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SPELLMAN SENTENCED FOR STEALING FROM SENIOR CITIZEN

Tara Timing Spellman, age 45, of 172 Danford Drive, Elkton, Maryland was sentenced by Judge Stephen Waldron to 15 years in the Division of Corrections for the offenses of Obtaining Property Valued at Greater than $500.00 through a Theft Scheme and Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult. The sentencing occurred on Tuesday, June 17, 2008.

Spellman has been awaiting sentencing since her conviction of the offenses by a Harford County Jury in April 2008.

At trial, the State produced testimony that Phillip Fickens, age 78, of Havre de Grace, was experiencing heart problems as well as onset of dementia. While his wife was away from the house, Tara Spellman picked up Mr. Fickens and drove him to the Laurel Bush Branch of the Aberdeen Proving Ground Federal Credit Union. Representing herself as Mr. Fickens' granddaughter, Spellman applied for a loan in his name claiming they had to leave the next morning for a family funeral in the State of

Georgia. There was also evidence that over the course of the next several days, Tara Spellman deposited bad checks into Mr. Fickens' APGFCU checking account and withdrew the funds. As a result of Ms. Spellman's actions, Phillip Fickens suffered a loss of over $4,800.00.

Any questions can be directed to Bill Christoforo, Assistant State's Attorney for Harford County 443-417-3800.