Eastville Officer Accused in $819K Inheritance Scam to Fuel Gambling Addiction

Prosecutors allege that Eastville police officer Jerry Keith Brady Jr. misled friends by making false claims about an inheritance in order to borrow over $819,000. He has been federally charged with wire fraud and money laundering. 

Eastville Officer Arrested over Alleged Scam Related to His Gambling Addiction

Brady Jr, 38, of Belle Haven, was arrested following a federal indictment accusing him of wire fraud and money laundering in connection with a scheme that prosecutors say spanned from November 2020 to November 2024. According to the 10-page indictment, Brady allegedly told friends and acquaintances that he needed loans to cover legal and other expenses in order to claim a large inheritance or life insurance payout from a deceased relative.

Prosecutors allege that Brady borrowed tens of thousands of dollars from 15 unnamed individuals, leading to losses totaling at least $819,000. The indictment claims he used the funds to fuel a gambling addiction, repaying only a small portion of what he owed.

The prosecution also stated that there was never any inheritance or life insurance, nor were there any associated fees that Brady needed to pay. Brady is accused of signing written agreements to repay some lenders but allegedly failed to follow through in most instances. Federal investigators claim he diverted the borrowed funds toward gambling. Two of the money laundering charges involve checks Brady allegedly wrote back to victims ($18,000 in one instance and $13,000 in another), which prosecutors argue were simply recycled from the original borrowed funds.

Former Eastville Police Chief Linwood Christian said that federal agents questioned him about Brady in January. Christian, who was removed from his role last November due to what was described as a “lack of production,” said he was pressured to promote Brady in an effort to help him repay his debts.

Eastville Police Once Again Under Fire

The indictment and arrest have increased scrutiny on Eastville’s police department, which was already facing criticism over its aggressive traffic enforcement practices.

Earlier this year, WTKR reported that officers were issuing as many as 400 speeding tickets per month during the summer and between 200 and 250 in the winter, which are figures considered unusually high for a town with just 200 residents. Town officials have denied allegations of “policing for profit,” claiming citations were only issued to drivers going over 70 mph in a 55-mph zone.

Brady is scheduled to appear in court on September 3, 2025. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison for each wire fraud charge and up to 10 years for each money laundering charge, in addition to potential restitution and asset forfeiture.