Woman claiming breast cancer, other issues accused of fraud

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (AP) - A southern Illinois woman who allegedly lied about having muscular dystrophy and other health issues in order to obtain financial assistance and other benefits pleaded not guilty Monday to federal charges.

Sarah Delashmit, 35, of Highland entered her plea to wire fraud, mail fraud and aggravated identity theft before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gilbert Sison, who released her on own recognizance and ordered to surrender her passport.

Delashmit, who was indicted in March, is accused of faking illnesses to attend Camp Summit in Dallas, which serves people with muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy, between October 2015 and March 2016. She allegedly used another person's identity and provided that person's Social Security benefit statements as proof of income.

The indictment states Delashmit also falsely claimed she was a breast cancer survivor from October 2017 to March 2018 to go on a trip and receive donated items through Young Survival Coalition, a New York City nonprofit organization. She also received a new bicycle and cycling equipment through the organization's Tour de Pink Survivor Bike Program.

Delashmit's next court appearance will be Aug. 13 at the U.S. District Courthouse in Benton. A jury trial of the woman has been set for Aug. 24.