U.S. Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest | U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest | U.S. Department of Justice
Jessica Russell, a 42-year-old resident of Barre, Vermont, has pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud. The plea was entered on January 17, 2025, before Chief United States District Judge Christina Reiss in Burlington.
Court records reveal that Russell defrauded an elderly victim from Vermont out of more than $84,000. She developed a relationship with the victim by referring to her as "mom" and falsely claiming she had lost a child herself. This led the victim to grant Russell power of attorney for legal actions that the victim would have taken if able.
As the victim's health declined, Russell opened a joint checking account funded with over $132,000 from the sale of the victim's home. Of this amount, Russell used $68,000 to purchase a house in Barton, Vermont, and over $16,000 for a 2017 Mitsubishi SUV. Both assets were placed in her name under false pretenses.
A sentencing hearing is set for June 12, 2025, in Burlington.
United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest praised Homeland Security Investigations and Vermont State Police for their investigative efforts. Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin Owyang is prosecuting the case while Assistant Federal Public Defender Sara Puls represents Russell.
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