Donna Jean Kelley, a Former Georgia Police Officer has been arrested in Georgia after investigators said she stole money from a police department’s evidence room while working as both an officer and evidence custodian.
Kelley, 61, of Cartersville, was arrested on Sept. 24 following an investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) into missing money from the Cartersville Police Department’s evidence room. She faces charges of violation of oath, first-degree forgery and felony theft by taking.
The investigation began on May 27 after the Cartersville Police Department asked the GBI to examine the disappearance of money from its evidence room. According to the GBI, investigators determined that Kelley had taken money from the evidence room during her employment with the department.
The case involves a particularly sensitive area of police work because evidence custodians are responsible for handling and maintaining items collected during investigations. The GBI’s account identifies Kelley as the officer who served in that role at the time the alleged theft occurred.
Investigators have not publicly disclosed the total amount of money allegedly stolen. The GBI also has not detailed what Kelley allegedly forged or explained publicly how investigators linked her to the missing money.
Kelley was booked into the Bartow County Jail on Sept. 24, the same day as her arrest, according to the GBI. The charges against her are violation of oath, first-degree forgery and felony theft by taking.
The allegations remain accusations unless and until they are established in court.
Under Georgia law, a conviction for violation of a public officer’s oath can carry a sentence of one to five years. The potential consequences of the other charges will depend on the specific allegations and the outcome of the case.
The GBI has not released additional details about the investigation, including the amount of money involved or further information about the alleged forgery.
