HIGH SPRINGS – A 26-year-old Ocala man who worked as a home health aide has been charged with exploiting an elderly adult after investigators alleged he stole cash and used debit card information belonging to a High Springs woman for personal expenses.
Darryl Williams was arrested May 17, 2026, on a warrant following an investigation by the High Springs Police Department that began nearly a year earlier.
The case started in June 2025 after a relative of the victim contacted police to report what appeared to be a pattern of unauthorized financial activity involving the victim’s debit cards.
According to an arrest report, the family member told investigators more than $2,500 in fraudulent transactions had been identified across multiple debit cards. Although cards had been replaced several times because of suspicious activity, unauthorized charges reportedly continued to appear on newly issued cards.
The relative also reported that $1,465 in cash had disappeared from various locations inside the victim’s home over multiple dates.
According to investigators, the family noted they had not experienced any additional cash losses after Williams stopped working inside the home.
Police said the investigation found numerous unauthorized transactions made between April 30 and June 7, including car payments, insurance payments, purchases at Walmart and restaurants, a Netflix subscription, cellphone expenses and Cash App transfers totaling approximately $100.
Authorities also alleged the victim’s debit card was used to pay for a three-night stay at a Holiday Inn Express in Gainesville.
Investigators interviewed Williams on Aug. 1, 2025. According to the arrest report, Williams said he was a nursing student at Rasmussen University in Ocala and worked for HCP Home Health Agency assisting clients with household tasks.
Police said Williams initially denied taking cash, handling the victim’s purse or using her financial information.
According to the report, Williams later admitted using the victim’s debit card to pay his car insurance and transferring money through a Cash App account associated with his deceased grandfather.
Investigators said Williams initially claimed he had used the card only once but later acknowledged using it “once or twice” to make car payments and to pay for a hotel stay.
The report states Williams also admitted taking photographs of debit and credit cards he found inside the victim’s wallet.
According to investigators, Williams reportedly told officers he stole from the victim because he was “low and did not have a job” and needed money to travel between Ocala and High Springs.
Williams has been charged with grand theft, exploitation of an elderly victim, fraudulent use of a debit or credit card and using a two-way communications device to facilitate a felony.
Court records indicate Williams has no prior criminal history. Judge Joy Danne set his bond at $20,000.
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