Okaloosa woman accused of stealing from disabled person

OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. — Attorney General Ashley Moody has announced the arrest of an Okaloosa County woman reportedly working as a guardian who allegedly stole more than $12,000 from a disabled person who had been under her care.

According to Moody’s statement, an investigation by her Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office led to the arrest of Jessica Lyn Duvall of Crestview, who reportedly served as the victim’s primary guardian before a new guardian was appointed.

Duvall collected the victim’s Social Security funds and spent the money on personal items instead of paying for the victim’s care, Moody said.

“This so-called guardian used her position of trust and authority to steal thousands of dollars from a disabled Floridian. Thankfully, my Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigators stopped this fraud, and the suspect will now have to answer for her crimes.”

According to the investigation, Duvall collected funds from the victim for more than a year. During part of that time, Duvall acted as the victim’s guardian. At first, the victim lived with Duvall but eventually moved into a nursing home.

Throughout the entire process, Duvall allegedly stole more than $12,000 from the victim, reportedly using the money to pay for non-care-related expenses.

“The investigation found that once the victim moved to a nursing facility, Duvall never paid for the victim’s care,” Moody said in her statement.

Duvall is charged with one count of exploitation of a disabled person $10,000 or more, a second-degree felony. The case will be prosecuted by Attorney General Moody’s MFCU through an agreement with the State Attorney of the First Judicial Circuit, Ginger Bowden Madden.