Highland woman accused of faking breast cancer, genetic disorders for money
A Highland woman has been charged with faking breast cancer and genetic disorders to receive financial assistance and other benefits, federal authorities announced Wednesday.
Sarah A. Delashmit, 35, was charged with four counts of wire fraud, three counts of aggravated identity theft and one count of mail fraud in the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Illinois on Tuesday.
Delashmit did not have an attorney listed on online court records.
According to the indictment, Delashmit falsely claimed in October 2015 and March 2016 that she was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy to attend Camp Summit, a nonprofit camp serving people with disabilities that’s based in Dallas, Texas. She applied for the camp using another person’s identity, and provided that person’s Social Security benefit statements as proof of income.
While at Camp Summit, the indictment states, Delashmit confined herself to a wheelchair and pretended to need assistance with most daily activities, like bathing and getting dressed, despite being able to walk and care for herself. The indictment also states that Delashmit applied for and received financial assistance to attend the camp.
Carla Weiland, Camp Summit’s chief executive officer, said in a statement Wednesday that the camp learned of Delashmit’s deception during a spring break session.
“At that time, we were in contact with her family and pastor to assist in getting her the help they felt was needed,” Weiland said.
The indictment states that Delashmit falsely claimed she was a breast cancer survivor from October 2017 to March 2018 in order to go on a trip and receive donated items through a nonprofit organization in New York City called the Young Survival Coalition.
Delashmit applied for and received a travel grant to attend the nonprofit’s National Summit in Orlando, Florida, for cancer survivors and young adults living with cancer, the indictment states. She also applied for and received a new bicycle and cycling equipment free of charge through the organization’s Tour de Pink Survivor Bike Program.
In May 2019, the indictment states, Delashmit used the same person’s stolen identity and credit card information to obtain a free triathlon bicycle from a Miami eBay user valued at almost $4,500.
The indictment states Delashmit must forfeit the property she received by making the alleged false claims, including a pair of cycling shoes, two bicycles and a jersey with the word “Survivor” on it.
Delashmit is due in federal court on March 24 at 10 a.m. for her first initial appearance.
According to U.S. Attorney Steven Weinhoeft’s office, Delashmit faces up to 20 years in prison on each of the mail fraud and wire fraud charges, if she is convicted. The aggravated identity theft charge carries a mandatory sentence of two years imprisonment.
This story was originally published March 4, 2020 at 10:14 AM.
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