A New Hampshire man was sentenced in federal court for stealing $225,200 from an elderly disabled veteran. Donald Estes, 49, was sentenced to 21 months in prison and 1 year of supervised release. He was also sentenced to pay $225,200 in restitution. On February 2, 2026, Estes pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud. The victim was an elderly disabled veteran who was living in a nursing home. The victim was unable to manage his own money or make decisions. Each month, the Department of Veterans Affairs deposited disability benefits into the victim’s bank account. Initially, the victim’s mother served as the victim’s legal guardian until she passed away. After, the victim’s nursing home reached out to Estes asking whether he would serve as the victim’s legal guardian. Estes never applied to serve as the victim’s legal guardian. Instead, Estes had the victim sign an agreement adding Estes to the victim’s bank account. Between August 2020 and December 2023, Estes proceeded to steal $225,200 from the bank account. Estes misspent the stolen funds on items such as a snowmobile, jewelry, and vacation, and deposited approximately $85,000 of the stolen funds into bank accounts he controlled.