Three Duval County residents have been arrested for operating unlicensed assisted living facilities.

Investigation in to a facility at 2306 Lake Lucina Drive owned by 49-year-old Barry Smith found unsafe electrical work, missing smoke detectors, termite infestation and unsanitary conditions.  That facility was condemned and the resident have been relocated.

Smith faces two charges of Operating an Unlicensed Assisted Living Facility and could receive up to 10 years in prison and $10,000 in fines if convicted.  69-year-old Joseph Bell and 47-year-old Vanita McCray have also been charged with one count each of Operating an Unlicensed Assisted Living Facility.

The State Attorney’s Office says unlicensed assisted living facilities are a growing problem in the Jacksonville area.