As of May 11, the Thomaston Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division made eight additional arrests related to Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan fraud, according to a statement from Chief Mike Richardson. By May 18, seven more individuals had been arrested, bringing the total to 16.
In November 2022, Thomaston Police, in collaboration with the FBI, launched an investigation into numerous fraudulent PPP loans issued in Thomaston and Upson County during the COVID-19 pandemic. Authorities estimate that millions—possibly billions—of dollars were fraudulently obtained not just locally, but across the United States.
“Through the course of our investigation, with assistance from the FBI, we determined that many PPP loans obtained by Thomaston residents were granted under fraudulent circumstances,” Chief Richardson explained. This included fabricating businesses, financial records, and related expenses.
As a result, 16 individuals from Thomaston have been arrested and charged with theft by deception. Richardson emphasized that the suspects acted independently of one another, with the fraudulent loans totaling more than $230,000.
Those arrested in the first wave include Corrissa Deiondra Daniel, Quintavious S. Ellerbee, Alonzeonia Ellison, Yelanda Monique Gibson, Raekwon Deamontez King, Kendra S. Lockhart, Dante Jamal Smith, and Haley Lynn Stoll.
The second wave of arrests includes Kierra Acey, Charles Adkerson, Belinda Allen, Shanquon E. Leonard, Reginald T. Matthews, Myteca Smith, and Marcus Sullivan.
Chief Richardson stated that the PPP loan investigation is ongoing, and additional arrests are expected in the coming months.