Woman receives probation in Internet cancer scam

A former Carson City woman was sentenced to 18 months probation Tuesday for fleecing people on the Internet by claiming she was dying of cancer.

A tearful Janel Ochoa, 33, apologized to the many victims from across the U.S., saying she was suffering from an unnamed mental illness that prompted the incidents.

District Judge Jim Wilson gave Ochoa a suspended sentence of six months in jail on the charge of gross misdemeanor attempted theft. He also ordered her to repay $953 in restitution, seek psychiatric counseling and take all prescribed medications, with her parents sending confirmation reports to the Department of Parole and Probation.

Additionally, Wilson told Ochoa she must remain living with her parents in the Sacramento area, where she moved shortly after her release from jail.

"I order you to live with your parents until counselors say you don't have to live with your parents anymore," he said.

Ochoa, who used various online names, including Yvette Romero and Christy Flores, was arrested at her Long Street apartment Nov. 18.

In the criminal complaint filed against her on Oct. 30, eight women from across the U.S. were named as victims of Ochoa's alleged con.

On Yahoo message boards and numerous Web sites, Ochoa solicited donations to help treat an alleged third run with cancer, said Carson City Sheriff's Detective Dave Legros.

Several auctions were held in Ochoa's name, showing totals raised from $10, to $468 to $1,000, according to ripoffreport.com.

Two days before announcing her own death, Ochoa allegedly posted a message stating that she was eight weeks pregnant, said Legros.

On June 15, under the name of Romero, she posted an announcement that she had died.

- Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.