Jackson, MS - A Tupelo woman will spend time behind bars for exploitation of a vulnerable person, announced Attorney General Jim Hood today.

Lucy Judon, 55, of Tupelo was sentenced Friday by Lee County Circuit Court Judge Jim Pounds after Judon pleaded guilty to two counts felony exploitation of a vulnerable adult. 

At the time the crimes were committed, Judon worked as a private sitter for the 92-year-old victim.  Over the course of about 14 months, Judon withdrew more than $22,000 from a bank account of the victim and opened five credit card accounts in the victim’s name which resulted in more than $2,800 in charges.

Judge Pounds sentenced Judon on one of the counts to 10 years with nine suspended, one year to serve in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections, followed by five years post release supervision.  Judon was sentenced on another count to five years, five years suspended followed by five years of post-release supervision.  The counts are to run consecutively for a total of 15 years, 14 suspended, one year to serve and five years post release supervision.

The 92-year-old victim and several family members were in the courtroom for sentencing. 

Judon paid $15,000 toward full restitution and has until May 15, 2013 to pay the remaining $7,160.21.  She must also pay $1,000 to the Mississippi Crime Victim Compensation Fund and all court costs.  Judon will also pay on a monthly basis until the credit card companies are paid in full.  She must have all paid before the end of post release supervision.  Judon was immediately taken into custody.

“There is no tolerance in this state for such abuse,” said Attorney General Hood.  “Just know that we will come after you with every intent to put you behind bars if you are committing such a crime.  I know that if this defendant does not pay or otherwise violates the terms of her probation, Judge Pounds will make her serve the 14 year suspended sentence.”

This case was investigated by Joe Sanderson and auditor Gilda Holbrook of the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and prosecuted by Special Assistant Attorneys General Sue Perry and Pat McNamara.