A man from Salem, Missouri has admitted to neglecting and then concealing the death of his quadriplegic uncle, a U.S. Army veteran, in order to fraudulently collect $1.8 million in government benefits over several years.
Brian K. Ditch, 45, pleaded guilty 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.
Ditch had been responsible for his uncle’s care since 2008 but failed to provide adequate support. According to court documents, he locked his uncle away, provided insufficient care, and subjected him to verbal abuse. After gaining unauthorized access to his uncle’s financial accounts, Ditch regularly transferred money to himself.
Following the death of his uncle around 2019, Ditch concealed the passing from family members as well as from federal agencies including the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Social Security Administration (SSA). He hid the body in a shed behind his house and falsely told relatives that his uncle had moved into a nursing home. He also misled police by saying that his uncle was living with another caregiver.
The VA Disability Compensation program deposited approximately $1.6 million into the account since 2008, while an additional $235,210 was received from SSA benefits during this period. Ditch used these funds for personal expenses such as purchasing exotic reptiles and firearms despite being prohibited from possessing firearms due to previous felony convictions.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 8. Each count of wire fraud carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine; being a felon in possession can result in up to 15 years’ imprisonment and the same fine; aggravated identity theft includes a mandatory two-year prison term consecutive to any other sentence.
The investigation involved 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.”
