This article written and submitted by Dakota Valkyrie – thanks!

Her Myspace ~  His Myspace ~  Their Myspace

Burney, CA - In November of 2007, Joyce Guzman’s 21-year-old son, Lance Cpl. Kyle Guzman, an Iraq war veteran, was killed by accident during a training exercise. Guzman wasn’t alone when she received word of his death. She had her half sister there to support and help her through this trying time.  But the offer of help from her half sister, Carol Ann Damico, 33, and Damico’s boyfriend, Raymond R. Brogan, 41, was definitely not the kind of help she had in mind.
Rather than help Guzman, they helped themselves. Damico and Brogan have been charged in Sacramento federal court with stealing nearly $200,000 in life insurance benefits. They are accused of using the money for their own benefit including buying two boats, a motorcycle and a boob job.

The day after the funeral, the couple conned Joyce Guzman into signing legal documents saying they would handle the paperwork and other affairs that needed tending to. Damico assured her that Guzman should not worry, Brogan would take care of everything, including her bills. A relief for the grief stricken mother.

Several months later, Guzman became suspicious. Any one of a number of things might have tipped her off. Perhaps it was Damico’s newly expanded bustline? Their new furniture? The couple’s joint MySpaceMySpace has any variety of things that may have been clues: motorcycle, jet skis, a couple of cars and trucks, vacations and day trips. Their MySpace sites makes it clear they have many toys and times they’ve enjoyed since they took over Guzman’s affairs. Enough to make anyone wonder.

When Guzman questioned Brogan, he feigned indignation and insisted he was acting in her best interest by investing her money. She demanded proof and was shown a statement of a trust account that had been established in her name with a balance over $177,000.

Joyce Guzman was apparently not convinced. When authorities became involved, her accounts were examined and the statement scrutinized. The “trust fund” did not exist and checks drawn on Guzman’s account were forged or misappropriated to Damico and Brogan. Brogan’s past also came to light as prior convictions for burglary, transportation of a controlled substance, insufficient check funds, domestic violence and assault with a deadly weapon.

Damico and Brogan made appearances before a U.S. Magistrate Judge who advised them of the charges, penalties and their rights. He ordered Brogan held without bail, given his lengthy criminal record and the circumstances of this case. He ordered Damico released to the custody of her mother with a $50,000 unsecured bond, on the condition that she live with her mother.

What should have been an act of love and concern for a family member has turned into a selfish act that brings more grief. One thing that can’t be taken from Joyce Guzman is the love and pride she has for her son. There should be no such consideration for Damico and Brogan. I wonder if they will make her return the implants?