Riverdale Man Accused of Swindling Elderly, Disabled Victims Out of $10K

A Riverdale man is facing theft charges after defrauding numerous victims "perceived to have mental or and physical disabilities or deficiencies," according to .

Deshanue Terry Johnson, 50, of the 6800 block of Riverdale Road was arrested on a warrant Nov. 29. He is being held at the Montgomery County Detention Center on $50,000 bond.

Police said Johnson financially exploited four different targets, obtaining cash from them by promising jobs and asking for help on his bills. In all, Johnson is said to have acquired approximately $10,000 from his victims.

Janitorial job scam

Johnson's actions first came to the attention of authorities in Feb. 2011, police said, when a man contacted the Montgomery County Financial Crimes Section to report that several family members were the victims of a financial fraud scheme.

According to police, Johnson had befriended the man's relative, a 55-year-old woman, around November 2010 at Silver Spring's  (8661 Colesville Road). He reportedly presented himself as a manager of a high school janitorial staff and told the woman he could help to get her hired.

Over the next few months, police said Johnson fraudulently obtained about $800 from the woman and her elderly parents in Montgomery County, claiming to need the money for bills or to facilitate a job. Johnson is also alleged to have stolen checks and acquired funds worth about $4,000 at the family's home in DC.

A warrant was issued for Johnson's arrest on March 5. He was charged with obtaining property of a vulnerable adult over $500, theft scheme less than $1,000, and theft under $1,000.

Johnson's trial date for the charges is set for Dec. 6.

Inwood House victims

Later, in September 2011, police were notified of possible financial exploitation of two residents at Inwood House (10921 Inwood Ave.), a Silver Spring facility that serves people with physical and mental disabilities. Investigators soon identified Johnson as the suspect in the apparent scam.

According to police, Johnson met the first victim — a 44-year-old resident — at the Wheaton Metro station in May 2011. Over a two-week period, he allegedly obtained $660 from the man on the pretense of helping him get a janitorial job.

The second victim, a 50 year-old resident, met Johnson at the Silver Spring Metro station around the same time, police said. Over the next four months, Johnson reportedly secured $2,300 from the man, telling him he needed help with his rent.

At the same time, Johnson allegedly acquired $1,110 from the victim's 78-year-old mother, who suffers from Alzheimer's disease. Police said Johnson told the woman he could get her son a job with a professional sports team.

A second warrant was issued for Johnson's arrest on Nov. 23. He was charged with three counts of obtaining property of a vulnerable adult over $500, one count of theft scheme less than $1,000, and four counts of theft scheme between $1,000 and $10,000.

Information sought

Police are concerned there may be additional targets of Johnson's alleged scams. Anyone who belives they or loved one may have been victimized is asked to contact the MCPD's 4th District Community Service Officer at 240-773-5500.