Wednesday, August 15, 2001
If convicted of all the charges the defendant could receive up to nine years in prison.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A 41-year-old Canfield man accused of bilking an elderly couple out of $15,800 is scheduled to appear in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court next week.
Daniel R. Farah, no street address available, has pleaded innocent to five counts of theft from an elderly person. A pretrial hearing is scheduled for Aug. 23 in the courtroom of Judge John Stuard.
Farah, who was secretly indicted by a grand jury last week, is free on a $2,500 bond. If convicted of all counts, Farah could face up to nine years in prison, court officials said.
Officials say Farah took the money from an elderly Vienna Township couple.
How they met: LuWayne Annos, an assistant Trumbull County prosecutor, said Farah met the couple's son in April when the two were inmates at the Mahoning County jail.
The couple's son is serving time in a federal prison on drug charges. He was in the county jail at the time awaiting an appearance in federal court.
Farah was in the Mahoning County jail after being arrested on a charge of receiving stolen property.
When Farah was released, he contacted the couple and told them if they gave him money he could get an attorney that would be able to help their son.
"The couple thought the attorney would help their son get a reduction in his sentence," Annos said.
Officials said the couple gave Farah five payments before they contacted authorities. Officials say Farah did not hire an attorney for the couple's son.
Officials say they hope elderly citizens will take precautions before they give money to anyone.