ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Lakeisha Bradshaw, 28, of Temple Hills, Maryland, traded her security clearance for a shopping spree funded by stolen identities. The former government contractor pleaded guilty today to a brazen scheme that saw her pilfering the credit card details of her colleagues for personal gain.
According to court documents, Bradshaw wasn’t content with just a paycheck from Veteran Solutions, Inc. While assigned to the Defense Threat Reduction Agency at Fort Belvoir, she systematically stole credit card numbers from multiple co-workers – one even shared her cubicle. Beginning in July 2016, Bradshaw racked up fraudulent purchases at online retail giants like Amazon, Express, and Victoria’s Secret, essentially turning her workplace into a personal ATM.
The theft didn’t stop at retail therapy. Bradshaw also attempted to open a line of credit using stolen personally identifiable information from another unsuspecting coworker, demonstrating a clear escalation in her criminal behavior. The total estimated loss from her scheme clocks in at a minimum of $6,000, a figure likely to climb as investigators continue to untangle the web of fraud.
“This wasn’t a momentary lapse in judgment,” stated sources close to the investigation. “Bradshaw meticulously planned and executed this scheme over a considerable period, betraying the trust of her colleagues and exploiting her position.” The brazenness of the crime – stealing from those she worked alongside daily – adds another layer of disgust to the case.
Bradshaw now faces a maximum penalty of 10 years behind bars when sentenced on September 8. While federal sentencing guidelines often result in lighter terms, the severity of the identity theft and the length of the scheme suggest a significant prison stay is likely. U.S. District Judge Liam O’Grady will ultimately determine the sentence, considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant factors.
The case was brought to light by U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente for the Eastern District of Virginia, with assistance from Special Agents Jeffery Thorpe and Robert Craig of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service. The prosecution was handled by Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathryn D. Sparks and, previously, Kevin Schneider. Court documents related to Case No. 1:17-cr-99 are available on the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia website and through PACER.
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Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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