A federal grand jury for the Southern District of Illinois has returned an eight-count indictment
charging Sarah A. Delashmit, 35, of Highland, Illinois, with wire fraud, mail fraud, and aggravated
identity theft. Delashmit is accused of falsely claiming she had breast cancer and genetic
disorders to receive financial assistance and other benefits.
According to the indictment, Delashmit falsely claimed she was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy
and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) to attend Camp Summit, a nonprofit camp serving individuals with
disabilities located in Texas. The indictment further alleges that while at Camp Summit, Delashmit
impersonated an individual with disabilities by confining herself to a wheelchair and pretending to
need assistance with most daily activities, such as getting dressed and bathing, despite being
fully able to walk and care for herself.
In addition, the indictment alleges that Delashmit falsely claimed she was a breast cancer survivor
to go on a trip and receive donated items through the Young Survival Coalition (YSC), a nonprofit
organization serving young adults who have been diagnosed with cancer based in New York. Delashmit
is also accused of making false statements to a credit card company and an internet retailer to
obtain a triathlon bicycle valued at $4,499.00 without paying for it.
Delashmit is due in federal court for her initial appearance on March 24, 2020, at 10:00am. A trial
date has not been set. If convicted, Delashmit faces up to 20 years in prison on each of the mail
fraud and wire fraud charges. The aggravated identity theft charges each carry a mandatory sentence
of two years imprisonment.
An indictment merely is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed
to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a
jury.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI and Postal Inspection Service. The case is
being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Luke J. Weissler.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
