Charles City man gets suspended sentence, probation; ordered to repay grandmother

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

A Charles City man was given a suspended prison sentence and probation this week after pleading guilty to stealing from his grandmother. He was also ordered to repay damages of almost $37,000.

Casey Lee Olson, age 33, had been charged with abuse of a dependant adult, a Class D felony, and first-degree theft, a Class C felony, for allegedly taking money from his grandmother’s bank accounts and cashing in certificates of deposit worth around $17,000.

In November, Olson had entered a written plea of guilty to the charge of abuse of a dependent adult and the Floyd County Attorney’s Office agreed to ask that the first-degree theft charge be dismissed.

On Monday, Judge DeDra Schroeder sentenced Olson to up to five years in prison, suspended, and a fine of $1,375 plus 15% surcharge, also fully suspended.

Olson was sentenced to three years probation under the supervision of the Iowa Department of Correctional Services.

He was also ordered to pay $36,978.89 for the benefit of the victim.

That includes $1,409.40 for bar and restaurant charges; $17,121.92 for gas station, cash withdrawals and other charges; $980 for overdraft charges; $16,897.57 for certificate of deposit; and $570 for attorney fees.

He was also ordered to complete all recommended gambling addiction treatment.

The thefts took place from October 2020 through March 2021 while the victim was a resident of a local nursing home, according to documents filed in Floyd County District Court.

Court documents say the grandmother had given Olson power of attorney and permission to use her accounts only to pay bills, utilities and taxes, which totaled about $1,000 a month.