A Rhode Island woman has been sentenced to federal prison for the crimes of falsifying military service, false use of military medals, identify theft and more charges related to the impersonation of military veterans.
Sarah Jane Cavanaugh, 32, reportedly pretended to be a decorated U.S. Marine who had been injured by an IED in Iraq and had developed service-related cancer, according to a March 14 news release.
“Sarah Cavanaugh’s conduct in the course of her scheme is nothing short of appalling,” U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Cunha said in the release. “By brazenly laying claim to the honor, service and sacrifice of real veterans, this defendant preyed on the charity and decency of others for her own shameless financial gain. I am grateful that, with today’s sentence, she has been brought to justice and will face the consequences of her actions.”
Cavanaugh was sentenced to almost six years in federal prison for defrauding veterans, veterans' organizations, veterans' charities, friends and coworkers in a "methodical and calculated manner," according to the release. Her criminal behavior spanned five years and was described in court documents as "among the more reprehensible seen in this district from a fraud defendant."
Cavanaugh, who worked at the Rhode Island Veterans Affairs Medical Center, was entrusted with the responsibility of assisting and supporting veterans, the release reported. However, she betrayed the trust and used her position to steal their identities, along with their combat experiences and medical diagnoses. She reportedly managed to make illicit gains of more than $250,000 by using the information she had stolen.
“Today’s sentencing sends a strong message to those who would represent themselves as something they’re not in order to profit from the kindness and respect shown to our nation’s deserving veterans,” Christopher Algieri, special agent in charge of the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s northeast field office, said in the release. “The VA OIG thanks the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their efforts in bringing this defendant to justice.”
