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SALT LAKE CITY — A South Jordan man has admitted to a scheme in which he took $250,000 in life insurance funds from a woman whose husband died in the 2007 Trolley Square shooting.

Jason Kim Brown, 43, pleaded guilty to third-degree felony securities fraud in 3rd District Court last week after paying full restitution to Vickie Walker. Judge Deno Himonas placed Brown on probation for one year and ordered him to do 100 hours of community service.

"It is my hope this helps Ms. Walker start to repair the damage done. She is already doing great things to help other crime victims,” said Kirk Torgensen, chief deputy attorney general.

The judge also ordered Brown to write an apology to Walker for the crime and for making disparaging remarks about her to the press.

On Feb. 12, 2007, Jeff Walker was murdered and his son, AJ, was severely wounded when Suleman Talovic opened fire at Trolley Square. Talovic killed five people and wounded four other before a police officer shot and killed him.

Brown approached Vickie Walker and told her he had a “safe” and “guaranteed” investment in building storage units in Billings, Mont., according to court documents. He said several other widows were investing and they would get their money back in one year with high interest. He also said it was a way for Walker to save her home.

Walker gave Brown $250,000 but was never given the promised documentation for the investment. Instead of investing the money into storage units, Brown used it to pay for his mortgage and other personal bills. He also failed to tell Walker he was being sued for $282,500.

“I’m grateful the case has come to an end and Mr. Brown has taken responsibility for his actions at a time when our family was very vulnerable,” Walker said. “I’m glad justice has been served.”

Since the tragedy, Walker founded Circle the Wagons, a Utah-based nonprofit organization that provides survivors of violent crime, their family members and their friends with resources to help them recover from the trauma of their experience. She currently serves as director and president of the organization.