By Kathryn F. Pickard
Contributing Writer

A search warrant was executed at a rural Jackson home by Clarke County Sheriff's Department, the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General and the FBI last Thursday, July 6, but the suspect fled moments before officers arrived at the residence.

The federal search warrant was issued after the subject was investigated for filing fraudulent FEMA applications and receiving a great deal of money for disaster assistance.

A call was made to the residence prior to the officers' arrival by agents who said they called because there were children in the home. Only a search warrant had been issued at the time and there were no plans to arrest the subject.

After substantial evidence was found in the home a warrant was issued for her arrest.

Four vehicles, which included a 2003 Ford Expedition, 2005 Nissan Altima, 2001 Ford Taurus and a 1996 Ford Mustang, were seized along with a good bit of furniture. The vehicles were given to the Clarke County Sheriff's Department.

Deputy Ron Baggett of the Clarke County Sheriff's Department and two retired FBI agents who now work for Homeland Security had been investigating the case for several weeks before the FBI was called in to help with the recovery on the search warrant.

The case is still under investigation.