On November 7, 2025, Holmes County Sheriff’s Office deputies met with a victim who reported more than $325,000 had been stolen from her bank account. The victim provided bank records showing numerous unauthorized withdrawals occurring between June 2024 and November 2025.
An HCSO investigator was assigned to the case and, through the course of the investigation, identified three individuals responsible for the fraudulent withdrawals.
On November 18, 2025, Joseph Spears, Loretta Spears, and Mariesa Phillips all from Washington County were arrested and charged with Exploitation of the Elderly and Grand Theft over $300,000.
The investigation is ongoing.
