A man from Salem, Missouri has pleaded guilty to multiple charges after admitting he neglected and concealed the death of his uncle, a U.S. Army veteran with quadriplegia, in order to continue receiving the deceased man's government benefits.
Brian K. Ditch, 45, entered guilty pleas on Friday to four counts of wire fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, Ditch became responsible for caring for his uncle in 2008 but instead isolated him and provided inadequate care while verbally abusing him. Ditch then gained unauthorized access to his uncle’s financial accounts and transferred funds to himself regularly.
After his uncle died around 2019, Ditch hid the death from family members as well as from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Social Security Administration. He concealed the body in a shed behind his home and told relatives that his uncle had been moved to a nursing facility; when questioned by police, he claimed his uncle was with another caregiver.
Records show that since 2008, the VA deposited about $1.6 million into the veteran’s account through its Disability Compensation program. The Social Security Administration also paid $235,210 in benefits during this period.
Investigators determined that Ditch used these funds for personal purchases such as exotic reptiles and firearms—despite being prohibited from owning firearms due to prior felony convictions.
Ditch is scheduled for sentencing on January 8. Each wire fraud charge carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The felon-in-possession charge could result in up to 15 years’ imprisonment and an equivalent fine. Aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two-year prison term consecutive to other sentences.
The investigation was conducted by the Salem Police Department, Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Derek Wiseman is prosecuting the case.
"This press release was posted November 13, after the end of the federal government shutdown."
