A Charlotte man is facing federal charges after prosecutors say he used stolen identities to fraudulently bill Medicaid for hundreds of thousands of dollars in psychotherapy services that were never provided.

U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson announced that Ronnie Lorenzo Robinson Jr., 56, of Charlotte, has been charged with health care fraud, making false statements relating to health care matters, and aggravated identity theft. The case is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown.

“Part of the reason healthcare costs are out of control is because of fraud like this,” said Ferguson in a press release. “Every dollar spent on healthcare should go toward healthcare—not lining the pockets of criminals. We will work night and day to uncover fraud like this and recover the money that is needlessly being paid in both taxes and healthcare costs.”

According to the federal indictment, Robinson allegedly used the personal identifying information of medical professionals and Medicaid recipients without their knowledge or permission. Prosecutors say he submitted approximately $735,000 in false Medicaid reimbursement claims for psychotherapy services that were never performed.

Authorities allege Robinson’s company, The Fisher of Men Project, LLC, received approximately $440,000 in Medicaid payments as a result of the fraudulent claims.

Federal prosecutors also allege Robinson concealed his ownership of the company because he had previously been barred from participating in the Medicaid program. Instead, investigators say he listed another individual as the company’s owner.

The Charlotte case is part of a massive nationwide enforcement operation announced Thursday. The Department of Justice charged 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals, in alleged health care fraud and opioid-related schemes involving more than $6.5 billion in false claims.

The nationwide operation spanned 56 federal districts and 45 states and U.S. territories, making it the largest health care fraud takedown in Department of Justice history. Investigators also seized more than $182 million in cash, luxury vehicles, jewelry, and other assets tied to alleged fraud schemes.

An indictment contains allegations, and Robinson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

Someone cut down two secretive surveillance cameras in a small South Carolina town about 30 miles southeast of Charlotte, sparking a criminal investigation and reigniting the nationwide debate over privacy, surveillance, and crime-fighting technology.

The Pageland Police Department said two Flock Safety camera poles were vandalized in the Chesterfield County town of just over 2,500 residents.

Flock Safety cameras automatically photograph license plates and store the information in a searchable database that participating law enforcement agencies can access during investigations.

While many departments credit the cameras with helping solve thousands of crimes, the technology has drawn growing criticism from privacy advocates.

Critics argue the systems track the movements of ordinary drivers who are not suspected of crimes and raise concerns about data sharing, oversight, and government surveillance. The technology has also faced lawsuits over privacy issues, and some communities have ended contracts after learning license plate data had been shared with federal agencies.

The Pageland Police Department is asking for people with information regarding the individual(s) responsible to contact the Pageland Police Department at 843-672-6437.

A Fourth of July fireworks incident has shut down a large part of Gastonia after a Dollar Tree caught fire.

According to the Gastonia Police Department, South York Road is closed in the area while firefighters battle the blaze and police investigate what happened.

Authorities say a Gastonia man allegedly lit a firework and shot it into the Dollar Tree (2406 S York Rd), triggering an explosion that ignited the fire. No injuries have been reported.

Motorists are urged to avoid the area and use alternate routes. Officials expect the roadway to remain closed for several hours as crews extinguish the fire and investigators process the scene.

The incident comes as communities across the region have reported an increase in fireworks-related calls around the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations. Fire officials continue to remind residents that fireworks can quickly ignite buildings, vegetation, and other combustible materials when used improperly.

The Gastonia Police Department and Gastonia Fire Department remain on scene. Authorities have not yet released additional information about possible charges or the extent of the damage.

Drivers are encouraged to avoid the section of U.S. 321 near South York Road until the investigation is complete and the roadway reopens.