Walton couple allegedly buys swimming pool using elderly victim’s debit card

WALTON COUNTY, Fla.— A Walton County couple have been arrested for allegedly stealing money, and the personal identification of a 70-year-old senior who previously resided with them, Attorney General Ashley Moody and the Walton County Sheriff’s Office announced in a joint statement.

According to the statement, the two suspects used the victim’s debit card to spend more than $8,000 on an inflatable swimming pool, gourmet barbeque, and other “frivolous items.”

Charles Victor Currington and Crystal Sherlock are each charged with one count of criminal use of personal identification information of an individual more than 60 years old, a second-degree felony; one count of criminal use of personal identification information of more than $5,000, a second-degree felony; and one count of theft from persons 65 years of age or older, more than $300, but less than $10,000, a third-degree felony.

“Our investigators exposed a criminal duo who stole thousands of dollars from a 70-year-old Floridian—thinking no one would notice after the senior moved into a nursing home. Huge mistake,” said Moody.

“My investigators worked diligently to gather evidence of their crimes, and now this criminal couple will face justice for exploiting a Florida senior,” she said.

A Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigation reportedly revealed that the 70-year-old victim previously resided with Currington and Sherlock. During that time, the victim assisted with household bills, including repairs to the home following a fire.

After five years, the victim moved into a nursing home and no longer authorized Currington and Sherlock to use the debit card, according to the statement.

The case will be prosecuted by Moody’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.