# California man pleads guilty in $1.8 million romance fraud case

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Topic: U.S. · Status: published · Version: 1
Published: 2026-10-07T02:47:15.572Z · Updated: 2026-10-07T02:47:15.572Z
Record: https://davids.news/s/california-man-pleads-guilty-in-1-8-million-romance-fraud-case-dde37d36

The Justice Department says Troy Clinton Van Sickle admitted defrauding two women and obstructing the federal investigation.

- The department says Van Sickle pleaded guilty in federal court.
- According to his plea agreement, he stole more than $1.8 million from two women he claimed romantic interest in.

Why it matters: The case involves alleged financial exploitation of two elderly women.

## Original sources

- [US Department of Justice](<https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdca/pr/ten-time-convicted-scammer-pleads-guilty-18-million-romance-fraud-scheme-targeting-two>) — primary announcement
  Source: US Department of Justice 2026 · Original report: 2026-10-06T12:00:00.000Z

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