Steven Brian Goodman

WARSAW — A local man received a suspended sentence after making unauthorized charges to his elderly father-in-law’s bank account.

Steven Brian Goodman, 38, 335 E. North St. 38, Topeka, was charged with theft, a level 6 felony. An exploitation of an endangered adult charge, as well as three counts of theft, were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

Goodman was sentenced in Kosciusko Superior Court 3 on Thursday, March 12.

On July 9, 2018, a Miller’s Merry Manor employee spoke with a Syracuse Police officer regarding a resident of the facility. The employee said the resident is unable to take care of himself and has a debit card that pays for his care. Miller’s Merry Manor monitors the resident’s bank account and noticed unauthorized charges to the account.

According to court documents, between March 2, 2018, and July 8, 2018, 45 unauthorized transactions totaling $6,351.70 were made to the account. Goodman’s name was associated with the charges.

Goodman has already paid restitution in this case.

Judge Joe Sutton gave Goodman an 18-month suspended sentence and said he has no objection to the sentence being served through work release.