WINONA LAKE — A Winona Lake man was recently arrested after he withdrew over $100,000 from his mother’s accounts.

Martin Dale Justice

Martin Dale Justice, 62, 2704 Jean St., Winona Lake, is being charged with exploitation of an endangered adult, a level 6 felony.

On June 18, 2018, an investigator with Adult Protective Services received concerns that money was being withdrawn from an adult’s account by her son and attorney in fact, Justice. Subpoenas were received through the Kosciusko County Prosecutors Office for the mother’s bank accounts.

Financial records showed that between November 2017 and November 2018, withdrawals were made at casinos and ATMs that did not have the best interest of the victim in mind. During the time period, $46,800 was removed by ATM withdrawals and $61,765.82 was removed at casinos. Other questionable withdrawals were made in the amount of $17,800.

The investigator spoke with Justice who advised that in 2015 he began taking care of his mother and was power of attorney of her finances. According to Justice, between April 2015 and November 2017 he paid himself $10 an hour and worked 16 hours a day, seven days a week, taking care of his mother. In November 2017, Justice’s mother moved into an undisclosed location for care.

Justice further admitted to making the withdrawals at casinos and ATMs during a time period that his mother was no longer in his care and his services to her were greatly diminished. Justice was unable to provide any receipts or records for his mother’s current expenses, which did not appear on the bank statements which is a violation of the power of attorney agreement.

Justice was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail on Feb. 16, with a $5,250 surety and cash bond.