South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced that two Columbia residents, Shakedda Monike Stokes and Lanautica Lashay Major, have been arrested and charged with multiple offenses related to the exploitation of a vulnerable adult. The charges include exploitation of a vulnerable adult, crimes against a federally chartered or insured financial institution, obtaining signature or property under false pretenses with a value between $2,000 and $10,000, and criminal conspiracy.
The arrests follow an investigation by the Vulnerable Adults and Medicaid Provider Fraud unit (VAMPF) in collaboration with the Lexington Police Department. Authorities allege that between December 1, 2024, and January 21, 2025, Major—who was employed as a caregiver at Oakleaf Village in Lexington—and Stokes conspired to unlawfully use funds belonging to a resident classified as a vulnerable adult under state law. Investigators say the two obtained the victim’s bank account information and credit card details to make unauthorized transactions for personal gain. The alleged misuse of funds involved First Citizens Bank.
According to officials, Oakleaf Village reported the suspected activity to law enforcement and has fully cooperated throughout the investigation. The Attorney General’s Office will handle prosecution of the case.
Attorney General Wilson emphasized: “All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law.”
The VAMPF unit operates under federal regulations with authority over Medicaid provider fraud; abuse and neglect of Medicaid beneficiaries; as well as abuse, neglect, and exploitation within assisted living facilities or nursing homes. The South Carolina Medicaid Fraud Control Unit receives most of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through a grant totaling nearly $3 million for federal fiscal year 2026. State funding provides the remainder.
