Two North Carolina residents have been arrested and charged with allegedly exploiting a vulnerable adult in South Carolina and taking about $18,000 — yaani roughly eighteen thousand dollars — from the victim's bank account, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced on October 19.

Jacob G. Melobo, 37, and Samantha A. Onorati, 40, both of Tabor City, North Carolina, were booked into the Charleston County Detention Center on October 16, according to the Attorney General's office. Each faces four charges: obtaining property by false pretenses of more than $10,000, criminal conspiracy, exploitation of a vulnerable adult, and financial identity fraud.

A joint investigation by the Attorney General's Vulnerable Adults and Medicaid Provider Fraud unit (VAMPF) and the Charleston Police Department alleges that between December 4, 2025, and January 12, 2026, the two conspired together and knowingly and willfully made unlawful, unauthorized or improper use of a vulnerable adult's funds or assets of about $18,000. Investigators allege they gained access to the victim's bank account without authorization, by false pretenses or representations and with intent to cheat and defraud. The Attorney General's office said the victim qualified as a vulnerable adult under South Carolina law at the time of the alleged offences.

Under the penalties listed in the announcement, obtaining property by false pretenses of more than $10,000 is a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison; criminal conspiracy is a felony punishable by up to 5 years; and exploitation of a vulnerable adult is a felony punishable by up to 5 years, a fine of up to $5,000, or both. The case will be prosecuted by the Attorney General's office.

Attorney General Wilson's office noted that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Sources: South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announcement (via EIN Presswire); Palmetto State News.