A former Funeral Home Director in Brownstown, Indiana was recently charged with numerous felonies related to the thefts of money from the funeral trust funds of nearly 20 individuals.
The investigation by the Indiana State Police Organized Crime and Corruption Unit began in August 2017, an initial victim reported that money given to the Winklepleck-Weesner Funeral Home for the purpose of establishing a pre-need trust was missing.
Over the course of the next few months, numerous individuals reported they had paid Funeral Home Director James D. Weesner Jr., age 47, payments meant to be applied to trusts at a local Brownstown, Indiana bank.
When the victims checked with the bank, they were informed that no trusts existed.
The trusts were intended to be established to pay for future funeral expenses through the funeral home.
It is believed that Weesner never established the trusts and kept the money for personal use.
The investigation determined that Weesner stole approximately $200,000 from the 20 victims in this investigation.
At the conclusion of the investigation, the case was submitted to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
In June of this year, Weesner, who now lives in Indianapolis, was charged with 25 level 5 felony counts of Wrongful Disbursement of Funeral Trust Funds and one level 5 felony count of Corrupt Business Influence.
This case is still pending in the Jackson County Circuit Court.
The Indiana State Police Organized Crime and Corruption Unit was assisted by the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, Brownstown Police Department, the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Indiana Attorney General’s Office.
