Florida Public Defender Office Employee Arrested After Alleged $65K Theft From Incarcerated Woman

Jessica McVay, a Veterans Affairs coordinator for Florida's 12th Judicial Circuit Public Defender's Office, was arrested and charged after detectives say she stole nearly $65,000 from a woman while the victim was jailed.

Arrest and Charges

According to the Sarasota Police Department, McVay, 48, of Palmetto, was taken into custody on Sept. 23 and faces five felony counts, including:

• Grand theft ($20,000 to $100,000)
• Criminal use of personal identification (under $5,000)
• Scheme to defraud to obtain property (under $50,000)

Alleged Scheme and Timeline

Police say the victim first asked McVay to manage her affairs after an August 2025 arrest. Investigators allege unauthorized withdrawals, transfers and charges were made on the woman’s accounts between November 2025 and July 2026, totaling nearly $65,000. The victim reported the fraud to police on Aug. 18, 2026.

In July 2026, when the woman asked McVay to help retain an attorney, McVay allegedly said she needed a power of attorney to proceed. Detectives say McVay visited the Manatee County jail with a notary and had the inmate sign a power of attorney; the victim told police she never received a copy of the document.

Investigators claim McVay never hired the requested attorney. Instead, detectives say she repaid herself an attorney retainer from the woman’s accounts and used those funds to open and pay multiple credit cards, make large ATM withdrawals, cover credit card bills and complete retail purchases and transfers to McVay.

When the victim was released on Aug. 13, 2026, she met McVay to collect belongings. Police say McVay allegedly told the woman she had paid witnesses $100,000 so they would not appear in court — an explanation McVay reportedly offered for the woman's release. Two days later, on Aug. 15, the victim reviewed bank statements and discovered the unauthorized transactions.

Investigation and Public Appeal

Sarasota Police detectives used subpoenas during their probe and allege they discovered multiple credit cards opened and paid with the victim’s accounts. Detectives say thousands of dollars were charged to those cards and other funds were diverted to cover McVay’s personal expenses.

Authorities believe there may be additional victims. Anyone who thinks they may have been affected or who worked with McVay is urged to contact Sarasota Police Detective Ridge Collins at 941-263-6076.

Note: These are allegations. Charges have been filed, and the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.