MITCHELL COUNTY, Ga. — Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr announced Wednesday that 17 south Georgia residents have been convicted of fraudulently obtaining nearly $500,000 in Paycheck Protection Program loans.
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All 17 suspects pleaded guilty to felony charges including theft by taking and false swearing in Mitchell County Superior Court.
The Paycheck Protection Program was established under the federal CARES Act and administered by the Small Business Administration to assist small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Applicants were required to certify under penalty of law that the funds were necessary due to economic uncertainty and would be used strictly for business expenses.
An investigation by state authorities revealed that none of the 17 suspects actually owned the businesses listed on their loan applications. Investigators found that the defendants submitted forged tax documents to obtain the federal funds.
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Carr stated that law enforcement will continue to hold individuals accountable for defrauding pandemic relief efforts.
“The Paycheck Protection Program was designed to support small business owners – not criminals looking to take advantage of a global health pandemic,” Carr said. “With these convictions, we’re sending a message that fraud and abuse will not be tolerated in this state. If you steal from taxpayers to line your own pockets, we’re coming for you and you will be forced to pay back every dollar you stole.”
A Mitchell County Superior Court judge handed down the sentences, which required all 17 Georgians to pay full restitution for the funds they fraudulently received.
Most defendants received 10-year probation sentences with a requirement to perform 200 hours of community service.
De’Antre Jackson, 31, of Camilla, received a 10-year sentence with the first two years to be served in prison and the remainder on probation after pleading guilty on Aug. 26, 2026, to two counts of theft by taking and two counts of false swearing. Jackson was also ordered to pay $41,666 in restitution.
Six other Camilla residents were sentenced to 10 years of probation and ordered to pay $41,666 in restitution after pleading guilty to two counts of theft by taking and two counts of false swearing: Amaray McDowell, 24; Da’Cari Jones, 28; Kentavius Clayton, 28; Kimbreanna Williams, 32; Kentavious Williams, 29; and Stacey Smith, 31.
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Ten additional defendants received 10 years of probation and were ordered to pay $20,833 in restitution along with 200 hours of community service.
Nine of those defendants — Kentavious Wimberly, 26; Randerrius Thomas, 24; Au’Darrious Perry, 25; Chauncy Moore, 29; Demontavious Clayton, 27; Malik Watkins, 28; Jordan Clayton, 25; Dre’Kwaun Daniels, 24; and Kentrundas Almond, 33 — pleaded guilty to one count of theft by taking and one count of false swearing.
Lashundra Clayton, 44, was sentenced to the same probation, community service and restitution terms after pleading guilty to one count of theft by taking.
The state’s case against four remaining defendants remains active and ongoing.
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