MANHATTAN MAN SENTENCED TO SIX MONTHS IN JAIL FOR DEFRAUDING 89-YEAR-OLD MAN OUT OF HIS BRONX HOUSE

 

He Stole Property Rights While Victim Was in Nursing Home 

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Manhattan man has been sentenced to six months in jail for Grand Larceny for stealing an 89-year-old relative’s house while the victim was in a nursing home. 

District Attorney Clark said, “Deed theft is a merciless crime that robs people of their homes, community, and financial stability. This defendant took advantage of a vulnerable elderly man. Now, will spend time behind bars and pay restitution for the victim’s legal fees.” 

District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Frank Blackshear, 47, of West 122nd Street, Manhattan, was sentenced today by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Timothy Lewis to six months in jail and four years’ probation for second-degree Grand Larceny, second-degree Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, first-degree Falsifying Business Records and first-degree Offering a False Instrument for Filing. He pleaded guilty to those charges on September 3, 2025. The Court ordered that the defendant transfer the house back to the victim and reimburse him for legal fees. 

According to the investigation, Milton Roberts, 92 years old, was the sole owner of a house on Taylor Avenue in the Soundview section with a value of $698,000. In August 2022, Roberts entered a nursing home for health issues. Between February 14, 2023, and May 19, 2023, Blackshear, Milton Roberts' grandson-in-law, transferred Roberts' property with a deed bearing Frank Blackshear as Trustee. The investigation further revealed that Blackshear created legal documents that gave him and his wife, Jessica, control over Roberts’ assets and health care that included a living will that specifically denied the victim life-prolonging procedures should they be necessary. Another document created was a Power of Attorney which grants Jessica Blackshear the authority to control Roberts’ assets.

District Attorney Clark thanked BXDA Detective Investigator Randy Scarpinato and former BXDA Senior Detective Investigator Brendan Hammond, and former BXDA Investigator Benjamin Ahmadi for their work on the case.