A former police officer from Eastville, Virginia, is headed to federal prison after admitting he conned friends, coworkers and neighbors out of hundreds of thousands of dollars with a story about a nonexistent inheritance to fund a gambling addiction.
Jerry Keith Brady Jr., 38, of Belle Haven learned his fate Thursday (February 19) in the U.S. District Court in Norfolk. The former Eastville Police officer received a three-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to wire fraud and money laundering tied to a yearslong scam. Prosecutors said at least a dozen people handed over money after Brady claimed he was waiting on a large payout from a deceased relative.
Former Eastville Police officer Jerry Keith Brady Jr., 38, was sentenced today to three years in prison for wire fraud and money laundering relating to a scam involving an inheritance claim.https://t.co/0w29zraFjW
— U.S. Attorney EDVA (@EDVAnews) February 19, 2026
According to court records, Brady told people the inheritance was tied up by legal fees, taxes and other estate costs. He asked for short-term loans to bridge the gap, promising repayment once the funds were released. To reassure lenders, he often signed written promissory notes that he said would “guarantee” they would get their money back…