PHILADELPHIA (June 2, 2025)—Members of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office Elder Justice Unit on Monday announced charges against Quay Fetherson (DOB 8/7/1988) for defrauding 15 intellectually challenged Philadelphia seniors from 2018 to 2024.
Fetherson’s charges include 15 counts of the following offenses:
- Financial Exploiation of a Care Dependent Person (F1)
- Identity Theft (F2)
- Theft By Unlawful Taking (F3)
- Theft By Deception (F3)
- Forgery (F3)
Fetherson, serving as a “fiscal liaison” for Community Options—a non-profit service provider for adults with intellectual disabilities, including those with IQs below 70—used his access to the victims’ bank accounts to enrich himself. The defendant is alleged to have issued checks from victims’ accounts, had the victims sign checks, forged victims’ signatures, transported victims to the bank to withdraw the funds, and then stolen a portion or the entirety of the withdrawn amount. His scheme was uncovered in May 2024 when his replacement performed an audit and discovered discrepancies in the accounts. Fetherson is alleged to have embezzled over $100,000 from his victims.
Fetherson was arrested on May 27 and arraigned the same day. Unsecured bail was set at a total of $375,000.
“Mr. Fetherson violated the trust placed in him by his employers, his victims, and the larger community,” said Assistant District Attorney Alexander Blumenthal, Supervisor of the DAO’s Elder Justice Unit. “I want to thank Community Options for bringing this crime to light, Detective Nicholas Halbherr of the Philadelphia Police Department for thoroughly investigating this complex case, and Assistant District Attorney Gillian Dagress who assisted with the investigation, charged Mr. Fetherson, and will be prosecuting the case. The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office fully intends to hold this defendant accountable for his brazen and corrupt actions.”
“We are deeply saddened and outraged by the actions of a former employee who stole from the personal accounts of individuals with disabilities entrusted to our care in Philadelphia,” said Angela Castle, the Incident Management Coordinator for Community Options. “This individual was entrusted with significant responsibility and abused that position for personal gain.
“At Community Options, the safety and well-being of the people we support is our highest priority. As soon as we became aware of the irregularities, we took swift action to report the theft and assist law enforcement in their investigation. We are grateful to the Philadelphia Police Department, the District Attorney’s Office, and all those who helped bring this individual to justice. Their efforts have ensured accountability and helped protect others from harm.
“Community Options has implemented enhanced safeguards and oversight to prevent something like this from ever happening again. We remain committed to providing safe and person-centered services to every individual we support.”
CONTACT:
Dustin Slaughter, [email protected]
###
The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office is the largest prosecutor’s office in Pennsylvania, and one of the largest in the nation. It serves the more than 1.5 million residents of the City and County of Philadelphia, employing 600 lawyers, detectives, and support staff. The District Attorney’s Office is responsible for the prosecution of approximately 40,000 criminal cases annually. Learn more about the DAO by visiting PhillyDA.org.