GBI Arrests Adult Protective Services (APS) Case Worker

Toccoa, GA (September 2, 2020) – On Wednesday, September 2, 2020, the GBI arrested Ronald Thomas, 49, of Athens Georgia for 10 counts of Elder Exploitation.  Thomas was booked into the Stephens County Detention Center.  At the time of the commission of the crimes, Thomas was employed as an Adult Protective Services (APS) Case Worker with the Georgia Department of Human Services.  Ronald Thomas has been suspended without pay pending an internal investigation by DHS.

On August 21, 2020, the Toccoa Police Department requested that the GBI investigate the exploitation of an elderly citizen.  During the investigation, agents learned that Thomas was in fact a state employee and the case worker assigned to the victim in the case.  Through that role, Thomas was able to steal money from the victim.  The crimes were committed in three different North Georgia counties, Union, Stephens, and Clarke. 

The case is still ongoing, but upon completion will be prosecuted by the Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office.