Prosecutors lay out evidence in fraud case against Valley Center foster son
VALLEY CENTER, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) -- A Valley Center man accused of stealing millions of dollars in property from his foster mother while she was dying of cancer appeared in court this week as prosecutors laid out their case.
Cedric "Charles" Von Ferdinand, 33, faces more than 40 counts of real estate fraud. Prosecutors allege he conspired with Escondido notary Raymond Joseph Alto to forge documents and illegally transfer ownership of properties belonging to 65-year-old Nadine Jett, a former Los Angeles attorney who was battling pancreatic cancer in late 2023 and early 2024.
During opening statements, prosecutors told a judge that much of their evidence consists of documents, including deed transfers and a thumbprint that investigators say was not Jett’s. Mark Kelley, an investigator with the district attorney’s office, testified that a deed dated Jan. 31, 2024 showed Jett’s Valley Center ranch transferred into Von Ferdinand’s name.
Prosecutors say Von Ferdinand used forged quick-claim deeds notarized by Alto to place Jett’s ranch and two other Los Angeles County properties in his name, then withdrew nearly $500,000 from her estate to purchase another Los Angeles property.
Defense attorney Kerry Steigerwalt countered that Jett’s “dying wish” was to leave her estate to Von Ferdinand, who had been caring for her. He argued the transfers were legal, though he acknowledged Von Ferdinand’s fingerprint — not Jett’s — appeared on some notarized documents. Steigerwalt said Alto witnessed Jett sign over the properties and placed his seal under oath.
The case drew attention after Jett’s four foster daughters reported her missing early this year. The women said they last saw her at Christmas 2023, and later accused Von Ferdinand of isolating her. They told investigators Von Ferdinand claimed Jett died in April 2024 and was cremated in Mexico, though he never produced a death certificate.
In July, sheriff’s deputies discovered Jett’s remains buried on her Valley Center ranch, prompting a homicide investigation that remains open. The foster daughters contend Jett intended to leave her estate to them, citing a will they say has since disappeared.
Both Von Ferdinand and Alto have pleaded not guilty. A preliminary hearing was continued to Tuesday.
