San Antonio Woman Gets Six Years Prison For Stealing $50K In Headstone Scam

Years of Grief Compounded by Betrayal

Elena Moreno Sanchez, 49, was sentenced to six years in prison Monday after being convicted of stealing $50,000 from people who purchased headstones but never received them. Judge Stephanie Boyd made the ruling in Bexar County's 187th Criminal District Court . According to court records, Moreno was charged with theft of property between $30,000 and $150,000, which is considered a third-degree felony .

Moreno operated Angelic Monuments, a now-former South Side business that provided headstones to families who purchased them after losing loved ones . The case became the subject of a yearslong KSAT investigation that revealed the depth of her deception. Six family members of departed relatives talked to KSAT about their business interactions with Moreno. At the time, those family members paid more than $25,000 combined but said they did not receive headstones .

Norma Sifuentes, one of the victims who testified Monday, told the court: "What was delivered by Ms. Moreno (Sanchez) was pain, agony (and) torture for me, my family and the loss of my husband. We have suffered quite a bit, and she has put us through nothing but hell until now" .

Investigation Reveals Growing Pattern

KSAT first reported on the business in February 2024. Three weeks later, in March 2024, six more families who claimed Moreno had wronged them also came forward to KSAT in a follow-up story . At that point, San Antonio police said it was investigating the theft reports. In addition, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) assigned Angelic Monuments an "F-" rating and launched its own investigation .

The investigation painted a picture of systematic exploitation during families' most vulnerable moments. Grieving relatives trusted Moreno to provide lasting memorials for their loved ones, only to discover they had been victimized during an already traumatic time. The emotional impact extended far beyond the financial losses, as families were left without proper headstones to mark their relatives' graves.

Incomplete Justice and Ongoing Concerns

After Moreno pled guilty last fall, Boyd ordered her to pay complete restitution ($50,000) by December — her most recent court appearance before Monday. However, she only paid approximately 70% of that amount back in full . Following the December hearing, scam victims said they were devastated that her timeframe for repayment was extended to April .

In addition to Boyd's six-year prison sentence, Moreno is no longer allowed to work "in the funeral home industry, the home health care industry or with minors" . Sifuentes told the judge that Moreno now works at another San Antonio-area funeral business and worries she could scam other families. Moreno later confirmed that she reports to a supervisor at that business and does not collect any money .

Protecting Vulnerable Consumers

This case highlights the particular vulnerability of families dealing with death and funeral arrangements. The emotional state of grieving relatives, combined with unfamiliarity with funeral industry practices, creates opportunities for unscrupulous operators to exploit their trust. The multi-year investigation demonstrates how consumer protection agencies and media outlets can work together to expose systematic fraud.

The employment restrictions placed on Moreno acknowledge that certain industries require heightened trust and oversight. Her prohibition from working with vulnerable populations reflects the court's recognition that her crimes exploited people during their most defenseless moments. While the six-year sentence provides some measure of justice, the incomplete restitution means many families continue to bear the financial burden of her crimes alongside their emotional trauma.