South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has announced the arrest of Jannie C. Johnson, a 74-year-old resident of Camden, S.C., on charges related to the exploitation of a vulnerable adult and breach of trust with fraudulent intent involving amounts of $10,000 or more. Johnson was taken into custody at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center on January 3, 2025.
An investigation conducted by the Vulnerable Adults and Medicaid Provider Fraud unit (VAMPF) in conjunction with the Sumter Police Department alleges that Johnson unlawfully used funds from a vulnerable adult between June 22, 2023, and March 21, 2024. The allegations state that Johnson, who held power of attorney for the victim, misappropriated $75,000 for personal use while the victim resided at Wildewood Downs Assisted Living Facility in Columbia.
The case is set to be prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office. Exploitation of a vulnerable adult is considered a felony in South Carolina and carries potential penalties including up to five years imprisonment or a fine up to $5,000. Breach of trust involving values over $10,000 also constitutes a felony with possible sentences extending to ten years imprisonment or fines as determined by the court.
Attorney General Wilson emphasized that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
The VAMPF unit operates under federal regulations with authority over Medicaid provider fraud and abuse cases involving beneficiaries in various care settings. It receives significant funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services alongside contributions from South Carolina.