September 15, 2008

This afternoon, Officer Richard M. Watts of the Providence Division was charged with the Class H Felony of Exploitation of an Elder or Disabled Adult (GS 14-112.2) subsection (c). These charges resulted from a cooperative investigation between the Department of Social Services Adult Protective Services and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Financial Crimes Unit and were filed after the case was reviewed by the Mecklenburg County District Attorney's Office. The charges stem from the alleged exploitation of assets related to the care of an elderly family member. 

At this time, there have been no allegations and no evidence discovered that links Officer Watts to any fraudulent activity on any member of the community outside of his family. These charges are not related in any way to the performance of his duties while acting as a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer.

The findings of the criminal investigation have been turned over to the Internal Affairs Bureau and a second Administrative investigation is being conducted into the allegations filed.  Officer Watts has currently been suspended without pay pending the outcome of the Internal Investigation, and he has been cited for termination. Officer Watts was hired on May 27, 1992 and is currently assigned to the Providence Division.

§ 14‑112.2.  Exploitation of an elder adult or disabled adult.

(a)       The following definitions apply in this section:

(1)       Disabled adult. – A person 18 years of age or older or a lawfully emancipated minor who is present in the State of North Carolina and who is physically or mentally incapacitated as defined in G.S. 108A‑101(d).

(2)       Elder adult. – A person 60 years of age or older who is not able to provide for the social, medical, psychiatric, psychological, financial, or legal services necessary to safeguard the person's rights and resources and to maintain the person's physical and mental well‑being.

 (c)       It is unlawful for a person, who knows or reasonably should know that an elder adult or disabled adult lacks the capacity to consent, to obtain or use, endeavor to obtain or use, or conspire with another to obtain or use an elder adult's or disabled adult's funds, assets, or property with the intent to temporarily or permanently deprive the elder adult or disabled adult of the use, benefit, or possession of the funds, assets, or property, or benefit someone other than the elder adult or disabled adult. This subsection shall not apply to a person acting within the scope of that person's lawful authority as the agent for the elder adult or disabled adult.