Public Information Officer
Deputy Chief Eddie Thibodeaux
Phone 337-948-6516
Fax 337-407-9458
Press Release: April 12, 2022
****************************************
ARRESTED:
Tranessa Compton, age 30
2020 Old Highway 13
Mamou, LA., 70554
CHARGES:
Exploitation of Persons with Infirmities
Access Device Fraud (112 counts)
Identity Theft (57 Counts)
Contributing to the Delinquency of a Juvenile
(3 counts)
BOND: $22,000
****************************************
ARRESTED
Jonas Wayne Patin, age 35
2020 Old Highway 13
Mamou, LA., 70554
CHARGES:
Exploitation of Persons with Infirmities (2 counts)
Access Device Fraud (64 counts)
Contributing to the Delinquency of a Juvenile
(6 counts)
BOND: $27, 500
****************************************
According to Sheriff Bobby J. Guidroz, “On January 3, 2022, the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office received a complaint regarding the financial exploitation of an elderly nursing home resident. Tranessa Compton was arrested on January 31, 2022 in connection to this complaint.
“On February 22, 2022,” continued Sheriff Guidroz, “a second nursing home resident has come forward with an additional complaint of financial exploitation.”
The victim received a notification that the credit card had a past due balance and the victim told detectives that the card had no balance due. The victim reported the fraudulent activity began some time after November 11, 2021 and also stated that the credit card was used without authorization and without the victim’s knowledge.
Upon further investigation by detectives, it was learned through the credit card company that activity on the credit card began on November 17th and continued through December 20, 2021. A total of 44 fraudulent transactions were made totaling $3,553.63 and an additional 68 transactions were attempted totaling
$12, 548.80. Trenessa Compton also attempted to open a new line of credit using the victim’s identification, which was ultimately declined.
Phone recordings were obtained from the credit card company and Tranessa Compton could be heard identifying herself as the victim. She supplied the victim’s personal information, including credit card number, date of birth, photo identification card and social security number to gain access to the victim’s account. Tranessa Compton also supplied her personal phone number and a personal email address in an attempt to have the victim’s identification “verified” for the account.
The calls Tranessa Compton made to the credit card company were in regards to the credit card no longer working and attempted to have the fraud alerts removed from the account.
As video and photographic evidence became available, Tranessa Compton and Jonas Wayne Patin could be seen using the stolen credit card on numerous occasions. Both Tranessa Compton and Jonas Patin were observed using the stolen credit card while in the presence of juveniles.
Additionally, according to video and photographic evidence, Jonas Patin was also observed using the credit card that belonged to the first victim, which was first reported to the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office on January 3, 2022. Jonas Patin was responsible for 60 transactions and 1 attempted transaction totaling $3,609.13.
When questioned by detectives on April 7, 2022, Tranessa Compton initially denied any involvement and later replied that she made a “mistake”. She was transported to the St. Landry Parish Jail and charged with exploitation of persons with infirmities, 112 counts of access device fraud, 57 counts of identity theft and 3 counts of contributing to the delinquency of juveniles.
After numerous attempts, detectives were unable to interview Jonas Wayne Patin in regards to the first financial exploitation complaint. An arrest warrant was issued on February 15, 2022 for exploitation of the infirmed, 61 counts of access device fraud and 3 counts of contributing to the delinquency of juveniles.
On April 7, 2022, Jonas Patin was booked at the St. Landry Parish Jail for the arrest warrant issued previously. Detectives then charged Jonas Patin with the following additional charges in regards to the second complaint: exploitation of the infirmed, 3 counts of access device fraud, 3 counts of contributing to the delinquency of juveniles.
On behalf of Sheriff Bobby J. Guidroz, this is Deputy Chief Eddie Thibodeaux. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
