News – Tuesday, May 13th 2025

A convicted felon from Salem was indicted on Wednesday and accused of concealing the death of his uncle, a U.S. Army veteran with quadriplegia, for at least five years so that he could steal at least $650,000 of his disability benefits. Brian K. Ditch, 44, is now facing four felony counts of wire fraud, four counts of aggravated identity theft, two counts of theft of government property and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that Ditch was solely responsible for his uncle’s care beginning in 2008, and kept his uncle locked in his garage and under his control so he could fraudulently obtain his government benefits. Instead of properly caring for his uncle, Ditch trapped him in the garage for over 24 hours at a time, forcing his uncle “to sit in his own urine and feces without the ability to eat or drink,” the indictment says. After his uncle’s death around 2019, Ditch concealed his death and the body so he could continue to receive the money, the indictment says. It says Ditch told relatives that he had moved his uncle into a nursing home. His uncle received $9,559 per month in Disability Compensation benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the indictment says. Ditch’s uncle also received a total of $235,210 in Social Security Disability Insurance benefits and Retirement Insurance benefits from the Social Security Administration since 2008. Ditch used the money to buy exotic reptiles, fund lavish vacations and enrich himself, the indictment says. Salem police officers found the uncle’s partially frozen body in a trash can in March, as well as three shotguns, the indictment says. As a convicted felon, Ditch is barred from possessing firearms. Ditch is expected to plead not guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis Friday. Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt.  Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty. Special Agent in Charge Gregory Billingsley with the VA OIG’s Central Field Office said that The Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General is committed to holding accountable anyone who exploits veterans or steals their VA benefits. He went on to note that VA’s programs and services are established to justly compensate deserving veterans and the VA OIG will bring to justice those who would defraud these programs. The Salem Police Department, the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Derek Wiseman is prosecuting the case.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Outgoing Board of Directors will be meeting Wednesday evening at 6:00. After the call to order will be the roll call followed by approval of the Consent Agenda, which will include review of the minutes, financial report and approval of bills, plus the budget review. The Monthly Reimbursement Report will precede the closing of Old Business which will include a declaration of election results. Board member departing remarks will be shared followed by adjournment of outgoing Board Sine Die. The first regular meeting of the Incoming Board of Directors will be called to order by the Secretary of the Board. Election of officers will be the first order of business for Chair/President, Secretary/Treasurer, Budget Officer, and Custodian of the Records. New business will include a report on the bond money by LJ Hart and Company, depository and withdrawal authorizations CD and Banks, including signature cards. The Board will review the By-Laws, be updated by Director Stokes on a department website, review CD report and information, and review quotes for Fire Fighting equipment by Chief Floyd. The Chief will then present his report followed by closed session if necessary to discuss personnel. The date for the next meeting will be set followed by adjournment. The regular meeting of the Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors is open to the public.