Woman arrested for alleged financial exploitation of elderly grandfather in Montgomery County

On Tuesday, the Montgomery County Department of Police (MCPD) said officers arrested 45-year-old Erica Hopper, from D.C., for offenses related to financially exploiting her 95-year-old grandfather.

MCPD said in December 2020, Hopper became the power of attorney for her then-90-year-old grandfather. Because of this, she was given the authority over his financial affairs so she could act in his best interest.

In November 2021, a concerned family member filed a complaint, opening up an investigation.

MCPD said it was revealed that from November 2021 to at least June 2025, Hopper had made upwards of $266,000 in unauthorized purchases from her grandfather’s accounts for herself.

She used his money for over $25,000 in car payments, over $49,000 in credit card bills towards cosmetic surgery, luxury clothing, concert tickets and more than $35,000 towards her rent in a luxury apartment building in D.C., according to MCPD.

On Aug. 27, Hopper was charged with theft over $100,000, theft scheme over $100,000, obtaining property from a vulnerable adult over $100,000, embezzlement and fraudulent identity theft $25,000 to $100,000.

She was taken to the Central Processing Unit and released on an unsecured personal bond.