Former police officer sentenced to three years in prison for inheritance scam

NORFOLK, Va. - A Belle Haven man was sentenced today to three years in prison for wire fraud and money laundering relating to a scam involving an inheritance claim.

According to court documents, former Eastville Police officer Jerry Keith Brady Jr., 38, concocted a scheme to convince at least 13 people to loan him money needed to pay fees related to a purported inheritance he claimed was due. Brady solicited loans from friends, acquaintances, and colleagues to pay for attorney fees, taxes, or other related costs that Brady claimed were necessary to receive an inheritance or life insurance proceeds he was due from a deceased relative.

Some victims had Brady sign a written contract or promissory note agreeing that he would repay the money. When the due date passed without repayment, Brady told victims that without more money he would lose the inheritance entirely, and in many instances the victims provided Brady additional funds. Brady defrauded his victims of hundreds of thousands of dollars in 33 transactions. Brady wasted most of the money gambling in casinos, through online sports betting apps, and at slots-style gambling machines in convenience stores.

The IRS Criminal Investigation Washington D.C. Field Office investigated this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph L. Kosky prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District CourtLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACERLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. by searching for Case No. 2:25-cr-101.