Butler, GA – On Friday, May 6, 2016, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) arrested Taylor County Tax Assessor Charlyn Lemons, age 50, and her husband, Jeffrey Lemons, age 54, on the following charges:

Charlyn Lemons - Theft by Taking (Felony), Financial Transaction Card Fraud (Felony), Financial Transaction Card Theft (Felony), Financial Identity Fraud (Felony), False Documents and Writings (Felony), Exploitation of an Elder Person (Felony)

Jeffrey Lemons - Theft by Taking (Felony), Financial Transaction Card Fraud (Felony), Financial Transaction Card Theft (Felony), Financial Identity Fraud (Felony), False Documents and Writings (Felony), Exploitation of an Elder Person (Felony)   

In April 2016, the GBI initiated a criminal investigation at the request of the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office for the alleged financial abuse of a former Taylor County resident, over 70 years of age, who was living with the Lemons.  The sheriff’s office received a complaint from a family member who lived out of state.

In July 2015, the above subjects befriended the elderly person and began to have the victim sign personal checks that benefited the Lemons financially. The investigation also revealed that the Lemons asked the elderly person to “co-sign” for an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) and in another case a mobile home was purchased using the elderly person’s funds.

In November 2015, the family of the elderly person relocated her to another state; yet, the elderly person’s debit card was used multiple times throughout Georgia. Thus far, agents have determined over $40,000 has been misappropriated. It has been determined that the Lemons are not of any relation to the victim.

This investigation is active and ongoing and will be turned over to the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for judicial review.

Contact Information:

Chris DeMarco (706) 565-7888