Palmetto State News

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced that his office’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (SCMFCU) has arrested Sonya D. Bradley (58 years old), Ronnie M. June (33 years old), and Antonio K. Shad (37 years old), all from Sumter, SC on charges related to financial exploitation.

According to Attorney General Wilson, the individuals were charged with Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult, Criminal Conspiracy, and various counts of Financial Transaction Card Fraud. The arrests stem from a joint investigation by the SCMFCU and the Sumter Police Department, revealing a coordinated effort to unlawfully use the funds and assets of a vulnerable adult resident at an assisted living facility in Sumter.

Wilson emphasized the importance of due process, stating, "all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law."

The SCMFCU, which plays a crucial role in combating fraud and exploitation, operates with a significant portion of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as detailed by the Attorney General: "The SCMFCU receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $2,698,638 for federal fiscal year 2024. The remaining 25 percent, totaling $899,546 for FFY 2024, is funded by South Carolina."

The accused individuals were booked into the Sumter County Detention Center and will face legal proceedings for their alleged involvement in the exploitation case. The charges carry penalties ranging from fines to potential prison time, depending on the convictions.

The case will be prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office, underscoring the severity of financial exploitation crimes, particularly when committed against vulnerable adults. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to safeguard individuals in assisted living facilities and nursing homes from such illicit activities.