Chapter 10 - Bloodline and Betrayal: Victoria's True Identity
The federal indictment landed like a sledgehammer on Friday morning.
The United States Department of Justice, in coordination with Interpol and the Cook County State’s Attorney, unsealed a 38-count indictment against Julian Vance, Victoria Helena Brandt, Dr. Arthur Sterling, and Carl Mendoza.
The charges included:
Attempted Capital First-Degree Murder of a Minor
Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Kidnapping and Child Abuse
Federal Insurance Fraud Exceeding $12 Million
Embezzlement and Wire Fraud
Operating an Unlicensed Medical Facility for Criminal Purposes
Identity Fraud and International Money Laundering
At Victoria's formal bail hearing, the federal courthouse was surrounded by hundreds of protesters holding signs with Chloe’s picture, demanding maximum sentencing.
Victoria appeared in bright orange prison garb, her bleached-blonde hair unwashed, her face pale without makeup. Her high-priced defense lawyers attempted to argue for home confinement on a ten-million-dollar bond.
Federal Judge Eleanor Thomas looked down over her glasses with icy contempt.
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"Counsel, your client is an international fugitive who drugged a six-year-old child, secured her in a locked casket, and contracted an illegal crematorium to destroy the evidence while she fled the country," Judge Thomas declared, her voice booming through the silent courtroom. "The idea that this court would grant bail to a sociopathic predator of this magnitude is offensive to the rule of law. Bail is denied. Remanded to federal custody without bond."
Victoria lunged forward, clawing at the defense table, screaming obscenities at the judge before six federal marshals tackled her to the floor and dragged her kicking and screaming through the holding cell doors.
