Police: Mom tried to scam mentally disabled son out of trust fund
GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. (FOX 5 Atlanta) - It seems no one can account for Lee Earnest Longmire and Gwinnett County Police said that's a problem since the 20-year-old is mentally disabled, vulnerable and has not been seen since his mother Yvonne allegedly tried to steal his $200,000 trust fund in December.
"We just need to be able to put our eyes on him and know that he is healthy and safe," said Corporal Wilbert Rundles.
According to police, the 58-year-old mother had Maurice Ford, 23, to pose as her own son in probate court in December. His job, said Cpl. Rundles, was to convince a Gwinnett County Judge Lee Longmire is mentally capable of managing his own trust fund.
Investigators said Lee's mother and the fraudulent Lee almost pulled off the perfect plan in December.
"No one had seen Lee in a long time and the documents they presented were fraudulent documents to make it look like Mr. Ford was actually Mr. Longmire. [Ford] made it seem as if Lee was now living at a higher functionality," said Cpl.Rundles.
The paralegal who has handled the Longmire case for years-long declines to comment on camera, but told FOX 5's Portia Bruner she instantly knew something was wrong in January after an encounter in the lobby of the Lawrenceville law firm.
"Maurice Ford showed up here the law firm to pick up the check and accidentally introduced himself as Maurice, then said 'I'm Lee Longmire," said the paralegal. The paralegal said she quickly did some research the following day to prove to police Maurice Ford did not have the authority to cash the check.
"The check was initially issued, but they were able to put a hold on it after the attorneys presented evidence that the documents were fraudulent, said Cpl. Rundles.
Ford was arrested in Arizona a few days ago. Police have several felony warrants for Yvonne Longmire, but said they can't find her at home no matter how many times they show up at her Lawrenceville home.
Their bigger concern is Lee Longmire. We just need to know that he is safe and have a conversation with him about this case and make sure that he's getting the help he needs to get without having to wonder if he's being scammed by someone who was supposed he is supposed to be able to trust, " Rundles said.
Yvonne Longmire has connections to Alabama and police believe she may be driving her Green 2006 Ford F150 with Georgia tag PRE3129.
Lee Longmire's whereabouts also remain unknown with several attempts to make in-person contact with him failing. Anyone with information on either Yvonne Lee or Lee Longmire's locations is asked to call the Gwinnett County Police Department at 770-513-5300.