Villa Rica police say a local nurse turned a medical lab into her own personal cash register, quietly snapping photos of patients’ credit cards and using them to run up fraudulent charges. Investigators have identified the suspect as T’Keyah Bradshaw, who was taken into custody and is now facing a stack of state-level counts tied to identity theft and fraud. Police have not publicly named the medical lab where she worked or said how many patients they believe were hit.
What police allege
As reported by FOX 5 Atlanta, Villa Rica police say Bradshaw worked in "an area medical lab office" where she allegedly took cellphone photos of patient credit cards. According to police, she currently faces 10 charges related to fraud and identity theft. The station’s coverage consists of the department’s statement and does not identify any victims.
Booking records and charges
Booking records reviewed by The Georgia Gazette list "Bradshaw, Tkeyah Shanell" with a booking date of April 4 and show multiple counts, including nine counts of financial and identity fraud, five counts of financial transaction card fraud, theft by shoplifting, and theft of services. The wording and tally of counts in those records differ slightly from the numbers cited by police in their public remarks. Prosecutors will determine the formal charges after investigators send their case file to the district attorney’s office.
If you were a patient
Anyone who thinks their card or personal information may have been compromised should act fast. Start by contacting your card issuer to cancel the card and dispute any unauthorized charges. You can also file an identity theft report at IdentityTheft.gov, which provides a step by step recovery plan along with sample letters for challenging fraudulent activity. The Federal Trade Commission advises placing a fraud alert or a credit freeze on your credit files and checking your free credit reports for any unfamiliar accounts or inquiries. Residents can also contact Villa Rica police or their county law enforcement agency to file a report and get a case number to share with creditors and the credit bureaus.
Legal note
Bradshaw’s alleged offenses are still only allegations, and she is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. The Georgia Attorney General’s office notes that identity fraud and financial transaction card offenses are state crimes that can carry felony penalties, including possible prison time and fines under the O.C.G.A. Prosecutors will decide whether to pursue indictments as the investigation moves forward.
