JASPER COUNTY, Texas - Newton woman has been arrested after investigators say she repeatedly used the debit card information of a disabled victim to make unauthorized purchases in Jasper County.
According to the Jasper County Sheriff's Office, Sheriff Chuck Havard was contacted on May 28 regarding a possible fraud case involving an elderly or disabled individual.
Deputy Tipton responded to a residence in Kirbyville and gathered information from the complainant. The case was then assigned to Investigator Karli Cherry.
The investigation determined that 37-year-old Brandie Ford of Newton obtained debit card information connected to the victim's Social Security and disability benefits account and used the card information at a convenience store in Kirbyville on multiple occasions beginning in March 2026.
Investigators later obtained surveillance footage from the store that allegedly showed Ford reading the card information from her cellphone to a clerk while making purchases.
Authorities said the evidence established probable cause, and a warrant was issued charging Ford with exploitation of a child, elderly individual, or disabled individual, a third-degree felony.
Later that day, information led investigators to Ford's residence in Newton. Will Jackson detained Ford until Jasper County investigators arrived and took her into custody.
According to investigators, Ford admitted to using the card multiple times.
She was transported to the Jasper County Jail.
“Sheriff Chuck Havard and his staff are committed to combating criminal activity,” the sheriff's office said in a statement, praising Deputy Tipton, Investigator Cherry, and Chief Jackson for their work on the case.
As with all criminal cases, Ford is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
