CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Two Kanawha County residents have been charged with fraudulently posing as flood victims to obtain donated items.
Brandon Mattox, 30, of Charleston, was arrested Monday after he was accused of making repeated trips to Elkview Baptist Church claiming to be a victim. Sheriff’s deputies, working as volunteers, became suspicious when he made repeated visits and asked them to dig through donated diapers to get premium brands and the largest packs available.
According to the criminal complaint, Mattox admitted to deputies that he was not a flood victim and that he had taken the items for his family’s personal use. At his home, which was not flooded, deputies found about 2,000 diapers and 5,000 baby wipes.
On Tuesday, Samantha Peck, 28, of Sissonville, was charged after being pulled over by deputies at a traffic stop on Interstate 77 north at the Eden’s Fork Exit. The complaint said Peck had allegedly picked up several hundred dollars worth of diapers, food, baby wipes, hand tools, a small purse and other items at a disaster relief center in Elkview.
Both Mattox and Peck were charged with obtaining goods under false pretenses, plus other charges.
Sgt. Brian Humphreys with the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office said the staff at the donation sites noticed Mattox and Peck were taking several items and making return visits to try and get more of the same items.
“It was inconsistent with the behavior of most people who were actually seeking flood relief,” Humphreys said.
“They took them because they wanted them. They made have had some level of need themselves, but that’s no excuse for taking them from those to whom they were given.”
Humphreys said deputies “don’t expect the problem will go away,” but that they are aware of the issue and will do what they can to stop those who take advantage of the flood relief sites.
“We don’t want anybody to be taking from those who are actual victims — taking those donated items that people out of the goodness of their heart have given to try and help their neighbors,” he said.