Authorities have made an arrest in a fraud investigation involving the Whittakers, a rural Raleigh County family that gained widespread attention on social media.
John “Patrick” Roark, 47, was arrested Friday after an investigation that began in September into the alleged exploitation of members of the Whittaker family, according to a news release from the West Virginia State Police.
Investigators say Roark used the family’s disabilities and vulnerabilities to create social media content for financial gain. Troopers allege he collected donations intended for the family and kept the money for himself.
State police launched the investigation in September 2025, identifying Roark and Lawrence “Eric” Carroll of Georgia as suspects. As of Friday afternoon, authorities have not charged Carroll.
According to the news release, Roark faces five felony counts of financial exploitation of an incapacitated person, five felony counts of fraudulent schemes, and one felony count of fraudulent use of an access device.
He is currently being held on a $150,000 bond.
The Whittaker family, who live in Odd, W.Va., became known nationwide after appearing in Mark Laita’s Soft White Underbelly interview series. The exposure led to donations aimed at improving the family’s health and living conditions. Authorities have not named Laita in the investigation.