New Braunfels woman sentenced to 30 months for defrauding elderly couple out of over $1.25 million
San Antonio, Texas – A New Braunfels woman who manipulated an elderly couple into giving her more than a million dollars under false pretenses has been sentenced to federal prison. On January 2026, 56-year-old Telise Marie Armke was handed a 30-month prison sentence and ordered to pay full restitution of $1,251,206 by U.S. District Court Judge Orlando Garcia.
Fraudulent FEMA Story Used to Exploit Trust
According to court documents, Armke began her scheme in 2019 after befriending the elderly victims. She falsely claimed that her home was located in a flood zone and that she would be receiving a substantial payout from FEMA. To gain the couple’s trust, Armke told them that she simply needed financial help to unlock the funds.
She claimed she needed assistance paying property taxes, clearing liens, and covering attorney and contract fees before FEMA would release the money. Armke promised to repay them once she received her supposed reimbursement. Instead, the majority of the money she received was used for personal entertainment — most notably, spending heavily at gas station casinos in and around New Braunfels.
Guilty Plea and Sentencing
Armke’s criminal behavior led to her arrest on March 24, 2023. She was charged with four counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and eventually pleaded guilty on July 17, 2025.
During sentencing, Judge Garcia ordered Armke to serve two and a half years in federal prison and pay full restitution to her victims — covering the entire amount she stole under false pretenses.
Federal Officials Condemn the Fraud
Federal authorities made strong statements condemning Armke’s actions and emphasizing the importance of pursuing justice in elder fraud cases.
“Telise Armke is a predator, plain and simple,” said U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas Justin R. Simmons. “She pestered and harangued her way into the lives of her victims and conned them into giving her money they spent a lifetime earning. In the Western District, we’re committed to holding predators like Telise Armke accountable for their actions and to doing what we can to give their victims some sense of justice.”
Alex Doran, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Antonio Field Office, added, “The defendant exploited a relationship of trust to obtain money from an elderly couple by falsely presenting the theft as a disaster-related loan, abusing their kindness and good faith for personal gain. The FBI will continue to pursue fraudsters who exploit trust. We encourage the reporting of elder fraud to help identify patterns, stop offenders, and protect others, even when losses occur through personal relationships or informal loans.”
The FBI led the investigation in this case.
