Women arrested after 'squatting' at home, Sumter County deputies say

SUMTER COUNTY, SC (WOLO) – Two women are accused of entering an unoccupied home without consent and falsely claiming to rent the home while they lived there, deputies say.

Sumter County deputies say they responded to a call and met with the property manager at an address on Valleybrook Court.

The home's property manager discovered that someone had broken a lock and damaged a door at the home before finding Megan Williamson and Karen Smith living in the residence with a 15-year-old on Thursday, April 25.

When the two women were confronted, they allegedly claimed they had rented the house and provided a fraudulent lease.

Following an investigation, deputies arrested Megan Brooke Williamson and charged her with third-degree burglary for entering an unoccupied dwelling while committing the crime of intentional injury to personal property.

A search warrant was also executed at the home at the time of Williamson's arrest and a vehicle stolen from the Town of Sumter was found with a VIN sticker removed from the interior of the vehicle.

Investigators say as a result of the investigation, Karen Gail Smith was also charged with 3rd degree burglary.

Williamson and Smith were both charged with Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Criminal Conspiracy and Carver Shop (Alter, Deface, Destroy Vehicle Id. Number).

Based on evidence found during the investigation, it was determined that the women from Spartanburg and Lake City were robbing a local animal shelter and at least two of its employees, SCSO says.

Both women were also charged with financial transaction card theft, 6 counts of financial identity fraud, and grand theft: value greater than $2,000 but less than $10,000.

Williamson and Smith were taken to the Sumter County Sheriff's Office Detention Center.

Smith is being held on $59,995 bail.

Williamson was arrested on Tuesday, May 21 and released on Thursday, May 30 after posting $28,495 bond.

The Sumter County Sheriff's Office says additional charges are possible.