INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A 38-year-old caregiver who deputies said used his client’s credit card to buy more than $150 worth of electronics and get his guitar out of the pawn shop, was jailed Tuesday. The client, a woman, had been previously diagnosed with dementia, reports show.
James Lewis Cabral
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
James Lewis Cabral, of the 1300 block of 34th Avenue, Vero Beach, was charged with exploitation of elderly or disabled and fraudulent use of credit card. Cabral was held Wednesday at the Indian River County Jail on $35,000 bond.
Indian River County sheriff’s deputies responded to reports of fraud at 7:23 p.m. Tuesday at a county residence. A woman told deputies she had hired Cabral as a caregiver for her mother.
The woman said her mother can have short conversations but is unable to make decisions for herself. The mother takes several medications to treat her dementia, reports show.
The woman told deputies she left a navy blue Jax Federal Credit Union credit card along with $50 in cash earlier at the home before leaving. Cabral was instructed to use the credit card and money only to purchase gas and food for the woman’s mother, reports show.
When the woman returned home, she found $34 worth of lottery tickets laying on the kitchen counter. The woman checked bank statements for the credit card and discovered multiple purchases made on Tuesday at stores including Best Buy, CVS and Treasure Coast Jewelry Pawn Shop.
Deputies also spoke to the woman’s sister, who said they both had powers of attorney for their mother, reports show.
Deputies spoke to Cabral, who said he bought miscellaneous groceries with the credit card. Cabral said he also purchased a cable for the TV, a Google device to watch TV with and a $50 Amazon gift card from Best Buy.
Deputies said Cabral also used the credit card to get his guitar out of the pawn shop. Deputies found the electronic devices in the home and later discovered the Amazon gift card hidden in Cabral’s pants.
Deputies arrested Cabral and booked him into the county jail. Cabral has an arraignment at 8:45 a.m. March 25, court records show.
