Nassau Man Stole From Dead, Had Child Pornography

A Sea Cliff man was sentenced to 10 years in prison for stealing more than $1 million from a dead woman's estate, as well as for possession of child pornography.

John Derounian, 51, was sentenced to 51 months in jail for mail fraud for the theft and 70 months for possession of child pornography, and the sentences will run consecutively. He also must pay $1,403,209.17 in restitution for the theft of more than $1.2 from a woman identified as Jane Doe, as well as a $10,000 fine. Derounian had pleaded guilty to the charges in June 2018.

“When it comes to evil deeds, there is nothing more despicable than preying on children and robbing the dead," said Philip Bartlett, the United States Postal Inspection Service inspector-in-charge. "Today’s sentence is a lesson in karma and justice; when you break the law, your crimes will eventually be exposed."

On Nov. 12, 2015, Derounian claimed he found the body of his tenant, the Jane Doe, inside her Sea Cliff home. He then emailed and called Morgan Stanley employees to try to get more than $200,000 from her account. He forged a will naming himself executor and sole beneficiary of her estate, had her body cremated and sold her property for more than $1 million and had all the money transferred to his bank accounts.