On 9/13/24, Coon Rapids law enforcement received a report of fraudulent activity. While reviewing bank statements from January to August 2024, approximately $250,000 was withdrawn from C. L. S.’s (the Victim's) U. S. Bank account without her knowledge. The Victim [NAME REDACTED] had given her debit card to Christopher Scott Pate [DOB REDACTED], Defendant Pate hereinafter, for him to run errands for her from time to time. The Victim lived at a residence on Crooked Lake Boulevard NW in Coon Rapids, Anoka County, MN. Defendant Pate had access to all of her account information and had been assisting her with her finances.
He sometimes did not return the card for days. There were numerous transfers and transactions that the Victim [NAME REDACTED]. Among the transfers, there were numerous unauthorized Zelle transfers from the Victim's account to an account of Tara Kristine Nienaber [DOB REDACTED], Defendant Nienaber hereinafter. These transactions totaled around $120,718. The Victim [NAME REDACTED] is in a relationship with Defendant Pate. There were also many transactions from the Victim's account to an account held by Defendant Pate.
The Victim never authorized Defendant Pate to make the Zelle transfers.
