A con-man whose trail of dispossessions and deceptive transactions once touched Africa is in police custody with Indiana state police after posing, among other professions, as a medical practitioner
who was performing procedures in Africa, according to his website.
Police received a complaint earlie in March that a man was passing out prescription medications to a storm victim in Jackson County. This led them to dig a little deeper, and they found out the suspect might not be the man he says he is.
“We really can’t find one legitimate organization that he was affiliated with,” said Sgt. Jerry Goodin of Indiana State Police.
Investigators said Gerald Scott Flint, a Brazil, IN native, visited the devastated areas hit just days after the March 2 tornadoes. Goodin said Flint was collecting supplies like food and water and monetary donations for his organization, “Volunteer Medics Worldwide.” In some cases, he claimed to be working with Homeland Security. Police said that simply wasn’t the case.
Jennifer McConahay’s home was destroyed, and she now spends the majority of her time at Henryville Community Church helping others who have been affected. She says cases like this are just a setback.
“It makes you angry, but there are so many other people out here doing such great things, I don’t want to take away from them,” McConahay said.
Out of Jackson County, Flint is accused of possessing a legend drug. “A legend drug requires a prescription, so you have to have a prescription from a doctor to possess those,” Goodin said. “He’s not a doctor, so he was not allowed to have those or give those things out.”
According to Flint’s website, he has been volunteering since 1991, traveling the world to places hit by natural disasters, but in southern Indiana, Goodin said something just wasn’t adding up. “We have no idea, some of these donations that he collected, it could have very well went out to the victims of the tornadoes. Right now we cannot account for all the supplies that were taken.”
In Clark County, Flint is charged with impersonating a public servant and theft.
If you donated money or supplies or if you received anything from Flint or “Volunteer Medics Worldwide”, Indiana State Police want to hear from you. You can reach them at 812-246-5424.