HUDSON, IOWA – An elderly Vietnam War veteran has had up to $10,000 stolen or fraudulently taken out of his bank accounts, police say, and a Northern Iowa woman is the culprit, according to police.
In May of 2025, the Hudson Police Department received a report regarding a fraud and theft complaint involving a Hudson resident who is a senior citizen and a Vietnam War veteran.
The victim’s family reported suspicious financial activity after observing unauthorized transactions on the victim’s bank account, including Venmo charges. Following an investigation that spanned several months, it was determined that a known individual gained unauthorized access to the victim’s banking information. Between January 2025 and May 2025, more than $10,000 was transferred from the victim’s bank account to the suspect’s Venmo/PayPal account.
Further investigation revealed that multiple credit cards were fraudulently opened in the victim’s name and subsequently used, resulting in additional charges totaling more than $10,000. The victim had no knowledge of these credit cards or the associated charges.
As a result of the investigation, On January 14th, 2026, 29-year-old Jenna Rose Eschen of Waterloo was arrested, transported to the Black Hawk County Jail and charged with the following offenses:
• Unauthorized Use of a Credit Card Over $10,000 – Class C Felony
• Theft in the First Degree Against an Older Individual – Class B Felony
Records show she quickly bonded out of jail.