elder abuse or financial exploitation is urged to contact a local police department, or the Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services at 1-800-949-0470.