QUINCY, Fla. — Quincy City Clerk Janice Shackelford was arrested Tuesday morning at City Hall, accused of orchestrating a fraudulent cemetery plot scheme that allegedly netted her $7,000 in cash, according to the State Attorney’s Office.
A video provided by a viewer shows Shackelford being escorted by Quincy Police into a patrol car shortly after her arrest.
Charges Filed
Chief Assistant State Attorney James Beville confirmed that Shackelford, 62, is facing 16 felony counts and 2 misdemeanors, including:
1 count of organized scheme to defraud
1 count of grand theft
6 counts of forgery
6 counts of uttering forged documents
1 count of misuse of public office
1 count of violating Florida public records law
She was booked into the Gadsden County Jail following questioning by authorities. The arrest stems from a months-long investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the State Attorney’s Office.
Alleged Cemetery Plot Scheme
According to nine pages of court documents obtained by WCTV, Shackelford is accused of selling city cemetery plots for cash and using fake documents to cover the illicit transactions. The investigation revealed she failed to report these funds and misused her position of public trust.
Previous Criminal History
This is not Shackelford’s first run-in with the law. Records show:
A 1995 arrest by the FBI for misapplication of bank funds
A 2006 arrest for fraud and grand theft; she pleaded guilty in 2007
A 2012 arrest related to defrauding Haitian immigrants while working for a state representative; she again took a plea deal in 2014
Despite her prior felony convictions, Shackelford was hired as Quincy’s City Clerk in July 2020. Documents reveal she failed to disclose her criminal history on her job application. The city reportedly became aware after her hiring but allowed her to remain employed.
Aftermath & City Response
On Tuesday, the Quincy City Commission voted 3–2 to suspend Shackelford without pay. Joann Kimble, a current city employee, was appointed interim city clerk.
Mayor Beverly Nash emphasized the importance of accountability in public service:
“We have to be accountable, and sometimes things happen… But we will rise and move forward.”
Interim City Manager Richard Ash, who had recently submitted his resignation, announced during the same meeting that he would now stay on in light of the arrest, citing concerns about leadership gaps.
Community Reaction
Resident Rodney Moore addressed commissioners during the meeting, stating:
“No matter if you’re the city clerk, county commissioner or whoever, you will be held accountable.”
The investigation into Shackelford remains ongoing, with possible further legal consequences.
