East Greenwich Woman Imprisoned For Stolen Valor Denied Early Release

A former commander of the North Kingstown Veterans of Foreign Wars post imprisoned for posing as a cancer-stricken Marine to steal $250,000 from charities and veteran services was denied her request for early release.

Sarah Cavanaugh, 35, requested compassionate release in March, according to court filings, claiming as grounds for her release "'sexual abuse,' 'serious bodily injury' resulting from that sexual abuse, her efforts at rehabilitation, denial of due process in the disciplinary process, the 'harassments and abuse' she endured at FCI Danbury and at RRC Houston House, her comprehensive release plan, and her willingness to abide by strict Supervised Release conditions if released."

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Cavanaugh, formerly of East Greenwich, pleaded guilty in August 2022 to wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, forged military discharge certificate and fraudulent use of medals. She was sentenced to five years and 10 months in federal prison.

She "perpetrated a massive fraud scheme by falsely masquerading as a Purple Heart and Bronze Star-decorated United States Marine" and claimed to have been stricken with lung cancer from exposure to burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as particulate matter in the aftermath of a roadside bomb explosion, according to a media release and court filings.

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Cavanaugh, who never actually served in any branch of the military, used her job as a social worker at the Rhode Island Veterans Affairs Medical Center to access the personal information and medical records belonging to a Marine and a cancer-stricken Navy veteran, prosecutors said.

She used the information to create false documents and medical records in her name, claiming that she was an honorably-discharged marine stricken with cancer, according to court documents. Prosecutors said Cavanaugh used the fraudulent documents in various schemes to steal more than $250,000 in cash, charitable donations and services reserved for injured veterans.

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Cavanaugh's deceit "allowed her to gain introduction to, and acceptance by, friends, charities, businesses, and organizations whom she then exploited and/or defrauded," according to the release.

She also "exploited her purported experiences to assume leadership roles in the veteran community, including as commander of a VFW Post in North Kingstown," and "gave public speeches while dressed in full U.S. Marine uniform, complete with a Purple Heart and Bronze Star that she purchased on the internet," the release said.

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Cavanaugh's motion for a reduction in her sentence was denied Monday.

"Ms. Cavanaugh has not produced any credible evidence or even plausible argument showing extraordinary and compelling circumstances that would support the granting of this motion," a docket entry said.

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