Nevada Woman Faked Cancer, Gets Prison

(Gardnerville, Nevada) A 33-year-old local woman, Erika Williams, was sentenced to prison yesterday after pleading guilty to bilking people out of thousands of dollars by faking cancer.

District Judge Michael Gibbons gave Williams four years in prison for obtaining money under false pretenses.

Williams claimed to have a fast-growing, virulent form of terminal cancer that laid waste to her body. In carrying out the ruse, she shaved her head, inserted tubes up her nose, and allowed acquaintances to drive her to phony doctors’ appointments.

Concerned friends responded to Williams with money, rides to radiation treatment, gifts, places to live, frequent flier miles, meals, and what she really craved -- love and attention.

Williams allegedly received nearly $4,000 in money, gifts, rent, and other items.

She was arrested Sept. 11 and remained in custody.

Williams will be eligible for parole after serving one year. Judge Gibbons gave her credit for 96 days that she has been in custody.