Martinsville Woman Sentenced for Stealing Deceased Boyfriend’s Social Security Benefits
Jackie Cayton, 55, was ordered to repay nearly $30,000 and sentenced to two years of supervised release after pleading guilty to theft of government money.
4 reports on this incident · first at Aug 25, 2026, 5:27 p.m. ET
Earlier reports
Aug 26, 2026, 3:59 a.m. ET
Martinsville Woman Sentenced for Stealing Deceased Boyfriend’s Social Security Benefits
A Martinsville woman was sentenced on August 25, 2026, for stealing Social Security benefits intended for her deceased boyfriend. Jackie Cayton, 55, previously pleaded guilty to one felony count of theft of government money, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia.
Court documents state that from January 1, 2024, through September 16, 2025, Cayton used the deceased’s debit card to steal $29,988 in Social Security Administration (SSA) retirement benefits to which she was not entitled. The theft was reported in September 2025 by a family member of the deceased beneficiary, who said Cayton was in possession of the benefits card and spending the money.
Cayton was sentenced to two years of supervised release and ordered to repay the federal government. The Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General investigated the case, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Browne prosecuted it.
Aug 26, 2026, 3:55 a.m. ET
Martinsville Woman Sentenced in Social Security Fraud Case
A Martinsville woman was sentenced on August 25, 2026, to two years of supervised release and ordered to repay the federal government after pleading guilty to theft of government money, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Virginia.
Jackie Cayton, 55, previously pleaded guilty to one felony count. Court documents state that from January 1, 2024, through September 16, 2025, Cayton used the debit card of her deceased boyfriend to steal $29,988 in Social Security Administration retirement benefits to which she was not entitled. The investigation began in September 2025 when a family member reported that Cayton was using the deceased's benefits card.
The Social Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General investigated the matter. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Browne prosecuted the case, and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert N. Tracci made the announcement.
Aug 25, 2026, 5:27 p.m. ETFirst report
Martinsville Woman Pleads Guilty in Social Security Fraud Case
A Martinsville woman pleaded guilty on Aug. 25, 2026, to one felony count of theft of government money for stealing Social Security benefits intended for her deceased boyfriend, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Virginia. Jackie Cayton, 55, was ordered to repay the stolen funds and sentenced to two years of supervised release.
According to court documents, from January 1, 2024, through September 16, 2025, Cayton used the deceased's debit card to steal $29,988 in Social Security Administration retirement benefits. The benefits were paid directly to a Truist bank account belonging to the deceased, who had died in December 2023. Law enforcement was alerted in September 2025 when a family member reported that Cayton was in possession of the deceased's benefits card and spending the money.
Agents determined that Cayton used the benefits for large ATM withdrawals of $400, online payments for cosmetics, and purchases at a Collinsville furniture store, Aldi, Walmart, Food Lion, and Appalachian Power Company. First Assistant United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci announced the case. The Social Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General investigated, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Browne prosecuted.
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- Version 126 Aug 2026, 07:59current
First published.
- Version 125 Aug 2026, 21:27current
First published.
- Version 126 Aug 2026, 08:05current
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- Version 126 Aug 2026, 07:55current
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