District Attorney Jennifer Schorn today announced charges against a former Bucks County police officer for deceiving an elderly Langhorne resident into signing her last will and testament, aiming to gain control of her more than $500,000 estate.  

Carlito Cortez, who worked part time for both the Langhorne Borough Police Department and the Yardley Borough Police Department, surrendered to authorities on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, following the investigation by Bucks County Detectives and the Bucks County 21^st Investigating Grand Jury.

Last week, the Grand Jury recommended charges against Cortez, 59, of Richboro, of criminal attempt to commit theft by deception, securing execution of documents by deception, theft by deception, receiving stolen property, false swearing, perjury and official oppression. The Grand Jury presentment was approved by President Judge Raymond F. McHugh.

He was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Daniel Baranoski who set bail at $150,000 unsecured. He also ordered that Cortez have no contact with the victim.

Cortez worked as a part-time officer for the Yardley Borough Police Department from 2013 to 2023 and as a part-time officer for the Langhorne Borough Police Department for eight years. He resigned from Langhorne in the fall.

"This case is very unnerving because it destroys your trust in this position of authority that this individual held. I am so pleased to know that my colleagues took painstaking steps to investigate this matter, and they used the powers of the Grand Jury to assist them in that capacity, and they, honoring their oath and commitment to seek justice, demonstrate that no one is above the law," District Attorney Jennifer Schorn said.

"It really does not get much worse than this, this defendant’s actions are the definition of predatory and exploitative, and again, I just praise the work that was done and also commend the members of the Bucks County Investigating Grand Jury because they serve in secret and they serve for up to two years handling matters, sensitive matters like this, so that we can get justice for victims of crime."

This investigation found that the married police officer began a relationship with a 76-year-old woman and obtained the victim’s signature on a last will and testament, which he falsely presented as a power of attorney document.

Cortez met the woman after he was assigned as a Langhorne police officer to investigate the March 2020 theft of two rings valued at $25,000 from her home safe. The rings were never found, and no charges were filed in the theft.

Despite the stalled investigation, Cortez continued to visit the victim, and their relationship evolved over three years. A witness reported seeing Cortez's police vehicle at the victim's residence several nights a week for extended periods, often into the morning.

The victim stated she fell in love with Cortez, who reciprocated verbally only when she did things for him. She also indicated their relationship was not sexually intimate.

During this time, Cortez, who also worked as a contractor, offered to do home repairs for the victim, but most projects were left unfinished.

Near the end of 2022, Cortez talked the victim into getting in-home nursing care and arranged for a woman with whom he was also having an affair to become her caretaker. The victim paid this woman $2,900 over four months before the victim told her that she did not need her services any longer. The investigation found the woman was not a nurse and was not licensed or insured as a caregiver.

Around the same time, Cortez began discussing with the victim the possibility of him becoming her power of attorney. They had multiple conversations about this, and Cortez enlisted a friend to vouch for him. This friend contacted the victim, describing Cortez as a trustworthy family man.

Shortly thereafter, Cortez presented the victim with documents he had printed online for her signature. The victim stated she was interested in granting Cortez medical power of attorney but not financial power of attorney or the beneficiary of her estate. After signing the papers, she noticed the words "last will and testament."

Cortez rushed off and told her he would send her a copy, which he never did.

In May 2023, Cortez moved into the victim’s home for a few weeks. He kept personal belongings at her home, including his police uniforms and equipment, but would also return to his home in Richboro, where he lived with his wife.

A search of Cortez's Richboro home in October 2024 revealed two older wills and testaments belonging to the victim, which she stated she had not authorized him to possess. When questioned about a more recent last will and testament that the victim said he fraudulently induced her to sign, Cortez provided inconsistent information regarding its whereabouts, and it was never found.

During his testimony before the Grand Jury, Cortez lied about how he obtained the victim’s wills and what became of the newer will.

This case was investigated by Bucks County Detective Timothy Johnson, with assistance from the Bucks County 21^st Investigating Grand Jury. This case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Alan J. Garabedian.

Media Contact: Manuel Gamiz Jr., 215.348.6298, mgamiz@buckscounty.org

Criminal charges are allegations subject to proof in court. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.