Beverly Ochoa, a 30-year-old resident of Derwood, Maryland, received a 12-month suspended sentence for first-degree theft. She was found guilty of stealing $2,600 from the elderly wife of a hospice patient. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.
Ochoa entered a guilty plea on February 28 in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to one count of first-degree theft. Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno sentenced her to one year of supervised probation, which includes 40 hours of community service and suspended three years of supervised release.
The incident occurred on October 1 when Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to a call at the victims' home in Southeast Washington. An elderly couple lived there, with the husband receiving hospice care. Two health aide caregivers were employed by different companies to assist with his care. Ochoa was present in the home when the patient's wife went downstairs to pay another health aide worker. Upon inquiry about the other worker's whereabouts, Ochoa informed her that she had left.
The patient's wife placed $2,600 in $100 bills inside a drawer intending to pay later and left for an appointment. Upon returning, she discovered that the cash was missing. The family reviewed security camera footage which showed Ochoa taking something from the kitchen and placing it into her purse. Law enforcement was contacted and upon their arrival, they found $2,600 in $100 bills inside Ochoa's purse leading to her arrest.
U.S. Attorney Pirro and Chief Smith praised those involved in investigating this case from both the Metropolitan Police Department and U.S. Attorney’s Office for their efforts.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nickolas Reck and Katherine Ballou were recognized for prosecuting this case effectively.