Man Accused of Stealing $735,137 from Retired St. Louis Teacher

U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Missouri

ST. LOUIS – A man from St. Louis has been accused of stealing $735,137 from a retired St. Louis teacher.

Michael N. Jones, 40, was indicted April 29 with eight counts of wire fraud. He pleaded not guilty Monday.

The indictment says Jones was named as the victim’s power of attorney in March of 2023, and began stealing from her that same month. He made over $12,000 in purchases using her checking account and used her credit card for OnlyFans purchases, the indictment says. The victim was admitted to an assisted living facility on April 25, 2023. Jones put the proceeds of the sale of her home and two certificates of deposit into her checking account, and used that account to buy four properties in St. Louis, one in Hillsboro and two in East St. Louis, the indictment says. He also transferred $20,000 to his personal bank account and $140,000 to his Cash App account, using the Cash App money for food, trips, life coaching and OnlyFans, the indictment says.

From April 2024 to November 2024, Jones made only one payment to her assisted living facility and the victim was evicted owing $38,535, the indictment says. In November of 2024, Jones moved her into another facility but failed to pay costs that grew to $52,502 a year later, it says.

Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt.  Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 or both.

The U.S. Secret Service, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jolene Taaffe is prosecuting the case.

Contact