By Diana McFarland

Managing editor

Former Isle of Wight School Board member Kent Hildebrand, charged with grand larceny, waived his preliminary hearing Thursday and will go straight to a grand jury.

“At this time there is no indication that any other agency is seeking charges against Mr. Hildebrand,” said Isle of Wight County Commonwealth’s Attorney Georgette Phillips.

Federal authorities can become involved when payments are made by wire (electronically) or by mail, which would constitute mail or wire fraud, Phillips explained. {mprestriction ids=”1,2,3,4,5,6″}

Hildebrand’s attorney waived the preliminary hearing as a way to try and work things out, as in a plea deal, Phillips said, adding that the biggest sticking point is the amount of restitution.

Hildebrand was charged nearly a year ago with 15 counts of grand larceny, one count of identity theft and one count of credit card fraud. The elderly victim was known to Hildebrand and lived in the mobile home park where he was a manager.

He allegedly defrauded Carol Jackson of $206,000 after she gave him access to her checking account to help pay her bills.

The defense’s offer of restitution is about half of that, Phillips said.

The next grand jury is July 11 in Isle of Wight County Circuit Court. If indicted, Hildebrand’s trial would probably be scheduled for the fall, Phillips said.

In a plea deal, the number of charges and well as sentencing caps could be negotiated, Phillips said.

Most individuals that have recently been convicted of similar crimes in Isle of Wight County have seen active jail or prison time, Phillips said.

Aggravating factors in determining a sentence include the age of the victim and the amount of money involved, Phillips said.  {/mprestriction}