FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…
Tuesday, August 16, 2016
Local Man Arrested for Credit Card Fraud Also Serves on County School Board
Sheriff Mitch Ralston Reports:
On August 12 , 2016, a private citizen reported the theft of currency and financial transaction cards from a private residence in the Red Bud community in unincorporated Gordon County. The theft is reported as having occurred on August 5th. The items were alleged to have been stolen from a purse in the home. The cards were subsequently used in a number of transactions at businesses in nearby Dalton, Georgia that same date. The victim was notified of unauthorized transactions by the credit card providers. Sheriff’s detectives and Dalton Police have acted in conjunction in this investigation. Dalton Police were able to identify the person using the credit cards as Ricky E. Smith, of Calhoun using video surveillance film. Monday evening at approximately 7 p.m., Smith turned himself in to Sheriff’s detectives at the county jail. He has been charged with the following offenses:
- Theft by Taking (misdemeanor) (2 counts)
- Identity Fraud (2 counts)
- Financial Transaction Card Theft (3 counts)
Smith is being held in the county jail pending bond proceedings. Sheriff’s detectives understand that additional charges will be filed against him by authorities in Dalton.
Mr. Smith currently serves as a member of the Gordon County Board of Education. This investigation did NOT involve allegations of misconduct as an elected member of the Board, and there have been no allegations or evidence of misuse of any public funds.