Health Aide Steals From Undersheriff's Mom, Mother-In-Law

KINGSTON, NY — A former home health care aide will be going to prison after admitting to stealing from two relatives of a retired Ulster County undersheriff.

The Ulster County District Attorney said on Friday that Jacki Yenzer, 59, was sentenced to one to three years in state prison following a Sept. 19 plea to fourth-degree grand larceny, a felony.

She was also directed to pay $10,000 in restitution to the victims.

Prosecutors said the sentence came out of thefts committed over several weeks in November 2022 by Yenzer, who was working at the time as a home health aide caring for the elderly mother and mother-in-law of retired Ulster County Undersheriff Eric Benjamin.

A statement by Benjamin was read at the sentencing that said, “I have served the criminal justice system for over 40 years, more specifically in a law enforcement capacity, and while I am aware that this is a property crime, the manner in which it was perpetrated is very disturbing.”

Yenzer had earned the trust and affection of the family, authorities said.

She had previously been convicted of a misdemeanor larceny for similar conduct against her own mother, for which she completed a term of probation.

Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Paul Derohannesian said that “repeat offenders who prey on their family and on our aging community members should face consequences for their crimes, especially where they have betrayed their trust.”

District Attorney Emmanuel Nneji said the conduct in this case was despicable.

“It exploited the trust that the victims had in her to make themselves vulnerable, believing that she had best intentions for them,” he said.

“This betrayal of trust makes it difficult for some of our elderly community members to accept such help even when so desperately needed,” Nneji said. “She stole money and property, but she actually robbed them of their peace of mind and sense of security, more than restitution can replace. It is equally egregious when we consider the difficulties in finding home health aides.”