Villager arrested after allegedly ripping off snowbird renters from the north

Detectives from the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday arrested 64-year-old Jacalyn Hamilton-O’Neil of The Villages on felony charges of fraud and larceny. 

Hamilton-O’Neil has been charged with swindling multiple out-of-state victims in a scheme involving a rental property in The Villages.

During an investigation initiated by complaints to Seniors vs. Crime, detectives from Sumter County Sheriff’s Office’s Financial Crimes Unit discovered Hamilton-O’Neil fraudulently rented the same residence to nearly 50 victims for the same or overlapping periods during winter and spring of this year.

After receiving their payments in advance, Hamilton-O’Neil later told renters her house was no longer available, giving a variety of excuses.  Although Hamilton-O’Neil made partial repayments to some victims, the majority never received refunds. 

SCSO detectives charged Hamilton-O’Neil with defrauding six victims from Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Canada for more than $26,000.  Because victims sent payments to Hamilton-O’Neil at addresses in Sumter County and in New York, cases are being investigated in both jurisdictions.

Hamilton-O’Neil was booked at the Sumter County Detention Center on charges of Organized Fraud, Grand Theft from Persons 65 or Older, and Grand Theft.  Bond has been set at $17,000.

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