What the Criminal Complaint Alleges: Evidence That Led to the Arrest of John “Patrick” Roark

RALEIGH COUNTY, WV — As public discussion continues around the arrest of John Patrick Roark, court records now provide a clearer picture of what investigators say actually happened — and what evidence they relied on to bring charges.

This article focuses only on information contained in the Raleigh County criminal complaint and official law enforcement statements.

How the Investigation Began

According to the complaint, a formal criminal investigation began on September 10, 2025, at the request of Tom Truman, the Raleigh County Prosecuting Attorney.

The investigation followed the removal of multiple members of the Whittaker family into the custody of the State of West Virginia, citing health and safety concerns.

Social Media Activity Cited in the Complaint

Investigators state that videos featuring the Whittaker family began appearing on social media platforms around May 2025, allegedly created and uploaded by Roark.

The complaint specifies that the videos:

• Focused primarily on Timmy and Ray Whittaker

• Included footage of the broader family

• Were allegedly centered on the family’s disabilities and limitations

Court documents note that multiple family members are non-verbal, and investigators allege they could not give informed consent for the videos to be posted or monetized.

Monetization and Third-Party Access

According to the complaint, in June 2025, Roark provided access to the social media accounts to Lawrence Eric Carroll, a Georgia resident.

The complaint states Carroll was brought in specifically for his knowledge of social media monetization.

Phone Evidence Cited by Investigators

As part of the investigation, law enforcement seized a phone belonging to Roark.

According to the criminal complaint:

• Investigators reviewed conversations between Roark and Carroll

• Those messages allegedly included statements from Roark indicating his intent was to make money from videos of the Whittaker family

This allegation is cited directly in the complaint and forms part of the evidentiary basis for the charges.

Donation Handling Allegations

Court documents allege that from May 2025 through September 2025, Roark:

• Accepted monetary and merchandise donations from followers

• Acted as the liaison for the Whittaker family

• Provided donors with his personal address and personal financial accounts, including Venmo, Cash App, and PayPal

The complaint alleges:

• Donations were intended for the Whittaker family

• Roark kept the donations

• Family members reported they were only taken for groceries a few times

• Total donations exceeded $10,000

Law Enforcement Statement

West Virginia State Police stated in connection with the arrest that Roark:

“utilized their disabilities and shortcomings in life to produce social media content for monetary gain.”

Charges and Current Status

Based on the evidence outlined in the complaint, Roark was charged with:

• 5 counts of financial exploitation of an incapacitated person

• 5 felony counts of fraudulent schemes

• 1 felony count of fraudulent use of an access device

He was arraigned and transported to Southern Regional Jail, where he is currently being held on a $150,000 bond.

Important Legal Note

These allegations are contained in a criminal complaint and have not yet been proven in court. Roark is presumed innocent unless and until the charges are proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

TVOTT Hillbilly News will continue to follow this case as court proceedings move forward and additional filings become public.