Earlier this week, UCSO detectives arrested 50-year-old Yedave Avinash during a proactive investigation into elder exploitation. The investigation began when UCSO personnel were alerted that a local senior citizen was being targeted by someone posing as a federal law enforcement officer, demanding a large sum of money and threatening the victim with jail time if they did not comply. 

Avinash arranged a meet-up at a local business to collect the money, but instead of the victim showing up alone, a few UCSO detectives decided to join in. Needless to say, it wasn’t quite the payday Avinash was hoping for, and all he earned was a free ride in a patrol car to his new cell at our Detention Center, where he is now clad in Union County orange. 

The investigation revealed that the victim had already been defrauded out of a significant amount of money before law enforcement was notified. Fortunately, deputies were able to prevent the victim from losing more. This investigation is ongoing as detectives work to identify other potential suspects involved in the scam. 

Avinash was charged with Impersonating a Law Enforcement Officer, Obtaining Property by False Pretenses, Exploitation of the Elderly, and Conspiracy to Commit a Felony. He was processed into the Union County Detention Center and is currently being held under a $150,000 secured bond. 

Sheriff Eddie Cathey praised the swift action of our personnel, stating, "Our deputies and detectives acted quickly to protect a vulnerable member of our community. They stood in the place of the victim in this case and sent a clear message to this suspect that his criminal acts would not be tolerated in our county. I encourage everyone to contact our office immediately if you suspect fraud or receive threatening phone calls. Together, through awareness, education, and action, we can protect our elderly residents from these financial predators."