News Summary
A Pearland man, Christopher Alan Young, has been sentenced to 60 years in prison for the theft of a $240,000 coin collection from his elderly father-in-law. Young’s crime escalated to a first-degree felony due to his victim’s age, revealing a disturbing betrayal within the family. The theft, which included gold and silver coins, was uncovered after his wife alerted authorities. Young sold a significant amount of the collection without permission, leading to his conviction and hefty prison sentence.
Pearland Man Sentenced for Stealing $240,000 Coin Collection from Elderly Father-in-Law
In a shocking turn of events in Pearland, a 56-year-old man received a hefty 60 years in prison for stealing a valuable coin collection from his elderly father-in-law. Christopher Alan Young was convicted of theft of property from an elderly individual, which escalated to a first-degree felony due to the victim’s age—83 years old. This elderly gentleman, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel and pilot from Georgetown, had spent a remarkable 60 years carefully amassing his treasured collection.
Details of the Case
The drama began when Young’s wife grew suspicious and alerted authorities about the missing coins. It all started back in August 2022 when her instincts kicked in during visits to her parents’ home, leading her to believe that something was amiss with her father’s prized possessions.
Young and his wife had been frequent visitors to her parents’ home between 2021 and 2022 to help them with their relocation. During these visits, it came to light that some coins from the father-in-law’s collection were mysteriously disappearing. In a questionable move, Young even suggested installing a lock on his father-in-law’s home office door, conveniently keeping the only key for himself.
A Hidden Treasure Turns to a Theft
The coin collection, which was stored in an office closet, included a mix of gold, silver, and commemorative coins. In fact, a thorough inventory conducted by the family in March 2022 pinpointed the most prized pieces of the collection. However, by August 21, 2022, relatives discovered numerous coins no longer in their rightful place. The astonishing theft included:
- $85,000 in gold coins
- $19,500 in silver coins
- $19,400 in dollar coins
- $5,000 in commemorative coins
When questioned about the missing coins, Young didn’t just get defensive—he reacted with anger, raising more eyebrows among family members.
Trail of Evidence
Following their investigation, authorities uncovered alarming evidence pointing to Young’s misdeeds. A check deposited into the couple’s joint bank account from a Pearland coin business revealed that Young had sold over $10,000 worth of his father-in-law’s coins on multiple occasions. Even more astonishing was the discovery that he sold coins to a local coin business in Georgetown and offloaded more than $3,000 worth of his father-in-law’s sterling silver Norman Rockwell plates.
Young didn’t stop there; he also traded over $1,300 of his father-in-law’s coins at a gold business in Taos, New Mexico. What made this even more significant was that these transactions aligned perfectly with the family’s visits to the father-in-law’s residence.
Family Fallout and Arrest
The victim expressed that he never gave Young permission to sell any of the coins. The coins were meant to provide a cushion for retirement and help fund his nieces’ and nephews’ college education. The Texas Department of Public Safety stepped in, confirming that Young had indeed stolen the coins over several months.
Young’s scheme didn’t go unnoticed, and when confronted by family members, he attempted to flee Texas. However, his escape didn’t last long, as law enforcement tracked him down in Louisiana, outside a casino resort, less than a month after the family confrontation.
Justice Served
After a thorough investigation and court proceedings, Young was sentenced to 60 years in prison and ordered to pay a $10,000 fine. The district attorney in the case emphasized the serious nature of Young’s betrayal, highlighting a commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals from those who exploit their trust. This story serves as a sobering reminder of how twisted family dynamics can sometimes turn with greed and betrayal.
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Additional Resources
- Austin American-Statesman
- Wikipedia: Coin Collections
- KVUE
- Google Search: Christopher Alan Young Coin Theft
- CBS Austin
- Google Scholar: Coin Theft Law
- The Williamson County Sun
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Grand Larceny
- Texoma’s Homepage
- Google News: Elderly Theft Cases
