Moscow, Pennsylvania Man Sentenced For Theft Of Crucifix From VA Patient

The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, announced that Warren T. Wells, age 43, of Moscow, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Edwin M. Kosik today in Scranton to two years of probation, to include six months of home confinement.  Wells previously pleaded guilty to a felony criminal information charging him with theft of a golden crucifix necklace from a veteran/patient of the VA Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania on December 13, 2013.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Wells’s victim was admitted to the VA Medical Center as a critically ill patient; she died several hours after Wells, a nurse’s aide at the Center, stole the crucifix worn by her as a gift from her son.  Wells has been dismissed from his job as a result of his conduct.

The investigation was conducted by the VA Police.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Todd K. Hinkley.