Elena Moreno Sanchez, a 49-year-old woman from San Antonio, was recently sentenced to six years in prison for theft. This significant ruling took place in the Bexar County’s 187th Criminal District Court, presided over by Judge Stephanie Boyd.
Moreno faced serious charges, specifically theft of property valued between $30,000 and $150,000, which is classified as a third-degree felony. This meant she could have received a sentence ranging from two to ten years in prison, along with a potential fine of up to $10,000.
Victims’ Testimony
On the morning of the sentencing, the prosecution called three witnesses to share their experiences. The first witness, Norma Sifuentes, expressed her heartbreak regarding the headstone she ordered from Moreno, which never arrived. “What was delivered by Ms. Moreno was pain, agony, and torture for me and my family,” Sifuentes stated, emphasizing the emotional turmoil caused by the situation.
Sifuentes voiced her concerns that Moreno had found employment at another funeral business, fearing that she could possibly scam more families. Following a previous court ruling, Moreno was ordered to pay a total of $50,000 in restitution, but she had only repaid about 70% of that amount by the time of the latest hearing.
The other two witnesses similarly recounted their experiences with Moreno, with one stating, “It’s always a reminder… that we just got bamboozled.” This reflects the deep emotional impact and trust betrayal felt by the victims.
Moreno Speaks
After the victims delivered their testimonies, Moreno took the stand. She claimed her intentions were never to harm anyone and attributed the delays in delivering headstones to the COVID-19 pandemic and personal issues, including an abusive partner. “I’m heartbroken,” she said, expressing remorse for the pain caused to the families.
Instead of prison, Moreno requested probation. However, Judge Boyd sentenced her to six years in prison and prohibited her from working in the funeral industry, home health care, or with minors in the future.
Background
Moreno operated a business called Angelic Monuments, which provided headstones to grieving families. However, numerous complaints led to an investigation by the San Antonio police and the Better Business Bureau (BBB), which assigned an “F-” rating to her business.
Reports indicated that victims had collectively paid over $42,000 for headstones that were never delivered. Ultimately, 16 families came forward, stating they were affected by Moreno’s actions, with a total loss of at least $50,000.
This case highlights the importance of trust and integrity in businesses that serve vulnerable populations, particularly during times of grief.
