A Kane County grand jury on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017, indicted 41-year-old Mary E. Pfingston (AKA Mary E. McMillan) on the offenses of financial exploitation of the elderly, a Class 2 felony, theft, a Class 2 felony, and three counts of public contractor misconduct, a Class 3 felony.

Mary E. Pfingston

The indictments state that between Feb. 1, 2015, and April 30, 2015, Pfingston, who was in a position of trust and/or authority of an elderly person, knowingly and deceptively stole a total of between $5,000 and $50,000 from the victim, who was a resident of a long-term care facility.

Senior Services Associates is contracted with the state through the Illinois Department on Aging.

After the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office secured the indictment, a judge issued a warrant for Pfingston and set her bail at $200,000 with 10 percent ($20,000) to apply for bond. The Illinois State Police on Dec. 6 took Pfingston into custody.

Pfingston appeared Dec. 7 in Kane County bond court, where bail was redued to $100,000 with 10 percent ($10,000) to apply for bond. Her next court appearance is set for 9 a.m. Dec. 15, 2017, in Courtroom 311 in front of Circuit Judge Donald M. Tegeler, Jr.

If convicted of the most serious offense, Pfingston faces a sentence of probation or between three and seven years’ imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

The Illinois State Police conducted the investigation, which is ongoing. Anyone with information should call the Illinois State Police at 847-294-4466.

The charges against Pfingston are not proof of guilt. Pfingston is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.