Mims Woman Suspected of Stealing Elderly and Disabled Man’s Assets Leaving Him Destitute, Suicidal

Crystal Ann Hackney, 38, charged with Exploitation of an Elderly or Disabled Adult

BREVARD COUNTY • TITUSVILLE, FLORIDA – Crystal Ann Hackney, 38, of Mims, who owns C’s Waffles in Downtown Titusville on Broad Street, was arrested by Brevard County Sheriff’s Agents on February 6 and charged with Exploitation of an Elderly or Disabled Adult.

According to an arrest affidavit, Hackney is accused of stealing all the financial assets of 70-year-old Dennis Taschner of Titusville.

Hackney is suspected of stealing over $34,000 from Taschner’s bank accounts, fraudulently acquiring ownership of Taschner’s home, valued at over $100,000 for $1,000, and stealing more than $6,000 via unauthorized credit card transactions.

The Department of Veterans Affairs is also investigating the possibility of Hackney stealing and cashing Taschner’s benefit checks.

Taschner, who suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car crash, met Hackney in 2022 at a Save-A-Lot store. Hackney told Taschner she would provide assistance managing his affairs and finances and was added as a joint owner of Taschner’s Wells Fargo account in March 2023.

According to the arrest affidavit, it didn’t take long for Hackney to gain total access to and siphon off Taschner’s assets.

In April 2024, Taschner was hospitalized under the Baker Act following a suicide attempt, which led to the medical staff discovering his empty bank account, which then led to an investigation by the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.

Brevard County Sheriff’s Agents arrested Hackney on February 6, and she is in the Brevard County Jail on a $25,000 bond.

If you have any information about this case, call the Brevard County Sheriff’s Department Economic Crimes Unit at 321-633-7162.

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