New Montana Elder Justice Unit Secures Their First Conviction

Elder abuse is a subject that is hard to talk about and even more difficult to accept in our society.  The Montana Legislature acknowledged that in 2023, with the creation of the Montana Department of Justice's (MTDOJ) "Elder Justice Unit".

Now, a Bighorn County woman is the first in the state to be investigated, convicted, prosecuted and sentenced under the unit.

Get our free mobile app

New Montana Elder Justice Unit Secures Their First Conviction

MTDOJ announced this week that Kristel Marie Blair, who was convicted in 2025 of "two counts of exploitation of an older person or incapacitated person as both victims were over the age of 65 when the crimes were committed."

READ MORE:  Blacked Out 406 Closes - New Taxi Service Coming to Great Falls in April

According to the press release, Blair "signed a Power of Attorney (POA) that allowed her to oversee her mother’s finances and authorized her to make gifts, including cash, to her mother’s family consistent with an “established pattern of giving.” However, the POA prohibited her from compensating herself."

However, documents state that "Blair violated the POA when she wrote and deposited two checks worth $61,000 from her mother and stepfather’s joint account into her account purportedly as a “gift investment. "She violated the POA again in July 2020, when two additional transactions worth $15,840 were deposited into Blair’s account from the victims’ same joint account."

Deferred Sentence for Defendant and Restitution Ordered for Family Members

In making the ruling, the court ordered Ms. Blair to a 10-year deferred imposition of sentence.  She was also ordered to pay restitution to her mother and stepfather in the amount of $101,170 for financially exploiting them.

Currently, the new Elder Justice Unit is investigating 12 current cases in Montana and encourage anyone who suspects or experiences elder financial exploitation or other forms of abuse, to contact them.  You can reach the MTDOJ at 406-444-3874.