Attorney General Alan Wilson announces Upstate couple charged with neglecting and stealing almost $330,000 from vulnerable adult

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced that his office’s Vulnerable Adults and Medicaid Provider Fraud unit (VAMPF) has arrested Randall Aaron Simmons, 47 years old, and Tonya Elizabeth Simmons, 45 years old, both of Anderson, S.C., for allegedly neglecting and stealing almost $330,000 from a vulnerable adult. 

Charges:

Both defendants face:

• Two counts of Criminal Conspiracy (§ 16-17-0410)
• One count each of Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult (§ 43-35-0085(D))
• One count each of Neglect of a Vulnerable Adult (§ 43-35-0085(C))
• One count each of Crimes against a Federally Chartered or Insured Financial Institution (§ 34-03-0110(A))

Randall Aaron Simmons faces an additional charge of:

• Breach of Trust with Fraudulent Intent, value $10,000 or more (§ 16-13-0230(A))

Tonya Elizabeth Simmons faces an additional charge of:

• Receiving Stolen Goods, value $10,000 or more (§ 16-13-0180(A))

A joint investigation conducted by VAMPF and the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office revealed that, between August 3, 2022, and September 3, 2024, Tonya Simmons and Randall Simmons conspired together to exploit and neglect a vulnerable adult. Authorities allege the couple knowingly and intentionally misappropriated $329,869.08 of the victim’s money and assets for their own personal benefit without authorization.

After removing the victim from a skilled nursing facility and taking over responsibility for the victim’s care, the Simmonses allegedly neglected the victim by failing to provide adequate food, assistance with basic daily activities, and essential personal hygiene care and supplies. Randall Simmons, who had been granted control over the victim’s finances, fraudulently diverted those funds for his own use. Tonya Simmons knowingly received and accepted numerous Zelle transfers originating from the victim’s stolen bank account.

According to Sheriff Hobart Lewis, “The Greenville County Sheriff’s office does not tolerate any illegal activity, especially dealing with the most vulnerable members of our community. We are proud to assist the Attorney General’s Office Vulnerable Adult and Medicaid Provider Fraud Unit to apprehend any and every criminal who preys on the weak”.

This case will be prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office.

South Carolina Felony Offenses and Penalties:

• Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult – Felony, punishable by imprisonment for not more than 5 years, a fine of not more than $5,000, or both.
• Neglect of a Vulnerable Adult – Felony, punishable by imprisonment for not more than 5 years, a fine of not more than $5,000, or both.
• Criminal Conspiracy – Felony, punishable by imprisonment for not more than 5 years or a fine of not more than $5,000.
• Crimes against a Federally Chartered or Insured Financial Institution – Felony, punishable by imprisonment for not more than 5 years, a fine of not more than $10,000, or both.
• Breach of Trust with Fraudulent Intent (value $10,000 or more) – Felony, punishable by imprisonment for not more than 10 years or a fine in the discretion of the court.
• Receiving Stolen Goods (value $10,000 or more) – Felony, punishable by imprisonment for not more than 10 years and/or a fine of not less than $2,000.

Pursuant to federal regulations, VAMPF 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 South Carolina Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, dba VAMPF, receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $2,964,287 for federal fiscal year 2026. The remaining 25 percent, totaling $988,096 for FFY 2026, is funded by South Carolina.