SARASOTA, FL — A 48-year-old Palmetto woman was arrested for stealing nearly $65,000 from a woman who was incarcerated in Manatee County, Sarasota police said in a news release.
Jessica McVay was arrested Sept. 23 in Manatee County following an investigation into alleged fraudulent charges, withdrawals and payments from the victim's bank accounts between November 2025 and July 2026, police said.
The victim reported the alleged theft to police Aug. 18 and estimated her losses at about $65,000.
The victim and McVay knew each other through the suspect's employment.
After being arrested in August 2025, the victim asked McVay to help manage her affairs while she was in jail.
She told detectives that she didn't authorize McVay to use her credit cards for personal purchases and that the suspect was the only person with access to the cards while she was incarcerated, police said.
After obtaining records through multiple subpoenas, detectives determined McVay allegedly used the victim's bank account to pay her own credit card bills and make other purchases.
In July, the victim asked McVay to help her retain an attorney. McVay told the woman she needed to sign a power of attorney document so McVay could handle the arrangements.
McVay later went to the Manatee County jail with a notary, where the victim signed the document, according to police. The victim said she didn't receive a copy.
The victim told police that she believed McVay was handling her legal affairs.
Detectives later determined the attorney the victim had requested was never hired and that McVay allegedly repaid herself for the attorney's retainer.
The victim was released from jail Aug. 13. The following day, she met with McVay to retrieve her belongings, police said.
During that meeting, McVay allegedly told the victim she had paid $100,000 to witnesses so they wouldn't appear in court, which McVay claimed was the reason the victim had been released, according to police.
The victim received her bank statements Aug. 15 and discovered what she believed were unauthorized transactions, including unauthorized ATM withdrawals, credit card payments, retail purchases and bank transfers to McVay.
Detectives also determined through subpoenas that McVay allegedly opened multiple credit cards that were paid using the victim's accounts. The credit cards had thousands of dollars in charges, police said.
McVay faces multiple felony charges, including grand theft of $20,000 or more and less than $100,000; criminal use of personal identification involving less than $5,000; unauthorized use of a credit card involving less than $300; scheme to defraud to obtain property involving less than $50,000; and communications fraud involving less than $300.
Sarasota police said detectives believe there may be additional victims and are asking anyone who believes that they were victimized by McVay, or who worked with her and has information relevant to the investigation, to come forward.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Sarasota police Detective Ridge Collins at 941-263-6076.
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