Chino Valley Man Given Two-Year Prison Term for Theft

(Phoenix, Ariz. – Jan. 30, 2008) Attorney General Terry Goddard today announced that John Blann, 34, Chino Valley, was sentenced Monday to two years in prison and seven years probation upon his release from prison. Blann pleaded guilty to two counts of theft last October in the Yavapai County Superior Court.

Between May 2000 and Jan. 2001, Blann acted as a financial advisor for an elderly couple who lived in Dewey, and obtained signatory authority over their bank accounts. Over a nine-month period, Blann stole over $600,000 from the couple’s accounts, of which he used $160,000 to renovate his personal residence. In addition to the prison sentence, Blann was ordered to pay $564,000 in restitution.

This conviction was the result of an investigation by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. Assistant Attorney General Paul Ahler prosecuted this case.