Florida man sought in exploitation of Jackson woman

A Florida man faces charges in Missouri after he allegedly defrauded an elderly Jackson woman.

Joseph M. Kitelinger, 29, of Homosassa Springs, Florida, has been charged with one felony count of financial exploitation of the elderly, online court records show.

The victim told police she had been contacted by Kitelinger in November with a form about buying timeshares, according to a probable-cause statement written in August by Jackson police officer Timothy Lester.

The contract for the timeshare property stated, "Once you pay my fee you will have no other costs at the time of sale no commissions nothing and the buyer pays all closing cost and they agree to incur any extra costs that may be associated with the sale," Lester wrote.

The victim told police she faxed the signed form to Kitelinger and sent him the "one time fee" of $100. In January, she got a message stating he had received the money and would sell the property.

Between April 1 and April 20, the victim said Kitelinger requested $7,170 for other fees, including for closing, safe delivery deed transfer and rewriting checks, Lester wrote.

Asked why she kept sending Kitelinger money, the victim told police he had told her other fees had been coming up, and he had a check waiting to send to her, but she would have to pay him a fee for sending the check via courier.

The courier was scheduled to arrive on a Sunday, the victim said, but did not show up, according to the statement. That Monday, she contacted Kitelinger, who told her even if the check showed up at that point, it was past its date of being able to be cashed, so another fee would have to be paid for a new check and courier, Lester wrote.

Lester attempted to contact Kitelinger several times with no success, he wrote in the statement.

A warrant for Kitelinger was issued Monday. His bond has been set at $15,000 cash only.

kwebster@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3646

Pertinent address:

Jackson, MO

Homosassa Springs, FL