Terrance 'Tony' Elliott, a pastor in Crestline, California, faces serious legal charges after being indicted on 11 counts of wire fraud. He exploited his relationships with long-time friends, manipulating them into trusting him by using his role as a police chaplain. Elliott allegedly opened a fraudulent trust under a friend's name and misappropriated funds for personal expenses, leading to losses exceeding $238,000. His actions included defrauding a nonprofit and tricking victims into covering funeral costs, demonstrating a troubling pattern of deceit in his financial dealings.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California, the Crestline pastor targeted long-time friends and used his influence as a chaplain for the San Bernardino Police Department to convince them of his trustworthiness.
Elliott urged his friend to create a trust after learning she was due to secure an inheritance, claiming she would lose her Medicare and Social Security benefits if she received it directly.
Prosecutors say he spent more than $114,000 on personal items, including truck repairs and a piano, using the trust he opened in his name.
In total, federal prosecutors believe he tricked victims out of at least $238,000 by exploiting his position as a pastor.
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