Missouri woman accused of defrauding disabled uncle following HSI investigation

ST. LOUIS – A woman from Lake St. Louis was arrested Aug. 16 on an indictment accusing her of stealing more than $66,000 from her disabled uncle following a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) probe. Jessica Medrano, 41, was indicted with one count of aggravated identity theft, one count of access device fraud, and 12 counts of wire fraud. Medrano pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The indictment states that between Jan. 21 and May 16, Medrano used a debit card account number issued to her uncle to make $12,668 worth of transactions at Walmart. During that same period, she electronically transferred more than $54,000 from her uncle’s bank account to her Cash App account, according to the indictment.

Each wire fraud charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The access device fraud charge carries a penalty of up to five years in prison, and the identity theft charge has a mandatory two-year term consecutive to any other charge. All carry a potential fine of up to $250,000.

Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This case was investigated by HSI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Berry is prosecuting the case.

Learn more about HSI’s mission to combat fraud in your community on Twitter @HSIKansasCity.

HSI is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel, and finance move. HSI’s workforce of over 10,400 employees consists of more than 6,800 special agents assigned to 225 cities throughout the United States, and 86 overseas locations in 55 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’s largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.