SAN DIEGO, California — A 55-year-old Temecula man appeared in federal court facing charges of stealing over $1.5 million from an elderly woman under the guise of a romantic relationship.
Troy Clinton Van Sickle, a janitor at a San Diego County preschool and a 10-time convicted felon, allegedly targeted a wealthy divorced woman, concealing his criminal history to gain access to her finances, according to court records. Prosecutors claim Van Sickle portrayed himself as a trustworthy businessman, convincing the woman to fund his supposed business ventures with promises of repayment and profit sharing.
Instead, Van Sickle allegedly used the funds for personal expenses, including luxury cars and gambling, and created a fake company to further deceive the victim. He reportedly purchased a 2022 Ferrari SF90 Stradale with the money, stated the source…