Justin Perez-Gorda was a 33-year-old Army veteran who suffered a traumatic brain injury while serving in Afghanistan in 2011. He was also accused of health care fraud for allegedly lying about the extent of his injuries and receiving benefits he was not entitled to. He died on Jan. 29, 2023, while awaiting trial in a federal prison in Missouri. What was the cause of his death and what led to his tragic fate?
A Fraud Scheme Exposed
Justin Perez-Gorda and his then-wife, Josephine Perez-Gorda, were charged by federal investigators in late 2017 with multiple counts of wire fraud, health care fraud, making false statements related to health care matters and conspiracy to commit mail fraud. The couple had claimed that Justin Perez-Gorda was paralyzed from the belly button down and could not use his lower extremities, according to KSAT. They also said that he needed around-the-clock care and could not perform basic tasks such as dressing, bathing or eating by himself.
However, federal investigators discovered that the couple had lied about Justin Perez-Gorda’s condition and that he was able to walk and function normally. They obtained footage of him walking outside his specially-adapted home in Hays County, which was donated by a charity organization for wounded veterans. They also found evidence that the couple had used the benefits they received from the Veterans Affairs and Social Security to fund their lavish lifestyle, including buying a $110,000 truck and taking a trip to Disney World.
The couple had received more than $600,000 in benefits from various sources, including monthly disability payments, caregiver payments, adaptive housing grants and adaptive vehicle grants. They had also participated in several media interviews and public events where they portrayed themselves as victims of war and appealed for sympathy and support.
A Death in Custody
Justin Perez-Gorda was released on bond shortly after being charged federally, but he violated the conditions of his pretrial release by failing to attend counseling sessions and showing signs of degrading mental health. He was taken back into custody in Arizona in May 2022 and transferred to a medical center for federal prisoners in Springfield, Missouri, where he died on Jan. 29, 2023.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons did not release any details about his death, citing safety and privacy concerns. However, Josephine Perez-Gorda’s attorney revealed in court that he died of complications from using a catheter for a bladder disorder. It is not clear whether his death was related to his wartime injuries or his alleged fraud scheme.
Josephine Perez-Gorda, who divorced Justin Perez-Gorda in 2019, was convicted by a jury of all 18 counts against her in September 2023. She was sentenced to nearly four years in prison by a federal judge in San Antonio on March 23, 2023. She must report to prison by June 5, 2023.
The judge said that Josephine Perez-Gorda had not taken responsibility for her crimes and had exploited her husband’s injuries for personal gain. He also criticized her for spending money on luxury items while being represented by a court-appointed attorney and leaving her husband behind while she went to Disney World.
A Tragic Story of Betrayal and Suffering
The story of Justin Perez-Gorda is a tragic one that involves betrayal, suffering and death. He was a soldier who served his country and sacrificed his health for a noble cause. He was also a victim of his own wife’s deception and greed. He died alone and disgraced in a prison hospital while facing criminal charges.
His death raises questions about the treatment of wounded veterans and the oversight of federal benefits programs. It also exposes the dark side of human nature and the potential for abuse and corruption. It is a story that should not be forgotten or repeated.
