Topline: Feds allege the man left his quadriplegic uncle in filth for days at a time, used stolen funds for exotic pets and vacations.
Published: May 10, 2025 7:00 am ET
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Brian Ditch (via Dent County Sheriff’s Office)
ST. LOUIS, MO – A convicted felon in Missouri was indicted on Wednesday and accused of concealing the death of a U.S. Army veteran with quadriplegia, for at least five years so that he could steal at least $650,000 of his disability benefits.
Brian K. Ditch, 44, is now facing four felony counts of wire fraud, four counts of aggravated identity theft, two counts of theft of government property and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to a news release issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Missouri.
The indictment alleges that Ditch was solely responsible for his uncle’s care beginning in 2008, and kept his uncle locked in his garage and under his control so he could fraudulently obtain his government benefits.
Instead of properly caring for his uncle, Ditch trapped him in the garage for over 24 hours at a time, forcing his uncle “to sit in his own urine and feces without the ability to eat or drink,” the indictment says. After his uncle’s death around 2019, Ditch concealed his death and the body so that he could continue to receive the money, the indictment says.
Ditch told relatives that he had moved his uncle into a nursing home.
His uncle received $9,559 per month in Disability Compensation benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the indictment says.
The VA would not have continued to pay had they known Ditch’s uncle was dead, the indictment states.
Ditch’s uncle also received a total of $235,210 in Social Security Disability Insurance benefits and Retirement Insurance benefits from the Social Security Administration since 2008.
Ditch used the money to buy exotic reptiles, fund lavish vacations, and “enrich himself,” according to the indictment.
Salem police officers found the uncle’s partially frozen body in a trash can in March, as well as three shotguns, the indictment indicates.
As a convicted felon, Ditch is barred from possessing firearms.
Ditch is expected to plead not guilty.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Man Locked Disabled Veteran in Garage for Over 10 Years, Then Hid His Death to Steal Benefits
Feds allege the man left his quadriplegic uncle in filth for days at a time, used stolen funds for exotic pets and vacations.
By Jacob Charles
Published: May 10, 2025 7:00 am ET
Brian Ditch (via Dent County Sheriff’s Office)
ST. LOUIS, MO – A convicted felon in Missouri was indicted on Wednesday and accused of concealing the death of a U.S. Army veteran with quadriplegia, for at least five years so that he could steal at least $650,000 of his disability benefits.
Brian K. Ditch, 44, is now facing four felony counts of wire fraud, four counts of aggravated identity theft, two counts of theft of government property and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to a news release issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Missouri.
The indictment alleges that Ditch was solely responsible for his uncle’s care beginning in 2008, and kept his uncle locked in his garage and under his control so he could fraudulently obtain his government benefits.
Instead of properly caring for his uncle, Ditch trapped him in the garage for over 24 hours at a time, forcing his uncle “to sit in his own urine and feces without the ability to eat or drink,” the indictment says. After his uncle’s death around 2019, Ditch concealed his death and the body so that he could continue to receive the money, the indictment says.
Ditch told relatives that he had moved his uncle into a nursing home.
His uncle received $9,559 per month in Disability Compensation benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the indictment says.
The VA would not have continued to pay had they known Ditch’s uncle was dead, the indictment states.
Ditch’s uncle also received a total of $235,210 in Social Security Disability Insurance benefits and Retirement Insurance benefits from the Social Security Administration since 2008.
Ditch used the money to buy exotic reptiles, fund lavish vacations, and “enrich himself,” according to the indictment.
Salem police officers found the uncle’s partially frozen body in a trash can in March, as well as three shotguns, the indictment indicates.
As a convicted felon, Ditch is barred from possessing firearms.
Ditch is expected to plead not guilty.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Man Locked Disabled Veteran in Garage for Over 10 Years, Then Hid His Death to Steal Benefits
Feds allege the man left his quadriplegic uncle in filth for days at a time, used stolen funds for exotic pets and vacations.
By Jacob Charles
Published: May 10, 2025 7:00 am ET
Brian Ditch (via Dent County Sheriff’s Office)
ST. LOUIS, MO – A convicted felon in Missouri was indicted on Wednesday and accused of concealing the death of a U.S. Army veteran with quadriplegia, for at least five years so that he could steal at least $650,000 of his disability benefits.
Brian K. Ditch, 44, is now facing four felony counts of wire fraud, four counts of aggravated identity theft, two counts of theft of government property and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to a news release issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Missouri.
The indictment alleges that Ditch was solely responsible for his uncle’s care beginning in 2008, and kept his uncle locked in his garage and under his control so he could fraudulently obtain his government benefits.
Instead of properly caring for his uncle, Ditch trapped him in the garage for over 24 hours at a time, forcing his uncle “to sit in his own urine and feces without the ability to eat or drink,” the indictment says. After his uncle’s death around 2019, Ditch concealed his death and the body so that he could continue to receive the money, the indictment says.
Ditch told relatives that he had moved his uncle into a nursing home.
His uncle received $9,559 per month in Disability Compensation benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the indictment says.
The VA would not have continued to pay had they known Ditch’s uncle was dead, the indictment states.
Ditch’s uncle also received a total of $235,210 in Social Security Disability Insurance benefits and Retirement Insurance benefits from the Social Security Administration since 2008.
Ditch used the money to buy exotic reptiles, fund lavish vacations, and “enrich himself,” according to the indictment.
Salem police officers found the uncle’s partially frozen body in a trash can in March, as well as three shotguns, the indictment indicates.
As a convicted felon, Ditch is barred from possessing firearms.
Ditch is expected to plead not guilty.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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