MITCHELL COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) - Seventeen Mitchell County residents have pleaded guilty to federal felony charges after investigators say they fraudulently obtained nearly $500,000 in COVID-19 relief funds.

According to the Georgia Attorney General’s Office, the defendants falsely claimed they owned businesses that had been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and submitted fraudulent information to obtain Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans.

Investigators say some of the applications included forged tax documents.

The Georgia Attorney General’s Office announced Wednesday that 17 defendants have now pleaded guilty in connection with the scheme.

The cases stem from an investigation into fraudulent PPP applications filed by residents of Mitchell County.

How the alleged scheme worked

The federal Paycheck Protection Program was created during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide financial assistance to small businesses and help them keep employees on payroll.

According to investigators, the Mitchell County defendants claimed to operate businesses that either did not exist or did not qualify for the loans they received.

Several defendants received loans of $20,833, while others received larger amounts or more than one loan.

In total, the defendants who have pleaded guilty were ordered to pay back nearly $500,000, according to the Attorney General’s Office.

17 convictions — but the investigation isn’t over

The latest convictions are part of a larger investigation.

In 2025, 21 Mitchell County residents were indicted in connection with what investigators described as a broader PPP fraud scheme involving more than $600,000.

The Georgia Attorney General’s Office says four additional defendants still have active cases.

That raises questions about how the fraudulent applications were connected and whether investigators believe additional people or fraudulent applications could be involved.

WALB is working to learn more about how investigators uncovered the alleged fraud, whether the defendants were connected to one another and how much of the money has been recovered.

Guilty Pleas and Sentences

The following defendants pleaded guilty in Mitchell County Superior Court to Theft by Taking and/or False Swearing. All were sentenced to 10 years of probation, full restitution and 200 hours of community service, unless otherwise noted.

• De’Antre Jackson, 31: Pleaded guilty Aug. 26, 2026, to 2 counts each of Theft by Taking and False Swearing. 10 years, with 2 years in prison and the remainder on probation; $41,666 restitution and 200 hours community service.
• Amaray McDowell, 24: Pleaded guilty June 29, 2026, to 2 counts each of Theft by Taking and False Swearing. $41,666 restitution and 200 hours community service.
• Kentavious Wimberly, 26: Pleaded guilty April 20, 2026, to 1 count each of Theft by Taking and False Swearing. $20,833 restitution and 200 hours community service.
• Randerrius Thomas, 24: Pleaded guilty April 20, 2026, to 1 count each. $20,833 restitution and 200 hours community service.
• Au’Darrious Perry, 25: Pleaded guilty April 20, 2026, to 1 count each. $20,833 restitution and 200 hours community service.
• Chauncy Moore, 29: Pleaded guilty April 20, 2026, to 1 count each. $20,833 restitution and 200 hours community service.
• Da’Cari Jones, 28: Pleaded guilty April 20, 2026, to 2 counts each. $41,666 restitution and 200 hours community service.
• Demontavious Clayton, 27: Pleaded guilty April 20, 2026, to 1 count each. $20,833 restitution and 200 hours community service.
• Malik Watkins, 28: Pleaded guilty Jan. 12, 2026, to 1 count each. $20,833 restitution and 200 hours community service.
• Lashundra Clayton, 44: Pleaded guilty Jan. 12, 2026, to 1 count of Theft by Taking. $20,833 restitution and 200 hours community service.
• Kentavius Clayton, 28: Pleaded guilty Jan. 12, 2026, to 2 counts each. $41,666 restitution and 200 hours community service.
• Jordan Clayton, 25: Pleaded guilty Jan. 12, 2026, to 1 count each. $20,833 restitution and 200 hours community service.
• Kimbreanna Williams, 32: Pleaded guilty Oct. 20, 2025, to 2 counts each. $41,666 restitution and 200 hours community service.
• Kentavious Williams, 29: Pleaded guilty Oct. 20, 2025, to 2 counts each. $41,666 restitution and 200 hours community service.
• Stacey Smith, 31: Pleaded guilty Oct. 20, 2025, to 2 counts each. $41,666 restitution and 200 hours community service.
• Dre’Kwaun Daniels, 24: Pleaded guilty Oct. 20, 2025, to 1 count each. $20,833 restitution and 200 hours community service.
• Kentrundas Almond, 33: Pleaded guilty Oct. 20, 2025, to 1 count each. $20,833 restitution and 200 hours community service.

All defendants are from Camilla.

What happens next?

The 17 guilty pleas mark a significant development in the Mitchell County investigation, but four cases remain pending.

WALB has reached out to investigators and local officials for more information about the investigation and whether additional cases could be coming.

This is a developing story. Check back with WALB for updates.

Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Let us know. Please include the article’s headline in your message.

To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WALB on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and X. For more south Georgia news, download the WALB News app and add WALB as a preferred source on Google.

Copyright 2026 WALB. All rights reserved.