- Sarah Jane Cavanaugh of Rhode Island has been sentenced to almost six years in jail.
- Cavanaugh pleaded responsible in August to wire fraud and different fees associated to forging paperwork.
- Prosecutors allege she used her place working with veterans to falsify her personal paperwork and medical historical past.
A Rhode Island girl has been sentenced to simply below six years in jail for posing as a veteran who was injured in fight, then accumulating lots of of hundreds in advantages and charitable donations.
Sarah Jane Cavanaugh, 32, was sentenced Tuesday to 70 months in jail, together with three years of supervised launch, and ordered to pay over $280,000 in restitution to these she defrauded, the Justice Division introduced.
Cavanaugh pleaded responsible in August to wire fraud, aggravated id theft, forging a navy discharge certificates, and fraudulent use of navy medals.
“Sarah Cavanaugh’s conduct in the middle of her scheme is nothing wanting appalling,” US legal professional Zachary Cunha stated. “By openly laying declare to the glory, service, and sacrifice of actual veterans, this defendant preyed on the charity and decency of others for her personal shameless monetary achieve.”
Cavanaugh appeared at occasions in full Marine uniform, and used fraudulent medals and paperwork to construct relationships with charities and purchase lots of of hundreds in donations.
She used the cash for journey, tuition for an artwork program, dwelling repairs, a health club membership, and her mortgage. Court docket data present that the Wounded Warrior Challenge was in touch with Cavanaugh from 2017 via 2021, and offered her with over $207,000 in advantages, together with $500 per thirty days for groceries and bodily remedy.
Prosecutors alleged that Cavanaugh used her place as a social employee at a Veterans Affairs medical middle in Rhode Island to entry the navy data of actual veterans. She used them to assert navy service, accidents, and diseases, and to steal the awards of different veterans as her personal — though she by no means served within the navy.
Information solid by Cavanaugh claimed that she was within the US Marine Corps from 2009 to 2016, rising to the rank of corporal, and incomes a Purple Coronary heart and a Bronze Star earlier than being discharged in December 2016, in keeping with courtroom paperwork.
Prosecutors stated Cavanaugh used her official work “va.gov” electronic mail tackle in September 2021 to contact a San Diego-based firm to purchase the navy medals.
In January 2022, Cavanaugh allegedly contacted a nonprofit for help in paying for most cancers remedies, claiming she had been identified with lung most cancers after being uncovered to burn pits whereas serving overseas. Somebody concerned with the nonprofit contacted a Rhode Island veterans medical middle, which searched veterans databases, however was unable to search out any data of Cavanaugh, courtroom data present.
