Marshals: Woman Posted Fraudulent Ads on Craigslist

U.S. Marshals, Dorchester County Sheriff's Office and Summerville Police Department have arrested a Summerville woman and charged her with felony fraud in connection with Craigslist postings.

Bethany Guyton Martinelli, 37, also has charges from Horry County Sheriff's Office for failure to appear on a stolen vehicle charge, and Denton County Sheriff's Office in Denton, Texas, for felony theft of property.

Martinelli was arrested Friday in the Walmart parking lot in Summerville.

See an attached ad from Craigslist claiming Martinelli is a scammer. 

Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office began investigating Martinelli after they received tips from the public that Martinelli was allegedly posting fraudulent rental properties on Craigslist and was collecting money from victims that purchased these properties. Martinelli and her boyfriend, Brennan Scott Dennis, 41, were located at the Walmart parking lot after a tip was received from the public. Dennis was arrested by the Summerville Police Department for possession of a stolen vehicle tag. Both Martinelli and Dennis are being held at the Dorchester County Detention Center.

“Internet crimes are on the rise and the old days of knowing whom you are dealing with are on the decline.  The U.S. Marshals are proud to work with local law enforcement agencies to put these types of scam artists behind bars," Kelvin Washington, U.S. Marshal for South Carolina, said.