Cranky HOA's Complaints To Cops Regarding Missing Elderly Mom Leads To Son's Conviction For Pocketing Nearly 20 Years Of Her Social Security Benefits

From the Office of the U.S. Attorney (Orlando, Florida):

• U.S. Chief District Judge Anne C. Conway [] sentenced James T. Parker to 4 years in federal prison for social security fraud. As part of his sentence, the court also ordered Parker to pay restitution in the amount of $158,992.80. James T. Parker pled guilty to the indictment on March 7, 2012.
  
  According to court documents, on December 24, 1992, two employees of the Bombardier Corporation were testing jet skis on the Indian River, in Brevard County, Florida. In the vicinity of the Spoil Islands, they found remains of a human body floating in the river.
  
  On December 28, 1992, the Brevard County medical examiner completed a post mortem examination and noted that the remains were those of an elderly, white female. The remains consisted of five sections and showed evidence of separation by incision.
  
  According to the medical examiner's report, the cause of death was undetermined and the probable manner of death listed as a homicide. The human remains were unidentified and Brevard County Sheriff’s Office closed the case on February 19, 1993.
  
  In January 2007, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office received complaints from a local homeowner’s association regarding James T. Parker, including the whereabouts of his elderly mother, Bertha R. Parker.
  
  Based on the deputies’ meeting with Mr. Parker, Brevard County Sheriff’s Office re-opened the cold case file on the human remains that were found in the Indian River, in December 1992. DNA results confirmed that the remains found in the river was a 99.995% probable match to the mother of Mr. Parker, Bertha S. Parker.
  
  Mr. Parker never accounted for the whereabouts of his mother, who lived with him in December 1992, and admitted to receiving her monthly social security checks that were deposited directly into a joint Wachovia Bank account that they both shared since her disappearance in December 1992. Mr. Parker further admitted to withdrawing her social security money and using the money for himself.

For the U.S. Attorney press release, see Brevard County Man Sentenced For Collection Of Deceased Mother's Social Security Benefits.