Incarcerated Veterans Defraud Fellow Veterans in Intensive Care From Jail

In a shocking case of betrayal and deceit, a former military veteran, Darryl Lamont Young, and his accomplice, Aqeelah Ngiesha Williams, have been charged in a scheme that targeted over 60 seriously ill veterans.

These two individuals took advantage of veterans who were already struggling with health issues, stealing personal and banking information to line their own pockets.

On October 4, the US Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington revealed that the pair exploited the very systems designed to support those who served their country. Let’s take a closer look at how the scam unfolded.

How the Scheme Unfolds

Between December 2021 and April 2023, while incarcerated at a Washington State Department of Corrections facility, Darryl Lamont Young, 46, allegedly used his knowledge of military systems to orchestrate a fraudulent scheme aimed at veterans who were hospitalized in intensive care units (ICU).

Young, who had served in the military, understood the services provided to veterans and used that knowledge to his advantage in the scam.

Using the jail phone system, Young would pose as an employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and call VA medical centers across the country.

Accordingly, he would ask to be transferred to particular medical facilities, using tactics to mask the fact that the calls were coming from an inmate.

Once connected to the medical facility, Young would inquire about patients currently in the ICU, requesting their phone numbers and emergency contact details under the pretense of needing information for financial benefits. It is mind-blowing that this information was given to someone who was not vetted by the VA as authentic.

Young didn’t operate alone. Once he had gathered personal information about the veterans or their emergency contacts, he enlisted his accomplice, Aqeelah Williams, 27, to place three-way calls.

Together, they would contact veterans or their family members, pretending to offer financial benefits such as stimulus payments. In reality, their objective was to steal personal and banking information.

After collecting the bank account details, they siphoned funds from the veterans’ accounts, transferring the stolen money to accounts they controlled.

This methodical and callous scheme targeted more than 30 VA and non-VA medical facilities, focusing on over 60 veterans who were already suffering due to serious health conditions. Young and Williams are the lowest kind of predators and deserve far more imaginative punishments than the federal government will ever give them.

In total, the two attempted 130 fraudulent transactions, managing to steal roughly $8,000 from the sick and dying.

Though the monetary amount may seem small, the emotional and psychological damage caused by this betrayal is immeasurable.

These veterans were already facing the challenges of illness and hospitalization, only to be preyed upon by someone who once wore the same uniform.

“The conduct in this case is truly shocking – calling medical facilities and seriously ill veterans under the pretense of being a VA employee trying to provide the ill veteran with financial benefits. In reality, these two were seeking personal and financial information to defraud the veteran,” said US Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. “While they did not get a huge amount of money with this scheme, the harm they caused to those already suffering a health crisis, is deserving of federal prosecution.”
— US Attorney’s Office, Western District of Washington

The Charges They Face

For their roles in the scheme, Young and Williams were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, six counts of wire fraud, and six counts of aggravated identity theft.

If convicted, they face up to 20 years in prison for wire fraud and an additional two years for aggravated identity theft charges.

Williams has already been arrested and pleaded “not guilty” in federal court, while Young remains incarcerated on unrelated charges.

In addition to their pending charges, the case has been referred to federal authorities, and the VA Office of Inspector General and the US Secret Service have been involved in the investigation.

This case demonstrates how far-reaching the consequences of their actions could be, especially given the scope of their crimes and the vulnerable population they targeted.

A System in Need of Protection

This shocking case has left many wondering how such a fraud could take place, especially within a system designed to protect those who have served.

The fact that an individual with military experience would exploit that knowledge to prey on fellow veterans is unsettling, to say the least.

According to US Attorney Gorman, the harm caused by Young and Williams “is deserving of federal prosecution,” as their actions struck at the heart of a community already enduring significant hardship.

While the financial damage in this case was not astronomical, the psychological impact on the victims and their families cannot be understated.

These veterans trusted that the services provided to them were for their benefit, only to be manipulated during some of their darkest moments.

The indictment is just one step toward ensuring justice is served, but it also serves as a reminder that those who have served in the military deserve better protection.

The Path Forward: Ensuring Veteran Safety

The VA Office of Inspector General and federal authorities are now working to ensure that the victims of this scheme receive justice.

In addition, VA facilities nationwide will likely tighten security protocols to prevent future occurrences of similar crimes.

Measures such as better verification of caller identities and stricter controls on access to personal and banking information will be critical moving forward.

This case also serves as a call to action for heightened awareness and vigilance when it comes to safeguarding personal information.

Veterans and their families must be aware of the potential for fraud and be cautious when sharing sensitive information over the phone.

Final Thoughts

The cases of Darryl Lamont Young and Aqeelah Williams are troubling examples of how some people are willing to betray those who’ve already given so much for their country. The charges they face are serious, but the real impact of their actions goes beyond legal consequences—it’s about the trust they broke with veterans who were already vulnerable.

As this case makes its way through the courts, it’s a reminder that we need to stay vigilant and ensure proper protections are in place for our veterans. These men and women put their lives on the line, and the last thing they deserve is to be taken advantage of when they’re at their most vulnerable.

Ultimately, it’s not just about the money stolen—it’s about getting justice for these veterans. While the authorities are working to prevent this from happening again, the emotional toll on the victims and their families will be felt long after the legal process is over.

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