SANGER, CA – A former couple convicted of orchestrating a massive financial fraud scheme against the late owner of Sanger’s Sherwood Forest Golf Club has been sentenced to custody in Fresno County.
The Sentences Delivered
A Fresno County Superior Court Judge ordered Justin Teel to serve three years in custody, while his former fiancée, Gina Abercrombie, was sentenced to one year in the Fresno County Jail followed by five years of formal probation.
The sentences follow an intense eight-week trial. Prosecutors labeled Abercrombie as the “puppet master” behind the operation, which targeted her vulnerable stepfather, Randy Hansen, who operated the golf club until his death in 2020.
A Sophisticated $800,000 Scheme
Evidence presented during trial revealed that Abercrombie and Teel systematically exploited Hansen over a period of nearly 1,000 days between 2017 and 2022. The fraudulent activities included:
- Identity Theft: Impersonating Hansen to secure business loans in his name.
- Forged Deeds: Fraudulently obtaining the title to Hansen’s $3 million Aptos residence.
- Unauthorized Incorporation: Taking over the Sherwood Forest Mobile Home Park without Hansen’s knowledge.
The jury found both defendants guilty of felony charges, including financial elder abuse and theft by false pretenses.
Jailhouse Threats Impact Sentencing
The sentencing hearing grew tense when Hansen’s daughter, Stacy Hansen, testified that she feared for her life. The prosecution presented recent jailhouse phone calls made by Abercrombie, where she explicitly mentioned that “we should all retaliate” against Stacy.
In response, the judge imposed a 10-year criminal protective order prohibiting Abercrombie from having any contact with Hansen’s daughter.
What’s Next?
While custody terms have been set, the financial aftermath remains unresolved. A formal restitution hearing has been scheduled for September 4, 2026, to determine the exact financial losses and repayment owed to Randy Hansen’s estate.
