From the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office

On May 18, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office received a report of fraud from an elderly resident of Old Sandhill Road, Edward. The victim reported her debit card was taken and money withdrawn from her account without authorization. The sheriff’s office began an investigation, collected evidence and conducted interviews.

As a result, investigator Kasey Clayton applied for and obtained warrants charging Deon Lavonte King-Smith, 25, of Old Sandhill Road, Edward, with 17 counts of obtaining property by false pretense, 17 counts of identity theft, 17 counts of uttering forged endorsement, one count of financial card theft, one count of financial card fraud, and one misdemeanor larceny.

On June 2, after receiving a tip, Deon King-Smith was arrested by deputies and presented before a magistrate where he received a $40,000 secured bond. He was held in the Beaufort County Detention Center. King-Smith was also wanted for failure to pay child support charge out of Beaufort County. King-Smith is also a suspect in another fraud case reported to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office involving another elderly victim. Charges are forthcoming in that case.