Jones County woman sentenced for exploitation

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - A Jones County woman has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for the exploitation of a vulnerable person.

Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood said Thursday that 51-year-old Lena Mae McGuire, of Ellisville, pleaded guilty to two counts of exploitation of a vulnerable person.

At the time of the crimes, McGuire worked as a caregiver to the victim and wrote checks to herself on the victim’s account, without the victim’s permission. For about four months, Hood’s office says McGuire cashed $23,496 in checks for her own use.

Jasper County Circuit Court Judge Eddie H. Bowen sentenced McGuire to 10 years on each count, with the time to run concurrently for a total of 10 years. He also ordered her to pay $23,496 in restitution, court costs and a $500 fine.