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Grand Theft Charges Dropped In Molino Couple Cancer Scam Case
June 7, 2011
Felony grand theft charges have been dropped by the state against the Molino couple accused of faking her cancer diagnosis in order to scam people out of thousands of dollars.
Sonja Marsell Luker, 42, and Gerald Christopher “Chris” Luker, 43, are both still facing felony fraud charges in the alleged scheme.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, numerous fundraisers were held between May 2004 and October 2010 that raised over $19,000. Evidence shows that about $14,000 was used in 2009 to avoid foreclosure on their home in the 4700 block of Pine Circle Drive and about $4,000 in cash was used by Chris Luker to purchase a 1997 Harley motorcycle.
The Sheriff’s Office investigation found that Chris and Sonja Luker personally received money from friends, family, church members and co-workers under a “scheme” that Sonja Luker was being treated for cancer. Investigators believe both Chris and Sonja Luker are guilty of fraud in the scheme; witnesses said the couple was observed together at fundraisers talking about her cancer treatments.
Trial for both Lukers is set to begin August 1. They have each pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
Pictured above: Sonja and Chris Luker (in black shirts) are seen in a 2009 NorthEscambia.com photo from a motorcycle ride fundraiser that benefited her alleged fight against cancer. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
23 Responses to “Grand Theft Charges Dropped In Molino Couple Cancer Scam Case”
Since their arrest more and more people are coming forward sharing stories of how these 2 swindled them. It is upsetting that they swindled money from their so called friends but to try and get money from a grieving mother….beyond pathetic. What about all the children in our community that looked up to Coach Chris & Mrs. Sonja? It is pretty upsetting to see your children devastated because they had spent many hours worrying about Sonja’s sickness just to find out she lied the entire time. They are truly the lowest of the low and I hope the judge makes an example of them and gives them excessive jail time.
Clearly, they think this community is made up of a bunch of idiots because they are still going around town spewing lies to anyone who will listen. At this point I can’t imagine anyone would believe anything they say.
They should have to pay back all of the money that was donated to them however they can. Sell the bike, house or anything else. The money should go to a reputable organization that helps cancer victims who are truly in need. They should also not only have jail time according to the law but also have community service working in some capacity with those who are so very sick. Maybe then their heart and spirit will be convicted enough (seeing true suffering) for them to truly be sorry for what they have done. They should ask forgiveness in person to each and everyone who supported them during this time (not expecting forgiveness or understanding). And most importantly, they need to have a heart-to-heart with God and truly admit and repent their deceptiveness. Not just be sorry because they got caught or put it all down to mental illness. This is the only way to wipe the slate as clean as it can be under the circumstances.
Okay so the theft charges were dropped. Okay so they committed a sin and has asked for forgiveness and shall not (hopefully) sin anymore. But they still have the felony charges against them. God can forgive them, but the law is the law and they will have to pay for breaking the law.
Let’s say she did have cancer and needed all of the money that was donated to them. If they were so desperate for donations to help them to pay for her medical bills – how could Chris afford to buy the motorcycle? Where did the funds come from for Chris to buy the motorcycle and why would he be needing a motorcycle?
Just saying
Ok, I have been quiet long enough. Let me start by saying that all the comments from those of you stating let god deal with it, and giving bible verses is all good. But let us all realize that these people have stolen from family, friends, coworkers, children, etc. The LUKERS are not good people, yes that is not for us to judge, but it is clearly seen. And Sonja’s parents need to realize that they are not the prize children that they make them out to be. We (the family) know how her parents have treated both Chris and Sonja’s other family members, and it makes me glad to see that the tables have turned. Chris shame on you for thinking that your relatives, friends, coworkers, etc would even think this is ok. Sonja shame on you also for thinking the same. Gene and Keianne shame on you also for not offerning any appologies to the people that you all have hurt over the past years by placing all the praise on these 2. I hope that justice will be served, and the community can all put this behind them and continue to help those who really need a helping hand.
Because of people like this we can’t get some people to advertise for my husband’s benefit’s who truly has stage 4 liver cancer. It’ has hurt all of the people who really have got cancer from getting help because everybody is scared it’s another scam. They deserve the max of whatever punishment is put upon them and then some.
You know – I am not sure if these people are quilty or not, its not for me to Judge. I hope she isn’t sick, but I feel bad if they stooped to this level to get money from our community, if she wasn’t. Things like this made me feel bad to ask for help!
But, I will tell you I have been fighting Thyroid (Papillary)cancer for over 4 years. I was to proud to ask for anyone to help me, but I have put some cans out locally, and believe it or not, alittle change here and there has helped me. I have to travel to Tampa many times a year,staying 3-5 days at the time.I also have things done here locally in Pensacola.There is nothing that will treat my Cancer, I am Iodine resistant, so my case is unique and at this time impossible to treat. “Unless a New Clinical Trial” comes about, ‘Or Our Good Master Up Above” Gives Me A Miracle’. Surgery REMOVAL is the only way I can fight this. I have endured 3 surgeries in 18 months, and it looks like I will be facing another VERY soon. Fuel prices, and rental cars, ( My car isn’t very dependable) hotel rooms, food, etc. Medical and travel expenses are exremely costly. Its tough, I can tell you that. My husband is disabled, with COPD, emfezema, many stents in his heart, and I could just go on and on!
