A St. Joseph in-home health care aide has been hit with a 14-count federal indictment for allegedly plundering $207,638 from an elderly client’s bank account while entrusted with her care. Ashley N. Garr, 33, of St. Joseph, Mo., faces eight counts of wire fraud, three counts of aggravated identity theft, and three counts of filing false tax returns, according to a superseding indictment unsealed today in Kansas City, Mo.
Garr, working as a home health care nursing assistant, allegedly exploited her access to a client identified only as “PLR” in the fall of 2016. During visits to the woman’s home, prosecutors say Garr stole checks and full checking account details, then used the information to funnel money directly from the victim’s account to cover her own personal bills. Payments were allegedly sent to the IRS, two student loan accounts, and multiple credit card companies—all without the victim’s knowledge.
The indictment details how Garr allegedly orchestrated a broad financial theft, transferring at least $207,638 over time. As a caregiver, she had built a level of trust with PLR, which prosecutors say she weaponized to commit the fraud. The victim, described as elderly and vulnerable, remained unaware of the theft until federal investigators uncovered the illicit transactions during a broader inquiry.
In addition to the bank theft, Garr is accused of using personal information from other individuals she assisted to file two fraudulent federal tax returns in 2016, claiming refunds totaling $20,831. The indictment also alleges she falsified her own tax filings for 2015, 2016, and 2017—reporting only $26,208 in gross income for 2016 despite earning approximately $212,892 that year. In prior filings, she claimed $61,725 in wages for 2014 and $89,206 for 2015, with corresponding federal withholding.
A forfeiture allegation is included in the indictment, demanding Garr surrender $207,638 in ill-gotten funds to the federal government. Prosecutors argue the money represents direct proceeds from wire fraud and identity theft, and must be recovered as part of any eventual conviction. Authorities stress that such financial predation on elderly clients undermines the integrity of home health care systems.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul S. Becker and was investigated by the FBI and IRS-Criminal Investigation. Timothy A. Garrison, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, emphasized that the indictment is not evidence of guilt, and that Garr is presumed innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law. A trial date has not yet been set.
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Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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