Two arrested for identity fraud, criminal conspiracy
Barbara Ann Bedenbaugh. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
John Richard Newsome
Two individuals , John Richard Newsome, 39, and Barbara Ann Bedenbaugh, 35, (both pictured here) were recently arrested and charged with criminal conspiracy and identity fraud by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). The arrest warrants alleged that Newsome and Bedenbaugh had submitted fraudulent applications to SC Stay Plus, a COVID-19 housing assistance program, in an attempt to obtain money. These applications contained false information regarding their address, landlord information, and need for rental assistance. Over a period spanning from November 2021 to May 2022, the couple received more than $20,000 through the program. The specific dates and amounts of money listed in the arrest warrants were November 8, 2021, January 6, 2022 (where they obtained $12,300), October 21, 2021 (where they obtained $8,475), and May 7, 2022. Both individuals were booked at the Darlington County Detention Center.
