ECHOLS COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) - A former employee of the Echols County Sheriff’s Office (ECSO) has been arrested and charged following an investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).

According to the GBI, Anna Altobello, 33, was arrested on Monday, January 5, around 2:20 p.m., and booked into the Lowndes County Jail on outstanding warrants out of Echols County.

The investigation began on December 18, 2025, after Echols County Sheriff Randy Courson requested the GBI look into allegations that Altobello, who worked as a secretary at the sheriff’s office, accessed the department’s FLOCK license plate reader system for non-law-enforcement purposes on multiple occasions.

Sheriff Courson provided investigators with the names of two suspected victims at the time of the request. GBI agents say the investigation revealed Altobello allegedly searched license plate information related to two individuals known to her on several occasions.

Altobello faces multiple charges, including:

• 8 counts of misuse of license plate data, classified as misdemeanors of a high and aggravated nature.
• 1 count of stalking as misdemeanor
• 1 count of stalking, family violence
• 1 felony count of violation of oath of office

The investigation remains active and ongoing, and authorities say additional charges are expected once further requested documents are received.

Anyone with information related to this case is asked to contact the GBI Thomasville Office at 229-225-4090. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), submitting tips online, or through the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

READ MORE: Echols County News

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 and X (Twitter). For more South Georgia news, download the WALB News app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

Copyright 2026 WALB. All rights reserved.