LEXINGTON, S.C. — A Lexington man is accused of exploiting a vulnerable adult and stealing over $143,000 for his own use.
Sixty-year-old John Lemuel Morrell Jr. is charged with exploitation of a vulnerable adult and grand larceny following an investigation by the state’s Vulnerable Adults and Medicaid Provider Fraud unit (VAMPF).
Authorities say that between October 2019 and April 2024, Morrell accessed the bank and credit card accounts of a vulnerable adult, unlawfully taking $143,413.79 for his personal benefit. The victim, deemed a vulnerable adult under South Carolina law, resided at Lexington Medical Center Extended Care at the time.
Exploiting a vulnerable adult is a felony, and upon conviction, the penalty is up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000, or both. Grand larceny, valued at $10,000 or more, is a felony, and upon conviction, the penalty is up to 10 years in prison or a fine at the discretion of the court.