WICHITA FALLS ( KFDX/KJTL ) — Wichita Falls Police Department detectives said two men conspired to defraud a jail inmate by assuming power of attorney and obtained access to his bank account and property, even putting a for sale sign up at his house.

Richard Winchell is charged with misapplication of fiduciary property or property in a financial institution.

Another inmate allegedly involved in the scheme has apparently not been jailed or charged in this case but has a long list of prior convictions and arrests for fraud, forgery, and other financial crimes.

A financial crimes detective learned of the scheme in the county jail in late April.

He said the other inmate befriended the victim while both were in jail after learning the victim was trying to establish the power of attorney so some of his property could be sold to pay for an attorney to handle his case.

The other inmate told the victim he knew someone on the outside with experience in such matters and convinced the victim to allow Winchell to assume power of attorney.

The detective said he is very familiar with the other inmate’s record, his ability to commit and conceal complex fraud schemes, and his prior association with Winchell in criminal activities.

He said Winchell obtained the victim’s power of attorney on April 19 and posed as a relative of the victim.

Among his alleged efforts to obtain the victim’s property was a trip to the police department where he attempted to obtain seized weapons belonging to the victim that were stored there.

Another detective who was familiar with both suspects, and also the victim’s criminal case and his relatives, became suspicious of Winchell’s claim of being a relative.

That detective also began investigating and obtained jail recordings and learned details of the scheme.

Detectives said further investigation revealed that Winchell gained access to the victim’s bank account, obtained a debit card as his fiduciary agent, and also gained access to his home.

Bank records showed after April 19, while the victim was in jail, there were multiple debit purchases and ATM withdrawals until the account was almost depleted, leaving the minimum balance.

The detective also said items were taken from the victim’s house and then a “For Sale by Owner” sign was placed in front. He said neighbors of the victim removed the sign after learning of the scheme.

It is not known if the victim is still in jail or how much of his property and funds, if any, have been recovered.

This is a developing story. Stick with Texoma’s Homepage for updates as more information becomes available. All individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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