Sunday, October 6, 2024
A Gatesville man who was arrested last year for the alleged financial exploitation of four elderly individuals due to overcharging pest control services was indicted by a Coryell County grandy jury on Saturday, Sept. 26.
David Claude Bullard, 59, was indicted on four counts of exploitation of a child, elderly, or disabled person for overcharging his services due to the person’s age and vulnerability, according to a true bill of indictment. The offense is a third-degree felony under Texas Penal Code 32.53 (c).
According to previous reporting by the Messenger, Bullard appeared to target older adults between the ages of 70 and 90 years old and would charge them between $1,800-$3,200 for basic pest control services. The cases listed in the indictment and four filed complaints occurred between March and July 2023.
In March 2023, an 87-year-old woman contacted Bullard’s business, Spiderman Pest Control, for a flea extermination service at her residence, which should only cost between $200-$300. He charged more than $3,200 for the treatment, according to the complaint.
That same month, Bullard attempted to charge a 78-year-old woman more than $2,800 to spray for roaches at her house, a service that costs between $100-$600. To treat a more severe infestation would cost $1,000 on average.
Another case involved an 85-year-old woman, who contacted Bullard’s business on two sperate occasions between April and May 2023. She requested a treatment for carpenter ants in her home and to spray her yard for fleas. The complaint states that Bullard charged Wright $2,800 for both services combined, which should have only cost $300-$400 total.
The final case involved an 89-year-old woman who contacted Bullard for a rodent extermination service at her home in July 2023. Her charged her $1,895 for a service that normally costs between $200-$300 and proceeded to spray her home for insects, according to the complaint.
In all four cases, Bullard attempted to offer additional services for more money, but the four women refused.
Bullard was arrested in July 2023 and released on bond after each arrest.
According to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), financial exploitation of an elderly person is the illegal or misuse of a person’s money or property for personal or financial benefit.
People can report suspected financial exploitation, abuse, or neglect of older adults to DFPS’ Texas Abuse Hotline at (800) 252-5400.
An indictment is not a statement regarding the guilt or innocence of a defendant. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
