Attorney General Alan Wilson announces arrest of Myrtle Beach father and son for stealing from assisted living center resident

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced that his office’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (SCMFCU) has arrested Billy Joe Callahan, 56 years old, and Matthew James Callahan, 33 years old, both of Myrtle Beach, S.C. Billy Callahan was charged with Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult {43-35-0085 (D)}, Criminal Conspiracy {16-17-0410}, and Financial Transaction Card Fraud {16-14-0060(A)}, value more than $500 in a six-month period. Matthew Callahan was charged with Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult {43-35-0085 (D)}, Criminal Conspiracy {16-17-0410}, and Forgery, value less than $10,000 {16-13-0010(A)}. Billy and Matthew Callahan were booked into the J. Reuben Long Detention Center on May 23, 2024.

An investigation by the SCMFCU revealed that between February 5, 2020 and December 24, 2020, Billy and Matthew Callahan conspired together to make unlawful and unauthorized use of the funds and assets of a vulnerable adult. Billy Callahan is alleged to have obtained and used the victim’s debit card to obtain money, goods, or services without the consent or permission of the owner. Matthew Callahan is alleged to have cashed forged checks from the victim’s bank account. The victim, a vulnerable adult under South Carolina law, spent time residing at NHC Healthcare and Veterans Victory House, both assisted living facilities, during the time of the alleged misconduct.

This case was referred to the SCMFCU by the South Carolina Department of Mental Health and will be prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office. 

Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult is a felony and, upon conviction, has a penalty of up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000, or both. Criminal Conspiracy is a felony and, upon conviction, has a penalty of up to five years in prison or a fine of not more than $5,000. Financial Transactions Card Fraud, more than $500 in a six-month period, is a felony and, upon conviction, has a penalty of up to five years in prison, a fine of not less than $3,000 or more than $5,000, or both. Forgery, value less than $10,000, is a  felony and, upon conviction, has a penalty of up to five years in prison, a fine at the discretion of the court, or both.

Pursuant to federal regulations, the SCMFCU has authority over Medicaid provider fraud; abuse and neglect of Medicaid beneficiaries in any setting; and the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of individuals residing in assisted living facilities or nursing homes. 

Attorney General Wilson stressed all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law.

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.