I hope that this ordeal will not put a sour taste in those mouths that can help people like me and others who are in great need of help. Not everyone is scamming.
Thanks for reading this. May God Bless You!
Tamara Nichols
I think it is pathetic. I have been through several family members that have died of cancer. Regardless of the economy, why would you participate in such a criminal act. They deserve what they get.
I went to school with Sonja and Chris. They still live in Molino by her parents. And Chris still works at the plant. I don’t know how he could even show his face. They should get what they deserve…………..with prison time. I dont have empathy or sympathy for the neither one of them and ever for the parents…………..cause you know they knew what was going on!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sonja’s thing on FB is work at home……….hopefully now it will be work from JAIL.. She should have gotton out and got her a real job like the rest of us………….instead of sittin on the couch eatin bom bom’s. They for sure deserve what they get!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But I feel someone is gonna get PAID off…………….watch and see.
Just Sayin you are exactly right. I smelled something funny from the start and never gave her a dime of my money.
@Bama Boy
Hard to read through the religious nonsense comment, bottom line is the lady didnt have cancer and stole from the entire community. They used the money for themselves (supposedly, will see once the trial is complete)
Its bad enough to be a fraud , but to claim you have cancer and take money thats the lowest form of low. Think of all the people that really do have cancer that could have used that money and support instead
If convicted I am sure she will have plenty of time to think about it while sitting in jail
@ Bama boy, we all have sinned and always will but my sins are’t taking money out of people’s pockets to help me buy things. Maybe in God’s eye as sin is a sin but we are not God. We are human beings who felt sorry and felt pain for this family. So forgive us if we are a little bitter. Im guessing you weren’t involved in this mess or you might feel different.
Ok…I have had enough of this…..#1. The diffirence between their sin and everybody else on here throwing rocks is there sin is public! Yes what they did was wrong. But its time people look at their own lives and the sin in it. Jesus said . 7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. 8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
The key is they have not repented. and if they do they are commanded to go sin no more.
@me…..WHAT!!!! You DID NOT see her go through treatment!!! She fooled you too!! “Me” must be her momma!!! She’s the only person defending Sonja!!! She DID do something wrong…SHE LIED ABOUT HAVING CANCER!!!! All Sonja had to do was produce 1 doctor saying she had cancer….that’s it! She could never produce medical documentation that she has EVER had ANY type of cancer! As a parent….our children do things we do not agree with. Every parent can say that! Sonja lied, defrauded her friends & family out of thousands of dollars! That was in VERY poor taste…yes! I know her mother still loves her but for gods sake quit defending her!!! You just sound like a complete idot!!!
Hopefully they will get something thrown at them. It was wrong what they did. Maybe if they get some time, and when they get out, they can receive a Rx card with the others that get one when they get out. And what a deal. They will get two of them. It’s nice to share.
@me~ where you there at the appointments. If so then wow she must think more of you then her husband who said he was never at any of them. Did you see her hooked up to the drip? No. I didn’t think so. She has admitted to many of us that she faked cancer. That she lied about everything. I wouldn’t have believed it either if she wouldn’t have admitted it. We’ve all seen her “sick” but just because she’s not in hollywood doesn’t mean she’s not a great actress.
@me, regarding: “i’ve personally seen this women go through agonizing treatments and sickness through the past 7 years and i know she was actually not faking it…thats something to not fake..have faith and all this be gone =)”
No, you personally saw this woman FAKE going through treatments and sickness the past 7 years…she fooled you just as she has thousands of others! I hope they both get the maximum sentence possible for this!! What they did was so wrong!
@ ME:
yes they did do something wrong. they dropped theft not felony and yes she BELIEVED as she said to several of us in an email that she had cancer but never did. Then she thru in something about a mental illness and being Severely Depressed. I don’t buy it, if she were that depressed she wouldn’t be out around the ball park like she was. Being depressed, as i have been before, you don’t want to be around ppl, you want to stay at home. Depressed ppl don’t go around quoting scripture on FB and talking about how great our life is. She needs to be reading that scripture and living by it herself in stead of trying to make ppl think she is all saved and nothing happened. I do hate this has happened because I thought the world of this family, still do some of them. What she did is just wrong? no body goes to chemo treatments alone. I know because I have had a fmily member die from the awful disease.
Theft charges dropped most likely cause they didn’t “steal” anything. They received donations under false pretenses, Therefore the fraud charge(s) still stand.
i knew they didn’t do nothing wrong….i’ve personally seen this women go through agonizing treatments and sickness through the past 7 years and i know she was actually not faking it…thats something to not fake..have faith and all this be gone =)
Are they still living in Molino????
WHAT????????????? thats all I can say!!
Probably some technicallity that let them scape on one of the charges it happens, they’re still facing plenty of charges
So, why were the grand theft charges dropped? was it based on the dollar amount of the scam they were running?