A YouTuber from West Virginia has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of fraud and exploitation after allegedly soliciting donations for a vulnerable family known for being highly inbred, then keeping the money for himself.
The Alleged Scheme and Arrest
John Roark, 47, was taken into custody on Friday following an investigation by the West Virginia State Police. County court records show he faces serious charges including five counts of fraudulent schemes and five counts of financially exploiting an elderly person or incapacitated adult.
Prosecutors allege that Roark, alongside a collaborator named Lawrence 'Eric' Carroll, presented himself as an agent and liaison for the Whittaker family. He is accused of promoting fake fundraisers through his social media accounts and directing well-wishers to send money to his personal Venmo, Cash App, and PayPal accounts.
Authorities state that over $10,000 in donations was collected but never reached the intended beneficiaries. A criminal complaint includes text messages in which Roark allegedly admitted his intent to profit from videos of the family.
Exploiting a Vulnerable Family
The Whittaker family, who live in the rural community of Odd, West Virginia, gained national attention in 2020 after a YouTube documentary detailed their lives. Many family members have significant mental and physical impairments and are nonverbal.
The West Virginia State Police Department asserted that Roark "utilized their disabilities and shortcomings in life to produce social media content for monetary gain." Roark, who grew up near the family and later bought a house down the street, began filming them last June, posting mundane content of them shopping and at home.
Followers had long questioned why the family remained in evident poverty despite a flood of supposed donations. Police launched a formal investigation into the alleged fraud in September, appealing for donors to come forward.
Contradictions and the Blame Game
When approached by the Daily Mail previously, Roark denied controlling the YouTube channel and pinned responsibility on Carroll, claiming Carroll had received over $100,000. Carroll, who has not been arrested, denied these claims, stating he only received standard platform revenue and was cooperating with police.
The family themselves told a different story. Larry Whittaker angrily labelled Roark a liar, alleging the content creators took "a lot of money" meant for them. He said they had collected donations for a new home that was never built. "They took the goddamn money and left!" he told the newspaper.
Roark was booked into county jail on a $150,000 bond and has yet to enter a plea. He was also charged with one count of fraudulent use of a device.
