A young woman who drew a great deal of public support after she reported that she was suffering from a malignant brain tumor has been indicted by a Logan County Grand Jury.

Nicki J. Brown, aka: Nichole Jo Brown, of Auburn was indicted on four counts of theft by deception over $300 and one count of theft of identity without consent.

Not long after the fund-raising effort was made to help pay her medical expenses, contentions were made that what she was claiming were not true. Law officers began investigating those claims soon afterwards.

The grand jury contended that “ against the peace and dignity of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the above named defendant intentionally and unlawfully obtained property of another by deception with intent to deprive the person thereof, by preventing another from acquiring information which would affect Judgment of transaction. Wherein the Defendant claimed to have a malignant brain tumor and individuals and civic organizations deposited money to help with medical expenses.”

She is accused of withdrawing $1,500 from the account on which the donations were deposited on March 28, $1,000 on the following day, and $2,500 on April 6, all “for defendant's personal benefit.” The fourth charge has to do with the donation of some $11,000 to that account in the form of donations.

The theft of identity charge is based on claims that she used the identity of Lester Inman to obtain a Dell computer without his consent.

Arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 28 in Logan Circuit Court.

A grand jury indictment is not a finding of guilt or innocence but results from the jury believing there is enough evidence to justify a trial.

Contentions made against the defendant may be proved or disproved in court.

Charles Orange is the commonwealth attorney.