Virginia Cop Busted Over $831K Stolen to Fund Gambling Habit

The news cycle continues to be littered with news about cops ending up on the wrong side of the law, and gambling being the primary cause. This also happened in the case of Jerry Keith Brady Jr. of Belle Haven, who has now been sentenced to 36 months in prison.

Ex-Virginia Police Officer Gets Sentenced Over His Borrowing to Fund Gambling

The former Virginia police officer pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering and was sentenced at the US District Court in Norfolk. Details about his case were released by the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Brady Jr. ended up racking up huge debts to friends and colleagues, leveraging his status as a trusted community member and law enforcement professional to secure loans from the former. 

He would eventually borrow around $831,000 between November 2020 and November 2024, with 13 people lending him money. 

While they thought that they were helping Brady Jr. with short-term financial issues, the police officer claimed to be awaiting a large insurance payout, which the borrowers didn’t know was for his gambling habit. 

The money, though, was not used to address any financial distress. Rather, Brady Jr. ended up spending the cash on slots-style machines across convenience stores, as well as online sports betting and casino visits. 

In their filing, prosecutors claimed that Brady Jr. had obtained the money under false pretenses, all in the sole goal of feeding his problem. 

“The defendant defrauded friends, acquaintances, and even strangers by convincing them that his position as a police officer meant he could be trusted. Some victims had Brady sign a written contract or promissory note agreeing that he would repay the money.”

No Inheritance, So Victims Shouldn’t Hold Their Breath

Brady Jr. tried to stall his victims from discovering the fact that he had stolen the money by using the inheritance card, but there was no actual inheritance, prosecutors determined. 

Eventually, most of the people who had lent Brady Jr. became suspicious and started filing official complaints. He eventually quit the force and was just sentenced on Thursday, February 19.

He will have to serve the 36 months in prison, as well as pay restitution in the amount of $747,050. Installments can be paid to the tune of $200 monthly, or 25% of his income, until he has paid the full amount.