Jailer, Sylvester councilman charged in ID fraud case - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

Jailer, Sylvester councilman charged in ID fraud case

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SYLVESTER, GA – A Sylvester city councilman and a Worth County jailer are charged in an identity theft scheme.

GBI agents say Martisha Williams stole the identity of a Worth County inmate while she worked at the jail.

A paper trail led to them to councilman Larry Johnson.

The say the two profited from the victim's income tax return.

"They had information from the victim who had been incarcerated in their jail. She went to the sheriff's office with a tax problem that her taxes had been filed without her knowledge," said GBI Assistant Special Agent Mark Pro.

The Sheriffs Office contacted the GBI. But they didn't have to look far to find their suspect, Martisha Williams.

"She was actually a jailer at Worth County Sheriff's Office. She had access to the ID data of our victim," Pro said.

The victim's taxes were filed - by whom - agents aren't sure. But accounts were generated. Those accounts led them to Williams and long time Sylvester City Councilman Larry Johnson.

"He actually participated with Williams," said Pro. "They know each other. They had a relationship. Based upon their relationship, the information was given to Johnson and both of them were arrested."

We visited Sylvester City Hall Tuesday but the city manager had no comment on Johnson's arrest.

According to the city's website, Johnson, who represents Ward 4, has served on the council since 1994 and is a highway maintenance foreman for the Georgia DOT.

Agents say Johnson and Williams may not be the only ones implicated.

"There's evidence that's been uncovered in the interviews of these two individuals. There could be more people arrested and more charges filed," Pro said.

Williams is charged with 3 counts of financial transaction card fraud, 2 counts of forgery in the second degree, and identity fraud.

Johnson is charged with 3 counts of financial transaction card fraud.

The Mayor of Sylvester was out of town Tuesday and we were unable to reach Mr. Johnson for comment.

Sheriff Tompkins says Williams is suspended without pay.

If Johnson is indicted, The Governor could appoint an ethics panel to recommend whether he be suspended from office.

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