Authorities in Gwinnett County, Georgia, have arrested a man accused of carrying out a jury duty scam that allegedly cost a victim $1,350.
According to the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office, Garrett Thompson was taken into custody on March 5 following an investigation by the Jail Intelligence Unit.
Investigators said the case began when a resident reported receiving a suspicious phone call from someone claiming to be “Officer Shepherd.” The caller allegedly told the victim there was an issue related to missed jury duty and demanded a payment of $1,350 to avoid being arrested or having to report to the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office.
Believing the claim to be legitimate, the victim sent the money to the phone number provided by the caller.
Authorities later traced the phone number used in the transaction, which led them to Thompson. Investigators say Thompson admitted to receiving the funds, and he was arrested without incident.
Officials used the case to warn residents about similar scams. The Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office emphasized that legitimate law enforcement agencies do not request payments over the phone to resolve jury duty matters or other legal issues.
Residents who receive suspicious calls claiming to be from law enforcement are urged to report the incidents to their local police departments.
Authorities have not confirmed whether Thompson may be connected to other similar scams, and details about the charges filed against him were not immediately released.
