5 People Arrested Under Elder Abuse Law

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) - Five men have been indicted by a grand jury under Colorado's new elder abuse law in connection with an asphalt paving case.

Authorities say Rickey Gene Fite, his father, Rickey Dean Fite, Rodney Jackson, Emmanuel Broadway and Michael Sullivan are facing charges of violating the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act. They are also facing various other counts including money laundering, felony theft and tax evasion.

The elder abuse law considers elderly people to be at-risk adults and increases penalties for crimes that target them.

Investigators say the five men would approach elderly homeowners claiming that they had excess asphalt or other home repair materials from a nearby job and offer work for a great deal, sometimes starting work without the homeowners' permission.

(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)