An Augusta man accused of stealing more than $75,000 from his 86-year-old step-grandfather has been captured in Florida after a multi-state search and is now behind bars in Richmond County.
Investigators say the suspect, who allegedly forged checks and racked up credit card charges in the elderly man’s name, drained his accounts over a seven-month period before fleeing the state.
Lamontra Medlock, 49, was arrested last week in St. Augustine, Florida, by the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, which includes two Richmond County Sheriff’s Office investigators. Although the task force typically targets violent offenders, the severity of the alleged financial abuse prompted their involvement.
Medlock was arrested on a grand jury arrest warrant and faces charges of exploitation and intimidation of a disabled adult or elder person, twelve counts of felony theft by deception, and one count of misdemeanor theft by deception. Authorities allege that between January and July 2022, Medlock wrote checks to himself totaling $42,600, made over $26,000 in unauthorized phone payments, and accumulated $6,821.13 in credit card charges – all without the victim’s consent.
In a written statement, the sheriff’s office said protecting elderly residents remains a top priority and that those who exploit vulnerable individuals will be aggressively pursued. The statement also credited the department’s partnership with the U.S. Marshals Service as instrumental in ensuring Medlock’s capture.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office thanked law enforcement agencies across three states for their cooperation in the investigation.
Anyone with information about other incidents of elder exploitation is encouraged to contact the sheriff’s office at 706-821-1080 or submit tips anonymously via email at PIO@AugustaGa.gov.
