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Former coroner and magistrate judge Jim Sheppard was arrested by GBI agents Friday afternoon.
Agents from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation arrived at Jim Sheppard’s home Friday afternoon with theft and conspiracy related warrants intended for the former Lumpkin County Coroner and recently resigned magistrate judge, according to officials.
The arrest comes more than two months after his wife Rhonda Sheppard was arrested on similar charges alleging that she stole more than $400,000 worth of funds designated for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
“The GBI was requested by the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office to conduct an investigation on August 6, 2021, after Lumpkin County Sheriff Stacy Jarrard learned from a concerned citizen that the terms of a local residents’ will were not carried out by the executrix, Rhonda Sheppard,” stated a release from Special Agent in Charge Kimberly A. Williams. “One such term involved a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.”
Rhonda was Lumpkin County’s Chief Registrar and Elections Manager at the time of her arrest on December 9.
After further investigation it was allegedly revealed that Jim was involved in the theft as well.
The 55-year-old was charged with one count of theft by taking and one count of conspiracy to commit theft by taking. He was booked into the Lumpkin County Detention Center.
“Upon completion of the investigation, the case will be provided to the Enotah Judicial Circuit District Attorney for prosecution,” stated Williams.