Sheriff Patrick Ray is issuing a warning concerning a new scam taking place in DeKalb County.
According to Sheriff Ray, the scam usually occurs after a family has lost a loved one. The scammer sends a letter to the family or contacts the family by mail stating that they are from a bank or credit company and the deceased person has an account with them. The scammer tells the victim that they will discount the bill if the victim will pay the balance at one time. Most deceased victims have never had an account with the bank or credit company. Sheriff Ray says if you have been targeted by this type of scam, don’t pay the bill, but instead call the bank or credit company and ask about it. You do not need to call the scammer’s number. “Many people that I have talked to said they called the bank directly and the bank had no knowledge of the bill whatsoever”. If you believe you have been the target of a scam, you should report it to the Federal Bureau of Investigation by going on line to the FBI’s main website.
Meanwhile, in this week’s county crime news, Sheriff Ray says 47 year old Lucille Killian Wright of Ragland Bottom Motel, Sparta Highway was arrested on Thursday, July 23rd for disorderly conduct. Deputies were summoned to Highway 70 East to a domestic call. After arrival, the officers were told that Wright was involved in the disturbance and upon talking to her, Wright began arguing with them. According to the deputies, Wright was cussing, screaming, and threatening to beat up the officers. Wright was arrested for disorderly conduct and her bond was set at $2,500. She will appear in court on August 27th.
23 year old Shauna Faye Stringer was arrested on Friday, July 24th for public intoxication after she entered the DeKalb County Jail to serve her weekend. Correctional Officers at the Jail noticed Stringer to be unsteady on her feet and she had an odor of alcohol on her person. Stringer’s bond was set at $1,000 and she will appear in court on August 5th. Sheriff Ray says he will ask Judge Bratten Cook II that Stringer be ordered to serve her time straight because this is the second time within the last few weeks that she has been charged for weekend violations. Sheriff Ray says a few weeks ago Stringer was charged with failure to appear because she did not show up at the jail to serve her time.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, July 25th a county deputy was dispatched to the Four Seasons area in answer to a complaint about trespassers. While in the area, the officer stopped 29 year old Kym Denise Curtis of Judge Warren Road, McMinnville for a light law violation. After the traffic stop, the deputy noticed that Curtis had slurred speech. She was unsteady on her feet, and she had a strong odor of alcohol on her person. Curtis submitted to field sobriety tasks which she failed. She also refused a blood test. There were two passengers in the car, Curtis’ five year old daughter and Curtis’ 17 year old half sister. There was no child seat in the car for the five year old. According to Sheriff Ray, when Curtis was asked if she wanted to call someone to come and get the child, her response was “I do not care, do what you want, you will any way.” The 17 year old, who was also intoxicated, told the officers that Curtis had provided her alcohol and had furnished her marijuana in the past. Curtis was charged with a first offense of driving under the influence, child neglect, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor for furnishing the 17 year old beer. Her bond was set at $9,000 and her court date is September 3rd. Curtis was also issued citations for a light law violation, two seat belt violations, and violation of the implied consent law. The Department of Children’s Services was contacted concerning the five year old.
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