Woman gets jail for stealing from wheelchair-bound veteran
“VA employees that take advantage of vulnerable veterans in their care will not be tolerated.” — Special Agent in Charge Sean J. Smith
PHILADELPHIA >> A Coatesville woman who stole money from a veteran patient who was in her care at the VA Medical Center in Coatesville was sentenced to eight months in prison Wednesday.
Jacoya Brazzle, 31, received eight months’ incarceration, five years supervised release and full restitution by United States Timothy J. Savage for stealing money from a veteran patient in her care. The case was tried in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Brazzle was a nursing assistant at the VA Medical Center in Coatesville. As part of her duties, she was assigned to care for a veteran who uses a wheelchair. Brazzle learned the veteran’s Automated Teller Machine card PIN number, and used his ATM card to access his account from May to July of 2018.
According to United States Attorney William McSwain, Brazzle withdrew funds on more than 10 occasions from ATMs in the Coatesville area over a two month timespan. In all, the defendant stole approximately $11,000 from the victim’s bank account.
“Our veterans deserve our gratitude for their service, and it goes without saying that they deserve safe and trustworthy care at VA Medical Centers,” McSwain said. “The defendant’s conduct here – stealing from a wheelchair-bound veteran in her care — is reprehensible. My Office will investigate and prosecute any crimes against veterans to the fullest extent possible.”
From information released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office:
Brazzle began stealing the veteran’s money on July 7, when she withdrew $500 in cash from the ATM located at the Turkey Hill Minit Market on Lincoln Highway in Coatesville. The next day, she drove to same Turkey Hill and withdrew another $500. The daily limit on an ATM transaction is $500.
Brazzle continued her scheme, and when some of her ATM transactions were declined, she tried minutes later requesting a lesser amount.
“VA employees that take advantage of vulnerable veterans in their care will not be tolerated,” said Special Agent in Charge Sean J. Smith, Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, Criminal Investigations Division, Northeast Field Office.
The case was investigated by the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nancy Rue.