Story by Ethan
On June 23rd, 2026, the arrest of Devon Ragnauth, age 38, was announced by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr.. Devon Ragnauth was charged with first-degree Scheme to Defraud as a class E felony, three counts of first-degree Identity Theft as a class D felony, two counts of second-degree Grand Larceny as a class C felony, three counts of second-degree Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument as a class D felony, second-degree Identity Theft as a class E felony, two counts of third-degree Grand Larceny as a class D felony, third-degree Identity Theft as a class A misdemeanor, six counts of fourth-degree Criminal Possession of Stolen Property as a class E felony, two counts of fourth-degree Grand Larceny as a class A misdemeanor, and Petite Larceny as a class A misdemeanor. The arrest and charges against Devon Ragnauth were a result of an investigation handled by Elder Abuse Investigative Analyst Zoe Wittenwyler, Lieutenant Daniel Clark-El, Investigator Briggitte Lawell, Deputy Chief Investigator Gregory Dunlavey, Chief Investigator Jonathan Reid, Investigation Bureau Director Steven Moran, members of the High Tech Analysis Unit, and Assistant D.A. David Crowley in the Appeals Division.
According to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, Devon Ragnauth allegedly used his position at the senior living residence’s business office to steal checks between January 2021 and July 2025 as he frequently handled checks written to and from residents. From July 2024 until July 2025 the defendant allegedly stole 143 checks worth an approximate total of $240,000 from a 92-year-old resident suffering from cognitive decline. The defendant made checks out in the resident’s name to a legitimate third party homecare agency despite never receiving services from the agency. However the checks would eventually be deposited into Devon Ragnauth’s personal bank account in addition to another $12,000 check addressed to the resident.
From May 2021 to July 2025 Devon Ragnauth stole 139 checks from the senior living residence totalling to approximately $148,000. The majority of these checks were refunds addressed to former residents that were owed money and no longer in the residence. The defendant allegedly managed to intercept these checks before depositing them into his personal bank account and the bank account of a family member. An additional $11,000 was deposited into Devon Ragnauth’s personal bank account through false invoices linked to adding the aforementioned family member as an entertainer to the senior living residence.
In the fall of 2022 a family member from one of the residents called to report a missing check that had allegedly been intercepted and taken by Devon Ragnauth. The defendant forged fraudulent bank statements and deposit slips to hide the fact that the check was actually deposited into his personal bank account. The defendant had also allegedly used credit cards belonging to six different residents to buy over $30,000 of personal purchases including vacations and luxury brand clothing.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office stated that the charges against Devon Ragnauth are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
