Barre Woman Pleads Guilty To Bilking An Elderly Woman

Wednesday, January 22, 2025, 8:00 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News, 

BURLINGTON, VT.- On Friday, January 17, 2025, Jessica Russell, 42, of Barre, Vermont, appeared in the U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont and pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Court Judge Christina Reiss to two counts of Wire Fraud in connection with an elderly theft scheme.

     According to U.S. Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest and documents filed with the District Court, Russell defrauded an elderly Vermont woman of over $84,000 in an elder theft scheme. During the scheme, Russell befriended the elderly woman who had tragically lost her son. Russell built up a rapport with the woman by calling her “mom,” lying to her, and telling the elderly woman that she had herself had lost a child.

Victim Gives Russell Power Of Attorney

     The elderly woman gave Russell a power of attorney, but it only authorized Russell to take legal actions that the elderly victim would have taken if they were able. As the elderly woman’s health and mental state declined, Russell opened up a joint checking account with the victim. That account was subsequently funded with over $132,000 from the sale of the elderly victim’s home.

     Of that money, Russell used $68,000 to buy a home in Barton, Vermont, and over $16,000 to buy a 2017 Mitsubishi sport utility vehicle. She then put the Barton, Vermont, house in her name, falsely telling people that she had bought it with her own money and telling others she inherited the money for the purchase. Russell also put the Mitsubishi in her name as well. Last year, Russell spoke with a car dealership regarding making repairs to the Mitsubishi, which she continued to represent that it belonged to her.

     Following entering her guilty plea last Friday, Judge Reiss scheduled sentencing for June 12, 2025, at which time Russell faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 on each count.