How many folks out there were fooled by this man? I was!

**imported_ut1** · November 19th, 2008, 07:55 AM

Former Scott County funeral home director sentenced for fraud

$90,000 went missing from funeral planning accounts established at Duffield Funeral Home from 2000 to 2006.

By WES BUNCH
[email protected]

GATE CITY "? A former Scott County funeral home director will spend almost three years in jail and at least a decade on probation for defrauding 17 individuals who gave him advance payment for funeral services.
As part of a plea agreement with Commonwealth's Attorney Marcus McClung, Anthony Carson Robbins was sentenced Friday in Scott County Circuit Court to 34 months in jail and 10 years of probation for 17 misdemeanor counts.
Judge John Kilgore also handed Robbins a 10-year prison term for 25 felony convictions ranging from forgery to obtaining money through false pretenses.
That sentence was suspended pending payment of $19,832 in restitution to four remaining victims. Robbins must remain on probation until those payments are finished.
"Most of the victims want their money, and most of law enforcement wants him in jail,"? said Bill Whitt, a special agent with the Virginia State Police who headed up the investigation. "We got a happy medium here."?
In order to make those payments, Robbins will be eligible for work release. He was denied recommendation for house arrest and must report to the Duffield Regional Jail next Friday to begin his sentence.
Robbins
was convicted in August on 42 counts after entering an Alford plea in which he maintained his innocence but admitted there was enough evidence to find him guilty.
The charges stemmed from $90,000 that went missing from funeral planning accounts established at Duffield Funeral Home from 2000 to 2006.
Robbins told his victims that their funeral prepayments would be deposited in a trust account but instead put them into his own private account, McClung said.
The VSP began investigating the matter in 2007 after Robbins closed the funeral home and left town without notifying his customers about their assets.
Victims of his crimes who were at Friday's hearing said they had mixed feelings when it came to the sentence he received.
"It was the best we could do,"? said Joe Joyner of Mount Carmel. "If he got what he deserved, we wouldn't have got anything. This is just the best way for us to be able to get our refund back."?
Even though he didn't admit to guilt, Robbins offered an apology to victims in the courtroom.
"I would like to apologize to the people here,"? Robbins said. "I am sorry. There was no intent to ever take money that wasn't mine."?
Three of Robbins' felony charges, for which he was also sentenced, were unrelated and came as a result of his 2004 run for Scott County treasurer.
Robbins, who had been convicted of a felony in 1990 for fraud, was found guilty of filing a false application, making a false statement, and giving false information after he neglected to disclose that information on his application. Robbins claimed that he was unaware of the felony.
McClung said Robbins changed his name, Social Security number and date of birth following his 1990 conviction so he could hide it.

**imported_ut1** · November 19th, 2008, 07:57 AM

A letter from someone who helped bring him to justice: (from Times-News)
Don't feel sorry for Anthony Robbins

We are so glad to finally see Anthony Robbins (convicted for defrauding individuals who prepaid for funeral services) receive some consequences. It amazes us how people can still support a man who took advantage of so many. This is not someone we should feel sorry for and think it was all just a misunderstanding.
As a previously convicted felon for giving alcohol to minors, he was well aware of what he was doing. Once again he is doing what he does best and acting as if he is the innocent person who was only trying to help the people in our community. It is time for people to take the blinders off and see him for what he really is. This is not someone who just made a mistake. His criminal record and behavior obviously go back several years. We are glad we had a part in bringing this man to justice and hope no other family ever has to be a victim of a man who obviously does not have any remorse and continues to make excuses for his actions.
Feeling sorry for him is not what he needs. He needs to be held accountable, and he needs our prayers. Just because we are glad to see him being held accountable does not mean we hate him. We have both prayed for God to intervene in this man's life and will continue to, though it has not been an easy thing to do. We are proud of our kids for standing up for what was right even if it meant admitting to their mistakes and being criticized by others. They should continue to hold their heads high because even though it has been a very long journey, they now have some closure and should feel very proud in knowing they stood up for what was right.
Melinda Earwood
Weber City, Va.

November 19th, 2008, 09:15 AM

Robbing the dead? Quality guy.

**imported_VTgal** · November 19th, 2008, 11:31 AM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">There was no intent to ever take money that wasn't mine. </div></div>

SURE!

**1inStripes** · November 19th, 2008, 11:38 AM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Spuds</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Robbing the dead? Quality guy. </div></div>

He robbed most that trusted him before they died actually.

**imported_ut1** · November 19th, 2008, 02:18 PM

Our family used his services twice. Sure had us fooled. I got a call about 10 months before they actually charged him with the contributing, telling me what he was doing. I found it hard to believe that anyone, especially in his position, would be stupid enough to think that a teen wasn't going to tell somebody!